New ducks settling in at Pine Farms Orchard

 Photos by Barry Wallace

Regular visitors to Pine Farms Orchard, on the 16th Sideroad, north of King City, have been watching as Costello, the Muscovy Duck, who lost his pen-mate Elvis in 2013, adjust to his new young pen-mates who arrived last September.   Two of the new ducks are pictured above.   They posed for the camera quite cooperatively while perched in their pen and they seemed quite comfortable with their surroundings despite the freezing temperatures.   But of course they have all those feathers, don't they?   Not goose-down of course, but duck down is probably quite comfy also. Did I mention that the new young ducks are Elvis's offspring?

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace  

Kettleby polo pony practicing mallet training?

                                                                                                                 Photos by Barry Wallace

Driving past the Polo Farm on Keele Street in Kettleby, on Sunday afternoon, I noticed the young pony above with a stick in his mouth.   Pulling over and grabbing my camera, I got out and called to him.   He turned and looked at me and then strolled over and dropped the rather large stick at my feet, but on his side of the fence.   I chatted him up and he gave me a facial nuzzle, then retrieved his stick and continued practising his stick-work.   Maybe he hasn't been told yet that it is the polo player who will handle the mallet.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace    

More GO Train parking?

Photo by Barry Wallace

The chunk of property south of the King City GO Train Station, between Keele Street and the train tracks, has been completely cleared of the heavy equipment and vehicles and construction debris that had collected there over many years.   The property has been leveled and looks like a likely spot for additional parking for GO Train commuters.   Not being a GO Train rider, perhaps there has already been an announcement about more parking that I haven't heard about.   It certainly seems like it's needed.   All the new housing, and more to come, surely means more GO Train riders.
Please comment if you wish.
Barry Wallace 

Under 90 cents

Photo by Barry Wallace

Shell gas bar ~ King's Ridge Marketplace, King City

Self-serve gas prices dropped under 90 cents a litre a couple days ago which feels good when you fill-up at the pumps.   But for anyone holding energy stocks, here's hoping you diversified a bit before the downturn.   Talk about mixed feelings...

Please comment if you wish. 

Barry Wallace 

Six-month separation of seasons at Seneca

Seneca College Lily pond ~ north side of the 15th Sideroad

Photos by Barry Wallace

Having reached my early 70s, I find it very easy to choose between winter and summer in most cases.   Looking at the winter and summer shots of the same Seneca College scene above reminds me of why it is so easy to choose a summer setting.   Already I've had enough of winter and we're only a third of the way through January.   A week in Barbados would nice at this time of year, but the money is going instead towards a new bathroom....sigh.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Most juncos ever at the feeders this winter

Male Junco

Photos by Barry Wallace

Female Junco

The friendly folks at the Nobleton Feed Mill, Rick and Robin, asked me this week if I had noticed there were fewer Goldfinches at the feeders this winter.   I said yes, but that I also had the most Dark-eyed Juncos ever, at my feeders here in King City.   Every bird that shows up each day at the feeders, in the winter, is a joy for me and I am especially fond of the Juncos. I hope you have lots of them at your feeders also.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace 

King barns of yesteryear

Near Kinghorn

Near Kettleby

Near King City

Near Schomberg

Photos by Barry Wallace

Near Nobleton

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace