Winter in Canada - snow and ice and cold winds -- is not my favorite season, but today, here in lovely Port Credit, even though the temperature was about minus 10 Celsius (14 F), and there was plenty of snow and ice everywhere, the sun was warm and it felt wonderful. And so for the first time in several weeks, I headed across Lakeshore Road through Rhododendron Gardens to have a look at Lake Ontario, and see what the cold weather had brought to the shoreline.
Rhododendron Gardens Snow FenceThe mid afternoon sunlight set up blue colored shadows across the large meadow area south of the rose garden and peony bed. Snow fencing is used to block snow drifts, though in this case, it is backed with burlap in an attempt to keep salt from the Waterfront Trail winter trail maintenance from being strewn on the new flower beds. Road salt, even so-called environmentally friendly products, can still harm garden plants and lawns.
On the Lake Ontario Shoreline Looking south to USAThis afternoon, I was the only person in the gardens, and with ice floes hugging the shoreline, and no wind to speak of, the silence was incredible! Hard to believe this location is only a few minute's walk south of busy Lakeshore Road. A unseen plane passed, breaking the silence for a moment. But even the birds bobbing out in the open water past the ice made not a sound.
After a few minutes, I noticed how the waves had broken on this tree branch on the shore, and frozen in place, so I moved in for a closer look.
Winter in Canada = Snow and Ice Here's a medium shot of the ice covered branch. The puffy mounds in the foreground are large rocks placed here along the shore to block erosion. When there is no snow, you can see where it is safe to step. But today, the blanket of show covers the crevasses, so it's not safe to go walkabout.
Natural Art in Canada - Snow and Ice turn a tree branch into SculptureHere's a close up of the same branch. Cool, no? Pun intended. Nature knows how to make her own ice sculptures!
See more Winter in
Canada Snow pictures here and how
snow is melted by machine.
And stay warm! It's only two months until
SPRING!!!!!!
Rhododendron Gardens Snow Fence
On the Lake Ontario Shoreline Looking south to USA
Winter in Canada = Snow and Ice 
Natural Art in Canada - Snow and Ice turn a tree branch into Sculpture
The sun felt lovely and warm, and the strong wind promised to whip Lake Ontario into a lather. I could hardly wait! I love to watch wild waves. The only problem was, the wind (NW) was blowing from the land onto the lake, so there was not a lot of whipping room. Still, it was nice to see the lake ice-free. No hint of green grass, nor any leaves at all, yet. Only last Fall's dead leaves becoming mulch.
I took this picture at the end of the path leading from the south end of Godfrey's Lane, a rural road in the heart of Mississauga. This is part of the Waterfront Trail, adjoining Rhododendron Gardens to the east.
A pair of Canada geese were sunning themselves, and sipping rain water that had pooled in the rock crevices. Usually, geese in this area don't pay attention to people. This pair had been sitting, and when they noticed me coming too close, they stood -- but not the usual way as geese do when they want a handout. This pair seemed skittish, like they would take flight if I came any closer. Wonder if they are ready to nest?
Lake Ontario algae Mississauga
