Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » St. John’s sideroad https://livinginaurora.ca Living In Aurora Ontario Canada Mon, 13 Jan 2020 19:51:13 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.38 community FOCUS: Experience Nature Or Who Hauled Nature Away? https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/community-focus-experience-nature-or-who-hauled-nature-away/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/community-focus-experience-nature-or-who-hauled-nature-away/#comments Thu, 13 Feb 2014 17:24:35 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=11376 that this will be noted as an important moment in the history of the Town of Aurora. Some welcome the development but I find it sad though, and somewhat hard to understand the short-sighted motives behind it.

Why are we so ignorant of the future, the future of our community? Developmental growth may bring some benefits to the town but also carries with it certain consequences that we blindly ignore to speak of today.” Read More & View Photo Gallery

I will be writing more on the community FOCUS site, post images and perhaps videos. Feel free to subscribe to other site as well as there will be more of Aurora on community FOCUS and more of a community related content.

If you wish to connect I can be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. I am active on all social medias and content may vary. Please no marriage or forever friends proposals :).

IMG_4496_HaulingNature
]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/community-focus-experience-nature-or-who-hauled-nature-away/feed/ 0 Christmas Eve Almost Frozen Night Rider Around Town of Aurora https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/christmas-eve-almost-frozen-night-rider-around-town-of-aurora/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/christmas-eve-almost-frozen-night-rider-around-town-of-aurora/#comments Mon, 30 Dec 2013 06:32:07 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=11332 It was a beautiful cold night. I didn’t realize this until later.

Iced Trees, Superstore Parking Lot, Aurora

Iced Trees, Superstore Parking Lot, Aurora


Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora

Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora


The images you are seeing here were taken in Aurora ON on Christmas Eve night on December 24th, 2013. I drove to the nearby Superstore on St. John’s sideroad. The parking lot was empty and beautifully illuminated – for nothing. The iced trees dispersed light even more.

I pull over and took some surreal images of the iced trees and bushes. I couldn’t believe how beautiful these bushes looked just with a naked eye. On the other hand they kind of looked painful as well – frozen.

Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora

Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora


Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora

Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora


On the side note getting out that late I had to pay small prize – I was freezing myself. My fingers especially where there is not much of human mass and the metal lenses and metal case on one of my cameras didn’t do much justice. Not to mention my nose was kind of turning into – no mystery – a frozen nose. But that wasn’t the it.

Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora

Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora


I knew the ice will eventually go away. Last couple of days we have been experiencing meltdown – thus my urge to go out and take night photos that day. My backyard tree survived. Word of advice – plant flexible trees. The more flexible you are the better chance of survival you have – a life note here, as taken from the tree.

Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora

Frozen Bushes, Superstore, Aurora


I had a choice to turn around and go home. No I needed more. I drove on the Earl Stewart Drive along the newly installed sidewalk for which I asked and finally after 2 years the sidewalk is here. Then it hit me – oh no, I missed most of the Rebook warehouse demolition. All ruins now.

Wellington Street, Near GO Station

Wellington Street, Near GO Station


Yes I wanted to see the Aurora Borealis at the Town Park. When I arrived the place was beautiful and scary at the same time. All the iced trees were squeaking like they were about to fall down. But the sound was not the same compared to the creepy noises coming from the roof tops – ice expansion.

Aurora Borealis, Town Park, Aurora

Aurora Borealis, Town Park, Aurora


Aurora Borealis, Town Park, Aurora

Aurora Borealis, Town Park, Aurora


I kind of dragged myself to the middle of the ice ring and I tell you that was – it. I started to freeze. I literally was there for a minute or two and my fingers were about to turn into icicles and not to mention the nose. I went back to the car for de-frost. Drove a bit along deserted Yonge Street and headed home.

Victoria Hall, Aurora

Victorian Hall, Aurora


Yonge Street, Aurora

Yonge Street, Aurora


And this is how I will remember the 2013 ice storm in Aurora – beautiful, cold and painful. But it wasn’t that painful for me as it was especially for those who lost their power for many days. There are still some unfortunate families that just getting their power back on today.

