It was a hot and muggy Tuesday afternoon when I took this photo two weeks ago. The summer humidity had finally and savagely struck down Toronto. Even under the shadow of a Pizza Pizza parlor there was no escape from the thick, smothering air. The sun found its way into every recess and pushed down upon the head, burning like a cosmic task master. I kept a bottle of water on hand - a rarity for me. Some call it the 'dog days' but I thought those were reserved for August. And then there were the pecking pigeons. Oppressive, stroke inspiring heat is part of the suffering man was meant to endure. But being marauded by birds, it's Hitchcock all over again. Never let food land on your shoe around this place. Those opportunistic, gray feathered, red eyed, poop machines will perform acupuncture to get it. That is, when they're not fluffing their foliage to impress a female. Then she attacks your foot. Pecked and sweaty, I loitered at the corner of Bloor and Bathurst. I indulged myself with the documenting of streetcar movements - a hobby of mine don't cha' know - and I was not disappointed. During weekdays, the Bathurst Line (Route 511) is one of the busiest routes in Toronto. Volume is so high by mid afternoon that the trams get backed up waiting to enter Bathurst subway station just to the north of this shot. And I captured quite a few line ups during my time at this corner. I never knew streetcar drivers could get so impatient they would gong at each other. But this shot differs from most I took that day as it captures a mildly interesting quirk of the TTC streetcar system. Here CLRV 4186 is traveling north on the Bathurst tracks, but its linens indicate the St. Clair Line (Route 512). This is no mistake, it's a consequence of the complex dance that brings trams in and out of service as rush hour begins in the city. All St. Clair cars are maintained at the Roncesvalles Car Yard in the south west corner of the old City of Toronto (see TTC CLRV 4180 On The Queensway). Heading into service they travel east along Queen Street and then curve north up Bathurst to St. Clair Avenue. But, they don't dead head. On the way to St. Clair, they pick up passengers, even turning into the Bathurst station to pick up people before traveling up the ancient lake shore to St. Clair Avenue. The St. Clair cars follow a similar pattern when returning to Roncesvalles at the end of service, displaying the unlikely '512 RONCESVALLES' (St. Clair Avenue does not meet Roncesvalles) and transporting passengers as far as the car barn via Bathurst and Queen Streets. Just one of those odd ball things you glimpse every day here in Toronto. Ah, this photo is full of unexpected bonuses. Including introducing myself (AND THE WORLD) to The Wonder Girls. Apparently they will/were be playing at the Mod Club on Saturday, the 10th of July 2010. Set your TARDISs. If you don't have a cranky senile time machine then may I suggest their web site. As always, thanks for taking the time for a viewing. I've had a shocking lack of personal computer time in the last week and a half so I'm a little behind on ebots - sorry about that. Hope to catch up this weekend. Which I hope all of you enjoy. Cheers! PS. Please see TTC CLRV 4014 On Bathurst Street for more information about the famous Bloor and Bathurst intersection. NOTES: CLRV: Canadian Light Rail Vehicle TTC: Toronto Transit Commission