Long Tailed Duck

Location: Lake Ontario, off Sherbourne Common

Date photo taken: 21 February 2016

If you find yourself at the shore of Lake Ontario this winter you may see some of these striking black and white ducks. This is a male, identified by the pink spot on his bill and by the long tail feathers for which the ducks are named. Normally they spend their time in the Arctic but they forage for food by diving so when temperatures start to dip and the water to freeze, they move out in search of open water. That takes some of them out to the coasts, but others travel south to winter on the Great Lakes. While their populations are still currently healthy, they were listed as a 'Common Bird in Steep Decline' on the 2014 State of the Birds Report.

The Reds

Location: Mattamy Athletic Centre, Carlton and Church

Date photo taken: 29 January 2017

Back in January 2010, the historic Maple Leaf Gardens building at the corner of Carlton and Church was gutted in preparation for its transformation. While the Loblaws store on the main floor was the first thing to open, the majority of the building would remain dedicated to sports, becoming the new athletic centre for Ryerson University. During the process, certain key elements of the building's history were retained and incorporated into the new development. Some, like the marquee on Carlton Street, are obvious. Others are more like Easter eggs, there for those who take the time to look. High up on the Carlton Street wall, above the main lobby and next to the elevator bank, is this row of original red stadium seats.

The Mattamy Athletic Centre is open to the public most days between 6 am and 10 pm. They also host free community skate days about once per month. The next one is being held on Family Day, from 1 to 4 pm.

Love Birds

Location: Humber River Recreational Trail, where it passes under the 401

Date photo taken: 22 May 2015

Happy Valentine's Day!

Back in 2015 as part of the lead up to the Pan Am Games, a section of the Humber River Recreation Trail was designated as part of the Pam Am Path system, and various events were held and improvements undertaken along the route. These birds are part of a much larger mural entitled Born This Way painted on the section of the trail that passes beneath the 401. 

Digital Origami Tiger

Location: Toronto Light Fest, Distillery District
Date photo taken: 27 January 2016

This glowing cat figure is one of two that makes up the installation Digital Origami Tigers, currently on display at the Toronto Light Fest in the Distillery. Originally created by LAVA to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Tiger in 2010 and displayed at the Custom House in Sydney, Australia, the cats were later adopted by the World Wildlife Fund to help in their campaign to raise awareness of the plight of these endangered animals. Instructions for making your own origami tiger can be downloaded from the WWF website.

The Toronto Light Fest is a free festival that brings over 20 light-based works from local and international artists to the Distillery District. It runs until March 12.

Year of the Rooster

Location: Hudson's Bay store at Queen and Bay
Date photo taken: 17 January 2017

Walking through the Hudson's Bay Store at Queen and Bay I was struck by the vivid in-store displays. First I noticed the mannequins, dressed in reds and golds, with large feathers attached to their heads. Then part way along the main floor, I saw this large figure. Welcome to the Year of the Rooster! The Chinese New Year is celebrated this year on January 28.

Markland Wood

Location: Bloor St. W. near Markland Drive
Date photo taken: 9 January 2017

Markland Wood is a residential neighbourhood on the western edge of Etobicoke. It's a planned community conceived and constructed by Mark Cavotti and Associates on a large farm property purchased in 1958 from the Silverthorn family. It was an especially attractive plot for a new subdivision, being close to the city, well serviced by existing roads, and picturesque. The farm was bordered on the east and south sides by the Etobicoke Creek and on the west by Renforth Creek. Thanks to new flood regulations put in place after Hurricane Hazel, much of the land adjacent to those waterways could not be built upon, so the area is surrounded by green space and incorporates an 18 hole golf course. Many of the original trees were also retained and potential homeowners were asked to sign a contract promising to preserve the trees on their property. As for the name of the area, an anecdote from Mark Cavotti explains it: "My associates, at first, jokingly referred to the land as ‘Mark’s land’ and then, after the purchase was completed, they did me the honour of calling the area Markland Wood."

Birds

Location: Gerrard Street East

Date photo taken: 20 February 2016

When I first walked by this house on Gerrard, I thought "How nice, two birds sunning themselves on this cold winter day". I was almost right. A second look revealed that the birds were actually small figurines. I can't decide if that's even more charming than the real thing.