Caruso and Company, Yonge Street, Aurora

Caruso and Company, Yonge Street, Aurora


Wishing you awesome year 2014. Stay warm another cold front is coming our way.

Christmas Tree, St. John's sideroad, Aurora

Christmas Tree, St. John’s sideroad, Aurora

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/christmas-eve-almost-frozen-night-rider-around-town-of-aurora/feed/ 6 Walked Alone Along the St. John’s Sideroad, Views Will Never Be The Same https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/walked-alone-along-the-st-johns-sideroad-views-will-never-be-the-same/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/walked-alone-along-the-st-johns-sideroad-views-will-never-be-the-same/#comments Wed, 16 Oct 2013 17:48:36 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=11049 the St. John’s sideroad between Bayview Street and Leslie Street there will be a substantial number of residents moving into new houses in the near future.

Some will be just moving from one Aurora home to another home in Aurora, and some will be newcomers.

St. John's Sideroad, Town of Aurora

St. John’s Sideroad, Town of Aurora


By looking at the construction site area we are not seeing a small project here.

St. John's Sideroad, Town of Aurora

St. John’s Sideroad, Town of Aurora


It used to be a beautiful scenic ride along that path or a bike ride or a walk. Walk may be somehow dangerous as there was never much of a side path for walking. Those times are now gone just like the times for St. John’s sideroad between Yonge Street and Bayview Street – the farm view is now gone.

St. John's Sideroad, Town of Aurora

St. John’s Sideroad, Town of Aurora


St. John's Sideroad, Town of Aurora

St. John’s Sideroad, Town of Aurora


Last summer in June 2013 I took a three hour hike along St. John’s sideroad, back and forth. I missed to photo shoot the original scenery along that path, just because I procrastinated – beautiful corn fields and the blue house, and some trees with character are now gone. The blue house wasn’t that old (1998) but it had to be removed. So this time I thought if I wait any longer I will really miss the ultimate change.

St. John's Sideroad, Town of Aurora

St. John’s Sideroad, Town of Aurora


St. John's Sideroad, Town of Aurora

St. John’s Sideroad, Town of Aurora


Since that time things have been rolling. Now when anyone drives along that stretch will notice construction site and the sales office. Not a pretty site now. Since residential buildings are production houses I cannot see how nice the views will be. I can also suspect that the road will need some widening.

St. John's Sideroad, Town of Aurora

St. John’s Sideroad, Town of Aurora


It will be interesting if along that road will we ever see road kills. Road kills like snapping turtles, black squirrels and something flat and orange, quite unrecognizable I have seen. I did photograph those grotesque scenes but I rather not share them here – just imagine.
St. John's Sideroad, Town of Aurora

St. John’s Sideroad, Town of Aurora


]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/walked-alone-along-the-st-johns-sideroad-views-will-never-be-the-same/feed/ 2 Have You Noticed, The Landmark Crane In Aurora Is Gone https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/have-you-noticed-the-landmark-crane-is-gone/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/have-you-noticed-the-landmark-crane-is-gone/#comments Sun, 05 May 2013 00:43:24 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=10424

The crane was with us for a while and if you paid attention that crane was visible from few spots in Aurora. The St. John’s sideroad, Bayview Street and Industrial Parkway are just few places the crane was visible.

Partial Crane Left


I have been tracking progress of this building since the foundation. Since the crane is gone now, one can assume that this is the height of the building. The glass windows and doors are now being added, and at night lights are on. It used to be the crane that was lit up before.

The other day I was lucky enough to see departure of the crane sections. I didn’t notice anything at first. Funny how it goes, it was after few snaps that I realized that the crane was missing, but I was fortunate to arrive and to see what was left of the crane.

Taking Crane Parts Away


In addition, visiting this site many times, I encountered few interesting incidences like lifting some major concrete walls, lifting portable toilets and pumping concrete from the concrete truck right across the building. What can I say, I like construction sites.

Just in case you missed the crane, here are some pictures I took last winter – Winter-y Evening Drive Near John West Way, Construction Site & Year 2012 In Review.

