Spring in Ontario Snow, Cold, Ice; Not Usual March Weather

This year Spring is very slow in showing itself here in southern Ontario. We've seen a few determined robins, and a few dozen migrating trumpeter swans that stopped at Port Credit on their way north.

A few valiant (foolhardy?) spring bulbs were spotted, working their way through the frozen soil. But March 2011 is one of the chilliest in years, and I, for one, am more than ready for warm weather.

Saddington Park Mississauga ON Ice on Breakwater

 Look at the ice on the rocks at Saddington Park! This morning I woke up to minus 10C (14F) temperatures, and this admittedly pretty ice covering the breakwater along the Credit River.

Sunrise Lights Up Ice-covered Trees Port Credit ON

 The sunrise turned the ice-covered trees along the Credit River wonderful golden color. The day-long snow storm earlier this week had stirred up Lake Ontario, and sent huge waves rolling in to shore and up the river. Where waves hit the breakwater, 20-foot sprays flew into the air, and onto the shoreline trees and rocks.

Sunlight on Ice Credit River

 As cold as it was, it didn't deter a few fishermen from casting their lines into the river. They didn't stay long, perhaps an hour, and they didn't catch anything that I could see except perhaps a chill. But out of the wind, and with a late March sun shining on you, you don't feel the cold. Spring skiing should be fabulous north of Toronto this year.

Long Shot of Credit River Lake Ontario Saddington Park

 Here's a picture of the river at Saddington and Lake Ontario. The area in the middle left is the subject of the close ups of the ice on the rocks and trees shown above. I can't remember having snow on the  ground and staying for a week or more this late in the year. Sure, I've seen it snow in Toronto in mid May, but that is very rare.

Super Moon in Mississauga March 2011

The 'super moon' rise over Lake Ontario on March 18 (it would be full the following night) looked the same to me as any full moon. But even if the moon was closer to Earth by a few thousand miles, it wouldn't be obvious to the naked eye. Pretty, but we are spoiled with gorgeous full moons over the night time lake.

Canada Geese Credit River Ontario ~ Sunrise Preen

 After taking pictures of the ice and the rocks, I noticed two Canada geese preening themselves on the river below, partly hidden from view by the winter-bare shrubs. When the springtime leaves finally appear, this whole section of the riverbank will be entirely blocked from my view.

Canada Goose Foot Prints in Snow

 As the day wore on, I saw a goose standing in a snowy field near Saddington Park, his footprints and those of his peers making paths in the snow.

Snowdrops without Snow - Port Credit ON Spring Blooms

What  a difference a week makes: Last week, as spring approached, the snow had mostly melted and I spotted this hardy clump of snowdrops at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden. With the below freezing temps and the snow and wind of the past few days, I can only hope the snowdrops survived the chill.

On a walk through Port Credit today, I looked for a small garden where I'd seen daffodils and crocuses seriously thinking of opening their buds. Today, they were up to their buds in snow and ice. Let's hope they are hardy enough to survive this unseasonable cold spell.

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Filming Port Credit Commercial Activity Saddington Park

Fishing from a boat on a pond and cheddar cheese: Cracker Barrel Commercial

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A gorgeous fall day, a quiet reflecting pond, a boy and his grandfather fishing from a small boat: Cracker Barrel Cheddar Cheese commercial coming to a television near you soon.

And when you see it, know that you are seeing this lovely spot in Port Credit Ontario, just steps from the Credit River and Lake Ontario. A few more steps and you'd see the CN Tower on the Toronto skyline rising across the water.

Port Credit is a popular filming location for movies and TV series (That Russell Girl, Covert Affairs, Lost Girl, Restaurant Makeover, et al) and for commercials. Often we don't even bother to check commercial shoots, but the one that is being filmed as I type is fairly high profile. Since the film company -- Spy Films Inc. -- took the time to explain the activity, I thought I'd take a closer look at the setting. Click on picture to enlarge, then click Back button to return to this post.

Traffic Cones Front Street South Telltale Sign of Filming

Yesterday afternoon, the telltale small red cones were placed along Front Street South, south of the landmark lighthouse in Port Credit, holding the space for the film trucks crew that arrived just before 6 a.m. today for set up in the frosty air.

Film Crew, Cast, on East Pond Saddington Park Port Credit

By mid-morning, the sunshine worked its magic, and the commercial shoot was well under way. What a gorgeous spot to spend a late Fall day, and get paid to do so! Film companies tend to be very strict with safety issues, as you can see here. The boy and his 'grandfather' in the boat (canoe)  have their own lifeguard, even though the water he is standing in is only knee deep.

