Snowball, Ontario: 2nd Week of April, 2020

If you drive well north of Toronto on Dufferin Street, you will eventually come to Snowball.

In the nineteenth century, there was a bright white church here which locals described as the “Snowball Church.” The name stayed long after the church disappeared.

It is more of an intersection of two roads than a town and there is much countryside to be seen from here:

Other sights:

Unless you travel a considerable distance from Toronto, it is difficult to find natural locales to explore these days:

Almost every field or wood is fenced and this sign appears when they aren’t:

Here are some photos from a few spots that I was able to discover near Snowball:

Some botany:

Moss with snow
White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
Black Walnut (Juglans nigra)
Foamflower leaf from last season (Tiarella cordifolia)
Birch polypore
Willow Pine Cone Gall
Goldenrod Gall with woodpecker drilling
Black Cherry (Prunus serotina)
Trout-lily (Erythronium americanum)
Moss on Basswood
Dwarf Horsetail
Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)
Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
Christmas Fern
Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea)
Hop-hornbeam (Ostrya virginiana)
mostly Hooded Sunburst Lichen

NATURE POETRY

Patience is wider than one once envisioned,
with ribbons of rivers and distant ranges
and tasks undertaken and finished
with modest relish by natives in their
native dress.                                            – Kay Ryan (1945–)

Miles Hearn

2 thoughts on “Snowball, Ontario: 2nd Week of April, 2020

  1. Larry GROSSMAN

    My wife, Sharon, has been on your e-mailing list for several years. Our son, Josh Grossman, introduced you to her and she regularly shows me your posts. I have to tell you I am in awe of your photography, your passion for birds and your knowledge of wildlife in all its forms. If I can ever overcome the health issues I am dealing with right now I would like to sign up for your nature walks. In the meantime, time for me to sign up for your posts myself!
    Keep safe, and keep well.

    Reply
  2. Janice Snowball

    I recently came upon your site by chance – our surname is Snowball. I have thoroughly enjoyed your photographs of Snowball, near Toronto. I’m looking forward to exploring more of your site.
    Thank you
    Janice Snowball

    Reply

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