Eastern Gray Treefrogs Among the Milkweed

After a stretch of very hot weather, Bob and I were desperate to get out for a hike.  The Beare Hill Wetlands in Rouge National Urban Park, in northeast Toronto, Ontario, seemed a logical place to explore.   Among the various butterflies and insects sighted that day, we also managed to pick out some Eastern Gray Treefrogs.

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Back in Time: Romantic Skating at Cedarena in Markham, Ontario

cedarena skating rink, cedar grove, markham, ontario

It is with fond memories that Bob and I recall skating on the woodland skating rink called Cedarena.  Nestled into a valley along Little Rouge Creek in what is now Rouge National Urban Park, this skating rink provided the most whimsical experience when visited on a Tuesday evening. Read more

Eastern Milksnake In Rouge National Urban Park

an Eastern Milksnake in Rouge National Urban Park, Markham, Ontario

Pandemic birding and nature hikes have kept us close to home since March of 2020, and one of our favorite places to get outdoors is in    Rouge National Urban Park.     On an early June day, we were very fortunate to see an Eastern Milksnake in Bob Hunter Memorial Conservation Area. Read more

Cecropia Moth Caterpillar in Rouge National Urban Park

cecropia moth caterpillar, rouge national urban park, markham, ontario

On a late July afternoon, on his way to a local farmer’s market, Bob made a brief stop at North Reesor Pond in    Rouge National Urban Park  .     His intention was to look for shorebirds, but with none presenting, he began to scour the reeds and bushes for insects.  That is when he happened upon this most unusual caterpillar, a Cecropia Moth Larva. Read more

Cecropia Moths mating in Rouge National Urban Park

Cecropia Moths mating in Rouge National Urban Park, Markham

With the covid-19 virus still spreading and pandemic restrictions curtailing our activities, Bob and I found ourselves taking frequent walks in nature but staying close to home.  On one such outing, we came upon a pair of Cecropia Moths mating in    Rouge National Urban Park. Read more

Eastern Screech Owlet In Rouge National Urban Park

eastern screech owlet, rouge national urban park, toronto

Pandemic Birding had been a whole new experience for Bob and me.  Since the pandemic was officially declared in March 2020, we had made outdoor activities a priority but always kept within a 30-minute radius from our home.  On one such occasion in late May 2020, we happened upon this newly fledged Eastern Screech Owlet. Read more

Wood Duck And Ducklings At Rouge Park

wood duck -female -with babies at rouge national urban park - toronto

On Father’s Day, my family teamed up for a hike in Rouge Park, in Toronto, Ontario.  For a change of scenery, my brother-in-law suggested a section of trail new to us, beginning just off of Meadowvale Road at the Rouge Valley Conservation Centre.  It was towards the end of our day’s explorations that we came upon a female Wood Duck and several ducklings at the ponds along the Cedar Trail. Read more

Gray Treefrogs At Lower Reesor Pond

Gray treefrog at Lower Reesor Pond in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

After a stretch of very rainy weather, Bob and I were desperate to get out in the field, and nothing pleases us more than to explore a new trail or go birdwatching in a habitat never before visited by ourselves.  Such was the case when we targeted Lower Reesor Pond, a wetland in northeast Toronto, in Ontario, in Rouge National Urban Park.  Our outing, as usual, was prolonged but immensely rewarding.  Amongst other birds and animals seen that day were several Eastern Gray Treefrogs. Read more