I try to walk 5km every day for my virtual walk challenges. Sometimes I bring my camera along. May and June have been quite dry with little rain and that makes walking very pleasant. However today, we had rain in the forecast and I thought I would get a quick walk in before the rain arrived. I almost made it before the rain came down, but not quite. These interesting cloud formations passed over our neighborhood about 20 minutes before the heavens opened up.
Blast from the Past
Came across a Public Bell Telephone Booth in my Travels today. I looked up some Stats from Wikipedia as these seem to be rare and harder to find. It is interesting to note that the CRTC put a moratorium on the removal of Public Pay Phones in 2013. I know we had several Public Pay Phones within a few blocks of our house, that are now gone.
Not sure which ones I like better. The colour or black and white. So here they are for comparison.
Canadian Pay Phone History (Wikipedia )
Most payphones in Canada are owned and operated by large telecom providers such as Bell, Telus, and SaskTel. In the last 20 years, customer-owned coin-operated telephones (COCOT) have also appeared in the market, but their numbers are smaller due to the emergence of mobile phones.
The cost of most local payphone calls is 50 cents CAD, having increased from 25 cents since 2007. Newer phones allow users to use calling cards and credit cards. For coin-paid long distance, COCOTs are less expensive for short calls (typically $1 for three minutes) than incumbent providers (whose rates start near $5 for the first minute).
Dialing 0 for the operator and 911 calls are still free.
The Toronto Transit Commission deploys payphones on all subway platforms as a safety precaution; a blue “Crisis Link” button on 141 payphones connects directly with Distress Centres of Canada as a free suicide prevention measure.
As of 2013, there were about 70,000 payphones across the country.
In 2013, the CRTC issued a temporary moratorium on the removal of payphones in small communities.
In September 2015, the CRTC remarked that “32 percent of Canadians used a payphone at least once in the past year,” and that they are used “as a last resort in times of inconvenience and emergency.“
Flowers and Weeds
Took a little walk around the neighbourhood and came across this interesting Dandelion. Not sure if it was a mutant or just some street fluff it picked up. I though it made for an interesting shot. We also planted a little garden on our patio and these cosmic looking petunia really stand out. I am mesmerized by them.
Space Station over Ottawa
Clear Skies and the International Space Station directly overhead was just too good to not try and catch a few shots. I should have headed down to the local park rather than just in front of my house. I never realized how many people are driving past my house at 9:30 at night.
Here it comes 
Moon, ISS, & Big Dipper 
My Favourite 
Good bye!
Petrie Island Evening
We went for a little walk around Petrie Island after dinner and we were pleasantly surprised with amazing reflections and some wildlife.
Nature Walks in Orleans
Spring is really starting to make it’s presence know in Orleans. We got out for a couple of nice little walks at Petrie Island and a nature preserve near Bourget Ontario. The bugs aren’t out yet, so it was nice to be outdoors and to just enjoy nature on its own.
Random Shots – April 24
We went out for a bit of Spring Time walk along the Rideau River. Had fun experimenting with Movement and a couple of shots of the Imalaird Photography Team. His Laird and Lady of Imalaird Photography.
Focus on Graffiti 
Movement 1 -Blurred Car 
Movement 2 – Blurred Bridge – Frozen car 
Rideau River 
Alien Welcome Center? 
Lady and Laird 
The Laird of Imalaird Photgraphy
Spring Snow – April 22
We had a surprise springtime snowfall. Was hard on all the flowers in the garden. Hoping this is the last snow for this year.
Bank Street – Murals and Art works
Spent a lovely couple of hours walking up and down Bank St looking at all the amazing murals and artwork on the walls of buildings. Even bumped into Mayor Watson, but since it was both our days off, we only said Hello to each other and continued on our ways. I used my 10-20mm lens for all these photos.
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Manotick – Watson’s Mill and Dam
Just a little south of Ottawa is the quaint town of Manotick. The historic Watson Mill and Dam are easily accessible and are a great visit. I saw the Mill on the news the other night and saw the water was running over the dam fairly well. I thought it might make for some interesting Long Exposure photography
Please visit my online store – IMALAIRD PHOTOS. Please let me know if you like to see any of these photos in the store for purchase. Thank you!