Bluffers Park #225
My apologies for the confusion on my website - it seems Easy Hosting updated their software and no longer support their older formats. Please visit my shop on Etsy ...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/skybird111fineart
Hopefully my images will either be restored to this website or I will have to rebuild it from scratch. Some of the links work (this is so embarrassing!) but not all.
Reflections of Scarborough - 2015
My new calendar is now available for purchase at Seraphia Inspired Cuisine, Cliffcrest Plaza, 2979 Kingston Rd., at McCowan, Scarborough - tel. 416-264-8951
Online orders, please email me at susan@spudsnaps.com
- $15.00 -
here are the images for each month
Upcoming Shows - 2014!
The Bluffs Gallery
Scarborough Arts Holiday Dreams exhibit
Nov. 10 - Dec. 23, 2014
1859 Kingston Rd., Scarb - tel. 416-698-7322
www.skybird111fineart.etsy.com
and www.georgianbaytreasures.etsy.com
for vintage, Inukshuks, jewellery, books, etc.
Chickadee on Dogwood
Ongoing Exhibits
Please visit my shops on Etsy ...
skybird111fineart.etsy.com and georgianbaytreasures.etsy.com
I've recently made a series of Inukshuks statues - check them out on georgianbaytreasures.etsy.com - each one is unique and special!
Verandah at Cedar Ridge
The Bluffs Gallery
Drop by to see some of my new work!
1859 Kingston Rd., Scarborough, tel. 416-698-7322.
Ongoing Exhibit at Seraphia!
New artwork at Seraphia Inspired Cuisine! Cliffcrest Plaza, 2979 Kingston Rd. (at McCowan) - Tel. 416-264-8951. Hope you enjoy it!
Seraphia Inspired Cuisine
Seraphia Inspired Cuisine is a wonderful addition to Cliffcrest Plaza, 2979 Kingston Rd. (at McCowan) - Tel. 416-264-8951.
My latest dessert favourite at Seraphia are the lemon bars - unbelievable!
Chef Peter Captsis offers customers a wide array of breakfast (all day), lunch and light dinner fare. Everything is fresh and made on the premises - soups, salads, hot and cold cuisine. My personal favourites are ... everything! The lemon bars are out of this world - treat yourself! Seraphia also offers catering services and did I mention their daily fresh baked bread!
www.seraphiainspiredcuisine.com
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I read this very short story on the Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary's website and would like to share it with you. It is entitled
"You Can Make A Difference."
In Maine, they tell of an old man walking along the beach with his grandson, who picked up each starfish they passed and threw it back into the sea. "If I left them up here," the boy said, "they would dry up and die. I'm saving their lives." "But," protested the old man, "the beach goes on for miles, and there are millions of starfish. What you are doing won't make a difference." The boy looked at the starfish in his hand, gently threw it into the ocean, and answered: "It makes a difference to this one."
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The Journey #409
(Seasons of the Park, Summer Rain, Bluffers Park, Imagination)
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Favourite Photo Moments
Baltimore (Northern) Oriole
With nature shots, particularly critters, the opportunity for a photo can come up so quickly and be gone just as quickly! To be lucky enough to capture a shot within a short time frame, is quite a thrill. There are times when you may wait many hours, days, weeks even, waiting for that perfect moment!
Some of my favourite photo moments:
The Journey (shown just above): A beautiful yellow tulip caught my eye in Rosetta MacClain Park recently. It almost looked like a painting with red streaks throughout. While I was thoroughly engrossed photographing the tulip, along came a ladybug - walking right along the edge! How perfect! In her eyes, this tulip must seem enormous - her little world - then she spread her wings and flew away - and yes, I was fortunate to get this shot also! Appropriately, and without any imagination on my part, it is called ''Ladybug, Ladybug, Fly Away Home" after the nursery rhyme!
King of the Marsh: Recently I discovered my first Caspian Tern! They've been around for eons, I've just never experienced them. This particular tern, I've spent many hours watching, as it searches and captures its dinner - dive-bombing into the water head-on! You will find the King of the Marsh photo in the Nature/Wildlife section.
time for dinner....
