I went to the pond in the valley just west of the Ontario Science Centre hoping to see the Tufted Titmouse that has been reported there. No luck. (here is an on-line photo)

Instead, being careful not to sink into the soft mud, I photographed the swallows that were constantly zooming just above the surface of the water. They all seemed to be brown-backed and had little if any white on the breast so I assumed that they were Rough-winged Swallows though I did not hear any characteristic Rough-winged Swallow sounds.

Rough-wings have a dusky throat and no breastband.

When I had a close look at my photos at home, I saw that I also had a Tree Swallow.

And there were Bank Swallows. Bank Swallows have a dark breast band and show more white that Rough-winged Swallows.

MYSTERY BIRD

I will identify it at the end of the post.

I had company by the pond: a Killdeer. I love the reddish eye!

Park views:

Some botany:

MYSTERY BIRD

The round breast spots identify this as a Spotted Sandpiper.

MAILBOX

Thought this was interesting. A friend has a cottage on this lake and was surprised to see this beauty
https://www.facebook.com/groups/18280481472/permalink/10159487917231473/

NATURE POETRY

The glittering leaves of the rhododendrons
Balance and vibrate in the cool air;
While in the sky above them
White clouds chase each other.       – John Gould Fletcher (1886–1950)

Miles Hearn