Joanne Sisco

Changing Seasons: Where’s The Warm Weather?

What is it about the month of May?

Suddenly EVERYTHING seems to be happening at the same time and demanding attention – yard work, family events, and a score of distracting activities that are infinitely more entertaining than chores around the house.

Twin Rivers
Twyn Rivers Road, Scarborough

Add to the whole frantic mess a Canadian spring that just doesn’t seem to understand the expected weather rules.

It’s been a very wet spring and flooding continues to be a problem.  I reported earlier this month about high water levels and in some areas, like along Lake Ontario, the water continues to rise.

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A cool, foggy morning at Rouge Park. On the left is a pathway … under water.
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Blanketed in thick fog, Lake Ontario is overflowing its banks
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Erosion along the Morningside Trail.  This section of the trail has been closed because of the unsafe conditions.

It hasn’t all been rainy and gray cloudy skies though.  It just feels that way.

I’ve had plenty of opportunity to get outdoors, go cycling, and explore the Trans-Canada Trail.  There have been many interesting sights along the way … all it showing that spring can be really beautiful.

Point Pelee
Point Pelee National Park
Mitchell's Bay - canal
Mitchell’s Bay
Mitchell's Bay - canal2
More Mitchell’s Bay
Chatham
In some areas, the farmers are late into the fields because its been too wet.

Just a reminder, it’s our birthday this year and we’re having a party.

Canada 150

… and has been my practice each month this year, I’m ending with a photo of Theo, for no particular reason other than he’s my fur-baby.

Theo

Changing Seasons is a monthly photo feature hosted by Max at Cardinal Guzman.

 

74 comments

    • It has not been a cooperative spring for anyone who wants or needs to be outdoors on the weekend. I’m lucky that at least I can get out during the week in those rare pockets when it hasn’t rained.

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  2. In spite of cool/ cloudy weather, you took some great photos. I think our inner thoughts affect how much beauty we allow ourselves to see. Oh, and I think a kitty is always a great way to end a post. Theo is beautiful, but I suspect he already knows that 🙂

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    • I agree with you completely – about both Theo and our attitude when it comes to seeing beauty 🙂
      It doesn’t take much effort to find a little wonder and magic in most anything.

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  5. So much water! Your weather does seem soggy at best. Here after a glorious 28C day yesterday and a snow free May long weekend (unheard of) today we have wind warnings and a high of (C. Oh Canada you can dish out variety.

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  7. Must say we have spent little time discovering the natural beauty of Canada, so I really appreciate this entry as it give a wink into your neck of the woods. Love that structure at the National Park which looks like an observation tower. We have loved discovering new national parks and bird parks during our travels.

    But the best of all is your feline…. love the kajal eye and nose liner markings!!

    Peta

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    • Thanks Peta – Point Pelee is a protected wetland on a critical path for migratory birds and Monarch butterflies. That tower gave an amazing view of the wetlands below … and because of all our rain, it was very wet 🙂

      I’m glad I’m not the only one who thinks Theo is stunning. He was a rescue kitten, born to a feral mom.
      He has handsome, almost perfectly symmetrical markings except for that quirky little nose and half a moustache 🙂
      … and he has the most wonderful personality to go with it!

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  8. Lovely photos! Theo is a cutie!
    I feel May had always been a month of craziness. We rarely camp, mostly because of my landscaping schedule, but also because the weather generally sucks. We’re almost to June. Let’s hope Ma Nature’s bipolar swing is on the up 😊

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    • Oooo – I hadn’t thought of that, but I imagine the landscaping business is pretty harried in the spring!
      The other part of spring are the bugs. I hear they are out in force this year … all that wet is likely good for breeding.

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  9. Beautiful pictures and thoughts on changing seasons, Joanne. We actually had enough rain this spring in CA, but I think it is over with over 100-degree temperatures for the last three days. The blues in your picture from Point Pelee National Park are exquisite. Have a great rest of the week. 🙂

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  10. Lovely set of photos Joanne. I especially like the reflections in the pond at Point Pelee Park. But of course Theo is definitely the star here. What a beautiful fur-baby.

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    • Today I am taking advantage of a warm and sunny day to get some yard work done before the rains start again tomorrow. It will be another soggy weekend :/
      … and Theo has started his afternoon nap as cats are inclined to do 😉

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  13. Happy Sesquicentennial to your maple-leafed country! Down here in Southern Cal, we too have had unusually cool weather for May, until just yesterday. Now it’s about as hot as mid-summer. I’ll take the heat any day.