Canada Geese Saddington Park  Pond

This little pond at Saddington Park is a great favourite with the local Canada Goose community, and they're used to having it all to themselves. Today, though, as they came in for a landing, they were surprised with this film crew and boats.

Reflecting Pond, Canada Geese

With much loud goose grumbling, the geese made a fast change to their flight path and splashed to a landing in the far corner of the pond.

Trees Reflection at Noon: Autumn in Port Credit

With no wind and a clear blue sky, the trees around the pond were mirrored in the water.

Wooden Footbridge Saddington Park

The film company's small zodiak with motor was anchored just at the top of the small dam / waterfall that parallels the foot bridge. The entire company had to be pleased with the location manager's choice for this shoot!

Film Crew Trucks, Trailers Front Street South Port Credit

Just before noon, the catering company set up a dozen or more tables, nicely laid with white cloths, along the sidewalk at the edge of Saddington Park, near a large buffet table. For a moment, I was tempted to just walk up, fill a plate and take a seat, saying I left my ID elsewhere.

The film company has the location until 10 p.m. tonight, according to the notice we got, but I imagine they'll be all done but the packing by then. Just after two, high clouds started rolling in, and once the sun is blocked even a little, you really feel the actual temperature of about 9 C: it's chilly!

Condos Hurontario and Lakeshore Road East Port Credit / Mississauga

I'd walked through Saddington Park to have a look at the filming on the pond, but I also got a fresh look at the condominium building (blue-gray color) nearing completion at Hurontario and Lakeshore Road East, across from TEN Restaurant and Wine Bar.

I usually see this building from street level, not from a distance. I think it makes a great addition to our little skyline in Port Credit.

And by the way, I watched the young fellow fishing from the boat: He has a pretty good casting arm for a little guy! Memo to self: Keep an eye out for a Cracker Barrel ad to see how this shoot makes it through edit.

Lost Girl Series Filming Port Credit (Mississauga Ontario) Location: Showcase Channel This Fall

The Showcase television series Lost Girl is filming today in Port Credit (Mississauga Ontario), not far from the location used in the Hallmark movie 'That Russell Girl'  (see this post).

Base camp set up on Sunday at the foot of Mississauga Road South of Lakeshore Road at the edge of Saddington Park and will likely be gone by Tuesday.

 

Lost Girl Base Camp Port Credit Saddington Park

Today, the telltale red cones were set up along Mississauga Road, near the Legion (Lunch Room) and at Indian Road, a few kilometers north.

Canadian developed and produced by Prodigy Pictures, the action-fantasy series Lost Girl is scheduled to air in Fall 2010 on Showcase channel.

 

Saddington Park Port Credit Film Crew Trucks/Trailers

According to a news release, "The story revolves around a Succubus named Bo, played by New Brunswicker Anna Silk. [Bo] attempts to contain her succubus needs, help those in need, and discover her true past."

Now I don't know about you, but that's a neat word: Succubus. Turns out there's an April, 1999  episode of South Park entitled Succubus, tho I'm not a fan, so wouldn't have known. Google it and check the Wiki info: I'm not going to get into it on my Port Credit /  travel blog :-) but I may turn to the Showcase channel more often to see just what types of programs they air.

Say the name 'Anna Silk' and most of us will say, "Who?" Say 'the woman who was a flight attendant screaming at her passengers in the Nicoderm commercial', and we say, "Oh yeah - her!"

Executive producers are Jay Firestone, Paul Rapovksi, Plato Fountidakis, Michelle Lovretta and Peter Mohan. Michelle Lovretta is also the creator / writer for the series that is co-written by Peter Mohan. Series producer is Wanda Chaffey.

For information about Lost Girl or Anna Silk, or the cast, et al, see this site.

Today, there was another film shoot west of Holy Name of Mary school on Mississauga Road north of the QEW. Again, those telltale red traffic cones plus a few green cones at the highway exit ramp marked the spot. This area along Mississauga Road is a location for the television series Little Mosque on the Prairie.

Though film shoots tend to disrupt local traffic a little, no one seems to mind. It's nice to be so popular with the movie/telvision biz and it gets Toronto-philes out of the city so they can see how gorgeous Port Credit is!

And with base camp located in Saddington Park, there's a reassuring view of downtown Toronto across the lake.
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Update June 15 2010
Lost Girl base camp spotted again in Port Credit this afternoon while I was checking out Covert Affairs film shoot.

PCSS Base Camp Lost Girl Location Port Credit Filming

Lost Girl Base Camp - Filming Port Credit Mississauga ON

I didn't explore this further as I was running late on the Covert Affairs shoot. Will see if I can find out more.