Steve Russell’s 2011 Favourites

Steve Russell is a staff photographer of Toronto Star.

A laneway off of Yonge is transformed into a movie quality rain scape in Curtis Grahauer’s “I just Know Something Good is going to happen, 2011” during the 2011 edition of Nuit Blanche where the city core is transformed by the work of hundreds of artists in the sixth installment of the sunset-to-sunrise celebration of contemporary art in Toronto. October 1, 2011.

Activity at Terminal One at Pearson International Airport increases as the busiest days of the year approach, March 10th and 11th, as March break travellers begin the exodus to snowy or sunny locations. March 10, 2011.

Fans watch the action as the Sudbury Wolves come back after being two goals down to the Ottawa 67’s to win 5-4 in play-off action. March 29, 2011.

Sudbury Star reporter Bruce Heidman watches the game from the Gondola as the Sudbury Wolves play the 67’s. March 29, 2011.

Dwayne De Rosario talks to media as TFC trains at the Oakville Soccer Centre after returning from Turkey, February 15, 2011. De Rosario was traded to the New York Red Bulls shortly after and then to DC United. He lead the league in scoring was named MVP.

Toronto Raptors centre Andrea Bargnani makes a great play in the corner and saves a pair of fan’s beers as the Toronto Raptors play the Minnesota Timberwolves. February 4, 2011.

The frustration shows on Toronto Raptors point guard Jose Calderon as the Toronto Raptors lose to the Phoenix Suns 110-92. February 25, 2011.

J. P. Arencibia is rewarded with a shaving cream pie to the face after hitting a pair of homers in the Jays season opener as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 13-3. April 1, 2011.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Luke Schenn fires the puck by Tim Thomas for the first goal of the game as the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Boston Bruins. March 19, 2011.

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer reacts after giving up the winner in the shoot out as the Toronto Maple Leafs play-off dreams are dashed against the Washington Capitals in a 3-2 overtime shoot-out loss, April 5, 2011.

Mississauga St. Michaels Majors left winger Devante Smith-Pelly and Brett Flemming watch the Sea Dogs celebrate. The Saint John Sea Dogs beat the Majors 3-1 in the Memorial Cup final at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga. May 29, 2011.

Toronto Blue Jays’ centre fielder Rajai Davis slides under Seattle Mariners shortstop Brendan Ryan for a stolen base as the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 6-5 in 14 innings, July 19, 2011.

Dario Franchitti of Target Chip Ganassi Racing gets ready for the afternoon practice session before the 85 lap Honda Indy of Toronto at the CNE Grounds in Toronto. July 8, 2011.

Sugar, part pitbull and half shih tzu or as her owner jokes “bull shih” as hundreds of dogs, with their owners on leashes came to see the Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan, at Canadian Tire at Leslie and Lake Shore for the launch of his line of dog accessories in Toronto. June 17, 2011.

Yeabsra chases bubbles while her mother meets Craniofacial Surgeon Dr. Christopher Forrest at The Hospital for Sick Children. Yeabsra has been brought to Canada and Sick Kids from Ethiopia to transform her face in Toronto. April 6, 2011.

Yeabsra and her mother share a hug in the waiting area after speaking to her father and younger brother in Ethiopia. Yeabsra has been brought to Canada and Sick Kids from Ethiopia to transform her face in Toronto. April 14, 2011.

“She is my hero,” declares Michael “Pinball” Clemons in reference to Jean Augustine, a former member of Parliament and Cabinet who introduced Black History Month and is now Ontario’s Fitness Commissioner. Augustine is originally from Grenada. Both were named part of Canada’s Top 25 Immigrants of 2011. May 16, 2011.

Peggy Nash talks to the Star’s Linda Diebel on the eve of announcing she will be running for the federal NDP leadership in Toronto. October 27, 2011.

Inspired by Movember – where men grow moustaches to raise money for prostate cancer – a pair of Toronto women Vanessa Willson and Jessie Behan are encouraging females everywhere to design their under-there-hair to raise money for cervical cancer and raise awareness about the sexually transmitted infection that causes it in an event called Julyna. Their website has host of different styles including the David Suzuki, left and the Side Part. June 16, 2011.

Three year-old Gabe Doerr could not get enough of the wave action on top of the bridge over Timberwolf falls. It has to be the coolest place in the GTA, every two minutes relief from the heat arrives onto the bridge at the end of the drop of Timberwolf Falls. Park guests brace themselves for a wave that gets those on the bridge wetter than people on the actual ride at Canada’s Wonderland in Vaughan, August 4, 2011.

Toronto residents take advantage of a warm Thanksgiving evening to stroll or sit along the waterfront and the pond at Harbourfront Centre at York Quay along the harbour in Toronto. October 10, 2011.

Wildlife strolls through the display at Desmond & Beatrice cupcake shop on Queen Street East. It is the newest store front in what is quickly becoming the cupcake district on a two kilometre stretch that is saturated with cupcake shop in Toronto. August 5, 2011.

Hassaan Abdel Khalek is an aspiring Olympic swimmer specializing in the 200 and 400 freestyle events. He is Muslim and may have to fast for Ramadan if he makes the Olympics. August 16, 2011.

Grace Billings from the busker group FlameOz balances flaming pole on her head at the launch for 12th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest. August 17, 2011.

A grass hopper sits on the barrel of a freedom fighter’s rifle as the revolution enters a critical juncture as Rebels have entered Tripoli in Tripoli. August 25, 2011.

Casings fly out of a freedom fighter’s rifle as he fires on three possible sniper locations near the Corinthia Hotel, which is full of the world’s media as the revolution enters a critical juncture as Rebels have entered Tripoli in Tripoli. August 25, 2011.

Star of Anonymous and TWLIGHT: ECLIPSE, Xavier Samuel has a lot of miles on his shoes from travelling back an forth from Australia and Hollywood. September 11, 2011.

David Cronenberg, Canadian Director of “A Dangerous Method” at the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto. September 12, 2011.

Mohammad Mohyeddin listens to a question. He turned 105, his wife Ashraf is 95 and they recently celebrated their 75th anniversary in Toronto. October 2, 2011.

Four-year-old Ryan takes swings at the driving range at the Family Golf Learning Centre on Joshua’s Creek Road in Oakville. October 10, 2011.

Sir Christopher Ondaatje, essayist/travel writer, talks about his new book, The Last Colonial. November 16, 2011.

Owen Chalmers, 12, kisses his cow Charlotte and gets the kiss returned. Chalmers and his 10 month-old Angus calf are from Oro-Medonte just North of Barrie and were enjoying a snuggle at The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto. November 5, 2011.