This will be probably the biggest yet condominium in Aurora, if I am not mistaken.

Wide Load


And below is an evening shot of one of the building faces I took around nine o’clock after photo shooting the Aurora Art Show at the Town Hall on Friday.

At night, Installing Windows


]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/have-you-noticed-the-landmark-crane-is-gone/feed/ 0 First Day Of Fall At Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Geometric Views https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/first-day-of-fall-at-nokiidaa-trail-link-boardwalk-geometric-views/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/first-day-of-fall-at-nokiidaa-trail-link-boardwalk-geometric-views/#comments Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:33:47 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=8740 McKenzie Marsh is the pond on the other boardwalk along the St. John’s sideroad, North side. On the South side you will find Atkinson Park Wetland.

It was first day of fall and I went out around 5 pm to take some evening shots. To my surprise I wasn’t the only one. There were few other photographers along with people going for a walk or a bike ride. Speaking of bikes people continue to ignore the sign telling them to dismount the bike.

For today just enjoy the ride. It is really getting cold and it wasn’t warm either on the first day of fall.

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking East

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking East


Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking West

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking West


Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking South

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking South


Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Approaching Biker

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Approaching Biker


Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Almost Looking North

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Almost Looking North


Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, A Runner

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, A Runner


Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, A Dead Tree

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, A Dead Tree

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/first-day-of-fall-at-nokiidaa-trail-link-boardwalk-geometric-views/feed/ 0 Step Into The Booth, Step In Time, Have You Heard About The Latest Chills https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/step-into-the-booth-step-in-time-have-you-heard-about-the-latest-chills/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/step-into-the-booth-step-in-time-have-you-heard-about-the-latest-chills/#comments Mon, 08 Oct 2012 00:07:22 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=8728 on North East corner of the Wellington and Yonge Street was demolished.

Former Zellers store’s facade came down as well sometime last week. Soon there will be fence banners saying ‘Target Loves Canada’, same as we have seen today at the Upper Canada Mall where Zellers used to be.

Perhaps fast changes like that make us more appreciate history of Aurora. I know I don’t buy anything from David Heard’s booth at the Aurora Farmers Market, Town Park, but I really enjoy visiting his booth for sake of stepping back in time.

Sport Memorabilia, David Heard's Booth

Sports Memorabilia, David Heard’s Booth


Beside the sawing machine and other small artifacts, David has also display of sports memorabilia such photos of athletes and that one hockey stick which for love of me I cannot remember to whom it used to belong. But you can find out for yourself when you pay David a visit. We still have about a month of Aurora Farmers Market for this season.

Historic Aurora, David Heard's Booth

Historic Aurora, Photos at David Heard’s Booth


The other day when I went to photograph the demolishing of the mentioned above sales centre I had a nice walk downtown Aurora along Yonge Street. I have been historic downtown few times and I always never fail to find something old but new to me. There is so much of character in some of the old buildings and each having a string of different architectural elements interestingly enough all of the buildings do belong together and beautifully landscape Aurora’s historic downtown.

With the new condominium to be standing in the near future the North view will definitely change and will probably last another 200 or more years.

Historic Aurora, David Heard's Booth

Historic Aurora, Photos at David Heard’s Booth


Historic Aurora, David Heard's Booth

Historic Aurora, Photos at David Heard’s Booth


Historic Aurora, Photos at David Heard's Booth

Historic Aurora, Photos at David Heard’s Booth


Cows in Aurora, Photos at David Heard's Booth

Cows in Aurora, Photos at David Heard’s Booth


Look look look – cows on the picture. This is something we will never see here in Aurora. We can still see horses, but definitely not cows. Today I was actually surprised to see two horses on the North West corner of Yonge Street and St. John’s sideroad. It was just a block away from the entrance to the St. Andrew’s College.

I was on my way to the gas station and when I was filling up the gas I remembered the good old days when the gas was forty five cents per liter. Wishful thinking but we will never see price like that again. However, we may not be far from having our own car plug in the garage to recharge the car as oppose to refuel.

