Year: 2014

Scarlet Tanagers at Ashbridge’s Bay Park In Toronto

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Scarlet Tanager, ashbridges bay park, toronto

After hearing about the scores of different bird species being seen at Ashbridge’s Bay Park in Toronto, Ontario one spring, Bob and I made it our mission to be up and out early one Sunday in mid-May in order to check out the lakeside park where hundreds of birds rest after crossing Lake Ontario.  It was not until lunchtime, however, that we unexpectedly came upon two Scarlet Tanagers adjacent to the park’s restaurant parking lot. Read more

Green Metallic Bees In My Toronto Flower Garden

Green Metallic Bees In My Toronto Flower Garden

green metallic bee collects pollen - toronto - ontario 8

One gloriously sunny morning this past summer, I was taking my time in the garden with teacup in hand.  That was soon replaced by my camera when I spotted some interesting insects on the False Sunflowers (Heliopsis helianthoides “Ballerina”).  One such bug that I had never noticed before was this Virescent Green Metallic Bee (Agapostemon virescens) of the Halictid Family. Read more

Hermit Thrush On The Hunt At Rosetta McClain Gardens



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Hermit Thrush On The Hunt At Rosetta McClain Gardens

hermit thrush on ground_ rosetta mcclain gardens_toronto 5

Bob and I are never disappointed when we visit Rosetta McClain Gardens in Scarborough.  Serving as an enticing spot for migrating birds to pause and rest after crossing Lake Ontario, the Gardens usually are home to a variety of warblers and other songbirds, if for only brief periods of time.  Many birdwatchers frequent the park to observe the hawks that soar over the Scarborough Bluffs upon which the Gardens are located.  On one of our trips to the Gardens this spring, we were lucky enough to catch up with a couple of Hermit Thrushes (Catharus guttata). Read more

Bank Swallows Building Nests In The Scarborough Bluffs



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Bank Swallows Building Nests In The Scarborough Bluffs

bank swallows, rosetta mcclain gardens, toronto

After having discovered the Cliff Swallows that nest at the lakeshore in downtown Toronto, Bob and I were pleasantly surprised to find another colony of swallows that inhabit a section of the Scarborough Bluffs.  These Bank Swallows (Riparia riparia) were found just below the rim of the high, steep banks of the escarpment that stretches along Lake Ontario’s shoreline in the vicinity of Rosetta McClain Gardens. Read more

Baltimore Orioles At Rosetta McClain Gardens



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Baltimore Orioles At Rosetta McClain Gardens

Baltimore Oriole male on grass - Rosetta McClain Gardens - toronto

The same day that Bob and I drove downtown in Toronto to watch the Cliff Swallows building their nests, we dropped in at Rosetta McClain Gardens to see what migrating birds were on site.  Over 52 species had been observed there on one occasion recently, and with our cooler spring, we thought many might still be hanging around.  In fact, we only caught up with a pair of Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) and numerous Bank Swallows. Read more

Tennessee Warbler In My Toronto Backyard

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Tennessee Warbler In My Toronto Backyard

tennessee warbler in our toronto backyard

Earlier one spring, Bob and I found ourselves unable to keep up with the bird sightings even in our own backyard.  Such was the case the day I spotted this Tennessee Warbler (Oreothlypis peregrina).  I had been kept busy at the kitchen window that morning, taking photographs of a House Wren and Magnolia Warbler, when another flash of yellow drew my attention to the crabapple tree beside our deck. Read more

A House Wren Builds A Nest In My Toronto Backyard

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house wren, toronto

To our knowledge, Bob and I have never had a House Wren visit our backyard before, but this past spring, many new species stopped in at our small suburban property for a rest en route to their breeding grounds.  Among them was this House Wren.  We were delighted that it decided to stay put and build a nest in one of our birdhouses. Read more

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