Often it's difficult to come up titles for scenes and I often ask others for input. One gentleman thought 'this bird had attitude" -- the marsh was his territory! After some pondering, I decided that 'King of the Marsh' seemed totally appropriate for this Bluffers' resident! The more I look at this photo, the more it rings true! So, thank you Martin for your help on naming this scene!
Swan series: Bluffers Park, one of the world's greatest wonders ... well, at least to me! On this particular late afternoon at Bluffers, I came across two beautiful swans. I stood for almost 2 hours at the water's edge, at times hanging onto a small branch to keep me from falling into the water. It was almost spiritual to watch this pair, as they glided, danced and courted together. With every move they made, they were completely in sync with each other, moving simultaneously as one. In one shot, they formed a perfect heart as they paused in front of me. They were aware of my presence, but I guess they sensed that I would not cause them any harm.
This was definitely one of my most memorable and enjoyable times photographing nature. The pictures in this series are The Dance, In Sync, and Swan Hearts.
Mary Adair, Editor of Pencilstubs.com, (an internet literary magazine), featured the scene 'Imagination' in a special Arts Presentation in the May 2005 issue. www.pencilstubs.com provides a wonderful opportunity for writers to share their work. ('Imagination' can be found in The Unusual section )
Past Events
June 4 to 14th, 2012, Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery, Members' Exhibit, 225 Confederation Blvd. and
Sunday, June 10, 2012, Celebration of the Arts at Cedar Ridge Gallery and Creative Centre, noon to 5 p.m., Annual Exhibit and Sale Creative Centre , outdoor & indoor show, with live entertainment, 'Across the Universe'! 225 Confederation Blvd. Tel. 416-396-4026.
Saturday & Sunday, June 23 & 24, 2012 - Momiji Art Show & More! Saturday, 10 - 4 pm & Sunday 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. 3555 Kingston Rd & Markham Rd., (south-east corner.) Once again, Momiji is hosting a multitude of artists, including yours truly! - from painting to pottery, sumi-e, fabric, jewellery and photography (of course!) and much more.
Dec. 1 to Dec. 23, 2011 Holiday Dreams at The Bluffs Gallery, 1859 Kingston Rd., (just east of Birchmount Rd.) Scarborough. Come out and see what your local artists have been up to and do a little Christmas shopping while you're there!
Sunday, Nov. 6th to November 17th, 2011 Cedar Ridge Studio Gallery Members' Exhibit, 225 Confederation Dr., Scarborough
Sunday, Nov. 12, 2011 - 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Christmas at Cedar Ridge, Cedar Ridge Gallery, 225 Confederation Dr. Scarborough, Tel. 416-396-4026
Sunday, Nov. 6, 2011 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Scarborough Central Lions Craft Sale at Birchmount Community Centre, 93 Birchmount Rd., at Kingston Rd., Scarborough) This is a wonderful annual community event - great shopping, great refreshments - always enjoyable! There will be over 55 vendors, including SpudSnaps photography!
June 12 - 12:00 noon to 5 p.m. Cedar Ridge Gallery: Celebration of the Arts, Annual Exhibit and Sale at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre , 225 Confederation Blvd. Tel. 416-396-4026.
June 25 & 26, 2011 - Momiji Art Show & Sale! Saturday, June 25 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Sunday, June 26, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. 3555 Kingston Rd & Markham Rd., (south-east corner.) Once again, Momiji is hosting a multitude of artists, including yours truly! - from painting to pottery, sumi-e, fabric, jewellery and photography (of course!) and much more.
Apr. 2 - Apr. 28, 2011 - Spring Fever has come to The Bluffs Gallery! 1859 Kingston Road, just east of Birchmount - Tel. 416-698-7322. Come out and see what your local artists have been up to in welcoming spring!
Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010 - 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Scarborough Central Lions Christmas Craft Sale, Birchmount Community Centre, (Birchmount Rd. & Kingston Rd.) This year, over 55 craft vendors will be displaying their various crafts, artwork, jewellery, textile, knitting goods, etc. This is a great community get-together and prime time to Christmas shop! Look forward to seeing many familiar faces again this year!
Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010 - 12 noon to 5 p.m., Cedar Ridge Creative Centre & Gallery, 225 Confederation Dr., Scarborough, (north of Kingston Rd., south of Lawrence) Tel. 416-396-4026.
Once again, I look forward to participating in Christmas at Cedar Ridge - Nov. 14, 2010, 12 noon to 5 p.m. Fine art by Cedar Ridge members will be on exhibit from Nov. 7th to Nov. 18th in the main floor gallery. Something for everyone - always a great array of arts and crafts, pottery, woodcarving, jewellery, photography, paintings. Not to mention the fabulous tea room and all those zero calorie cookies ... well ... perhaps not exactly zero calorie ... but great treats! This is Cedar Ridge's annual fundraiser, so bring your family, friends, co-workers, doctor, lawyer, veterinarian - everyone you can think of! Come out and support your local artists and enjoy Christmas shopping in this beautiful old mansion.
Nov. 18 to Dec. 31, 2010 , "Holiday Dreams" at The Bluffs Gallery, 1859 Kingston Rd., Scarborough, Tel. 416-698-7322. The Scarborough Arts Council is home to The Bluffs Gallery overlooking the Harrison Estate Park and beautiful Lake Ontario. Holiday Dreams is a wonderful culmination of members' artwork and craft. Many people make Holiday Dreams one of their prime shopping destinations!
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June 12 & 13, 2010 - Momiji Art Show! Saturday, June 12 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Sunday, June 13, 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m. 3555 Kingston Rd & Markham Rd., (south-east corner.) Once again, Momiji is hosting a multitude of artists, including yours truly! - from painting to pottery, sumi-e, fabric, jewellery and photography (of course!) and much more.
Come out and enjoy this wonderful event and don't forget to visit The Artists' Cafe on Saturday - always tasty treats and refreshments! I always enjoy participating in the Momiji show - the atmosphere is terrific and the building itself is always a pleasure to visit. This is a golden opportunity to see what your local artists have been creating and you just might find the perfect gift for a friend or yourself!
Cedar Ridge Gallery also has its Celebration of the Arts on this same weekend - unfortunately I will not be able to participate in the outdoor show as I'll be at Momiji. However, I will be exhibiting in the gallery along with other members. Cedar Ridge is located at 225 Confederation Drive, (north of Kingston Rd., south of Lawrence Ave. E. , east off Scarborough Golf Club Rd. in Scarborough - Tel. 416-396-4026. Lots of free parking!
June 10 - July 13 - The Bluffs Gallery, 1859 Kingston Rd. (just east of Birchmount) will be hosting another Scarborough Arts Council Members' Group Exhibit, this summer's theme is 'Solstice' and I will be exhibiting here also. Tel. 416-698-7322
Saturday, July 17, 2010 Art in the Park at the Scarborough Arts Council, 1859 Kingston Rd. This year there will again be 50+ artists in the beautiful Harriston Estate Park surrounding the Scarborough Arts Council. I will not be exhibiting in this show, but invite you to come out and enjoy the event. There will be refreshments, entertainment and an amazing array of local artistic talent! Always a great show!
Several shows have come and gone since Sept. 2009 - my apologies for not listing here, however, I have relayed these events through my email list. Will try to be more on top of things in 2010!
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August 27 to Sept. 29, 2009 - Scarborough Arts Council's Group Members' Exhibit "The Heart of the Matter' at The Bluffs Gallery, 1859 Kingston Rd., (just east of Birchmount Rd., close to Rosetta McClain Gardens, Scarborough - tel. 416-698-7322.
Friday, Sept. 25 & Saturday, Sept. 26th, 2009: "Creative Visions" art show and sale, presented by the Port Union Seniors at the Port Union Community Centre, 5450 Lawrence Ave. E., Tel. 416-396-4034.
Art will be on display all day and evening on Friday and until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. There will be an opening reception at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25, 6:00 p.m. Be prepared to thoroughly enjoy the evening! The volunteers put on a spread of goodies like you've never experienced - and then of course there's also the art!
This is a wonderful art show and sale, showcasing affordable fine arts and crafts by local artists.
