Sea-buckthorn produces orange-yellow berries which have been used over centuries as food, traditional medicine and skin treatment.

It is an exceptionally hardy plant which is able to withstand temperatures as low as -43 degrees C.

In western Europe it is mostly along sea coast with salt spray which prevents larger plants from outcompeting it. In Central Asia it is found in dry semi-desert sites.

A Barrie company called Bee by the Sea Natural Products Inc. produces this natural skin cream and I thank one of our walkers, for this tube.

Other nature:

There is considerable evidence of Beaver in this park:

Park scenes:

Species list: mute swan, Canada goose, mallard, common goldeneye, bufflehead, long-tailed duck, red-breasted merganser, common merganser, herring gull, ring-billed gull, downy woodpecker,  black-capped chickadee, American robin, house sparrow, red-winged blackbird, common grackle, northern cardinal, American goldfinch, song sparrow.  (19 species)

This morning’s group (4 degrees, windy and overcast):

NATURE POETRY

March is a boisterous fellow,
And undeterred by fear,
With many pranks proclaims himself
The tomboy of the year!                         – The 1931 Old Farmer’s Almanac

Miles Hearn