This Nice Couple

London, Ontario.

These nice people were also checking out the flooding from the spilled river.

Sunset @ Gibbons Park

London, Ontario.

Gerbera Splendour

Gerbera Splendour
Originally uploaded by Phototrain

Doe The Deer

Every once in a while, things just fall into place. It is so sweet when that happens. It is so much fun, when you know that you have only a second or two, to get the shot. We live on a "deer highway".
I just happened to stroll out of the house to get a photo of the back of the house, and this beauty made me freeze in my tracks. This was the best of 5, and the camera shoots at 5 fps (frames per second). The last shot is of the deer as she flies out of my neighbour's yard, a speeding blur! I estimate the whole confrontation took barely 5 seconds.

What fun. Click on the image to see the large version.

At Least ...

... At least there's a sign of an honest lawyer, lol! Dundas St., London, Ontario.

Covent Garden Market

King St, London, Ontario. Click on the image to see the larger version!

Looking, Thinking? Dreaming?

Maybe singing along to the music ...
Sara waiting for the bus ... Dundas Street, London, Ontario.

Snow Day!

London, Ontario, Nov. 22/08.

Triple Chocolate Tiger Cake ...

... with ice cream and raspberries.

Click on the image!

Satuday Night Storm

Eastbound on Dundas St. at Clarence.

Callus's

"Dancing with the six", in the backyard, on a beautiful, sunny morning!

Click on it to see the large version!

Election Reflection ... London North Centre

Well it's settled, for now. The $300,000,000.00 election is over. A big thank you to everybody who ran. An equally big thank you to those who voted.

Peace,

Mike.

Mary Ann Hodge

Here's Mary Ann Hodge and a volunteer starting the day at the campaign office.

Please vote - please vote Green.

Reggae Man!

Sunfest '08.

Click on him!

Yours Truly!

Fair is fair!

Don't click on it!

Cruisin'

Click On It!

Mary Ann Hodge

Ms. Mary Ann Hodge is the federal candidate in London North Centre for the Green Party of Canada. Recently, one of my local Flickr.com colleagues made reference to Ms. Hodge in the comment section of an unrelated photo at my Flickr account. If you would like to see the photo and the comments from myself and deegs, click on the link below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_55/2630036007/

Here is a link to Mary Ann's website:

http://circonscriptions.partivert.ca/article150.html

Which all got me to thinking about politics and what role politics should play in my world. In particular, last fall I decided to become more politically involved. I joined the Green Party of Canada, I attended a few functions and so on. I am somewhat of a "tree-hugger". I have been to see Dr. David Suzuki speak, and I agree with his message. Even before I joined the Green Party of Canada, I had already been a member of the David Suzuki Foundation and one other environmental organization.

The question was; "Well Mike, how political an animal are you?". The answer is that I am not really all that political. I would suggest that I am somewhat apolitical. To be honest, given the choice to do something political or play the guitar, I would much rather play the guitar. I wanted to be more political, I didn't want to become a "non-voter"!

The point for me though, is this: Even if I am not all that politically motivated, even if I am apolitical ... I should still care about Canadian politics. Apathy is not a prerequesite or requirement for "not being interested in politics". I think for people like myself, we need to be as politically involved to the degree that we are capable of.

I think all of us, as Canadian citizens need take our responsibilities as citizens seriously. We can find ways, however small, to be involved in Canadian politics. How? Here is one idea ... VOTE! That's right, each and every one of us as Canadian citizens should vote. There are many other positive avenue's available to us as well. We can show our support with small monthly donations. There are "little things" that we can do. We can help plant trees, we can become better recyclers. Even if we aren't able to physically do those things ourselves, we can find ways of helping those who want to help. Even just one person doing very little, can and does make a big difference as the days, and weeks, and months pass.

Those of us who abdicate our rights and responsibilities as citizens to vote, claiming that politics is "too dirty for me" and that all politicians are "crooked and are just in it for their own personal gain" are being too easy on ourselves.

That my friends brings me back to politicians like Mary Ann Hodge. There are some very good politicians in this country, regardless of their political party or philosophy. People with a proven track record of doing, giving and helping. People who care and want to make a difference. Good people, people like you and I who choose to make a positive difference. We need those good people in politics.

Casting a vote takes so little effort, but it delivers such good results. The person who votes is showing that they care about Canada and their fellow Canadians.

There are many people around the world, who are literally dying because they want to vote. Take a look at the recent murderous violence in Zimbabwe.

Gosh I'm so grateful to be Canadian. I'm so lucky that I live in a country where I and those I care about, will not be murdered or harmed because I cared, because I voted. We are so fortunate.

Please vote, do yourself and Canada a favour, please vote. There is no election yet, you have a lot of time to think. Please think about it. You can help make a huge difference!

Thank you,

Mike.

Happy Canada Day!

Click on it!

Beauty

Click on it!

Give Me Your Answer Do

Click on it!

Ardea Herodias

Remember to click on the image to see the large version.

This was taken at Medway Park, London, Ontario. Just east of Wonderland near Gainsborough Rd.

A New Post

Beautiful weather with beautiful flowers, what a beautiful life!

You Go Doe!

Doe the deer jumping the fence into Betty's yard. I decided to name her "Doe". She has been somewhat of a regular in the yard since just after Christmas. Now spring is here and everything is growing again, so she will be missed. For city dwellers like us it was always a welcome sight to have a bit of Canadian Geographic in the back yard.

The deer were not a daily occurance, but they were regular visitors, usually 2 or 3 times a week, since the real cold arrived. Due to the closeness of the Thames river and Stoneybrook Creek, the neighbourhood is flush with geese, ducks, deer and the occasional wild turkey. I bought the place because I thought the treed yard would be a good place to photograph cardinals, and it is. There is just way more wildlife than I ever could have imagined.

Remeber click on the image to see the larger version.

Sailing Away

Here she is ... all four hooves airborne! I'm curious if this is the same doe as from the previous post. She visited the yard to munch on some bushes and get a drink of water out of the birdbath. The deer can't see me through the window, so I get a fantastic opportunity to photograph them!

Remember; click on the image to see the larger version.

Another Backyard Doe

Some more deer wandering around, snacking in the backyard.
Remember, click on the image to see the large version.

It Was A Full Moon Night

The hounds were baying in the light ...

Gerbera

100_4963
Originally uploaded by Phototrain

Outdoor Photography

Museum London

It's A Hooded Merganser!

Remember, click on the image to see the large version!

This is a Hooded Merganser, commonly referred to as a "Hoodie".

Thanks to deegs for id'ing this one! You can check out deegs' excellent photo's at his Flickr account here:

http://flickr.com/photos/deegs/

Duck!

And I had to "duck" so that I didn't get hit by the duck! Lol!

Click on the image to see the large version ... don't forget to duck!

Waiting For The Spring

Click on the image to see the pretty large version.

I think this is a magnolia tree bud.

Memories

Memories of October 2007 at the Westminster Ponds.
Click on the image to see the large version.

Eyes Of Blue

Photo taken last November 2/07, at Gibbons Park. It was a nice warm day.

Sweet Rose

Sweet
Originally uploaded by Phototrain

Posted at FlickrMike, link is on page below Archives.

Sass Jordan Rockin' In The New Year

If you would like to see the larger version, click on the image.
If you would like a sample of her music you can listen to 'You Don't Need To Remind Me',
Here:

http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=1483783883151355339&q=sass+jordan&total=138&start=10&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=3

Happy New Year!

Sass Jordan smiling at the audience. New Years Eve 2007. Victoria Park, London, Ontario, Canada.

Sass Jordan Rockin' In The New Year

Sass Jordan performing at Victoria Park, London, Ontario. New Years Eve 2007.