Sunday, Oct. 18, 2009 - 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Whitecap Arts & Crafts Sale, 3311 Kingston Rd., apt. bldg. at Whitecap Blvd., rear entrance, ground floor, (south side, just east of Bellamy Rd.) - parking on Whitecap Blvd. or in Visitor Parking.
Local artists bringing you fine art painting, pottery, bags, hats, knitted goods, jewellery, photography, art cards & prints and special non-art products - Avon!
Get a headstart on holiday shopping!
2009
June 25 - Aug. 4, 2009 - Scarborough Arts Council's Group Members' Exhibit 'Elements ' at The Bluffs Gallery, 1859 Kingston Rd. (just east of Birchmount Rd.) near Rosetta McClain Park, Tel. 416-698-7322.
Reception
2008
November 30, 2008 - January 9, 2009 - The Bluffs Gallery '
Nov. 2008 - Jan. 2009 Christmas Show at The Framing Dames, 215 Morrish Rd. (Highland Creek) (off Old Kingston Rd., east of Military Trail) Scarb. 416-287-2025. I currently have 5 photos on display in their gallery.
Lions Club Annual Christmas Craft Show, Birchmount Community Centre, 93 Birchmount Rd., Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008.
Friday, Sept. 19th -& Saturday, Sept. 20th, 2008: 9th annual Creative Visions Art Show & Sale at the Port Union Community Centre, presented by the Port Union Seniors, 5450 Lawrence Ave. East, Scarborough. This is my 3rd year participating in this wonderful and very diverse art show. I hope you can come and enjoy the wide array of fine arts, crafts, paintings, sculpture and of course ... photography
Saturday, Sept. 13th, 2008, Verndecor Interiors Trade & Consumers Home Show at the Toronto Beaches Lions Club, 10 Ashbridges Bay Park Rd. , (just south of Lakeshore Rd. E.)
A quick thank you to the great folks I met at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, the Highland Creek Heritage Festival and The Framing Dames! It was a pleasure meeting you all and seeing a lot of old friends!
July 26, 2008, Art in the Park, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. in the beautiful Harrison Estate Park, at the Scarborough Arts Council, 1859 Kingston Road, Scarborough, (just east of
June 21 & 22, 2008: Momiji Centre Art Showcase & Sale, 3555 Kingston Rd & Markham Rd., (south-east corner.) We had a great time at the Momiji Centre Art Show &
June 12 - July 22nd, 2008, 'As You Like It' SAC Members' Exhibit at The Bluffs Gallery (
Sunday, June 8, 2008 – 12 noon to 5:00 p.m. Celebration of the Arts, Annual Exhibit and Sale at Cedar Ridge Creative Centre with special guest Mayor David Miller and special unveiling of a commemorative sculpture and garden - live entertainment, tea room and more! 225 Confederation Drive ,
Feb. 25 to March 21/08 - Rotunda,
2007
Saturday, Nov. 24/07 - Once again, the Fairmount Christmas Fair will be held at
Sunday, Nov. 4/07 - 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Scarborough Central Lions Club Christmas Craft Sale. This is a wonderful annual community event - great shopping, great refreshments - always enjoyable! There will be over 55 vendors, including SpudSnaps photography! Join us at the Birchmount Community Centre, 93 Birchmount Road, just north of Kingston Road, Scarborough.
A Tree's Thoughts
by Susan Dimitrakopoulos
It is autumn
Look how beautiful I’ve become for you!
You felt happiness and hope
when you saw my new buds and blossoms
in the spring … a new beginning
I gave you shade in the summer
with my full dress of leaves.
Look, I’m showing off for you!
My leaves are a painter’s palette
but will soon disappear with the wind
My branches will be blanketed in snow
my winter friend.
I will see you in the spring and
once again take great pleasure
in revealing my beauty to you
with new growth.
Treasure these moments, these memories
the sights, the sounds, the fragrances of autumn
to carry you through the winter
while I sleep and rejuvenate.
(this poem was published in Scarborough Writes IV - 2013)
“Enjoy every minute and each day. It will only come once."
- Doris McCarthy
(c) SpudSnaps