Beaver River Wetland Trail: March 24, 2020

Uxbridge Township has hundreds of kilometers of trails running through the communities and the rural, forested lands.

Today I hiked on the Beaver River Wetland Trail in 4 degree, overcast conditions.

About 400 Canada Geese alternated swimming in the ponds and flying overhead in tight groups:

Here is a flock of Grackles:

Common Grackles

Other birds I found were Trumpeter Swan, Mallard, Mourning Dove, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, American Robin, Red-winged blackbird and Northern Cardinal.

It was a joy to hear the loud garooo-a-a-a of Sandhill Cranes.

Some Botany:

Nannyberry (Viburnum lenatgo)
Willow fruit and flowers from last year
Willow fruit from last year
Pine Cone Willow Gall
Willow fruit from last year
Willow (Salix)
Willow (Salix)
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana)
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana)
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana)
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana)
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana)
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana)
Speckled Alder (Alnus incana)
Lichen
Virgin’s-bower (Clematis virginiana)
Black Spruce (Picea mariana)
White Birch (Betula papyrifera)
White Birch (Betula papyrifera)
Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron rydbergii)
White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
Riverbank Grape (Vitis riperia)
Balsam Fir (Abies balsamifera)
Cat-tail (Typha)
Queen-Anne’s-lace (Daucus carota)
Highbush-cranberry (Viburnum opulus)
Red Osier (Cornus sericea)

Trail Scenes:

NATURE POETRY

Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone.
Kindness in another’s trouble,
Courage in your own.              – Adam Lindsay Gordon (1833–70)

Miles Hearn

4 thoughts on “Beaver River Wetland Trail: March 24, 2020

  1. Brian Whitefield

    What comes immediately to my mind is the Hebrew expression, ‘Kol Hakavod’ which loosely translates ‘all the honour’ but it also conveys great thanks for a job well done. I hope you realise how your postings of recent days are lifting myriad spirits in these troubled times. And wow! A Sandhill Crane! Haven’t seen one for a few years.
    Keep safe and keep well.
    Cheers!

    Reply
  2. Lisa Volkov

    Nature in its earliest spring glory, the pause before life returning in even fuller glory. A symbol of hope (Sorry–can’t help waxing eloquent here!)

    Reply

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