[Taller Better]

Chamber of the Immortals:

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7149/aaug0806chamberofimmortalswd9.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/4917/aaug0806chamberofimmortalsiez4.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8476/aaug0806aviewbkt0.jpg

a couple of insects in a peach orchard:

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7193/aaug0806aviewbiizx5.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/3478/aaug0806aviewbiiiid8.jpg

and finally the Grand Entrance under the full moon, as I bade farewell to the wonderful display!

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/3058/aaug0806entrancefb0.jpg

http://img181.imageshack.us/img181/6175/aaug0806entranceijf5.jpg

and goodnight to our ferocious duelling dragons fighting over a precious pearl:

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/2025/aaug0806adragonue3.jpg

[Taller Better]

Here are some more pix from the last couple of weeks. I got a new camera, and have had fun playing with it. First stop, Kensington Market. This is one of the last remaining open air markets in North America, and most definitely there is no other place like it in Canada. It was started about 100 years ago by Jewish immigrants, who created a little self contained village by adding shops to their houses. Over the years Kensington has remained popular with new immigrants, but most of the original Jewish population moved to better parts of town in the 50's. They were replaced by Italians, Ukrainians, Hungarians, South America and people from the Caribbean. There were plans to demolish it in the 60's to create a new urban development, but luckily a new mayor, David Crombie, put the kybosh on the idea. I suppose he was one of those NIMBY'S that get skewered daily on SSC! ;) It remains slightly grubby, rundown and a bit ramshackle... but also remains one of the most fascinating area of our City! And besides.... how can you not love a neighbourhood with a store like this?

http://img474.imageshack.us/img474/28/jun1206kensingtonroachorama4mp.jpg

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/7031/jun1206kensingtonmarketaa6wq.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/2066/jun1206kensingtonmarketaai7fx.jpg

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/8322/jun1206kensingtonmarketaaiii1i.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/4187/jun1206kensingtonmarketaav5yy.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/9245/jun1206kensingtonmarketaavi1ky.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/6171/jun1206kensingtonmarketaavii6p.jpg

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/8725/jun1206kensingtonmarketaaviii9.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9590/jun1206kensingtonmarketaavx9az.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9346/jun1206kensingtonmarketaavxii9.jpg

The last time I spent any time in Kensington was about 15 years ago. At that time it
was even more authentically old time European, with cages of live chickens for sale on the sidewalks, and the fish stores had fish spread out on ice. I have to say, as I walked down these streets last Monday, that this is the only area in Canada or the USA that I have ever been that really reminded me of Sao Paolo in Brasil. The open air shops with clothing hung on the front of the run down shops, the graffiti and painting on the shop walls.... the exotic goods for sale in bins. Took me back to Brasil!

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7325/jun1206kensingtonmarketc4by.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/9707/jun1206kensingtonmarketbvxiii3.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/4639/jun1206kensingtonmarketbvxii1l.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/5191/jun1206kensingtonmarketbvxi6mu.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2202/jun1206kensingtonmarketbviii7y.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/9674/jun1206kensingtonmarketavi0pq.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/4305/jun1206kensingtonmarketavii5kg.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4871/jun1206kensingtonmarketaviii9b.jpg

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/8741/jun1206kensingtonmarketavix8by.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5813/jun1206kensingtonmarketavxii0g.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/4617/jun1206kensingtonmarketbii3oq.jpg

[Taller Better]

a group of British tourists that appeared to be totally lost:

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/743/jun1206kensingtonmarketbritish.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/224/jun1206kensingtonmarketbiv2gy.jpg

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/1529/jun1206kensingtonmarketbvii2wd.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6083/jun1206kensingtonmarketbv1bq.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6264/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvxx4rc.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9594/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvxi5dm.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/3614/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvx3gp.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/1152/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvii4hv.jpg

There is an element of trendiness slowly creeping in. So far it fits in nicely with the laid-back community, but one fears someday it may become another Queen Street West:

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/8506/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvi5nv.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/2295/jun1206kensingtonmarketxv8kz.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9449/jun1206kensingtonmarketxii3fx.jpg

[Taller Better]

A very cool Spanish (as opposed to South American) tapas bar:

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3637/jun1206kensingtonmarketxi5fi.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8317/jun1206kensingtonmarketviii0qv.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6738/jun1206kensingtonyokoonomad9vp.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/861/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvxxvix.jpg

I loved this little South American grocery store. I stocked up on quantities of Brasilian farofa, rice and beans, Mexican Mole sauce, etc... even if a person fancies whipping up some cactus for dinner, here is your source:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/655/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvxxiv0.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/7792/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvxxii0.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5929/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvxxvi2.jpg

I've not seen a shop with Piñatas hanging from the ceiling since last I was in Puerto Vallarta!

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/5154/jun1206kensingtonmarketxvxxv5b.jpg

Houses in the surrounding neighbourhood range from the respectable well maintained Victorian

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/338/jun1206kensingtonmarket9nf.jpg

to a mish-mash of styles and conditions:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9449/jun1206kensingtonmarketxii3fx.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8913/jun1206kensingtonmarketiii9mf.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8944/jun1206kensingtonmarketii5op.jpg

[Taller Better]

And, now we walk a block or so east til we reach Chinatown.

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/5293/jun1206chinatowncntower1rz.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/990/jun1206chinatownstreetcar4zu.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/8493/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevxv1.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/3378/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevxv3.jpg

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/341/jun1206chinatownyuccascasava1p.jpg

dried shrimp

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8493/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevxv1.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6259/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevxv.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/7258/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevx2.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7144/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevix.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/4841/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevii.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/8121/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevxi.jpg

http://img158.imageshack.us/img158/6259/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevxv.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6980/jun1206chinatownstreetscenev3m.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7947/jun1206chinatownstreetsceneii2.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/38/jun1206chinatownstreetscenecvi1.jpg

Sections of Chinatown are quite Vietnamese influenced:

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7651/jun1206chinatownstreetscenecvi.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/6318/jun1206chinatownstreetscenea5g.jpg

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2651/jun1206chinatownstreetscenevxv2.jpg

[Taller Better]

The sun was beating down on your intrepid reporter, so after a refreshing ice-cold beer on an outdoor patio I biked South to King Street, and Queen Street. Just a few
sights I saw on the way:

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6999/jun1206kingstvamsterdambrewery.jpg

King West is a VERY up and coming area, and is home to many of Toronto's hottest restaurants:

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/6057/jun1206kingstvilee0qn.jpg

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/6060/jun1206kingstviiithuet9vr.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2256/jun1206kingstvii9uw.jpg

a hot new place, Blowfish:

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/333/jun1206kingstvixblowfish8ui.jpg

One of my very favourite watering holes is actually the oldest surviving pub in Toronto... opened in 1849, it has been slinging suds ever since:

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/6045/jun1206kingstvxwheatsheafiii1i.jpg

http://img218.imageshack.us/img218/7192/jun1206kingstvxwheatsheafpatio.jpg

Inside the Wheat Sheaf is a framed copy of the Illustrated London News of 1859 featuring a brand new King's College over in Toronto, Upper Canada:

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/8904/jun1206illustratedlondonnews18.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/6606/jun1206kingst8ht.jpg

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/3036/s18857vd.jpg

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/2339/s1885picturei6et.jpg

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/9783/jun1206kingstreetstpauls1885ga.jpg

[Taller Better]

A bit further East, and off Dundas I found a very interesting old Catholic Church serving the Chinese community:

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/5924/jun1206ourladyofmountcarmelrcc.jpg

Over to Queen Street, which is positively booming these days. Perhaps it has lost some of its bohemian charm through gentrification, but it is a very exciting area to live or visit:

http://img119.imageshack.us/img119/6564/jun1206queenstidressshop1ih.jpg

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/8692/jun1206queenststreetscenei8zp.jpg

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/2074/jun1206queenstii0gj.jpg

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2711/jun1206queenststreetsceneiii7v.jpg

http://img234.imageshack.us/img234/7974/jun1206queenststreetscene3az.jpg

This enterprising lad was selling hugs for 25 cents. I gave him enough for four hugs,
but politely declined on the merchandise:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/9857/jun1206queenstvxii25centhugsi7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Taller Better]

a souvenir-mobile peddling his wares:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/910/jun1206queenstviisouvenirmobil.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

A fire many years ago destroyed most of St George the Martyr Anglican Church, except for its handsome tower:

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/351/jun1206stgeorgethemartyrtower1.jpg

http://img520.imageshack.us/img520/9367/jun1206queenstvxibuilding6ao.jpg

The oldest pub on Queen St.- The Black Bull, in a Georgian building from the 1830's

