If I were in charge of things, universities would be required to build in the neo-classical styles or, at the very least, collegiate gothic. I think the University of Guelph is the most gorgeous university campus I’ve seen. I love how they have preserved the original buildings (including original houses and the bull ring) while in-filling with modern buildings. The buildings from the 60s are unfortunate, but the more recent glass constructions complement the original brick and stone buildings.
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Spring Wildlife
Canada Goslings
At A Snail’s Pace
Spring is coming, even if it does seem to be at a snail’s pace! I was so excited to discover this tiny little guy on a mild rainy day earlier this week. I saw him crawling along the curb as I walked to work in the morning. There is also a robin living near our building; I hear his (or her?) bird song when heading in or out. Last night he was singing his heart out and it echoed around the parking lot in the sunset-pink air. The world is waking up again– always carry a camera!
Maple Syrup Time
Signs of Spring
Historic Building: Erland Lee (Museum) Home
The Lee (http://www.erlandlee.com) is currently closed to the public, but you can still enjoy the building’s board-and-batten heritage exterior. I stopped by this evening at the perfect time of day and caught it in the golden light of the setting sun. The house commands an amazing view out over Lake Ontario from the very edge of the Niagara Escarpment.
Tropical Paradise in Niagara Falls
I spent a blustery January day with a friend inside the tropical paradise that is the Bird Kingdom at Niagara Falls Aviary. Not only was it great to escape an icky winter day, but it was also a great opportunity to experiment with various camera settings. Learning the ins and outs of this photography thing is going to take a long time, but fortunately the process is fun and cheap. Bird Kingdom is a fantastic place to visit, with two aviaries (a small one for small birds and then a huge one planted with tropical plants for larger birds). The birds, of course, are wild, but there is a gallery where you can see and pose with a variety of birds and reptiles. I loved holding the silk-smooth yellow python and petting the very sedate iguana, Ferdinand.
National Geographic Photos
I haven’t had a lot of time to do much photography in the past month, unfortunately, so I’ve been perusing the National Geographic for interesting desktop wallpapers. There are so many amazing photos! Check it out at http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/wallpapers/. Enjoy!
Downy Woodpecker
This little fellow was busy in the apple tree outside my bedroom window while I was home at the farm. He has obviously found a very tasty snack bar, for the snow all around the tree was littered with little bits of bark. For almost as long as I can remember, my mom has fed the birds during the winter. Both cats and humans enjoy watching the blue jays, cardinals, goldfinches, juncos, chickadees, mourning doves, woodpeckers and others as they feast on sunflower seeds and corn outside the large picture window. I feel a little guilty bringing my cat back to my place, where the basement window affords a view of only a concrete pad, a little grass and the occasional squirrel or stray cat. My goal for 2011 is to move above ground where both Muggs and I can enjoy sunny windows again– and perhaps even have space for a bird feeder.
Alison Innes 