Tag: Toronto

Toronto is the most populous city in Canada and the provincial capital of Ontario.

Baltimore Orioles In My Toronto Backyard

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baltimore oriole, male, toronto, ontario

Bob and I have become somewhat more skilled at spotting songbirds owing to increased diligence, and marginally better at identifying those birds that we do see.  On one recent day, we made a field trip to Rosetta McClain Gardens in Scarborough where we saw a pair of Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) as well as some other migrating birds.  Baltimore Orioles are very easy to spot and identify and always thrilling to observe.  Upon our return home, we were surprised to find a pair of these colourful birds in our own backyard. Read more

A Groundhog explores the marsh at Milliken Park

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groundhog looks to camera in milliken park_toronto_ontario 1

On a spring day, Bob and I visited Milliken Park, in Toronto, to see what’s new.  In light of all the migrating birds returning from the south, we thought perhaps we might spot some warblers or sparrows.  Instead, Bob observed an Opossum scurrying for its den just as a heavy downpour descended upon us, while I was witness to a Groundhog (Marmota monax) dashing across an open expanse of grass and then taking cover in thick underbrush. Read more

A Cape May Warbler visits our Toronto Backyard

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Cape May Warbler in bush - toronto 3

What a delight when a new species of bird decides to visit our backyard oasis.  This spring, we have had several different warblers stop to enjoy the water fountain and feeding stations, among them a Cape May Warbler.  For some reason, looking south at my Highbush Cranberry where it stands guard over the corner of the garage, is where I seem to discover many of the birds opting to perch before they remove themselves to the privacy of our back garden. Read more

A Blackburnian Warbler in my Toronto garden

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black-burman warbler in tree - toronto

How exciting it was to see so many new bird visitors to our backyard.  With bird migration in full swing, Bob and I kept a keen eye out our windows hoping to glimpse new species that happened to drop by.  First thing, one morning, as I sat at my computer desk looking out on the streetscape, I saw a flash of orange land in my Highbush Cranberry.  That bird turned out to be a Blackburnian Warbler. Read more

Redhead Ducks In Toronto Harbour

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redhead duck, toronto harbour, ontario

One of the highlights of our winter day trip aboard a Toronto Island Ferry to Ward’s Island, one of 13 islands in Toronto Harbour, was seeing a real proliferation of ducks, some of which were wintering in Southern Ontario from the Arctic.  One such species was the striking Redhead Duck (Aythya americana). Read more

Snowy Owl At Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Etobicoke

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Snowy owl sitting on a birdhouse at Colonel Samuel Smith Park in Etobicoke, Ontario, Canada

Bob and I are determined, so we decided to once again make a trip to Colonel Samuel Smith Park to try to see the Snowy Owl viewed by many birdwatchers.   Persistence pays off!  We did locate the Snowy Owl and spent 2 1/2 hours recording its movements about the harbour. Read more

Magical Ice Skating On Ward’s Island Lagoon in Toronto

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putting on skates at lagoon skating rink - ward's island - toronto

One of our objectives when visiting Ward’s Island was to go ice skating on Lake Ontario!  We had heard from a friend, a long-time resident on the Toronto Islands, that, over the years, rare opportunities had arisen when people could actually skate around sections of Toronto Harbour and perhaps, more dependably, on the ice of the frozen lagoons.  Those occasions have been few and far between. Read more

Playing The Street Piano On Ward’s Island

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Jean plays the street piano at Ward's Island Ferry Terminal in Toronto, Ontario

Before winter draws to a close, Bob and I wanted to make a visit to Ward’s Island in Toronto Harbour.  With the coldest winter in years still embracing Ontario, we set off on the ferry at the bottom of Bay Street for the 10-minute ride across the frozen harbour.  I think it took a bit longer since the vessel had to cut through a thick veneer of ice.  Once on the island, and near the pier, I found a Street Piano. Read more

An Opossum visits my Toronto backyard

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opossum in toronto backyard - 6

On one of the first really warm March days of the season, Bob and I enjoyed a walk to our local park.  We were thrilled to see an Opossum scouting around for some food there amid the snowdrifts, and it reminded us of the three that had visited our own backyard in late December.  We had seen no sign of them since then.  We were no sooner home from the park when a little visitor came calling…a very large Opossum (Didelphimorphia). Read more

An Opossum Enjoys A Sunny Winter Day

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possum sitting under a tree - toronto park

Finally getting a break in the frigid winter weather, Bob and I seized the opportunity for a walk in the brilliant March sunshine at Milliken Park, in Toronto, Ontario.  It seems we were not the only ones taking advantage of the warmer temperatures.  An Opossum was out strolling  atop the deep snow, on the search for something to eat. Read more