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/9709/jun1206queenstvxtheblackbulljp.jpg

http://img383.imageshack.us/img383/9179/jun1206queenstvxtheblackbull3j.jpg

A Goth on Queen Street painting his black paintings:

http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/6250/jun1206queenstviiigothart7yq.jpg

[Taller Better]

On the bike, and North a few streets to College Street. Here is a beautiful Gothic Revival Church from 1858, St Steven-in-the-Fields:

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/1052/jun1106ststeveninthefields1858.jpg

I love the old Victorian firestations of Toronto... each has its own whimsical theme and style. This Italianate town hall style with a handsome campanile graces College Street (No 8 Firestation)

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/9971/jun1106no8hosestationcollegest.jpg

The area was tradtionally settled by many Portugese people. This style of house is very popular, and they usually have well tended gardens. This one has an outstanding feature of two large mooses on the balcony:

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/9642/jun1106collegestcanadiana9bs.jpg

Knox United College, 1875, built by the same architect who had built the Canadian Parliament Buildings:

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/4029/jun1106knoxcollege1875i0es.jpg

[Taller Better]

Another day, another tour. This time I cycled North along Avenue Road, toward my destination of Casa Loma. Built around the turn of the century by Sir Henry Pellat, this "Castle on the Hill" occupies one of the most prime residential locations. Of all the great Victorian homes built in Toronto, this ranks as the biggest and... well, most ostentatious as well. A combination of many styles, it is a little overwhelming to the visitor:

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/2779/jun0806casalomavii1wd.jpg

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/9696/jun0806casalomaneighbourhoodi0.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/7019/jun0806casalomaiv7vg.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/1219/jun0806casalomaii9wx.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/3892/jun0806casaloma3oj.jpg

Even the horse stables can only be described as.. well, grandiose:

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/1900/jun0806casalomastables19057fq.jpg

http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/4701/jun0806casalomastables1905i8zo.jpg

Nearby Spadina House, another gracious Victorian house with beautiful gardens:

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/7546/jun0806spadinahousei8wl.jpg

[Taller Better]

Hallowe'en celebrations last night on Church Street, in the heart of the gay village, where they shut down the street every year for a big Hallowe'en party. The weather was good, and the costumes were amazing! Thousands of people packed the street for the fun and entertainment:

The range of costumes went from the very tasteful:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/8554/img7541jn1.jpg

to the cheerfully taste-free:

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/8839/img7535ay6.jpg

and ran the gamut from The Good:

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/9994/img7646hc7.jpg

the Bad:

http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/5171/img7719iz5.jpg

and The Ugly:

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3540/img7830yy5.jpg

Being at night it was hard to photo the crowds, so please forgive the dark
quality of some of the pix:

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/51/img7793tk0.jpg

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/2428/img7798yk5.jpg

http://img168.imageshack.us/img168/7140/img7819bw6.jpg

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5916/img7810js1.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/3849/img7809qn1.jpg

[Taller Better]

I will start with

A surprising number of families join the fun, and this little fella was all tuckered out:

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/1221/img7808gy5.jpg

I couldn't quite catch if this was Condoleeza Rice, or Jackie O... more likely
Jackie O; she had more fans on the Street:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/4343/img7803lb3.jpg

Carmen Miranda showed up:

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1922/pavigw8.jpg

and people apparently came from all over the world for the event ;)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/3281/img7780qt3.jpg

http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/4215/img7779mw5.jpg

[Taller Better]

"Friendly" describes the atmosphere:

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8064/img7772hh5.jpg

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/4045/img7771ao4.jpg

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/327/img7823qv1.jpg

The centre of the fun on the street is always the second floor patio bar of
LUB lounge... no party on Church Street is complete without a DJ :dj: and Go-Go boys:

http://img412.imageshack.us/img412/9784/img7578vl7.jpg

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/5797/img7580vo8.jpg

http://img351.imageshack.us/img351/4936/img7560gd1.jpg

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/6866/img7547yt7.jpg

[Taller Better]

table for one:

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/3131/img7544lu6.jpg

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/6181/img7542cs9.jpg

The Gloved One:

http://img430.imageshack.us/img430/3673/img7615yo8.jpg

Sailors galore:

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/6724/img7617cy9.jpg

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/6496/img7622ad7.jpg

Feathers everywhere:

http://img276.imageshack.us/img276/5309/img7626jc5.jpg

drama/tragedy often go hand in hand.....

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/9343/img7627il7.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/782/img7632os3.jpg

The Tunes were excellent, and soon had the entire crowd dancing:dance:

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/2684/img7694wo5.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/6669/img7690cr9.jpg

Borat put in an appearance:

http://img290.imageshack.us/img290/9697/img7673ma1.jpg

[Taller Better]

Another little cutey-pie:

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/3151/img7671xw0.jpg

and yet another:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/3564/img7670lg9.jpg

a juicy big Strawberry:

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/6521/img7665vm0.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/1894/img7659zm4.jpg

http://img285.imageshack.us/img285/7287/img7654ca0.jpg

http://img273.imageshack.us/img273/1701/img7650fv2.jpg

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/2278/img7645ej2.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/5785/img7643zt9.jpg

[Taller Better]

The Pirate theme was predictably strong this year:

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/3029/img7639st3.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/4924/img7636ix4.jpg

http://img224.imageshack.us/img224/3228/img7764ra4.jpg

http://img416.imageshack.us/img416/1290/img7737eg8.jpg

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/3311/img7734ix9.jpg

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/7274/img7733is3.jpg

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/1561/img7726eo0.jpg

[Taller Better]

Look up.... look waaaay waaaay up:

http://img503.imageshack.us/img503/4688/img7723ed5.jpg

http://img430.imageshack.us/img430/9350/img7721gx7.jpg

Lot's of cocktails:

http://img270.imageshack.us/img270/8428/img7714fx6.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/7103/img7708ty8.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/3279/img7707cf2.jpg

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6571/img7703cz5.jpg

a full moon explains much of the hijinx!

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/157/img7698fr1.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/4988/img7695dt0.jpg

A great time was had by everyone! Thanks for taking the tour!!

[Taller Better]

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[Taller Better]

I'm afraid I loaded page one with far too many pix, so despite the fact it will throw the continuity out, I will have to move some from late spring, early summer to here:

and a few random downtown shots to round off a full day:

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/103/may0706unionstationstatueii5ts.jpg

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/3057/may0706bceplace9ws.jpg

the lovely old 1822 Campbell House:

http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/8222/may0706campbellhouse0px.jpg

One of the groups of old men who gather every day downtown in various spots to
play serious games of chess:

http://img372.imageshack.us/img372/381/may0706chessplayers5md.jpg

Probably the oldest gates in Toronto, they originally graced the grounds of St Paul's
Cathedral in London. They were brought to St Jame's Anglican Cathedral in Toronto
in Victorian times..:

http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/3607/may0706fencestjamesstpaulslond.jpg

St James Anglican Cathedral, which has the second highest church spire in Canada:

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/5663/may0706stjamescathedral3oj.jpg

lovely old Georgian buildings in Old Toronto, dating back to 1830:

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/6434/may0706frontstiv7gn.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9756/may0706kingsteast3qj.jpg

[Taller Better]

and the St Lawrence Market, founded by farmers in 1803:

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/5748/may0706frontstiii4rg.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3100/may0706frontsti2qp.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9094/may0706frontst3ad.jpg

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/9819/may0706royalbank9rh.jpg

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/7258/may0706hockeyhalloffameii3qt.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/2617/may0706hockeyhalloffamei3qn.jpg

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/9946/may0706hockeyhalloffamecarving.jpg

[Taller Better]

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/384/may0706tdcentrev8sl.jpg

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/8200/may0706tdcentrecow7ga.jpg

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/8213/may0706stmichaelscathedralcath.jpg

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/6105/may0706stlawrencehalli5wm.jpg

Birthplace of Canadian painter Paul Kane:

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/512/april3006paulkanehousei5hh.jpg

And a wander to watch a movie downtown before toddling off home. Parting shot: City TV station on Queen Street:

http://img479.imageshack.us/img479/2816/may0706citytv4cl.jpg

And then, awa' tae bed.

