The American Robin is probably the best known Ontario bird.

Robins were named by Europeans after the European Robin:

They are considered by many to be the harbinger of spring:

In fact, many spend the winter with us where fruits remain on the trees. I see them during most of my winter walks:

The robin is a great consumer of worms and insects in our gardens during the summer and it nests on our houses and shrubs nearby.

Juvenile robins can look quite comical:

Other fliers:

Bird species list: mallard, hairy woodpecker, blue jay, American crow, black-capped chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, white-breasted nuthatch, gray catbird, American robin, black-throated blue warbler, Baltimore oriole, northern cardinal, American goldfinch. (13 species)

Park scenes:

Some botany:

Today’s group:

Thank-you so much to Nadine Price who informs me that yesterday’s Painted Turtle is, in fact, a red-eared slider. These have a bumpy, not smooth shell.

NATURE POETRY

O wild West Wind, thou breath of Autumn’s being,

Thou, from whose unseen presence the leaves dead

Are driven, like ghosts from an enchanter fleeing,

Yellow, and black, and pale, and hectic red,

Pestilence-stricken multitudes: O thou,

Who chariotest to their dark wintry bed. – Keats

Miles Hearn