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Following up with my late summer and fall photo albums, I’ve now uploaded some winter photos into my photo gallery. Check out the rest of the seasonal photos of Binder Twine in the gallery, too.

These were taken yesterday, when I ventured up to Binder Twine Park, bringing my trusty camera with me to take some photos of Binder Twine and snow. Good thing I brought gloves and boots and a hat, because it was cold and there was snow and it was snowing on and off. There was a little bit of ice too, but that was surprisingly a trivial matter.

Binder Twine park is a park in Kleinburg, Ontario, near the McMichael Art Gallery. (And by near, I mean right next to) I’d estimate it has about 20km worth of trails in and around it. I’ve spotted turtles, birds, fish, and even deer in there. Humber River flows through Binder Twine, and it more or less follows the main trail in the park.

I used to go to Binder Twine for a 10km walk every Sunday, but that habit gets overridden when winter comes. After all, my cozy house seems like a nicer-not to mention warmer- way to spend a Sunday morning than out trekking in negative who knows what weather? But I’ve missed that park and the sound of the flowing river and the daunting tall trees, so I went back yesterday. I’m glad I did. It was a good way to start off the new year, doing something less lazy than usual. A cold way, but a good way.

This winter, something new will be happening in Times Square (other than, of course, New Years). As you may have heard, Times Square will be getting its very first environmentally friendly billboard, powered 100% by wind and sun.

As you likely already know, Times Square is a one of many world famous New York landmarks featured on numerous films and books and postcards, especially of it at night. Until I read this New York Times article, it never really occurred to me that powering up all those lights must cost a lot of energy.

Although the billboard may dim up a bit on a calm, cloudy day, it’s designed so it can stay powered for days without substantial wind or sun. We’re always talking about being more environmentally friendly - and whether you believe in global warming or not - I think it can be agreed that using renewable resources whenever possible is a great idea.

This billboard will be ready by early next month, which subsequently means that it will be the center of attention when the shiny disco-like ball drops in front of it during New York’s annual New Years celebration. The eco-friendly billboard will bring something new this year. May 2009 be filled with more eco-friendly news!

I am a big fan of renewable resources, can you tell?