[Taller Better]

Wow, this is one of the best photos threads I've seen in a long time. Well done.:cheers:


Thank you for the nice comment!:tup:

[Taller Better]

Some more from late spring:

I finally got my pictures from last weekend organised. The annual "Doors Open Toronto"
was held, with the added bonus of sunny, hot weather. Doors Open features 144 buildings/spaces that open up to the public for tours, free of charge. It started out as a one time only event to celebrate the millenium in 2000, but proved so wildly popular that it has become annual. Torontonians love their architecture, and the crowds are immense. I used my bicycle for greater agility and was able to hit about 30 places over the two days. I'll start with my favourite, the 54th floor of the Toronto Dominion Bank Tower. The tower, designed by Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, was completed in 1967, and looks as fresh and contemporary today as it did then. Very similar in design to The Seagram Building in New York, this marked the beginning of this newer style of highrise office towers in Toronto. Here are some views I snapped:

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/2364/april0906downtownshotstdbetter.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/2133/may2706tdcentreviews4bh.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/340/may2706tdcentreviewsvi7ut.jpg

http://img439.imageshack.us/img439/2886/may2706tdcentreviewsiv4zv.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/7919/may2706tdcentreviewsiii4yf.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4681/may2706tdcentreviewsii2ay.jpg

http://img331.imageshack.us/img331/4232/may2706tdcentreviewsxii7pm.jpg

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/17/may2706tdcentreviewsx3lj.jpg

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/391/may2706tdcentreviewsi2il.jpg

As was van der Rohe's style, every minute detail has his touch, including of course all the furniture. Here are his famous Barcelona chairs:

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/7391/may2706tdcentrebarcelonachairs.jpg

and here is the 11 metre boardroom table, cut from a single tree:

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/1774/may2706tdcentre11metretable9fa.jpg

[Taller Better]

Then, down the street a few paces to a much older style of "skyscraper". Commerce Court North, completed in 1931 in a beautiful Art Deco style, was the tallest building in the British Commonwealth from 1931-1962. The immense banking hall is very grand and luxe in finishes.. a sight to behold.

http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/1208/2005sept18cibcbldgsoldnewi3lu.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/3739/may2706commercecourtnorth2we.jpg

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/6803/may2706commercecourtnorth19277.jpg

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/7310/may2706commercecourtcofferedce.jpg

Next stop, on the same famous King Street, is a newly renovated office tower from 1913, that has had an elegant, slim condominium tower built behind it. The old Dominion Bank looks fresh and sparkling after the conversion:

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/2120/may2806onekingw7hu.jpg

the massive walk in vault:

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/7153/may2806onekingwestwalkinvault0.jpg

Views from the boardroom penthouse of the old banking building:

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/4118/may2806onekingwestviewfrboardr1.jpg


http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/8236/may2806onekingwestviewfrboardr.jpg

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/1628/may2806onekingwestiv4vj.jpg

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/6636/may2806onekingwesti3kg.jpg

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/316/may2806onekingwmainboardroomwa.jpg

http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/5085/may2806onekingwestii0ro.jpg

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/1204/may28061kingwestdominionclub0n.jpg

[Taller Better]

Next stop, the much loved Canada Life Building on University Avenue. Built in 1931 in a neo-classical Beaux Arts style, it has remained a landmark on The Avenue since day 1:

http://img328.imageshack.us/img328/4708/may2706canadalifebldg6et.jpg

views from the observation tower

http://img426.imageshack.us/img426/5314/may2706canadalifebldgviewii9lz.jpg

Nearby, the beautiful 1928 University Club, modelled after the famous Boodles club in London, it is regarded as one of the finest examples of classical architecture in Canada. It houses a very important collection of Canadian art from "The Group of Seven":

http://img331.imageshack.us/img331/4939/may2706universityclubafterbood.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/4939/may2706universityclubafterbood.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/9472/may2706universityclubhallway4m.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/425/may2706universityclubroom4va.jpg

Then it is outside and back onto the Avenue, with a spectacular view of the brand new "Canadian Opera Company" Opera House:

http://img331.imageshack.us/img331/3254/may2706universityavenuei3zt.jpg

[Taller Better]

Next a short bike ride North on the Avenue to the University of Toronto campus, where several buildings were open for tours. First The Soldier's Tower, built to commemorate the men and women of the University who died fighting in World War I:

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/2710/may0706uoftcampusviii9fz.jpg

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1417/may2706uoftsoldierstower2rh.jpg

http://img439.imageshack.us/img439/6470/may2706uoftsoldierstowerwindow.jpg

an interesting building detail on Hart House:

http://img198.imageshack.us/img198/1411/may2706uoftharthouse4fe.jpg

and the grand University College building of 1856:

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/9355/may0706uoftcampusx1oq.jpg

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/2721/may2706uoftuniversitycollegewi.jpg

http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/5296/may2706uoftuniversitycollegeii.jpg

I will post more pictures later today, but now must dash to a dentist appointment! ;)

[Taller Better]

There, glad that dentist thing is out of the way. Next we move on to one of the most
beautiful Art Moderne spaces in North America - The Carlu. In 1931, Lady Eaton commissioned Jacques Carlu to design a recital hall and dining area that would be the jewel of Eaton's Uptown Department store. Carlu, who was from Paris, was of course famous for designing the interior of what I believe to be the most beautiful ship ever built- The Normandie. Buoyed by the success of the stunning space he created, Carlu then went on to create the famous Rainbow Room in the Rockefeller Center in NYC. Here are some pictures I took at the Carlu. I start with a photo of the beautiful Art Deco College Park store, of which the Carlu is on the 7th floor:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8045/nov1205collegepark7ux.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/8793/may2806carluii8vc.jpg

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/3678/may2806carluiii8bk.jpg

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/115/may2806carluix8es.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5295/may2806carluvii1th.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/8061/may2806carluviii2xx.jpg

Here are details of some of the wall murals painted by Carlu's daughter Natacha:

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/8391/may2806carlumuralsbynatachacar.jpg

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/8391/may2806carlumuralsbynatachacar.jpg

[Taller Better]

I am sure the good Lady Eaton was rightfully proud of this jewel that she brought to our city. Now, for variety, some Toronto churchs. First, St Paul's Basilica, built in 1887 in the style of the Italian Renaissance style St Paul's Outside the Walls. It is the only official Minor Basilica in Toronto, and was built to serve the poor Irish Catholic immigrants who flocked to Toronto to live and work. Recently the magnificent interior was cleaned and restored to its original glory. Enjoy!

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/1179/may2806stpaulsbasilica1887i0ea.jpg

http://img312.imageshack.us/img312/4898/may2806stpaulsbasilica1887inte.jpg

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/4898/may2806stpaulsbasilica1887inte.jpg

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/2804/may2806stpaulsbasilica1887inte1.jpg

http://img312.imageshack.us/img312/2804/may2806stpaulsbasilica1887inte1.jpg

And, only a block away, let us compare it to an Anglican church that was built in 1844 to serve poor Irish immigrants as well, but Protestant ones. This is the oldest church building still standing in Toronto, and suffered a fire in the 50's:

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/2475/may2806littletrinitychurch1844.jpg

http://img431.imageshack.us/img431/2475/may2806littletrinitychurch1844.jpg

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/2475/may2806littletrinitychurch1844.jpg

http://img484.imageshack.us/img484/2475/may2806littletrinitychurch1844.jpg

[Taller Better]

And now for something completely different!!! St George's Greek Orthodox Church, which started out life in 1890 as the Holy Blossom Synagogue, and converted to Greek Orthodox in 1937. The lush interiors were painted by the Pachomaioi monks:

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/5157/may2806stgeorgesgreekorthodox2.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/5157/may2806stgeorgesgreekorthodox2.jpg

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/1553/may2806stgeorgesgreekorthodox1.jpg

http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/1553/may2806stgeorgesgreekorthodox1.jpg

I feasted on traditional Greek foods in the basement, made with love by a group of Greek grandmothers. When I asked for a Coke, one wagged her finger at me and playfully said: "No Coke. Orange Juice only. Is good for you, has fibre"!!

I spotted an interesting building on the way as I cycled. Here is the SAS building, built with environmental technology and planning:

http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/4586/may2806sasbuildingi0dn.jpg

also drove past the whimsical Paradise Cafe, which appears to have closed, sadly. They've closed Paradise, but not put a parking lot just yet...

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/9811/may2806queenstreetparadise6jw.jpg

A live Swing Band entertaining the troups for free on King St East:

http://img312.imageshack.us/img312/3185/may2806uptownswingband5lm.jpg

[Taller Better]

One of Toronto's most cherished buildings, The Gooderham Flatiron Building, built in 1892 on a small wedge of land, in a combination of Gothic Revival and Romanesque styles. It predates the Flatiron Building in New York City by ten years.

