Does this classic kid’s song ring a bell? “Five little ducks went out to play, over the hill and far away, momma duck says, ‘quack quack quack’, but only four little ducks came back” In reality, at this point in the song momma duck is thinking about where her duckling went? While this song ends […]
Tag: nature
Leslieville Flea kicks off at Ashbridge Estate
Vintage shoppers and upcyclers take note, the Leslieville Flea is returning to Ashbridge Estate starting Sunday, June 10. This well-curated, urban market sells vintage items, antiques, collectibles and handcrafted goods, all in the spirit of supporting “local” and promoting sustainable lifestyles. This year, there are eight outdoor markets. From June to October, they’ll take place […]
There’s nuttin’ cuter than a chipmunk
It finally feels official: spring has sprung. The songbirds are calling before sunrise, the hibernating animals are coming out and looking for food, the swans are honking on the water, and my favorite red-tailed hawks are screaming and soaring through the air. The rain is falling, the flowers are sprouting, and the Maple Leafs are… […]
Things can get a bit smelly on the wild side
Who else remembers Pepé Le Pew? He was the hilarious Looney Tunes skunk who chased the black and white cat, purring “‘ello bebe,” in his suave French accent. Well, he was probably adorable in the 1940s, but by today’s standards his refusal to take no for an answer and aggressive pursuit of his love interest […]
Hunt Club neighbours lose fight to save healthy oaks
Despite a concerted effort by one neighbour to stop the Hunt Club golf course from cutting down 41 oak trees on the club’s property, Mark Denington said he learned late last month that the Hunt Club’s permit to remove the trees was granted by the city and the trees are likely to be removed by […]
Recommended reading for wildlife lovers
Happy New Year, everyone! If you haven’t done so already, maybe take a moment to celebrate the wonderful natural world all around us. Can you believe it’s already 2016? Although many are wondering what is in store for them at home, at work, with friends, family, and loved ones, I find myself wondering what wildlife […]
Open eyes reveal a birder’s paradise
Ever since I got into birding I’ve come to appreciate what seems like a very obvious cliché: the more you open your eyes, the more you see. The more I learn about the natural world and the more I learn about plants and animals, the more I seem to notice the beauty and abundance of […]
Look into my big yellow eyes…
October is here and the bird migration is going strong. If you’ve been observing the departure of our local songbirds, hawks, Canada geese, and others, you might be lucky enough this time of year to also catch a glimpse of a migrating owl. While it’s nice for us to enjoy the sight of these birds […]
Rosetta McClain hawk watch is a friendly affair
It was more than eight years ago that I first heard about the Hawk Watch, run by Big Frank, over at Rosetta McClain Gardens (near Danforth Avenue and Kingston Road). During my first visit I found Frank standing by the fence that keeps people from getting too close and personal with the Scarborough Bluffs. I […]
In praise of early morning song
Have you ever heard the dawn chorus? It’s one of the most beautiful sounds found in nature and one that can be appreciated anywhere in the world where birds sing. The dawn chorus is the mix of high and low notes, trills, and whistles you hear from the birds each morning as the sun rises. […]