The month of April is almost at a close and I’m already in full anticipation of May ahead.
April turned out to be crazy busy in all the ways that are good …. making plans, starting new things, exploring, and watching nature come alive again after another winter.
As usual, weather has taken centre stage. We’ve seen a lot of rain and wind, particularly earlier in the month, with creeks running full and Lake Ontario stretching its boundaries. Flooding hasn’t been a huge problem, although large sections of the beach in Toronto’s east end have been under water.
However, it’s said that April showers bring May flowers and this year flowering seems to be well ahead of schedule. Spring has been exploding in leaps and bounds.
If I didn’t have pollen allergies, this time of year would be perfection.
April has been about being outdoors more and I’ve wasted no time to explore some of the park land on the west end of the city which I don’t know well at all.
What’s curious about Lake Ontario’s shoreline is how it occasionally curves on itself creating unexpected perspectives.
I like the optical illusion created by the curving shore which makes the Toronto skyline appear so close when in fact it’s quite a distance down the shore.
The warmer temperatures have lured us out of our winter hibernation and the trails have been beckoning. In particular, we’ve been chipping away at the Trans-Canada Trail heading north from Toronto. The patches of snow that survived the thawing of early April are now gone and as the month comes to a close, the trees are already in a deep green haze.
With the warmer weather, humans aren’t the only things that have become more active. The chirping and calling of birds has once again become a common sound early in the mornings and throughout the day.
I’m not the only one who’s noticed the increased activity of the bird life. My chubby, spoiled furball is also enjoying the wonderful arrival of spring as he spends more time outdoors. There is just so much to smell and explore. It surprises me that Theo hasn’t given himself whiplash trying to track the birds that flash by the backyard.
This April, spring has come early and given us a taste of what to expect in the summer months ahead. I can hardly wait!
Changing Seasons is a monthly photo feature hosted by Max at Cardinal Guzman.
That abandoned rail track could be a cool place for some photo shoots.
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There is just something about abandoned rail tracks 🙂
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[…] https://mylifelivedfull.wordpress.com/2017/04/29/springs-april-appearance/ […]
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Spring is looking very lovely there! 🙂
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It’s trying to be. Right now we are getting so much rain!! The greenery is exploding and flowers aren’t far behind, but everything is so soggy.
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Sailing in the tropics, I miss the seasons. Especially Spring. I am glad to have enjoyed a bit of it here #OhCanada
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Thank you for the visit from the warmth of Thailand. We could use a bit of that warmth this week 🙂
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Thought it was summer on Friday but today it feels like winter is back🤔
Some great shots Joanne! I’ve only had a chance to get out on my bike for one ride but sure hope to get many more in in the coming days!
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It’s still very early days and I think spring is ahead of schedule here so I’m not too impatient yet.
Today I will definitely be digging out the rain boots though … assuming I do venture outdoors at all 😉
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To hear the sound of singing and chirping birds makes me so happy so, I can imagine how wonderful the sound must be to you. I loved those branches so heavy with blossoms against the blue sky, your cityscapes with the lake are beautiful, and your narrative read like poetry.
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Thanks for the generous feedback 🙂
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I love Spring. It is definitely my favorite season and I DO miss not having a spring by living in a tropical climate ( no winters though so I am not complaining!) Beautiful blossoms, trail and particularly cute kitty on the po
Peta
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Prowl!
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I can’t complain about this year’s spring. Yes, the weather is up and down, but that’s normal. It’s the feeling of promise and anticipation in the air that’s so contagious 🙂
Happy Spring, Peta … even if it feels all the same in your tropical climate 🙂
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Your Spring has arrived early, and our Spring has decided to take its time to arrive this year. Your photos are great — especially the ones of Theo…and your new bike! Enjoy the Spring weather…hopefully are warm weather will be here to stay soon!
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You’ve had a tougher than normal winter on the west coast … and it doesn’t seem to want to let up. Thank you for taking a bullet for the team this year 😉
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Commiserations on the allergies Joanne. But otherwise, it’s great to see Spring in your part of the world and to know you’re busy and enjoying life.