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/6116/may2906frontstflatiron7np.jpg

and another solid Victorian Gooderham building built entirely in the Romanesque style:

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/6350/may2906gooderhambuilding2bc.jpg

And, one of my favourite downtown Churches, the Anglican St. Jame's Cathedral built in a Gothic Revival style in 1853:

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9989/may2906stjamescathedralviewxi6.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/1323/may2906stjamescathedraljpg4bd.jpg

http://img454.imageshack.us/img454/88/may2906stjamescathedralshotjpg.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/4197/may2806stjamescathedraliv1vx.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/482/may2806stjamescathedralii8xk.jpg

And one last church, so as not to burn you all out, as this one has a spectacularily pretty stained glass window. Also one of the oldest churches in Toronto, The Holy Trinity was built in 1847 by the grace of a good lady in Yorkshire, who left money in her will for the building of a Free Anglican Church in Toronto. At the time, people were always charged money to rent a pew.... this lady was opposed to the concept and wanted a free church to be enjoyed by all:

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9517/may0506holytrinitychurch18472o.jpg

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/8210/may0506holytrinitychurch1847i7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img431.imageshack.us/img431/6492/may2806holytrinity18470zw.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/9589/may2806holytrinity1847i5qp.jpg

and the spectacular window created by a Toronto stained glass firm, McCauslands, around 1850. They are still in business to this very day.
Mr McCausland had the good sense to marry the daughter of a powerful Torontonian, and enjoyed many plum projects after that wise decision:

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/5775/may2806holytrinity1847mccausla.jpg

[Taller Better]

Moving on now to a Toronto landmark, Osgoode Hall which was built in 1832(with additions since), and which houses the Law Society of Upper Canada. The facade looks the same today as it did in 1860:

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/9028/may0706osgoodehalli3au.jpg

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/2197/may2706osgoodehall5na.jpg

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/5588/may2706osgoodehallskylight4yi.jpg

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/8684/may2706osgoodehallmainhall1pt.jpg

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/6704/may2706osgoodehalljustice5eg.jpg

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/856/may2706osgoodehallceilingi5vr.jpg

Next stop, Firehall Number 4, built in 1903, now The Alumnae Theatre:

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/9676/may2806firehall419036fw.jpg
It is on Berkely Street, with its charming cobblestones in front of Victorian rowhouses:

http://img470.imageshack.us/img470/3811/may2806berkeleystcobblestones7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

And speaking of charming Victorian rowhouses, there is one particulariy cute row built in 1879 on Clarence Square. They are in the shadow of The CN Tower, and God only knows how they survived to this day:

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5176/may2806clarencesquare2db.jpg

One departure from the 143 buildings on Doors Open, is one Tall Ship! The Empire Sandy which was requisitioned by the British Government during WWII, and used as a tug. Today it is a pleasure yacht which can be rented out for harbour cruises..

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/4531/may2806harbourfrontempiresandy1.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4531/may2806harbourfrontempiresandy1.jpg

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/1578/may2806harbourfrontempiresandy.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1578/may2806harbourfrontempiresandy.jpg

[Taller Better]

While down on Harbourfront, I snapped a few pictures:

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/4826/may2806harbourfrontcaptainjohn.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8876/may2806harbourfrontboardwalk8c.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3426/may2806harbourfrontlookingnort.jpg

http://img186.imageshack.us/img186/3426/may2806harbourfrontlookingnort.jpg

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/6089/may2806boatrides4zu.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1892/may2806harbourfrontscenesviii4.jpg

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/3474/may2806harbourfrontscenesvii5t.jpg

http://img394.imageshack.us/img394/2136/may2806harbourfrontscenesvi8pv.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/1653/may2806harbourfrontscenesiii5n.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/8595/may2806harbourfrontscenesii3nu.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/207/may2806harbourfrontscenesi8ml.jpg

I will revisit Harbourfront in the summer to take more pictures.

And finally The Royal Canadian Military Insitute (1890) on University Avenue:

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/2391/may2706royalcanadianmilitaryin.jpg

With a spectacular collection of antique toy soldiers:

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/6483/may2706royalcanadianmilitaryin1.jpg

[Taller Better]

On Monday, the temperatures soared to 34C, so I hopped on the ferry to the Toronto Islands, to enjoy a cooler day soaking up the beauty of these largely undeveloped islands.

http://img54.imageshack.us/img54/6457/may2906ferriestoislands5dj.jpg

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/8210/may2906torontoislandsviewdtwni.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/5647/may2906torontoislandshanlansdo.jpg

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/7056/may2906torontoislandsviewdtwn4.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/9595/may2906torontoislandsswanbridg.jpg

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/6448/may2906torontoislandspond1qh.jpg

[Taller Better]

The Southern tip of Toronto is a beach:

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/7002/may2906torontoislandssouthernt.jpg

A City of Toronto nude beach on Hanlan's Point (taken at a discreet distance! ;) )

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1628/may2906torontoislandshanlansbe.jpg

A 200 year old Lighthouse that is allegedly haunted!!

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/8338/may2906torontoislandsgibralter.jpg

A cheeky swan who wouldn't stop pestering me at lunch til I tossed him a french fry

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/9535/may2906torontoislandsswan6cq.jpg

[Taller Better]

The peaceful, bucolic charm of the islands is everywhere you look...

http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2835/may2906torontoislands6lr.jpg

A statue of a famous Canadian rower Ned Hanlan, after whom part of the Islands is named:

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/2301/may2906torontoislandsnedhanlan.jpg

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8313/may2906torontoislandsmap0me.jpg

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/6421/may2906torontoislandsi6jb.jpg

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/6462/may2906torontoislandsferryi7do.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9992/may2906torontoislandscentrevil2.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5640/may2906torontoislandscentrevil1.jpg

[Taller Better]

And Centreville, a children's amusement park not yet open for the summer:

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/4161/may2906torontoislandscentrevil3.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/9992/may2906torontoislandscentrevil2.jpg

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/8334/may2906torontoislandscentrevil.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/5640/may2906torontoislandscentrevil1.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/8334/may2906torontoislandscentrevil.jpg

and finally a few leftover pics that didn't seem to fit into anywhere!

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/8666/may2906stlawrencemarket1ft.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/9303/may2906stjamescathedralbust0eq.jpg

http://img363.imageshack.us/img363/3677/may2906kingstlamaquettei3bd.jpg

http://img196.imageshack.us/img196/332/may2906kingst6rf.jpg

http://img317.imageshack.us/img317/2339/may2806bistro9900gj.jpg

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/7729/may2906frontstwhalesmural1fk.jpg

City Hall by day:

http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/8078/may2706cityhallangle8dz.jpg

and a parting shot of City Hall by night

http://img421.imageshack.us/img421/7183/may2706cityhallbelltower8ez.jpg

Thanks to everyone who joined me on this tour today! :hi:

[Taller Better]

Fast forward to the present- October/November 2006. I'll just post a mish mash of Autumn photos that I have taken recently!

http://img77.imageshack.us/img77/3886/img7340ak3.jpg

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/8357/img7343ev2.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/6291/img7345ko1.jpg

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/7178/img7349px7.jpg

http://img322.imageshack.us/img322/9212/img7350xx5.jpg

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/2599/img7412jf6.jpg

Here is a nice shot looking down at the construction site of the Royal Ontario
Museum addition:

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3050/oct2306viewromidj8.jpg

a shot looking West on Bloor, from Avenue Road:

http://img373.imageshack.us/img373/6617/oct2306bloortowestsm4.jpg

The test outlet for Coca Cola's plans to break into the Starbucks-type coffee business. If this Far Coast test works, they may open up across North America:

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/8246/oct2306bloorstrq8.jpg

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/7853/oct2306bloorviewcornerrw8.jpg

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/7182/oct2306bloorstmanufacturerslifeii0.jpg

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/4714/img7339nw7.jpg

http://img55.imageshack.us/img55/5828/img7337zc8.jpg

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/340/img7357zp3.jpg

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/2993/img7362wx5.jpg

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/6866/img7445ro0.jpg

[Taller Better]

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/808/oct2306viewdonvalleykb6.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9452/img7453tf8.jpg

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/8066/oct2306viewdowntownqb2.jpg

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/3055/img7428sn1.jpg

http://img435.imageshack.us/img435/790/img7342hx3.jpg

http://img289.imageshack.us/img289/1007/img7345hb2.jpg

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/5964/img7451ae9.jpg

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/8673/img7448jw1.jpg

http://img346.imageshack.us/img346/4269/img7332cj1.jpg

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/4710/oct1806sherbournestxk4.jpg

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/4720/oct1806viewjz5.jpg

A 300+ year old white oak near where I used to live:

http://img50.imageshack.us/img50/6074/oct30300yroldoakiiixp0.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/3696/oct0906amsterdamparkvyh9.jpg

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/963/oct0906amsterdamparkivkx0.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/5247/oct0906uoftiqs9.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3453/sparkiiv7.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/6867/sparkyk9.jpg

[Taller Better]

Some pix from a few weeks ago during the annual Salmon run on Humber River here in Toronto. I got off the subway stop at Old Mill... this is a pretty inn/restaurant built up from the ruins of an old 1840's mill.

