Purple sprinkles

Off topic

I have maintained this blog now for just over four years. Uploaded 522 posts. Received 20,255 page views*.

My intention has been to always upload fresh photos (taken the same day or at least less than 48 hours with only a few exceptions). And my objective has been to provide:

Observations of the trivial and unnoticed, and a photograph as a second look.

It occurs to me that there have been times that I have not been true to that objective. Posting photos of zoo animals and vacation snaps is not really "trivial and unnoticed" stuff, but I do capture what catches my eye and I find interesting... and I try to avoid the obvious.

So maybe I have not been too untrue.

I appreciate the comments I have received over the years. It is not my general policy to respond to posts, but that does not mean I do not value them. I have always maintained that this blog is for me; as a incentive to make pictures, and force me to do a little writing (in most cases very little writing).

And so I continue... now into the fifth year, sticking my neck out, and pressing on.

*Some of those visits were apparently auto generated by an evil computer in Russia, but then again Google did not count my page views during the first year.

Old Fort Niagara

This is the last in my series of images from Niagara-on-the-Lake. And it contains the same element as the first picture of the series, Old Fort Niagara, across the river and back in the good old United States of America. Land of the free and home to the brave, not to mention the descendants of those who attached the British colony of Canada.

Garden

Walkway

Niagara-on-the-Lake takes full advantage of the lakefront... something I think my hometown could do a little better.

Morning dew

I believe it is more than dew... it is likely fortified by early morning watering.

Niagara-on-the-Lake is flower and garden obsessed, with overflowing plants and blossoms wherever you look. It is really quite spectacular in the summer months.

Waiting

Cuteness is a cheap trick, but how could anyone resist?

Waters edge

Not sure if this is the river bank or the lake shore. Niagara River on the right, Lake Ontario on the left. Guess it really doesn't matter... it is the waters edge.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Just down stream from the mightily Niagara Falls is quiet Niagara-on-the-Lake. This little town, where the Niagra river meets Lake Ontario, attracts a lot of tourists, but for the most part the ambiance is understated class rather than the tacky clutter that is available at the Falls.

The town, and vantage for this photo, is on the Canadian side. Across the river on the American side is Old Forth Niagara. The Canadians have their own fort on this side too. It is easy to forget that at one time the Americans and Canadians were bitter enemies (well, the Canadians were technically British). During the war of 1812 there were cross the river hostilities that resulted in a burned village that is now known as Niagara-on-the-Lake. The war was mostly an effort to tidy-up some lingering details left over from the Revolutionary war. Fortunately those bloody days are distant history and United States, Canada and England are close allies and steadfast friends.

We spent the week-end in Niagara-on-the-Lake enjoying some pleasant site seeing, delicious dinning, pleasurable wine tasting, and impressive theater performance. The town is host to the Shaw Festival with four theaters and up to eight professional performances each day.

I am going to bend my rule regarding posting images this week. Still only one a day, but I will extend the postings into the week and, with later photos, they may be more than a day or two old. It is my general rule to post only fresh, but it is my blog so I can do what I want. OK with you?

Genesee Country Village

Jungle waterfall

Zoo exhibits have gotten a lot more interesting over the last few years. And sometimes the visitors are more interesting to photograph than the residents.

Under the bridge

Blimp

The PGA is holding their big championship in Rochester this week. The event will be televised and, like many important big outdoor sporting events, a blimp is called into service for those big establishing shots.

The Oak Hill Country Club is near my place of work, and consequently, I was able to get this picture without joining the thousands of spectators that have paid big dollars to watch the contest from the ground.

And I guess, I think the blimp is more interesting than the golf match.

Bike path

I am always amazed by how, in a few short months, nature can cover so much.

Garden lover

Most of us are content with a few flowers in front, and a small garden in the back... but then there are some who like to fill the full yard with as much garden as possible.

Flower box

Suburban clutter

A day of sun, then rain, then sun, then raid... strange weather.