So in the meantime I refueled the car. It was interesting to see that on Sunday morning all the cars at that Petro-Canada gas station were refueled by ladies. It is interesting to note that on Sunday mornings you have a better chance to spot fathers with children at the Aurora playgrounds.

Scary Guy, David Heard's Booth

A Scary Guy, David Heard’s Booth


Well scary stuff is happening in Aurora all around us, and if you really want to see scary, spooky, chills on your back, ghost hanging over your shoulder, spirit walking beside you stuff – get your spirit walk tickets for the Spirit Walk Aurora, only two more walks are left.

Annie's Legacy

Annie’s Legacy

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/step-into-the-booth-step-in-time-have-you-heard-about-the-latest-chills/feed/ 0 Changing Aurora, Zellers Store Closing, New Resort-Style Condominiums, Safer Intersections https://livinginaurora.ca/town-of-aurora/changing-aurora-zellers-store-closing-new-resort-style-condominiums-safer-intersections/ https://livinginaurora.ca/town-of-aurora/changing-aurora-zellers-store-closing-new-resort-style-condominiums-safer-intersections/#comments Mon, 20 Aug 2012 06:06:09 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=8369 We will be celebrating 150 years of our town but we will be celebrating new beginnings as well.

Target beginnings. Zellers stores are closing down and will be replaced with Target stores. We have one store here in Aurora on Bayview Street. I am kind of surprised that the store lasted that long. Some stores are good when merchandise go on sale and Zellers was one of them – good just for that. Zellers was never my cup of tea, but the ironic thing is that I shopped there.

Zellers Closing Down, Bayview Street, Aurora


Now the store is liquidating everything. I went there couple of times few weeks ago to check out sales and I still think it was a bit too expansive for the liquidating store. But I am sure their pricing is much better by now when closer to the store closing. The drawback is that there will be nothing left to satisfy my purchasing needs.

If I am not mistaken. Until closing the store is operating under Zellers stores – purchasing methods and reward points. However, they are in the hands of liquidators, so theoretically it is not Zellers. That means that the liquidator purchased everything in the store, all the inventory.

Usually at the beginning of liquidation the liquidator will try to make as much profit as possible and once satisfied then the prices become better even for the expensive merchandise. So if you are looking for real deal sales you may want to visit soon or closer to the store closing date.

The store building will remain, but expect a new Target store facade in the 2013.

New Ridgewood II Resort-Style Condominium Behind the Cinaplex Building


Another interesting change here in Aurora will be change to the landscape view, the new Ridgewood II Resort-Style condominium behind the Cineplex Aurora located on the same plaza as Zellers. Not sure how high these will be, but the view behind the movie theater will never be the same. It will be build to last, and the way we build those today, they will last may be forever.

On the side note, on the photo below, one of the buildings behind the new development on John West Way is the Hollandview Trail Retirement Residence, the red building. An interesting opportunity is waiting there for me – and no no no I am not retiring.

A lifestyle coordinator from this retirement residence stumble upon my photo journal blog (this blog you are reading now) and asked me to present my photos and tell stories to seniors. At first I thought – what stories? But then my every post is a story. My presentation is scheduled for mid September, so you will be hearing more about that later.

But before I change the topic. When I went to visit this place just for a quick meeting I was amazed how friendly all the seniors were. At some point they started to gather around at the lobby, main attraction being Matthew. Poor Matthew just kept nodding his head and gently smiling at them and slowly his shyness kicked in and tried to hide behind me.

New Condominiums In Front of Hollandview Retirement Centre, John West Way, Aurora


Lastly, I noticed that last year around the same time many sidewalks were fixed. And this year, just before the school, sidewalks are being fixed again and crossing lines are being painted.

At the St. John’s side road and Yonge Street intersection traffic signal posts are being pushed back further away from the intersection. Probably for safety reasons.

Street Lights Moved Back, St. John’s sideroad, Aurora


And speaking of safety. I followed up on the sidewalk that was promised by the town to be installed on the intersection of St. John’s sideroad and Earl Stewart Drive, just beside the Superstore.