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/1116/oct1008salmonrunoldmilljpgal9.jpg

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2043/oct1008salmonrunoldmilliqy6.jpg

a bridge over the Humber River:

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8154/oct1008salmonrunhumberriverviiqe2.jpg

a salmon "ladder" where the fish leap up to the next level in their
quest to swim back to the spot where they were spawned:

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1356/oct1008salmonrunhumberriverviiipg4.jpg

Hungry folk waiting for a feed of salmon:

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/6884/oct1008salmonrunhumberrivervine1.jpg

a salmon swimming in the shallows:

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/7443/oct1008salmonrunhumberrivervhl5.jpg

a salmon unsuccessfully trying to leap over the ladder:

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/8968/oct1008salmonrunhumberriverivdh6.jpg

a salmon on its way to successfully scaling the ladder!

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/1408/oct1008salmonrunhumberriverqj9.jpg

[WHISTLERINMUSKOKA]

It's safe to say you covered almost every inch square inch of the city. Also thanks to you I just did nothing at work for two hours. Nice job!

[Taller Better]

LOL! Sorry to be responsible for you missing your work, Whistler! I've not covered every square inch of TO, but a lot of it. I took thousands of more pix this past summer and will try and organize some of them this winter. I think the next one I will try and organize will be Greektown.

[Citrus-Fruit]

Great thread TB. It means alot to me as Im hopefully moving to Toronto sooner rather then later. Absolutely love the place (I think its the best city in NA ;) dont tell the yanks)

[Corbin Dalus]

Dude, I only wish I had the kind of free time you do. The pictures are completely awesome. The mot thorough peek at a multitude of aspects of Toronto. I live an houur-and-a-half away and have been many times. I realize I've seen nothing.

[excel]

great pictures. thanks.

[Taller Better]

Thanks for the nice comments, guys!
@Corbin, I pretty much have the same amount of "free time" as any other
working person, except I work evenings and have the days to myself. Photography is my hobby! :)

[Sacto]

Damn...that's alot of images!

[Taller Better]

^^ Yeah, sorry about that. I didn't realize at first that if I made many short entries, it would spread out on more pages. Apparently with these forums, the pages are determined by number of entries, not number of images. So... this copy of an original SSC photoblog (minus all the comments) is compacted into half the number of pages. Heavy downloading and I apologize for that! :)

Some pics I took at midnight last night off my balcony. The air was cold and crisp, and the sky above the city was beautiful with the scattered clouds:

http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/6816/nov0306kf5.jpg

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/7583/nov0306isf6.jpg

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/6317/nov0306iiat2.jpg

[mariokarter]

Wow, tons of amazing pictures. You really have covered so much of the city in extreme detail. Next to you I have only scratched the surface. The sad thing is I did have the time to do so this summer.

I thought it was funny how the cabbie suggested to drive the hamilton couple to the atrium on bay, he just wanted to rack up a nice cab ride bill.

Do you know what is happening to Cherry Beach at the moment? I know they were doing some construction down there a while back.

So your going to greek town soon, cool, I live in Riverdale. Make sure you get some pics of the bloor viaduct.

keep up the good work!

[Taller Better]

Hey Mario, it's addictive! Photographing your city is the best way to get to know it! Keep snappin' pix!

[Taller Better]

Pix from today, out walking the dogs. The cold weather has been rushing things along. Leaves falling like crazy. :

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/2493/nov0406jarvisstreetscenlp8.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/4042/nov04gloucesterstpn9.jpg

http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/5748/nov0406cawthraparkike9.jpg

Impatiens still alive.... but they will be next if we get another frost:

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3741/nov0406flowersiai3.jpg

Hardy flowers still going strong:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/4497/nov0406flowersst7.jpg

Park scenes:

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7549/nov0406allangardensscencl3.jpg

much beloved Scottish poet, Robbie Burns:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2586/nov0406allangardensrobbyc7.jpg

leaves falling like crazy:

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/7970/nov0406allangardensviiqh0.jpg

enjoy it now; won't be here for ever:

http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/6968/nov0406allangardensvmp5.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/392/nov0406allangardensiro1.jpg

everyone digging up flowerbeds..

http://img142.imageshack.us/img142/9738/nov0406fallworkxz1.jpg

Canada's National Ballet School:

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8512/nov0406nationalballetsckr1.jpg

[Taller Better]

Took some pix inspired by an "uptown/midtown" thread today. First stop was uptown, Yonge and Eglinton, followed by what I think is midtown- Yonge and St. Clair. Enjoy!

Looking south to midtown..

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4196/nov0606yongeandeglintonda1.jpg

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/4360/nov0606yongeandeglintonri0.jpg

This is a popular area to live, and sometimes nicknamed Young and Eligible. Condo's sprouting up at Yonge and Eglinton, too:

http://img391.imageshack.us/img391/5843/nov0606yongeandeglintonta6.jpg


Then a bike ride south from Uptown to Midtown, past the Mount Pleasant Cemetary:

http://img362.imageshack.us/img362/7886/nov0606yongeatmountpleahv2.jpg

http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/9529/nov0606yongeatmountpleaqo1.jpg

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/1555/nov0606yongeatmountpleaxs3.jpg

and now we reach St. Clair

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/2325/nov0606yongeandeganglicxu1.jpg

[Taller Better]

I prefer Midtown (Yonge and St Clair). There is more character there, and is generally considered a posher area to live.

http://img468.imageshack.us/img468/4028/nov0606yongeandeglingtogz1.jpg

http://img482.imageshack.us/img482/1578/nov0606yongeandeglingtoiz9.jpg

http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/5594/nov0606yongeandstclairei0.jpg

http://img368.imageshack.us/img368/3377/nov0606yongeandstclairsvy4.jpg

http://img361.imageshack.us/img361/2276/nov0606yongeandstclairvht9.jpg

http://img485.imageshack.us/img485/6531/nov0606yongeandstclairskx3.jpg

St Clair Avenue going West:

http://img359.imageshack.us/img359/9707/nov0606stclairwestjpgsq8.jpg

http://img475.imageshack.us/img475/7840/nov0606stclairwestifr4.jpg

http://img451.imageshack.us/img451/9677/nov0606stclairwestiiwl5.jpg

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/2752/nov0606stclairwestiiimq0.jpg

[Taller Better]

Next stop, St. Michael's Cemetary, at St. Clair and Yonge. The earliest gravestone I found today was 1843. This cemetary became in demand shortly after during the great Potato Famine in Ireland, when many poor new Irish immigrants to Canada died of disease. So this cemetary was used for burying Irish Catholics. Hoping people don't freak at pix of a cemetary.... I find them fascinating:

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/1985/nov0606stmichaelscemetajw4.jpg

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/2162/nov0606stmichaelscemetavc2.jpg

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/6191/nov0606stmichaelscemetarb4.jpg

Here is a newer gravestone, replacing an old one. Perhaps this young man died in the Fenian raids of the mid 1800's in Ontario:

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/4877/nov0606stmichaelscemetaryivrs2.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/369/nov0606stmichaelscemetaxm1.jpg

The Winter Vaults, built in 1856. When the ground was frozen solid, bodies were interned here til Spring:

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/1166/nov0606stmichaelscemetawg2.jpg

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/1609/nov0606stmichaelscemetabm9.jpg

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/9378/nov0606stmichaelscemetalc3.jpg

Marble statuary has not weathered as well in Toronto graveyards as it has in European ones, due to our harsher climates. Granite wears well, but marble has tended to erode:

http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/8086/nov0606stmichaelscemetacx2.jpg

Naturally, Celtic Crosses are a popular theme:

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/1336/nov0606stmichaelscemetaryvxxixw3.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/7118/nov0606stmichaelscemetaryvxxixva9.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/3837/nov0606stmichaelscemetaryvxxxgh2.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9849/nov0606stmichaelscemetaryvxxxiql9.jpg

Hmmm... hope they didn't wind up going to Heck:

http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/8339/nov0606stmichaelscemetaet2.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/1401/nov0606stmichaelscemetarysceneiiec4.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/2504/nov0606stmichaelscemetaau8.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/625/nov0606stmichaelscemetarysceneivfn8.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/1782/nov0606stmichaelscemetafp0.jpg

http://img354.imageshack.us/img354/9166/nov0606stmichaelscemetazo0.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9865/nov0606stmichaelscemetarysceneviiihh9.jpg

I loved this grave marker designed to look like logs....:

http://img458.imageshack.us/img458/9395/nov0606stmichaelscemetaph8.jpg

look at the wonderful shamrock details:

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/1253/nov0606stmichaelscemetaryscenevixnp2.jpg

The oldest gravemarker that I saw was a Scot who died in 1843:

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6872/nov0606stmichaelscemetarygravestone1843oi1.jpg

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/231/nov0606stmichaelscemetamu2.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/2705/nov0606stmichaelscemetaryscenevxivof0.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1331/nov0606stmichaelscemetaryscenevxvipt3.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/4300/nov0606stmichaelscemetaryxqc2.jpg

Thanks for hanging in there, and sorry if the pix creeped out anyone.

