Today I drove (still no traffic) to the Heber Down CA just north of Oshawa. A “down” (usually spelled “downs”) refers to ” a rolling upland characterized by a lack of trees and used mainly as pasture.”

In fact, there is quite a variety of terrain here and many families were out walking on this sunny, -5 degree day.


Some of the trail goes by a stream:




and by a pond:

There is some snow and ice remaining:


Trail scenes:






Though not as exciting perhaps as the Barred Owl I photographed on March 19, I did hear my first Killdeer of the spring flying far overhead. No other migrant birds except for Robins who might be found here in winter.

Species list: Blue Jay, American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Red-breasted Nuthatch, White-breasted Nuthatch, American Robin.
In my backyard, the male Goldfinches are starting to get their gold breeding plumage.
Some Botany:

























NATURE POETRY
We can only be said to be alive in those moments
when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. – Thornton Wilder (1897–1975)
Miles Hearn
Beautiful. Thank you!
Thank you for highlighting this beautiful natural area. But just a note.. Heber Down was a local citizen of Brooklin. Town councillor, farmer and prominent resident. Born in late 1800s. Deceased sometime around 1970. Besides the conservation area, there is a street named after him in the original Brooklin subdivision.
Very interesting and informative.