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  14. Hello there, Theo, you handsome boy!! Joanne, the photos from around Mitchell Bay are so lovely. All this rain is very tedious, and hard on coastal landscapes. But … On the positive side … It’s great for the water table. We may be grateful later in the season.

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  15. I like the photos, Joanne, especially the bridges. That warning is pretty clear. Sorry about all the water you’re dealing with. My favorite park has been flooded a few times, but the level has dropped enough that they’ve reopened the parking lot. I hope you get to use the waterfront access soon.

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    • Luckily we can still access the waterfront from an entrance a few kms away that sits on higher land. I think it will be some time before the water levels go down. Every lake and stream I’ve seen is unusually bloated right now.

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    • Thanks Jan. That photo was taken at a migratory bird wetland. I suppose it looks serene, but I remember the endless noise of the birds. They were active and had a LOT to say 🙂

      Happy spring to you too!!

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  17. We had two 90 degree days last week, and this week we’re back in the 40-50’s range. Now, that is a lot of water you guys are dealing with this spring. I know it will mean you won’t have to deal with drought conditions this summer most likely but still it sure causes havoc. Take care and whoever created the first sign sure knew how to speak in plain language. 🙂

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    • Good point Judy – I don’t think we’ll be dealing with drought conditions any time soon.

      … and I agree about the sign. When I see one, I don’t need to be told twice 😉

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  18. Wow…it certainly does look wet and chilly in Canada…You can send some of that wetness to New Mexico…but keep the cool temps, we’ve been fairly cool too. But no complaints there. 100 degree days are not my thing and by August we are in the thick of that. Love your photos, Joanne, and that Theo is quite the charmer. 🙂

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    • I know what you mean about the hot temperatures. Soon enough we will be complaining that it’s too hot … ok, maybe just me 😉

      Theo is definitely a charmer. He has us wrapped around his tail 🙂 I’ve never seen a cat before with such a dog-like personality.

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  19. I think that Vancouver Island has finally settled on ‘sunny skies’ (she says with confidence). Otherwise, as Ally wisely stated, !it’s tiring to the bone’. Wishing you consistent warm weather soon!

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  20. We skipped spring this year, Joanne. Last Thursday, winter ended and summer started, as quick as that. I see some blue skies in your photos – hopefully, a harbinger of what’s ahead. 😀 Enjoy!

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  21. What a contrast you’ve shown in your pictures! I hope the water recedes soon (although the destruction underneath might be troubling) and things get back to normal soon. Theo looks completely unconcerned about everything (as only a cat can be).

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    • I’ve heard predictions that it may to as late as July before water levels are back to ‘normal’. The Toronto Islands are closed to visitors until at least the end of June.
      The shorelines are a mess of debris right now – I’ve never seen it this back. Which makes me wonder … where does it all come from?

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  22. Oh, I loved the observation tower and its reflection, and that bench in the field! That’s a cool and very unique bench.

    All the sudden it’s summer temperatures here! The green hills are giving way to golden hues.

    Theo is so handsome. He looks so soft.

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  24. We’ve been having weird spring weather here, too. It tires me to the bone, right when there’s so much to do. Your photos are gorgeous, as usual. Thanks for sharing them here.

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    • Exactly. Right now there is a battle waging in my head. The sun is currently shining, but it’s supposed to rain again this afternoon. I want to go for a bike ride.
      …. but there’s the gardening, and the housework, painting, bills to pay, laundry …. and I get paralyzed and end up doing little or nothing.

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  28. Theo’s a handsome guy. I love that bench!! We’ve had crazy spring weather in the Chicago area, too: yo-yo temperatures, lots of rain, some flooding. But spring weather is notorious for that sort of crazy behavior, so what’s a person to do? To make it seem even odder, the Stanley Cup playoffs are still going, as are the basketball playoffs. I love hockey, but the season, as with all other sports these days, is too long. No wonder so many athletes get injured.

    janet

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    • I know spring is normally weird, but I keep expecting pre-summer 😉
      This flooding is something very new here. I’ve talked to people who’ve lived here their entire lives and don’t ever recall this kind of sustained flooding.

      I’m not much of a sports fan, and I definitely don’t get hockey-mania.

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    • I agree on the failure part! She’s been overly miserly with the temperature.

      The bench is at the beginning of a very small section of trail only about a mile long. Before and after this trail section are long sections of country road.

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