The Fickleness of March

One of the things I enjoy about the Changing Seasons blogging challenge is having a reason to revisit the photos I’ve taken during the month, looking for the story I might want to tell.

That process is easier in some months as the story seems to want to tell itself, and often the hard part is narrowing down the selection to a half a dozen pictures.

Lake Ontario near the Humber River

March is particularly challenging because the weather is all over the place.  On some days, it may pretend that spring has arrived, with promises of warmer days ahead, and then winter barks at us again – unwilling to let go quite yet.

…. and then of course, the landscape is looking particularly bleak after the months of cold and darkness.

I’m not complaining though.  Compared to our US neighbours getting hit with their 4th Nor’easter this month, Mother Nature has been kind to us this year.

There’s still ice on Grenadier Pond in High Park

We had a big dumping of snow at the beginning of the month, but the afternoon before it started, Gilles and I were able to sit outside around our backyard “camp fire” pretending that spring was near.

It was pretty cold, and yet it was a giggle-fest as Gilles mugged for the camera.  It seems we were already deep into our Friday evening libations.

March is notorious for its blustery cold winds, and on gray days, it’s hard to find any colour outside.  I know many people find it depressing, but I pretend to find beauty in those days.  You know that expression ‘fake it until you make it’?  It actually helps.

The ‘living colour’ of March on one of her dull days.  I’m fascinated by the large blocks of ice that pile up along the shorelines, moved by the forces of wind and water.  Although a common sight along the Great Lakes and large rivers, it’s surprising to see on an otherwise tranquil stream.  Photo taken in Peterborough, near Lock 20.

However, it is absolutely glorious when the sun is shining, and there is a feeling of anticipation in the air.  It spurs me on to make ambitious plans for the summer ahead.

Morningside Park, Scarborough

If I’m lucky, it will involve a lot more outdoor time and when summer does finally arrive, those long winter days of January and February will be a distant memory.

Lang-Hastings Trail – part of the TransCanada Trail

Changing Seasons is a monthly photo feature hosted this year by Su Leslie in New Zealand.  While I am gearing up for summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, she is enjoying the dying days of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.  I encourage you to take a look.