The Sassafras is not a common tree in the Toronto area. It is a shade-tolerant species which prefers dry sandy forests (especially oak), often on old dunes. High Park is a perfect habitat for it and there are many on the western side. All parts of sassafras have a pleasant spicy odor when bruised.

Some other botany from this morning:

Some landscape scenes:

This morning’s lack of wind made -16 degree temperatures seem almost balmy after the last few days. Here is this morning’s group:

and a few birds:

Species list: Canada goose, mallard, American black duck, ring-billed gull, rock pigeon, red-bellied woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, downy woodpecker, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, American robin, house sparrow, northern cardinal. (14 species)

COMING UP: February 3 in Friends of Miles:  Some birds of Peru (Part 7): Ian Valentine

February 6 in Articles: 9 Wildflower Species 1) as they look in summer 2) as they look in winter

NATURE POETRY

There he stands in the foul weather,
The foolish, fond Old Year.      – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82)

Miles Hearn