Joining up with Amy for Five on Friday today. Two weeks ago my husband and I visited a park over in Ajax along the shores of Lake Ontario. Rotary Park has the Waterfront Trail run through it, and there are lots of people using the trail for cycling, rollerblading and walking. We decided to just walk along as I wanted to take some photos.
One
This is the reason I wanted to visit this portion of the park ... this magnificent tree! I don't know what type of tree it is (leaves weren't out), but I have admired the silhouette of this tree for many years.
Someone has planted a lot of crocus bulbs around the base of the tree, and these were all blooming when we visited.
Two
The Waterfront Trail ... this is a really well-maintained trail out our way, paved and designated lanes. It passes a water filtration plant where a strange circle of walls has been erected. I think it would be a bit nicer if there was a garden, or at least some benches or tables within these walls. Rather pointless otherwise.
Three
The lake was very calm and still that day, and it turned out to be the only really warm day we've had this spring so far. It was about 9:00 am when we we visited the park, so the wind and waves hadn't started yet.
Four
I found a few wild flowers blooming under the bushes. I took a few photos and stood up to find another lady waiting her turn to photograph the evidence of spring's arrival. Snowdrops and some blue flowers. I don't know the name of the blue flowers, but if you do, please let me know :)
Five
There were some very old willow trees along the path, and I just loved the texture of their craggy bark. There were most likely a lot of willows in this area years ago, but they seem to be dying off now. I'm sorry that the towns are not replanting them because it's a shame to see such beauties disappear from the waterfront altogether. I know their roots are invasive, but this is all parkland and that shouldn't be a concern.
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| chopped willow :( |
Thanks for stopping by today!
Wendy
fantastic Wendy ! Love the trees , I wish we also replaced the big old beauties in our towns too...they are so important and nice to be around too. Maybe the blue flowers are chionodoxa (glory in the snow?)..have a nice weekend...Gail x
ReplyDeleteHello, what a lovely walk. I like the big tree and the pretty crocus. The views of the lake are lovely. Gorgeous photos! Happy Friday, enjoy your weekend!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it was a lovely outing. And what a beautiful park!! Love that trail and all the flowers showing true Spring!!
ReplyDeleteBlessings on your weekend Wendy. xoxo
I think your blue flowers are scilla, pretty blooms for spring. The park looks like a great place to visit, it has been many years since we have been to Ajax. The tree is magnificent.
ReplyDeleteI love trees,, you really captured some beauties,, the planting of the crocus was such an accent to that wonderful old tree,
ReplyDeletelooks like a great place to visit for sure,
The trees you've shown us have so much character. They look so sculptural against the blue sky. The blue flowers are, I think, scilla, as Linda has already said. Such pretty harbingers of spring, along with the crocuses. Have a good weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt is Scilla, they are flowering in my garden right now too. That old tree IS beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWendy, your photos of the trees and the deep blue sky are stunning. I am a big fan of trees, I would rather gaze at them then flowers.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Meredith
A really lovely walk to go on with you! So nice to see more of your part of the world. I agree, the circle of walls would make a good place to sit if there were some benches or something wouldn't it. Perhaps it is a work in progress and they are yet to come. Thank you for joining Five On Friday, I hope you have a fun weekend! xx p.s. I will be in touch either over the weekend or early next week - promise! xx
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a great place to visit. That first tree looks magnificent. I like the silhouette it makes against the sky - very dramatic without its leaves!
ReplyDeleteHave a great week
Your tree is indeed impressive and the crocus look so pretty underneath. I'm always threatening to plant crocus in our sideyarn lawn.
ReplyDeleteLove your big old tree, looks stupendous! Looks like an Oak by its silhouette to me.
ReplyDeleteThe huge tree in the first set of photos is truly amazing! The bark of the willows is so beautiful; it's too bad that they're not being maintained. All of the photos are so pretty, I especially like the blue scilla...I must remember to plant some this fall.
ReplyDeleteYou certainly took us on a very beautiful stroll, loved the crocus in all their glory, stunning colours.
ReplyDeleteYour first tree has the most beautiful skeleton of branches - it looks very old.
ReplyDeleteSpring is everywhere with the underplantings - such a welcome sight after Winter.
I can see why you like the structure of the tree in the first photo, and you know who planted all those crocuses - fairies! ;-)
ReplyDeleteI think your blue flowers are Siberian squill. I am Winnipeg today and have seen them naturalized all over the place. I asked a local gardener about them hoping he would offer some up. No luck. Will have to buy some bulbs next fall.
ReplyDeleteI think your blue flowers are Siberian squill. I am Winnipeg today and have seen them naturalized all over the place. I asked a local gardener about them hoping he would offer some up. No luck. Will have to buy some bulbs next fall.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what they had in mind when they built the circular walls at the waterfront trail. Do you think it is still a work in progress? The silhouette of the tree is truly magnificent! The flowers are beautiful at the base of the tree. The lake feels so peaceful, I could spend hours there. Such lovely wildflowers too! The willow trees are wonderful. I love the closeup shot you took! It was such a beautiful Five On Friday post, Wendy! I loved it!
ReplyDelete-Soma
I wonder how the crocuses feel, so tiny compared to the tree and knowing that it will far outlast them. I'd like to think that they are happy to have pretty colors and many friends around them. Perhaps crocuses are not deep thinkers at all.
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Beautiful photos! The tree is wonderful and I love the bark on the old tree too:)
ReplyDelete