A year passed and nothing happened. I asked for the update and looks like nothing was going to happen again. So I made little squeaky noise and sidewalk design was promised for September. Will keep that on the close watch because of safety concern.

In conclusion, these are some of the changes that will be in store for next year in Aurora, but there will be more – downtown Aurora, Petch log house, Wells Street School conversion to lofts are some. Look out for more on changing Aurora posts.]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/town-of-aurora/changing-aurora-zellers-store-closing-new-resort-style-condominiums-safer-intersections/feed/ 0 McKenzie Marsh Aurora Ontario Great Blue Herons Moved In, Cormorants Moved Out? https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/mckenzie-marsh-aurora-ontario-great-blue-herons-moved-in-cormorants-moved-out/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/mckenzie-marsh-aurora-ontario-great-blue-herons-moved-in-cormorants-moved-out/#comments Sat, 11 Aug 2012 02:16:43 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=8209 We never make it as Matthew prefers the community Arboretum, entrance on the intersection of Industrial Parkway and St. John’s. I don’t blame him – on the way home we visit three playgrounds – at the Optimist Park, Northern Lights Public School and Thompson Park.

However, that one day when we did go to McKenzie Marsh we encountered many Great Blue Herons. Firstly, they were flying around as something was about to happen. It was close to the lunch – so may be it was their hunger flight. They were setting themselves up, at least five of them.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora


One heron flew very close to the boardwalk and stood on the dead tree roots, usually where the red-ear slider turtles are found. I took many pictures of the heron and he didn’t mind. I am assuming that with so many photographers now visiting the boardwalk and even the constant traffic noise from the road, herons are adapting.

Many other birds flew over the body of water, but that day the herons were definitely dominating the McKenzie Marsh. And I was glad. Sometimes it is nice to have one species around so I can observe them closely.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora


In the past, we used to have an interesting crowd of the cormorants, but looks like the population of them declined over the years. They mainly occupied the landmark tree on the East side of the boardwalk. They are still around. I saw two on the tree the other day, but this is nothing compare to seeing about fifteen of them.

The cormorants are interesting birds, not to mention they are also invasive. I am sure that now with less of them hanging around the Great Blue Herons are having a blast. They can now hang out on the landmark tree.

However, on this side of the McKenzie Marsh I have never seen a cluster of them. Herons always like to sit by themselves scattered in all directions. One somewhere on the back of the marsh, one sitting on the landmark tree, the other one on the stump, then one hiding on the willow tree across and of course this one on the pictures fishing very near to the boardwalk.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora


Beside Great Blue Herons as always there were Canada Geese and ducks. Seagulls were flying over. Mind you I miss the Caspian Terns. They usually fish on the South side of the St. John’s (Atkinson Wetland). They can be mistaken for seagulls. Look for the distinct red beak and interesting fishing technique.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/mckenzie-marsh-aurora-ontario-great-blue-herons-moved-in-cormorants-moved-out/feed/ 2 No Motorized Vehicles On The Boardwalk, By Default https://livinginaurora.ca/complaints/no-motorized-vehicles-on-the-boardwalk-by-default/ https://livinginaurora.ca/complaints/no-motorized-vehicles-on-the-boardwalk-by-default/#comments Wed, 08 Aug 2012 04:35:40 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=8184

I think by now you may know that my biggest issue here in Aurora is the failure to obey the rules; but no worries I am not planning to move out.

We do have a sign for almost everything. ‘No Dumping‘ sign with a pile of dump is a classic. No idling cars sign must be new because I saw lady idling her car in front of the Aurora Public Library for over five minutes. Sometimes I wonder if she ever knew that she can play her music in the car and draw radio power from the battery only.

In the same area myself and Matthew once smelled a cigarette smoke. I still laugh at his innocent comment, ‘Mom who is BBQing the chicken?‘.

Walking with Bikes, Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora


When Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk off St. John’s sideroad was first installed all kinds of things were permitted. Feeding ducks and biking were the two famous one. Then with time the ‘no feeding ducks‘ sign was placed on the railing which in a matter of small time faded due to the UV sunlight.