[Taller Better]

Some nice pix taken from my bike ride home... around Summerhill on Yonge Street, going South:

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/7560/nov0606yongestlookingdtnr9.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/4229/nov0606yongestlookingdtzg0.jpg

The old Canadian Pacific Railway station, converted into an amazing 8000 square metre liqour store:

http://img490.imageshack.us/img490/5863/nov0606summerhilllcboirz8.jpg

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/1686/nov0606summerhilllcboiihn0.jpg

a fish shop:

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/6936/nov0606summerhillpicesod0.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2886/nov0606summerhill5thievkl7.jpg

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/6744/nov0606yongestgeorgianhu8.jpg

I've always liked this Piano shop, and they have a true old time gas lamp outside:

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/7160/nov0606yongestpaulhahnpra3.jpg

http://img380.imageshack.us/img380/6123/nov0606yongestpaulhahnpqu5.jpg

That's it for today!

[shappy]

Thanks for the pics. Beautiful cemetery... I know of it but have never been there. I should check it out.

bummer name...
http://img366.imageshack.us/img366/8339/nov0606stmichaelscemetaet2.jpg

[Taller Better]

LOL! It is one heck of a bad name! I also want to check out Mount Pleasant before the winter.....

[myord]

Can't say enough thanks for your work Taller Better. That's the best Toronto portfolio possible and such work should've got published/saved. I love the city even more now...

[Taller Better]

Thanks Myord! Very kind of you to say! :)

[OhioGuy]

Wow, I think Toronto has officially become SSP's most fully photographed city in the site's history. This was a great treat! I have a good friend who lives in a highrise condo in downtown. I think after this thread it's very obivous I need to get up there this summer for a visit. :) I would love to live in Toronto.

-OhioGuy (who had tried viewing a few days ago, but couldn't do so at home because of his pathetic computer ... thank goodness for the work computer) :)

[Canasian]

great pics! Keep em comin'!

[Taller Better]

Thanks guys! Sorry there are a billion pix per page. I wish it would start a new page when it reached a certain number of pix, but I have not succeeded in spreading the photos out very well. I'll try to do it better in the future!

[Waterlooson]

What an absolutely fabulous thread - best ever for Toronto.

You have made it clear to me that living out in the suburbs of Toronto would be a waste when the core of the city is so vibrant.

BTW, you are wrong about the possiblity that the student could have died in one of the Fenian raids, because they occurred from 1866-1871 - the guy died long before that.

[Taller Better]

I became interested in this after you brought it up, and did a bit of googling.... it turns out the boy's death was part of the skirmishes in the years just prior to the forming of the Fenian movement in 1858, and the raids to Canada of 1866. Here is a blurb about the poor sod's unfortunate last St Patrick's Day celebration:
" Indeed there is a historical synchronicity to the 1858 St. Patrick’s Day killing in Toronto of a Catholic by the name Matthew Sheedy and to the founding on the same day in Dublin of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, the American branch of which would become known as the Fenians.Sheedy was stabbed to death in a brawl that ensued shortly after Toronto’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade arrived at its destination of St. Lawrence Hall. An impatient cabman drove his carriage recklessly through the milling crowd and was pursued across Market Square by a small group of angry Catholics. Their attention was suddenly diverted from the cabman to William “Bill” Lennox who was walking past them, the owner of the nearby Marksman’s Home Tavern and a prominent Orangeman.[9] When the mob turned on him, Lennox called for help from his employees in the tavern’s stables nearby and in the brawl that followed Sheedy was stabbed in the groin. He would die two days later."
taken from:
http://www.russianbooks.org/crime/cph5a.htm


What a way to go.... made me cringe when I read how he died. Glad you enjoyed the thread, and I'm glad there are a few people out there who enjoyed the admittedly morbid cemetary tour!! :)

[Taller Better]

Saturday marked the beginning of the annual Cavalcade of Lights in Toronto. The lighting display at City Hall's Nathan Philips Square has been a Christmas tradition for the past 40 years. Here are some pix I took of the lights last night. City Hall was unfortunately not lit up blue, but the Old City Hall display was interesting:

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/5449/nov2606cavalcadeoflightie4.jpg

The Projection show on Old City Hall is called "Immersion", and is by an artist from France, Xavier de Richemont. The inspiration for it is Canada's natural abundance of water. The colours were usually like this, in between shows:

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/7048/nov2606cavalcadeoflightxc6.jpg

http://img326.imageshack.us/img326/1336/nov2606cavalcadeoflightza8.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/4084/nov2606cavalcadeoflightva1.jpg

and the 50 foot tree, lit up by 10,000 blue and white LED lights, and 100 strobes:

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/4996/nov2606cavalcadeoflightqu2.jpg

Naturally, it is not possible to capture the projection show without a video camera, but here are a few different shots taken during the show. First the city hall is covered with ice:

http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/3199/nov2606cavalcadeoflightpc8.jpg

The ice starts to show cracks:

http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/4654/nov2606cavalcadeoflightdp3.jpg

as they melt, great chunks of ice start to fall off:

http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/5263/nov2606cavalcadeoflightgx8.jpg

Completely melted, the water swirls over the building:

http://img450.imageshack.us/img450/8316/nov2606cavalcadeoflightnw1.jpg

and voila! The end:

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/7507/nov2606cavalcadeoflightwr3.jpg

and finally a couple of pictures taken the night before, from behind City Hall:

http://img179.imageshack.us/img179/8121/nov2506cavalcadeoflightpj6.jpg

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/2931/nov2506cavalcadeoflightmp7.jpg

If anyone is interested in the projection show, Jaye found this youtube link:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0DkGJJCPCk8

[myord]

:worship: :worship: :worship: Those pictures are "To die for". I felt sorry I didn't go there. Old City Hall looks like from the fairy tales...

[LordMandeep]

city in decline my foot!

The Christmas deceration are on like only three people's house in my area...

[salvius]

The light show looks sweet.

Thanks TB for great pics!

[myord]

city in decline my foot!

The Christmas deceration are on like only three people's house in my area...

:???:Are you saying that only 3 houses are decorated in your area? Hope yours is one of them. He-he

[Taller Better]

:worship: :worship: :worship: Those pictures are "To die for". I felt sorry I didn't go there. Old City Hall looks like from the fairy tales...


Thanks guys! But there is still loads of time to catch the lighting thing at Old City Hall... I believe it is on every night. I was there for about a half an hour or so, when the light show just started on Old City Hall... worth waiting for!!:tup:

And also the main show, with fireworks is going to be on the next three Saturday evenings... so check it out!

[Taller Better]

More night shots from this evening on my bike ride home from work. The Yonge/Dundas area is taking on a life of its own with all the construction, and with the Christmas lights it is becoming mesmerizing..... a
few shots:

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/218/dec0506yongestvs8.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3647/dec0506yongestiizi3.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/4302/dec0506yongestvxvxiyb2.jpg

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5091/dec0506yongestvxvixrv0.jpg

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2152/dec0506yongestvxmp7.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8140/dec0506yongestviiiyd6.jpg

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/489/dec0506yongestvxivlo0.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/3647/dec0506yongestiizi3.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/4136/dec0506yongestviicv5.jpg

http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/8387/dec0506yongestvxvihp4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

My hands were frozen blue taking this pic! ;)

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/8783/dec0506yongestvixzg0.jpg

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/4947/dec0506yongestvxviipj7.jpg

http://img501.imageshack.us/img501/4176/dec0506yongestvkv2.jpg

[Taller Better]

Finally, I've organized the Santa Claus Parade pictures, from November 19th. The Toronto Santa Claus Parade is one of the oldest and biggest in the world, and is carried on television stations around the world. It has been the inspiration for similar parades from Australia to the USA. Started 101 years ago as an advertising gimmick for Eaton's Department Store, it has been hugely popular ever since, and draws a purported 1,000,000 people to the streets to view the rollicking fun! The formula has been the same for 101 years.. Mother Goose leads the parade, and Santa himself brings up the rear.
I started my phototour on the rooftop patio of the Hyatt Plaza, looking down on Bloor and Avenue Road:

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/2632/nov1906santaclausparadenq6.jpg

Looking West on Bloor toward the beginning of the parade:

http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/1610/nov1906santaclausparadezh8.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/7807/nov1906santaclausparadeav2.jpg

Looking south on University Avenue, to where it bends at Queen's Park:

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9361/nov1906santaclausparadeib8.jpg

Another shot looking west:

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/6753/nov1906santaclausparadeyf3.jpg

looking down at the Royal Ontario Museum, under renovation:

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/1905/nov1906romjpgkq6.jpg

another shot looking south on University Avenue:

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/6297/nov1906santaclausparadeup9.jpg

and a zoom of that bend in the road, at the Cenotaph:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4330/nov1906santaclausparadeds8.jpg

an interesting shot looking East, down the closed-off Bloor Street. It looks so
deserted!

