Then and Now / Marie Curtis Park: December 3, 2018

I went early this morning to take photos of various plants from the large fields at Marie Curtis Park. First you will see a photo of the species from its flowering days and then a photo of the species as it looks today in early December.

Hedge Parsley

Hedge Parsley (Torilis japonica)

Hedge Parsley (Torilis japonica)

Queen-Anne’s-lace

Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)

Queen Anne’s Lace (Daucus carota)

Pale-leaved Sunflower

Pale-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus)

Pale-leaved Sunflower (Helianthus decapetalus

Flat-topped Goldenrod

Flat-topped Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia)

Flat-topped Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia)

White Sweet-clover

White Sweet-Clover (Melilotus albus)

White Sweet-clover (Melilotus albus)

Spotted Knapweed

Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)

Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe)

Chicory

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Chicory (Cichorium intybus)

Canada Goldenrod

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)

New England Aster

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliea)

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliea)

Some views of the park as it looked on this 2 degree, windy and overcast morning:

Our most interesting bird was a Common Loon. These are usually seen during migration far out in the lake, not in shallow Etobicoke Creek as this one was:

Red-throated Loon

Red-throated Loon

In addition, a distant Raven flew by giving its famous “croak”.

Common Raven silhouette

Here is another species which I seldom see at this park:

Red-bellied Woodpecker

and of course many Mallards are settling in for the winter here:

Mlallard (female)

Species list: red-throated loon, mallard, American black duck, common goldeneye, ring-billed gull, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, American crow, common raven,  black-capped chickadee, hermit thrush, house sparrow, northern cardinal, American goldfinch.  (15 species)
Miles Hearn
                                  WINTER POETRY
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain,
So open wide the doorway–
Thanksgiving comes again!
– Unknown

 

 

 

 

 

2 thoughts on “Then and Now / Marie Curtis Park: December 3, 2018

  1. Marilyn Bunker

    Thanks for these lovely comparison shots. There is beauty in every season but I think I like summer best of all.
    Wishing you and your family a wonderful holiday season. ✌🏽

    Reply

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