I still remember the first time I saw a Hooded Merganser. Spectacular! A male was in a puddle north of Manitouwadge (east of Thunder Bay) while I was assisting in a Breeding Bird Survey run by my grandfather.

We saw one in chilly Etobicoke Creek during our walk at Marie Curtis Park.

From a previous walk:

Other birds:

Park scenes:

Some botany:

Thank-you to Richard who told today’s group some of the history of the area.

NATURE POETRY

Stay, season of calm love and soulful snows!
There is a subtle sweetness in the sun,
The ripples on the stream’s breast gaily run,
The wind more boisterously by me blows,
And each succeeding day now longer grows.          – Claude McKay (1889-1948)

Miles Hearn