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It continues to strike me as odd that we are on that tetter-totter of nature. As we’re winding up for summer, you’re winding down for winter.
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Yes; it can mess with your head. My son likes to tell people how it was snowing when he was born, and how I panicked that we’d get snowed in and not be able to get to hospital to deliver him (we lived in a flat in a very isolated manor house when I was pregnant). His birthday is in February, often the hottest month here, and all his friends are used to celebrating it outdoors with a barbecue and swimming.
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If I were your son, that would be one of my favourite stories too 🙂
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All of our winter rain disappeared in April (although they still had some up north). Although it’s beautiful here, I think I will miss the variety. Your new steed is a beauty! Ride on, my friend.
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Thanks Janis 🙂
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Last Monday a friend and I made it to High Park by 8:30am to view the cherry blossoms – they were lovely and it was a perfect Spring day – beautifully sunny but crisp. After the cherry blossoms we headed down to the Humber Bay Park for a walk out on the islands – it is really lovely down there – so glad you enjoyed your day.
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I debated with myself about whether or not I would brave High Park for the blossoms. In the end, I decided not to … again. Some day!
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Love the palette of the blossom photo – the blue in the sky – difficult to describe, but gorgeous.
For about 5 or 6 years now, I’ve had spring allergies – late onset, I guess – pain in the patootie. My eyes are just now starting to itch, so I’ll take that as a good sign that winter (boots in or out of the closet) is outta here!
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I broke my nose in my mid-20s and my sinuses have never been the same since. Some years I have little-to-no symptoms and other years – like this one – is one big snot-fest 😦
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The beautiful images seem to be inviting you to come out and play. It feels like summer here today it’s about 82° almost 6 o’clock at night and I’m sitting with Maddy of course.
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We’re in a chilly, wet spell for a few days. That’s ok though. There is so much green out now 🙂
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Beautiful images Joanne 😀 I am an allergy sufferer also but I take daily meds. to help me. Spring and autumn are my favorite times of year.
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Mine too, Joe 🙂
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I like your bike. I want one! Our oldest dog got a bird the other day. I nearly had a heart attack. I am not sure who was more surprised him or the bird. He didn’t know what to do with it, laid down and watched the bird. After a while the bird flew off. I don’t think he will try that again. 🙂
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omg – I can imagine your reaction!
It reminds me of a time a few years ago when Theo caught a chipmunk. I was NOT HAPPY, but it turned out to be one of the most comical things I’ve ever seen and I only wish I had thought to grab my camera and video it.
Needless to say, the chipmunk did escape (in spite of himself), leaving Theo unimpressed with our intervention.
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I couldn’t help but laugh. I feel the same way. I understand nature, but please DON’T DO IT in front of my eyes and DO NOT force me to interfere.
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Agree! We had to have a very long serious talk about chipmunks and bunnies … both are a big no-no. So far, so good 🙂
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Glad to hear that you’re having a great time. Over here in India the mercury is soaring. Thankfully, Mumbai on the western side is receiving some sea breeze to cool off.
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Yikes – I’m not a fan of high temperatures or humidity. Unfortunately, here in Toronto they seem to go together.
Stay cool 🙂
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We had a lot of rain, flooding and cold temps in April, but the sun is shining bright again, temps are back up to normal, and the promise of summer is finally here. My hiking group is ready for action this week, can’t wait to get out there! Enjoy your new adventure.
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Have fun back on the trail! As the temperatures warm up, it’s so nice to be outdoors again 🙂
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Spring has come to NorCal as well after a strange April. The kitty looks a lot like mine. Happy Spring!
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Happy Spring, Jan!! There is so much to love about this time of year 🙂
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I enjoyed the birds, the water and how you are showing your “steed” Joanne.
The Toronto photograph of curved bay to spy the city skyline was beautiful! Hope all continues to go well, safe and successfully with your “chipping away” at your journey north on the Trans-Canada trail. 🙂 May it be splendid and safe, godspeed, J and travel mate!
