My discomfort of another winter

Photo by Barry Wallace ~ 2004

Summer ends in four days

I want it to creep into fall for a week

And then another week

And then another week

I hope that autumn's colours

Penetrate far into December

Then I will hear a knock at the door 

I will open it and ask may I help you

The wind will sigh and say snow is nigh

I will shut the door and go to bed 

For a hundred days

I will begin to exist again on April Fools Day

Look up to the sky and say to the sun

Welcome back warm friend
                                                     BW

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Costello welcomes sons to Pine Farms Orchard

Photos by Barry Wallace

This blog entry is yet another rare occasion (twice in one week!) when I am able to present an entry from my other blogsite: 'Barry the Birder'.   The subject matter hopefully appeals to both camps: birdwatchers and neighbours.   Pictured above are Elvis (front) and Costello (behind), longtime buddies at King Township's Pine Farm Orchards and ambassadors-at-large to thousands of apple-pickers over several years.   Sadly, many months ago, Elvis wandered off and never returned.   It was felt he became embroiled in a misadventure with a fox or coyote.   Costello missed Elvis greatly over the past winter.   He was given a mirror, at one point, to make him think there was company nearby.   Later in the year, Costello was taken away to mate with a lady friend (which apparently took all of 30 seconds) and was rewarded with two fine sons that were destined to join their father at Pine Farms when they were big enough to hold their own against the old man.   The day has come.   The sons arrived on September 13 and were welcomed by their father, whose tail wagged a mile-a-minute, they said.   Today, everything seemed just ducky.

Costello spent time grooming himself prior to his sons' arrival and got his top-knot just right.

On arrival, Costello's sons took to the pool like 'ducks to water', while papa looked on.

It looks like Costello has welcomed his offspring with open arms.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Small feeder - large appetites

Photo by Barry Wallace

This photo is one I took a few days ago and published in my other blog called 'Barry the Birder'.   It was taken in my backyard and I thought I would share it with the folks who read my 'Camera on King' blog, many of whom are also birdwatchers.   Now that the juvenile goldfinches have joined their parents at our backyard Niger Seed feeders, things are getting a little crowded and a bit frantic.   There were approximately 50 'goldies' at any given time today.   Amid the mayhem however, there were some parent birds that were still feeding seeds to begging youngsters...either their own or those of other parent birds.  

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace (a.k.a. BtheB)

Curiosity turning to expectations...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Stonemasons transform intersection

These two gentlemen, employees of Vaughan Paving, are seen mortaring cut-stone into place, at the intersection improvements next to Hogan's Inn, on Keele Street, at the main intersection in King City.   Expectations among villagers are mounting as they try to picture just how attractive the finished product will be.   Meanwhile across King Road on the north-west corner, King City residents can't help but notice the very large concrete pillars that are rising up to support a large sun-shade installation. That corner will feature gardens and benches, with protection from the sun in this village hot spot.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Discovering Schomberg's Roselena Dr. footpath

Photos by Barry Wallace

This view of the trail is on the south side of Roselena Drive, at Schomberg's southern end and follows the Holland River eastward toward the Kitchen-Breedon Manor and library grounds.

There are a variety of mature tree species along the trail, with many, like the willows (above left) and the Yellow Birch (above right) having reached the maximum height (70-75 ft.) for the species in this part of southern Ontario.

Above and below ~ trail flora and fauna

A prelude to autumn colours

The small trail-side pool (above) on today's Holland River is a much reduced version of the broad and long millpond that powered Schomberg's (Brownsville) first mill, built and operated by Thomas Brown in 1836.   His mill stood the test of time for over 125 years. 

The highest point on the trail is on a hillside, on the north side of Roselena Drive.   The view from here in all directions includes some rooftops but is essentially a statement of southern Schomberg's abundant verdancy.   In the photo below, a wooden bridge crosses the Holland River and connects the trail with the grounds of the Kitchen-Breedon Manor.   The main trail continues westward behind the houses on the north side of Roselena Drive.  

The trail reaches the western end of Roselena Drive (on the north side) at Fox Trail Park. Across the road on the south side of the street is the spot where I began my circular journey in this lovely part of Schomberg.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Schomberg's art bounty

Oil by Gaia Orion

Schomberg's 6th annual Street Gallery of fine art and unique crafts drew hundreds of spectators and purchasers on Sunday, May 14.   The weather was cool and cloudy for the most part, but at least there was no rain and good spirits prevailed.

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Above, examples of the unique acrylic style of Dawn Langstroth ~ daughter of Anne Murray

The rickshaw driver was kept very busy

A sidewalk luncheon suited this young art patron quite nicely.

                   Bob Gwalchmai wood carving                 Main Street troubadour

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

I love this alliterative name

Photo by Barry Wallace

If you think I have pictured this farm sign in my blogsite before, you are probably correct.   Every now and then I think I should post in this space pictures of King Township farms that have interesting names.   The sign above is always the one I think of first and then never seem to get around to finding more.   This sign is on the King Road, just east of Nobleton.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace