Dog days of summer...in winter!

With the great weather over the March 6 weekend, I headed down to Cherry Beach, and as I found out, a lot of dog owners did the same thing.
It was a chance to throw a ball or stick in the water so that there dogs could run into the water, or simply run down the beach having some fun!

The house hippo is real!

We have all seen the commercial for the "house hippo",



a fake Hinterland Who's who type of commercial for a group concerned about childrens advertising.

Well, I was at a show this past weekend, where Zoo to You had an exhibt of animals, such as snakes, lizards, frogs, rabbits and the house hippo

Here it is, just to prove it, held in the hands of on of the attendants!!




Well, they are actually a hairless guniea pig, called a Skinny Pig, and you can find info here, or pictures here.

The pee nazi!

I recently attended the Bike Show, held on the CNE grounds, and wandered throughout the building, enjoying the bikes, accessories and shows, which included racing,



and stunts.







After a few hours, I need to hit the bathroom to make, as I like to call it, a donation to the City of Toronto!
With all the camera equipment I have, a generally head into the stall, as I can hang up my camera bag and camera on the coat hook. My brother did the same thing next door. As I'm starting to hang things up, I hear "THIS IS NOT A URINATOR!", apparently directed at my brother. Its repeated, and my brother says "what are you talking about?"
This brings another "THIS IS NOT A URINATOR" followed with a bang on the door and a "CAN YOU NOT HEAR ME?" comment. To this, I respond "I think he can hear you, he is just choosing not to answer you!"

And now the wrath is directed at me! I flush, put on my camera bag, look down, still see yellow and think that maybe I didn't flush, so I flush again, and open the door to find an old man staring at me. He's wearing a shirt indicating he works at the Living Arts Centre, and says "FLUSH". I say I did flush, and he says "Hold the handle". So I do. For about 15 seconds. I say "I was not aware there was a bathroom monitor in this place." I then said "should I head to the principles office?", and he say "ya, you should". He then watches over my shoulder as I wash my hands. Gotta tell you, very interesting experience!!

Now, I wasn't sure what exactly a urinator was, so I googled it, and this is what came up!!

DUCKS

Went down to Humber Bay West park sunday afternoon (Humber Bay park is actually on the Mimico Creek, as the Humber River is further to the east. What's up with that?!). With the great sunshine,and warm weather, there was lots of people about. Much of the river at the outlet was frozen, but as you go south, the open water allowed for more birds, including Mallards. They have such amazing sheen to the green of there heads.






Also there were some Buffleheads. These are amazing little guys who come south from the artic to winter in Toronto. The males have a dark head, that much like a mallard, has an amasing sheen. Instead of only green, they have a rainbow of colours.





This is a female:





Now, in general, anytime I've seen Buffleheads, they have been very shy about being around anyone on shore. As you walk towards the shore, the will swim away. I was feeding the ducks some peanuts, and was completely suprised to see about 10 of these little guys fly over. Then, even more shocking, they were actually eating the peanuts! I can only think they were really hungry to come towards a person on the shore, and to eat the peanuts.








Later, I went to Colonel Sam Smith park where I saw some Mute swans.

Olympics - City Hall Toronto

On Feb 20, CTV had an olympic celebration at Toronto City Hall. On hand were things like a bobsled photo, mini curling, coke and their little coke bottles, as well as olympic athletes, a trampoline show, and the main event, a series of concert performances.

First up was the ski/trampoline demonstration, featuring Silver medalist(from 2008) Jason Burnett.





Like the earlier Bell show, there was some problems. Here, Jason is sent flying into a tree!

And later joins his partner in a ski jump during the downhill event's in BC!

A gentleman kept the crowds occupied with song in the early portion of the event.

Then Justin Hines did a few songs. He's famous as one of the people who sang the Ontario Tourism songs.

Fefe Dobson then rocked the place with some great songs. Such a powerful voice, then after the song, she would have this small litle "thank you"!








Then the "new" Barenaked Ladies took the stage at 5 o'clock. Its always great to see them play, as they have great songs!









And the banter between songs is legendary. Here's there impromtu "gold medal" song!




Now, I've been watching the olympics on TV, and always find it funny that the TV station runs as many commercials for themselves as they do for their sponsors. Since I'm already watching your station, why do you feel it necessary to tell me over and over again. And they continued this at the event.

Did Alicia Markson know who it was:



Did Ken Shaw know:



or Tom Brown:




Maybe Nathan Downer can guess:



George Lagogianes:



Yup, CTV!

Lake Simcoe Wind Festival

This past weekend (Family Day Weekend), I drove up to Keswick to watch the Lake Simicoe Wind Festival (8th year) on the ice of Lake Simcoe.
Have to admit, kind of weird to park my car on the water!!
Unfortunately, pretty grey day, only broken up by the bright colours of the various kites used by the participants.