I’m slowly learning the geography of the Earl Bales Park area.
First I learned of the ski hill by driving my childrn there for lessons:

Then I discovered the trail which follows the Don River.

Further south is the large duck pond.



MYSTERY BIRD
I will identify it at the end of the post.

At the southern end of the pond, the paved trail continues to the east.

Today I followed it as my city map does not show it. There was one dirt trail heading north from it

and some bluffs.

Eventually the trail begins to climb and finally ends at Westgate Blvd.

Westgate leads to Sandringham Drive which leads to Bathurst Street.

This means that you can walk or cycle a completely paved circular trail starting and ending in Earl Bales Park. This trail passes by stream, pond, field and forest. Perfect!
Some botany:





















House for sale on Sandringham Drive: $4,275,000

MYSTERY BIRD
Showing a black patch across the chest and red on the head, this is a Northern Flicker.

MAILBOX
Found this interesting and informative.
ON Nature magazine – Summer 2021 – Page 24-25 (publitas.com)
NATURE POETRY
Tell you what I like the best—
’Long about knee-deep in June,
’Bout the time strawberries melts;
On the vines. – James Whitcomb Riley (1849–1916)
Miles Hearn
Well, I got the “Flicker” part, even if I left out the “Northern”!
This is a wonderful place, full of wonders. I love it! Beautiful pictures. Thanks, Miles!
Thanks so much for your photos of this beautiful trail. I had no idea there was so much undeveloped, natural space in Toronto. Even though we live near the airport I was unaware about the trail on the west side that you photographed last week.
The northern flickers are common around Paudash Lake In Haliburton. My neighbour thought the bird was carrying small twigs in its beak. Then she looked closer and realized that it was catching dragon flies.
Thanks for showing the completeness of Earl Bales Park. I had no idea it was so full. Beautiful photos that captures its natural integrity.
A stunning collection