This small grebe is mainly a prairie breeder wintering on both coasts but sometimes does breed in Ontario, especially in the west, and is fairly common in migration. A few have wintered in southern Ontario. (Birds of Ontario)

I see seen several wintering this year at Col. Sam Smith Park and here at Humber Bay. The clean cut black cap identifies it as a Horned Grebe in winter plumage.

Here is one in breeding plumage.

Other birds:

Today’s group:

NATURE POETRY

 Shine out, fair Sun, with all your heat,
   Show all your thousand-coloured light!
 Black Winter freezes to his seat;
   The grey wolf howls, he does so bite;
 Crookt Age on three knees creeps the street;
   The boneless fish close quaking lies
 And eats for cold his aching feet;
   The stars in icicles arise: - George Chapman 1600

Miles Hearn