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Thanks Robin 🙂
I hope all continues well in your world too!
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🙂
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I’m torn between which picture is my favorite, so this is a great post. Theo, aww. Blossoms, ooh. Your noble steed 😛 Haha!
We’re having all the April showers. I’m sorry your allergies prevent you from enjoying it fully, but it really does look lovely there!
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Even through my sniffling, wheezing, sneezing, drug-induced mental thickness, I still love the changing landscape of spring … and for extra happiness, my tulips opened yesterday. You know, the tulips I don’t officially have, but yet keep reappearing each spring?
I have planted numerous tulips that have never grown. These tulips I’ve never planted, yet miraculously show up each year. Spring magic 🙂
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Spring is glorious!
I really, really think the safest tulips to plant are the red, orange, pinks that go down to 8″ — because I really, really think the squirrels love to eat the dark ones and the white ones. The reds must not be as tasty. I lose more of those dark purples and whites every year. I’m going to only plant that particular variety in reds from now on. Much as I love all the colors, and feeding my critters, there is a division there.
I’m so glad you have magical tulips! 😀
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ooooh – 8″ in a lot deeper than I thought. THAT might be my problem. Well, that, and squirrels.
I haven’t tried planting any since I got Theo. Now that I have a resident security guard on yard duty – and he takes his responsibilities very seriously – maybe this fall is the time to try again. Thanks! 🙂
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Yeah, look on the bag or whatever. Single early tulips are the ones to avoid, but I’d avoid the purples, too. Darwins, Cottage, Rembrandt and a lot of others are to be at 8″ depth, and those are the ones yielding the best return in my yard 🙂
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Notes made for this fall. Thanks 🙂
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Glad Spring is springing out all over. Enjoy your new bike!
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Thank you. We like each other so our relationship is off to a good start 😉
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Beautiful photos, Joanne. I love the pictures of the water and flowering tree, the city at a distance. How great that you are outside enjoying it! Spring decided to show up here too – yesterday. It’s exploding. A great time of year 🙂
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Isn’t it exciting? You can practically watch things grow! *Exploding* is the best word to describe it 😀
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Spring and the coming of summer is always exciting!
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oh yes, indeed!! 😀
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Lots of birds out here, too, Joanne. I’m enjoying spring, although, today it’s windy and chilly. Thankfully, I don’t have spring allergies as I’ve read it’s a bad year for them so far. Glad to see you’re chipping away at the trail mileage bit by bit. My husband’s bikes are all Specialized and not just specialized but expensive. 🙂 However, he puts lots of miles on them, so it probably averages out well.
janet
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Well, yes … cycling is expensive. This is my 2nd Specialized. My other one is a road bike and I’m very happy with both of them.
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And then you have biking clothing, water bottles, tires, inner tubes, gel packs, packs for the bike, etc., etc. 🙂
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… and shoes. Don’t forget the shoes!! 😀
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And a helmet, gloves…ad infinitum
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Love the photo of the railroad tracks and the one of your bike on the trail. We’re currently in a bit of a cold spell (it tried to snow on Thursday), but we should be out of it by Wednesday. I’m itching to take the bike out again so next Saturday may be perfect to hit one of the local trails. Have a fabulous weekend, Joanne, and cheers to May!
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It’s a bit chilly here today too and unfortunately I think we’re going to get rained out on Monday – our usual trail day. However, everything is looking so green now that I can’t help but smile 🙂
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Beautiful pics! Glad spring has arrived. 🙂
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I love spring for the sense of excitement and anticipation in the air 🙂
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Like the bike, I have an older Specialized which hasn’t seen the open road for over a year now, If only the weather here in the UK would get a bit warmer, that’s my excuse :>/ My two cats are spending a lot more time in the garden, mainly ambushing each other. :>)
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This is my 2nd Specialized bike and I do love both of them. My road bike has been an absolute work horse so I expect this one to be the same.
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