Burlington ....

For days like today ....

On the leaf bags - "For days like today" is the trade mark of Canadian Tire, a major Canadian auto repair and hardware store.
I'm not advertising their store - I do (unfortunately) have to use the auto repair section occasionally :-((
Their video (from the link) is bit corny and sentimental, and I suppose patriotic to an extent, but it had decent reviews ....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KMIlrtS2JQ&feature=player_embedded
Re the video - I can't skate either

Burlington ....

Before and after ....

Isn't it amazing the difference a couple of weeks makes?
The top photo was taken on November 2, and the next one was taken today.
The seasons change here very swiftly compared to the what we knew in the UK. Seasonal changes seemed to be much more gradual there.
Although in the last couple of years, I think some would dispute that .....

Hamilton and FH&S ....

And now for something completely different .....

The finished purifier is painted white in the background, while the core of the next one is in the foreground ....

It needed just a touch of Welsh magic to make it work .....

This equipment is what some very talented people and myself, built a few years ago.
It was a prototype Rapid-Cycle Pressure Swing Absorption machine, and it's designed to separate and purify hydrogen gas in oil refineries. 
We built it in Hamilton, which a wonderful place for building something like this. Click here for a link to the website of the company where it was manufactured, assembled and tested.
The equipment (RCPSA) was later installed for trial in an Exxon Mobile refinery in southern France.
It successfully completed a long trial period, and according to the Internet, is now part of the refinery process.
Click here to got to a Xebec sales brochure that has a really good photo of the installation in France.

After the shower ....

Around the World ....

I'm delighted to to say that this blog is now listed on the "Around the World" website and guide to photoblogs.
Expand your horizons by clicking on its link, and take a quick look at the world ....
http://www.geraldengland.co.uk/dp/cdpba.htm
And of course at this very moment Google (Blogger) chose to inform me that I have used all my "free" download limit :-(( so out comes the credit card!! 

Burlington ....

First frost ....

Taken last week on a cool morning. It was good to feel and hear the leaves crunching under your foot ....

Burlington ....

Can I have just a sprinkle more summer please??

I couldn't decide which one I preferred, so I put them both in.
Of course summer's gone now around this neck of the woods, but there's no harm in reminiscing is there?

Burlington ....

Kerncliff park ....

 

Kerncliff park as you can see was once the site of a quarry. It's now being rehabilitated, and walking trails have been added that help you to explore the area, without destroying the recovery of it.

A boardwalk has been built across the wetland, that allows walkers to see nature first-hand and close-up.

The Bruce Trail runs along the cliff edge as it passes through the park, and you can see the trail barrier in the top photo. This link will take you to The Bruce Trail interactive map .....

http://brucetrail.org/places

The part of the map where Kerncliff park is located is called Iroquoia. Scroll down the map to check it out ....

A very delicate operation ....

Dylan's favourite teddy bear gets some TLC.
It's much-needed after all the "love" he gives it :-))

Hamilton ....

In the pink on Beach Boulevard ....

A bit late maybe ....

But a happy Halloween ....

.... was had by all of us!! I hope you had a good one too!!!!

Burlington. Remembrance Day ....

10-30am

10-55am

11-10am

11-20am

11-25am

11-45am

Crawford Lake, Burlington ....

A very special place ....

Crawford Lake is very beautiful, and also meromictic. Curious? Then go to the link and find out more about a really unique part of Burlington and Ontario.
To prevent the area around the lake being trampled, it has a boardwalk all the way around.
Because of the uniqueness of the lake, swimming or fishing is not allowed, so leave your bather and fishing rod at home.
However, do take your camera, you're sure to need it .....
http://www.day-trips.ca/content/crawford-lake

Cootes Paradise. Hamilton .....

The "war" on the Cootes Paradise squatters ....

OK - I admit I didn't take this shot!! Here's the story behind the photo ....
While researching my previous post (I was trying to find out where the name Cootes Paradise came from) and I came across a webpage from historycooperative.org, that included this picture as part of its narrative.
Apparently around 1912 Hamilton's population exploded as people came to work in the city's heavy industries, and affordable housing was very scarce.
Some workers built themselves "boathouses" on land in Cootes Paradise - later, someone else wanted the land!
I'm not going to say any more here, but if you are interested, and fancy a good read - then go here to the History Cooperative page .....
http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/llt/51/bouchier.html

Cootes Paradise. Hamilton ....

Cootes Paradise, part of the Royal Botanical Gardens ....

A carp barrier made from old Christmas trees. It was placed here to prevent the fish from invading the wetlands.

A red-winged blackbird broadcasting his presence ....

Spring Gardens road as it climbs the hill towards the Jewish cemetery on Plains road.
The road - as you can see - is closed, and is now just a footpath.
Nature, it seems, wants it back ....

Spring Gardens road as it crosses the wetland via the single track bridge.

Cootes Paradise is part of the Royal Botanical Gardens, and is named after Captain T. Coote. He was stationed at Niagara from 1782 to 1787.
He used to hunt and fish in the wetland area, and he liked it so much that he gave it his name.

Fall in Burlington .....

An eruption of a sugar maple ....

Burlington ....

Scenes off Number One sideroad ....

 

All this is five minutes away from traffic lights; stop signs; speed limits; multilane highways - Aaaaaah ....