Walking with a Bike, Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora


Recently, swinging gates were installed telling bicycle riders to dismount their bikes and walk on the boardwalk. One cannot miss the sign and yet everyone is still biking on the boardwalk. I just do not understand how can you not see a sign that is practically in front of the biker’s face?

But that one day, couple of weeks ago, I don’t know what happened. People were obeying the rules. Everyone that passed by me was pushing bicycle beside them. Now figure that out. Why suddenly such a change? I don’t know. May be because one of the gates on the north side of the boardwalk was missing.

Another explanation is that I had my DSLR camera with telephoto lens attached. A paranoia of being captured on photo is another theory.

Walking with Bikes, Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora


I was happy to see that something worked and it was nice to see different age groups to follow the rules.

Until another day, this man had to ruin my hope, my excitement and my faith in the Aurora people – he decided to ride his motorcycle on the boardwalk. Or may be he is not from Aurora. Still it will not make me feel any better.

Motorized Vehicle on the Boardwalk, Nokiidaa Trail Link, Aurora


I went back to my older photographs and the sign said – oh no he is permitted to ride his motorcycle. The sign says nothing about motorized vehicles. But I think motorized vehicles are not permitted in the parks by default.

Notice to Trail Users Sign, Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Aurora


Well there are other things in Aurora that by default are not permitted. A pile of mulch or wood chips was placed on the parking lot near the Fleury Park. While watching Matthew having fun at the play-ball class Saturday morning I spotted this young boy climbing this pile of mulch.

I felt much better when I noticed that the whole action was supervised by the parent. This was quite an ironic site.

Parent Supervised Climb, Fleury Park, Aurora

]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/complaints/no-motorized-vehicles-on-the-boardwalk-by-default/feed/ 6 Nature’s Snugly, Ugly & The Ant That Sucked Life Out Of Him https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/natures-snugly-ugly-the-ant-that-sucked-life-out-of-him/ https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/natures-snugly-ugly-the-ant-that-sucked-life-out-of-him/#comments Sun, 27 May 2012 03:37:06 +0000 http://livinginaurora.ca/?p=7260 trail on the boardwalk. It is also hard to believe that just last year in March the boardwalk was still under construction. The adaptation process went very well for everyone.

Hello There! Lady Wood Duck With Brood


The population of the lady Wood duck is booming and the ducklings look so snugly and adorable. As a matter of fact this one looking in my direction is reminding me Mumble from the Happy Feet movie.

Hello There Again!


The Lady Bugs found are the real ones, not the Asian one which were released few years ago to get the aphids under control. I still remember when they used to crawl into our house, or seeing a cloud of them flying on our backyard. They were biting as well and had this orange juice coming out of them – yikes.

Beautiful Lady Bug


Who likes spiders? Not me, but they are nice little creatures great to photograph. This one is less than 10 mm in length, including the limbs. Not very big, but good light does help to get nice sharp image, okay, and a good macro lens as well. If you like spiders no worries many many different species crawl everywhere.

Ouch A Spider


I don’t know what kind of insect on the photo below that is but I had to do lot of body bending around to get him to look at my camera.

Used To Be Beautiful


The sad part is that the red ant was sucking life out of him. I didn’t notice at first, but I did notice that he didn’t look too good. For some reason an ant was attached to him and probably trying to kill him, while he was crawling around and anticipating that it will eventually get lost.

Ant Sucking Life Out Of Him


But what I did not notice was that little creature on the stone when I was processing my images. I could be wrong but I think I photographed a tick (bottom left corner photo below), that means I was so close.

Perhaps not all ticks cause Lyme disease. Perhaps the one bit me many moons ago was not the blacklegged tick. I was five or six years old when I was bitten and my mom took out fat tick from my wrist. I did not get any reaction and lost some blood thrown away with the dead tick.

Only forty five minute spent on the boardwalk today yet so much we discovered and only partial journey shared. I will share more stay tuned.

Presumably A Tic

‘Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known’. ~ Carl Sagan
]]> https://livinginaurora.ca/aurora/natures-snugly-ugly-the-ant-that-sucked-life-out-of-him/feed/ 6