In the Aurora Arboretum...

Photos by Barry Wallace

The tree in these two photos is located in the Aurora Arboretum. at the west end of the main water retention pond, behind the Town of Aurora offices.   I believe it to be the largest tree in the arboretum.   I do not know its height, but I do know that it's trunk is 15 ft. in circumference at ground level.   I also am not sure of the identity of the tree. I'm guessing Beech or Ash, maybe even Elm.   However, it is immense and impressive, and may it flourish for many more  years.   

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Barry Wallace

St Andrew's College - Aurora

 

Photos by Barry Wallace

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Barry Wallace

Swans have returned...

 

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Barry Wallace

This photo has no King or Aurora connection...

Lending a helping hand

I recently found this charming online photo published by Laurie Ness Gordon, the one-time wife of the recently-deceased, and one-time King Township resident, Donald Gordon.   Donald was my first best friend 65 years ago, when I was a teenager, back in the late 1950s in King City  Time, distance and events conspired to keep Laurie and me from ever really meeting.   There's not really much more to say except that I hope the photo brings a smile to you, as it did to me...and affectionate greetings to the unknown photographer.

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Barry Wallace

Fungus among us...

 

Photos by Barry Wallace

FUNGUS

The study of fungi, known as mycology, was regarded, in the past, as a branch of botany, although it is now known fungi are genetically more closely related to animals than plants.   Their relationship with other plants is obscure, and they are now classified as a separate kingdom distinct from the green plants.

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Barry Wallace

Folk art by Bob Wallace...

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

This charming piece of folk art was created by my talented, younger brother, Robert Wallace, who lives up Parry Sound way.  During my recent move to smaller digs at Delmanor Aurora Centre, I've had to purge a lot of artworks, but this is one of my favourites, so it easily made the cut.   Thanks again, bro.

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Barry Wallace

In the spring garden...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Bees ~ Butterflies ~ Pollen

Which eats what?

Honey bees consume both pollen and nectar that they collect from flowers.   Most butterflies do not purposely eat pollen however.   Butterflies prefer to eat nectar.

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Barry Wallace

Photos by Barry Wallace

SPRING ~ no other season like it. 

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Photos by Barry Wallace...

Lilacs / Lilacs / Lilacs /  Lilacs

Shrub or small tree (Syringa vulgaris), 

of the olive family, cultivated for its fragrant blossoms,

 which are usually of a pale pinkish-violet colour

...from the Persian lilak and the Turkish leylak.

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Photos by Barry Wallace...

IRIS

Irises are widespread in the northern hemisphere.   They are characteristically tuberous or bulbous with sword-shaped equitant leaves and showy coloured blooms.

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   Barry Wallace

Photos by Barry Wallace...

Tulip (of the lily family)

Introduced to Europe from Turkey in the the 16th century

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   Barry Wallace

King scene captured by A.J. Casson

A. J. Casson 's  'Spring Lasky'

Group of Seven artist A.J.Casson painted this late spring scene in King Township hamlet Laskay, atop the hill immediately south of the historic, one-time Laskay Emporium site.  Laskay Emporium is now located at the Black Creek Pioneer Village site in Toronto.   The Laskay scene is as bucolically charming in 2022 as it was when painted by Casson, ninety years ago in 1932.

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Barry Wallace

First butterfly of spring?

Photos by Barry Wallace

Mourning Cloak

(Nymphalis antiopa) 

 This rather unique looking butterfly is often the one Canadians see first in springtime.   There are 20,000 butterfly species in the world and 100 of them are found in Canada.   The Mourning Cloak butterfly is found everywhere in this country.  In Britain, it is known as the Camberwell Beauty. Many Mourning Cloaks over-winter in leaf mold in Canada, enabling them to make early spring appearances.

 

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Barry Wallace

Welcome spring

 

Photos by Barry Wallace

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Barry Wallace

Northwest corner ~ Yonge & Bloomington...

Photos by Barry Wallace

Forgotten Birch Grove

 

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Barry Wallace

I'd rather be in Antigua...

 

Photo by Barry Wallace

It's the first of April, 2022 and it's cold and still snowing. I took the photo above in Antigua in April several years ago.   It's where I'd like to be today.

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BarrytheBirder

Residences of Spring Hill...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Has it really been 10 years?

I took the photo above in April of 2012.   Where does the time go?   It seems this condominium development on King Road, at the west end of King City, was finished just a short time ago.   I took this picture when I was 70 years old...now I'm 80! 

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Barry Wallace