Neighbourhood Gems

I normally write stories about my adventures to parks or mountains, but sometimes one needs to just slow down and enjoy the sights right around home. My home is situated on a convenient 1.2km sq block which makes it ideal for walking the dogs every day. They really enjoy the short outing, at least when it is not rainy. On the wet mornings, one can’t get them to budge from their beds; they just stare at me thinking “You got a problem man? Just leave me alone,” which works just fine with me. 

Well, it is Autumn and the leaves are changing, and the neighbourhood is full of colour. On my recent walks with the dogs, I have spotted several spots along the way that are quite pretty and worthy of a few thoughts with my camera. But now the problem. The dogs may be fair weather creatures of habit but when they are out on the walk, they take it very seriously, and stopping to admire a colourful leaf does not warrant slowing down, never mind stopping.  So today after I finished the walks with the dogs, I grabbed my camera and did an extra turn around the block.

Starting with a colourful maple in my front yard, I found a few patches of varying shades of reds and oranges that I felt needed to be captured before the upcoming windstorm. I then proceeded along my road to a tall maple hidden behind some firs. The contrasts of its yellows with the bright greens makes for a great photo. I continued around, stopping for a few single trees in colour, they were pretty but not really popping. I soon came by a grand vista of trees tucked behind some green shrubs. Again, the contrast between red/orange and green with some blue sky makes the image look alive. 

I next spotted a bright red tree in front of a wall of various hues of green. It stood out remarkably and definitely needed to be in a photo to memorialize the effort it put into its display. I am really quite happy to reward their efforts with a photograph for my collection. Next came a pair of tall poplars backdropped with a blue sky. Though I am wary of these trees when windy, as a pair of their companions blew down across the road ripping out the power lines a few years back, they were making a great show of colour and deserved a few photos.

Lastly, I came by a large colourful small leaf maple. It is a large broad tree and was full of bright colours. It was one of the sights I had seen walking the dogs that really encouraged me to get out there and take some photos. Though the background is cluttered with houses, fences, and powerlines I am sure that a bit of AI cleanup will bring out the best of the tree.

 So, having walked the square, I was back home with the two dogs staring out the window at me wondering what that was all about and why they are on the wrong side of the door. I tried to explain and showed them my camera, but they just glowered at me and went back to their beds with their tails pointing at me. They will be my friend again at mealtime.

So, there we are, a quick story about my neighbourhood. I really need to do more of this, not just radio trips.