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/6518/nov1906bloortoeastroadcax0.jpg

[Taller Better]

Back down at ground level, some random snaps of the crowds having fun:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8594/nov1906santaclausparadewq4.jpg

Look to the top of this hotel.... that is where I took those last photos:

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8535/nov1906hyattparkplazaqf7.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/8573/nov1906santaclausparadejx0.jpg

http://img296.imageshack.us/img296/4148/nov1906santaclausparadess3.jpg

Not-Quite-Ready-For-Santa-Parades just yet!

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/8687/nov1906santaclausparadedf0.jpg

Santa imposters were everywhere:

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/9990/nov1906santaclausparadegb0.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/1107/nov1906santaclausparadetu5.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/2131/nov1906santaclausparadexg6.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2830/nov1906santaclausparadezl4.jpg

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/5192/nov1906santaclausparadeso2.jpg

The ROM from street level:

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/6250/nov1906romfrombloorixv9.jpg

moving to the East part of Bloor, shoppers are rushing to and fro:

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9971/nov1906bloorstbe1.jpg

But Bloor looks eerily empty of vehicles, because it is shut off for the parade on the other side of Avenue Road.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/1314/nov1906bloorsttowestbloaf8.jpg

more shoppers:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7646/nov1906bloorstiigb4.jpg

I jump on my bike, and head South down Bay Street, to intercept the parade near the end, on Queen Street:

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9592/nov1906baysttosouthka0.jpg

Hard to imagine it was all only 2-1/2 weeks ago. Leaves all gone now:

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/6227/nov1906baynearwellesleyyn7.jpg

[Taller Better]

Arriving on Queen Street at Old City Hall, the crowds are huge:

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/527/nov1906oldcityhallitt5.jpg

The "Happy Feet" gang, one day after the movie had opened:

http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/9897/nov1906happyfeetizy8.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/4031/nov1906queenstvq9.jpg

I guess one can hardly complain at the commercial aspects of the parade, seeing as how it was originally started as an advertisement for Eatons! ;)
anyhow, our old Scottish friend, Mr. McDonald:

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8468/nov1906queenstilx2.jpg

The famished masses gobbled up Oktoberfest hotdogs from the Bavarian wagon:

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/72/nov1906queensthotdogtrujr1.jpg

City Hall, and this was about a day or so before they started to put up all the Christmas decorations:

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/679/nov1906cityhallxk8.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/879/nov1906cityhallbirdsok3.jpg

American marching bands come from all over... I thought the sign said "Africa
Marching Band", but then I realised it was "Attica"! LOL!

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/3980/nov1906queenstprideofatsw5.jpg

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/586/nov1906queenstsclausparif5.jpg

http://img115.imageshack.us/img115/1729/nov1906queenstsclausparct6.jpg

http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9329/nov1906queenstsclausparzq1.jpg

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/624/nov1906sclausparadexf9.jpg

and who is that I see approaching through the gates of Osgoode Hall? None other than the one and only genuine St. Nick!!!!

http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/734/nov1606queenstsantadf1.jpg

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/3531/nov1906queenstsantaiikl4.jpg

I had expected old St Nick to be a bit plumper, but I suppose he too has gone on the low carb diet. Also, I had expected him to "HO HO HO" a bit in a deep voice, but maybe he was saving his booming baritone for Christmas Eve:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/7117/nov1906queenstsantaiiicx7.jpg

[Taller Better]

After the Parade.... Osgoode Hall:

http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/1436/nov1606osgoodehallyz2.jpg

one family played an impromptu football game in honour of the Grey Cup game which was being played in Winnipeg that same afternoon:

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/3416/nov1906scenesvxixizl1.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2661/nov1906scenevxily8.jpg

http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/1987/nov1906scenesvxnm4.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/5739/nov1906scenesvixnn0.jpg

http://img67.imageshack.us/img67/5375/nov1906scenesviiikm9.jpg

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/3479/nov1906scenesvfg6.jpg

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/382/nov1906canadalifebuildixm6.jpg

[Taller Better]

Heading across Avenue Road, I notice the new Four Seasons Opera and Ballet House:

http://img159.imageshack.us/img159/5456/nov1906fourseasonsoperagz8.jpg

Sticky little hands have made a big mess:

http://img108.imageshack.us/img108/4350/nov1906scenesvxixvld4.jpg

and one enterprising lad picked up garbage for tips!

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/815/nov1906scenesvxixiiibu3.jpg

I was amazed how fast City crews had the streets completely swept up.
Now just some random Autumn colours shots from off University Avenue, and around the University of Toronto:

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/5198/nov1906scenexza2.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/1747/nov1906uoftik4.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2396/nov1906philosopherswalkvf0.jpg

http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/5140/nov1606philosopherswalkod9.jpg

http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/6493/nov1906scenesvxixviqi7.jpg

[Taller Better]

and more of the same:

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/8670/nov1906scenexxiicm3.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5831/nov1906scenexxlu7.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8154/nov1906scenexviiicr0.jpg

The Cenotaph that we saw in the distant photo earlier:

http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/858/nov1906scenexviicenotapjp4.jpg

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3901/nov1906scenexvvi9.jpg

http://img111.imageshack.us/img111/2102/nov1906scenesxxijj7.jpg

more football at the University:

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/3396/nov1906scenesxxyu5.jpg

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/6540/nov1906scenesxviviicq5.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/5264/nov1906scenesxvidm4.jpg

http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/9788/nov1906scenesxivas2.jpg

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/2746/nov1906scenesxiikw0.jpg

http://img506.imageshack.us/img506/5518/nov1906scenesxyi2.jpg

[Taller Better]

And finally just a few odd shots from this past week, the very tail end of Fall.

http://img127.imageshack.us/img127/9517/dec0306hydrangeaslf6.jpg

http://img356.imageshack.us/img356/9722/dec0306viewvviiijl8.jpg

http://img78.imageshack.us/img78/8012/dec0306viewvviri3.jpg

http://img387.imageshack.us/img387/6782/dec0306viewviitw3.jpg

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/3360/dec0306viewvivga7.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/3546/dec0306viewiiine1.jpg

http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/3504/dec0306iiica6.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3756/dec0206viewiqt0.jpg

and good night to all!

http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/8241/dec0206viewiipu2.jpg

[LordMandeep]

http://www.torontoist.com/attachments/toronto_david/fogtorontoist_small.jpg

http://www.torontoist.com/archives/2006/12/fog_in_toronto_1.php

[shappy]

great pics! I had no idea the Santa Claus parade was that big... looks like a lot of people go. I live minutes from Bloor and have never gone (in fact, I kind of avoid it). Maybe next year I'll pop out and have a look.

[Taller Better]

A few random pix from the past week or so!

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/9712/dec2406viewfromjazzviier6.jpg

http://img187.imageshack.us/img187/5739/dec2406viewfromjazzivze2.jpg

http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/7224/dec2406viewfromjazzivz5.jpg

Some random shots from Eaton Centre yesterday, packed full of shoppers for the Boxing Day sales:

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1629/dec2606boxingdayeatonceud3.jpg

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/373/dec2606boxingdayeatoncesw7.jpg

http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/873/dec2606boxingdayeatonceks6.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/8771/dec2606boxingdayeatoncepu4.jpg

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4964/dec2606boxingdayeatoncevm3.jpg

and to round it off, just a few buildings from downtown:

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/7466/dec2606graphicartsbuildej8.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1512/dec2606boxingdayyongestye5.jpg

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/1800/dec2606boxingdayyongestwd8.jpg

[flar]

Wow, you have a ton of good pictures. You should take the best 100 or so and make a kick-ass Toronto thread in this section of the forum (not that this one isn't, it's just a little overwhelming!)

[psychosomatic]

Down King frm Jarvis
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/8501/kingjarvisse0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

frm roof of King Edward's
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/1299/frmkingedwardsroofzz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5172/fadeawaysprezq0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/9378/heavenly1kingxe6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Dwn University ave
http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/6797/granduniversityaverg3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6144/oldforesttogw0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[zerokarma]

Lots of good pictures, good work!

