Hello and welcome! 

Are you getting used to writing “2023” yet? I catch myself still. Welcome to the New Year, and thank you for following. I am going to continue to take photographs that please me and post one per day. You can also find me on Instagram {@connies_photo_adventure} or on Flickr as {Basildon Kitchens}.

Now on to the new year and new photos. I will continue with my Sunday Coffee Series, as I like to see seasons change from my porch or garden. I will continue with my Monday series (Minimalist, Monochrome or Macro photography).

“Be the curator of your life. Slowly cut things out until you’re left with what you love, with what’s necessary, with what makes you happy.”

Leo Babauta

January 1

Sunday Coffee Series: Happy New Year, everyone! I wish you all a year filled with good health, good friends and much to be grateful for! It has been a roller coaster of weather; rain, snow, wind, melting, and more rain, and we survived it! Today is mild (1C/34F), and I’m grateful for it. 

January 2

Minimalist Monday: A single leaf fluttering in the snowbank. I watched as the wind blew but never dislodged it!

January 3

It is the end of the Christmas season; all the shops are taking down their Christmas decorations and holiday finery. Main Street looks sad and empty this time of year, and it feels like everyone is releasing a couple of long, restorative breaths. 

January 4

It’s only the 4th of the month, and you can already feel the days getting longer! I stopped on the shores of West Lake to capture the early evening light. Slightly pink with a hint of gold even though it was overcast.

January 5

A mute swan saying hello! Large numbers of geese, ducks, mute and trumpet swans stay around all winter along the Lake Ontario shoreline. 

January 6

I caught a couple of mute swans “taking off!” They are large birds, and seeing them take flight is incredible. The wing span on this pair is approximately 5 feet. You see them rising out of the water and running across the surface before a magnificent “lift-off.”

January 7

I love the muted colours of the winter beach. This photo is of Wellington Beach and my favourite bench in warmer weather. Right now, the beach is full of dangerous, shifting ice, and I prefer to stick to the boardwalk! The weather was frigid and very windy; the wind was cold enough to shut down my camera, so I only managed a few photos; this was my outing’s favourite.

I am hoping to have some sunny days soon! It has been dull, dark and dreary here, with only occasional sunshine. Only 68 days until spring!

Thank you for visiting, Connie 🙂