The Great Blue Heron is the most conspicuous wader in Ontario waters, waiting patiently at the edge of marshes for an unwary fish or frog to come its way:

or flapping ponderously high in the sky.

This big blue-gray bird stands about 4 feet tall:

They migrate south into the United States, Central America and northern South America.

Other birds:

Species list: great blue heron, double-crested cormorant, Canada goose, mallard, wood duck, red-tailed hawk, sharp-shinned hawk, ring-billed gull, rock pigeon, downy woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, red-bellied woodpecker, blue jay, black-capped chickadee, red-breasted nuthatch, white-breasted nuthatch, American robin, house sparrow, red-winged blackbird, northern cardinal, American goldfinch. (22 species)

Today’s group:

Park scenes:

Some botany:

NATURE POETRY

Take the fruit I give you, says the bending tree;
Nothing but a burden is it all to me.
Lighten ye my branches, let them toss in air.
Only leave me freedom, next year’s load to bear.   – Lucy Larcom (1824–93) 

Miles Hearn