[psychosomatic]

Just to make sure you guys know, i didnt take the pictures i posted. Found em on Flickr and virtualcity.ca

[Taller Better]

Thanks guys! Thanks for adding some pics, but I am trying to keep this thread just for new pix that I take.. Cheers! Finally took some new pix. Got a new camera, a Pentax K10 D and am just learning how to use it. Pictures of the fresh snow today, in my nabe:

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/7128/feb26winterscenespt1.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/590/feb26winterscenesibb9.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/3928/feb26winterscenesivbz6.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/9105/feb26winterscenesvdb1.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/4200/feb26winterscenesvicw5.jpg

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/2483/feb26winterscenesviioa3.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6636/feb26winterscenesvixei4.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5548/feb26winterscenesvxigc1.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/3372/feb26winterscenesvxiiaf0.jpg

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/6051/feb26winterscenesvxixjb9.jpg

http://img93.imageshack.us/img93/7592/feb26winterscenesvxxux8.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/9426/feb26winterscenesvxxidu5.jpg

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/6106/feb26winterscenesvxxiirg0.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/6439/feb26winterscenesxlt8.jpg

http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1848/feb26winterscenesxing8.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/4651/feb26winterscenesxiien8.jpg

and more............

[Taller Better]

more..........

Bloor Street:

http://img86.imageshack.us/img86/1807/feb26winterscenesxxiiive8.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/858/feb26winterscenesxxivjm0.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3453/feb26winterscenesxxivigz4.jpg

http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/4122/feb26winterscenesxxiviife0.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/4889/feb26winterscenesxxiviiij7.jpg

http://img264.imageshack.us/img264/7766/feb26winterscenesxxivxkp3.jpg

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/9940/feb26winterscenesxxivxikn2.jpg

Ice sculpture outside a bank:

http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/6210/feb26winterscenesxxivxijt5.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/9396/feb26winterscenesxxivxicl6.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/2623/feb26winterscenesxxivxvdj1.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/4893/feb26winterscenesxxivxvxj3.jpg

http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6886/feb26winterscenesxxivxvda2.jpg

I hope you enjoyed the tour!
Thanks!

[psychosomatic]

sorry Taller, I meant no disrespect. I only after posting did I realize maybe it was not a polite thing to do. Now i know Better. (keep up the good work Taller Better, youre one of TO's premier forumers)

[Taller Better]

Hey, no problem at all! It was not even remotely impolite, so please don't apologize. I'm just trying to keep this thread for my local stuff! Thanks for the kind words! :)

[Waterloo_Guy]

You're finally posting more pics! Good stuff. You're luck to live there, it's an area I know well.

[fflint]

Just to make sure you guys know, i didnt take the pictures i posted. Found em on Flickr and virtualcity.ca
In the future you'll need to credit the photographers for those found photos.

Anyway--these snow photos are great, especially the way TallerBetter highlights the warm glow inside as contrasted with the icy blue outside.

[Taller Better]

Thanks guys! I appreciate the feedback! :)

[Taller Better]

Here are some new pix I took the day after the last ones. It was a sunny day and the snow was melting like crazy. Queen's Park is beautiful in all four seasons, in different ways. My dogs just love to go there to run at night! Here are some pix taken the next day, when it was sunny and the snow was melting like crazy:

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/6409/feb2807iez9.jpg

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/2045/feb2807iiwq4.jpg

Pictures in Queen's Park:

http://img476.imageshack.us/img476/7429/feb2807ivvq0.jpg

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/9383/feb2807vgo9.jpg

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/5223/feb2807viiqq1.jpg

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1189/feb2807viiiww1.jpg

Our Ontario Legislature:

http://img248.imageshack.us/img248/781/feb2807vixwe5.jpg

Shots on the University of Toronto campus. The University of Toronto was founded in 1827:

http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1424/feb2807vxyb5.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/3594/feb2807vxiilu2.jpg

http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/2007/feb2807vxiiicg0.jpg

[Taller Better]

More pictures from the University of Toronto. The first picture is a part of University College, built in 1859. I have a fascination for gargoyles, and this building has some doozeys!!

http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/8093/feb2807xsx0.jpg

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/6018/feb2807vxvigargoyle1859tn8.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/2776/feb2807vxvigargoyle1859oe2.jpg

and this little guy makes me laugh and laugh... he is sort of like the purple Barney, with teeth!

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/438/feb2807vxvigargoyle1859ww8.jpg

http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/1269/feb2807xidz7.jpg

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/9076/feb2807xiibf5.jpg

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/9912/feb2807xivyv9.jpg

http://img443.imageshack.us/img443/1654/feb2807xviej5.jpg

Sometimes it is like travelling back in time 150 years to saunter through the grounds:

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/1931/feb2807xviisepiapb7.jpg

but the campus is no museum... it is not only vibrant, but the largest University in Canada:

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/9270/feb2807xviiigu7.jpg

an oasis in the heart of the city:

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8926/feb2807xvivpp1.jpg

http://img164.imageshack.us/img164/9256/feb2807xvvdq7.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/3623/feb2807xxipx2.jpg

Trinity College, with Yorkville in the distance:

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/3052/feb2807xxiilw6.jpg

Some Georgian style buildings built in 1960, to blend in with the older architecture:

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/9419/feb2807xxiv1960iiap2.jpg

http://img455.imageshack.us/img455/696/feb2807xxiv1960xq6.jpg

http://img513.imageshack.us/img513/3462/feb2807xxiv1960viiqy2.jpg

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/7142/feb2807xxvgw2.jpg

More Trinity College:

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/3816/feb2807xxvite5.jpg

Faculty of Law:

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8266/feb2807xxvivel6.jpg

http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/5116/feb2807xxvvur5.jpg

and a closeup of that marble statue of Queen Victoria:

http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2273/feb2807xxvviau0.jpg

and another of my gargoyles!!

http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/9036/feb2807xxvvivsu0.jpg

Next stop, Bloor Street!!

[Taller Better]

On our way to Bloor, we walk past the marvelously renovated Gardiner Museum of Ceramics.. the only one of its type in Canada:

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/8345/feb2807xxvvvigardinerirn2.jpg

http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/254/feb2807xxvvvigardinernt7.jpg

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/3659/feb2807xxxks2.jpg

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/5813/feb2807xxxitm7.jpg

The Royal Ontario Museum, currently undergoing a massive addition:

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/6313/feb2807xxxiite5.jpg

an interesting 60's office building undergoing a renovation and addition of condos on top. The current penthouse is a very glamorous one, designed by Philip Johnson:

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/4181/feb2807xxxiii155cumberlow8.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3538/feb2807xxxivbz0.jpg

http://img239.imageshack.us/img239/8084/feb2807xxxviee0.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/3107/feb2807xxxviith7.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/6850/feb2807xxxviiilz1.jpg

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/2981/feb2807xxxxwx7.jpg

Ice sculptures in the park in Yorkville:

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/9936/feb2807xxxxipk1.jpg

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5578/feb2807xxxxiiiny7.jpg

an ice sculpture honouring the firemen who fought to save this old Victorian building. Happily the structure has been saved and it will be reopening again as Sassafraz restaurant:

http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/5578/feb2807xxxxiiiny7.jpg

http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/8910/feb2807xxxxviiqt6.jpg

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/6177/feb2807xxxxvxipz4.jpg

http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/2293/feb2807xxxxvxiiiht6.jpg

A horse drawn carriage:

http://img120.imageshack.us/img120/7691/feb2807xxxxvxivpd1.jpg

and lastly a quirky little building in my 'hood on the walk home:

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/1605/feb2807xxxxvxviti6.jpg

Thanks for taking my tour!! :cheers:

[Shotter]

The cold looks so depressing. :(

[Taller Better]

^^ LOL! It can get depressing, if it lasts too long. Sort of like too long periods of 40c and higher in your country must get depressing. In moderation, the cold weather is very invigorating and many would say that there is a rather obvious beauty to the snow and ice. When you are raised with it, the four distinct seasons become part of your cycle, and you rather look forward to the next installment.

[Shotter]

Yes, living there the snow would be something to look forward to, it adds a natural beauty to the place. But not the cold. :haha:

As for long periods of 40'C and higher in my country, not true for where the people live. Melbourne and Sydney are cooler in January than what Toronto is in July. We have a mild climate.

[Taller Better]

^^ all of the winter pics above look very cold, but in reality the temperature was around 0c. This is pretty much the tale end of winter here now and we have spring and summer to look forward to! Thanks for popping into my thread from Down Under! :cheers:

[LordMandeep]

i remeber about 2 years ago during Mid-May in grade 12, we went to the Rom. The area around avenue road and Bloor street looked very nice. Very classical, green and rich. Everyone commented about how nice the area was. Then one girl said i would like to live here. There was a sign about the condo project one st thomas an I was like "you need 2 million dollars!"

Wished i had my camera, the view of the city is so green from there.

[StevenW]

Outstanding thread! :yes: :)