A Look Back At July

How did we get to the end of July already?!

I didn’t do nearly all the things I intended to do and yet I know this month has been a full one.

Like, full of hot and humid weather, but that’s what summer is all about, right?

Scarborough Bluffs

I had many opportunities to get out on the water. Paddling has become this summer’s passion and each time I go out, I’m already thinking about the next time.

A solo paddle along the Scarborough Bluffs.

It’s also been a month full of hot and sweaty walks with friends. Instinctively, we’ve been choosing locations close to water. In fact, water seems to be this month’s overriding theme.

A return to the TransCanada Trail along the waterfront in Pickering, with Helen.

Waterfront trail below the Scarborough Bluffs.

However, unlike other summers, I’ve managed only a couple of bike rides so far this year. Adding in something new – like paddling – usually means that something else has to give. This year, it’s been cycling.

Along the Nokiidaa Trail in Newmarket.
If you look closely, you’ll see a cardinal that I managed to capture in this photo (flying just above my sunglasses on the railing)

Some days have been so unbearably hot, I’ve simply been seeking the bliss of AC or the quiet calm of some shaded area.

Toronto Harbourfront.

July used to be a favourite time for me to go pick berries, beans, and peas at a local farm near my home. Sadly, they closed to the public 2 years ago and I miss those weekly excursions.

In a land that is cold and frozen for such a large part of the year, our opportunity for fresh local produce is pretty short.

I was delighted to find a great local farmer’s market while I was out on one of my bike excursions. There’s a good probability I’m going to be a regular here before all these great pop-up markets disappear in October.

I love the line in the poem Hamatreya by Ralph Waldo Emerson that says “the earth laughs in flowers“.

That laughter has been in abundance this month. Wild flowers are bursting out everywhere, giving my excursions an added pleasure.

Waterfront Trail below the Scarborough Bluffs

On one very hot and muggy day this month I encountered something I’ve never seen before …. thousands and thousands of birds congregating on Lake Ontario as far as I could see.

We followed each other along the shoreline for several kilometres before it finally occurred to me to take a video of this unusual gathering.

Finally, to end this month’s summary, Theo has popped in to say a rare hello.

Theo likes summer too … and the feel of cool grass in a shady spot.

This post has been brought to you by Changing Seasons and the endless wonder of nature.

Changing Seasons is a monthly photo feature hosted by Su Leslie at Zimmerbitch.