Cheryl's Travels: Pandemic response

This has been a tough week in terms of COVID in Ontario. We are reporting the highest daily case counts since the very beginning of the pandemic and our health care system is completely overwhelmed. We are once again under another stay-at-home order...and people are tired!

This is the ‘problem’ with the star/saucer magnolia trees, especially when they bloom early like they are doing this year. They’re very fragile, and a good wind / rain will sometimes take them all down. Many more beautiful flowers still to come this spring though.

I thought the colours on these were just gorgeous!

I went to walk a new trail today, in the west part of Toronto down near Lake Ontario. It’s about 79 hectares, with many wetland areas, and is well known as a great location for bird watching, with over 200 different types of bird species found here.

Cumberland House - built in 1880

There are several rocky beaches with views of the lake

Some great views to Toronto’s downtown skyline

A scenic hiking trail takes you out along a long peninsula.

On the left is a small harbour with a yacht club

And on the right you’re looking out over Lake Ontario

I was going to say no boats in the water yet...

...and then I saw this. Quite an interesting way to store a boat over the winter.

I couldn’t find the beaver dam, but this is a tree stump that has been chewed down by a beaver.

Built in the 1930s, this old power plant is now a recreation centre in the park.

Cherry trees - nearly in full bloom.

This vine is determined to grow!

These are going to be a beautiful, dark, rich colour!

A male cardinal

This little ‘robot’ was out for a walk. It’s name is Geoffrey (after Geoffrey Hinton, The Godfather of AI) and it’s a delivery service in Toronto. It’s used by restaurants and can deliver within a two kilometre radius.

I have no idea what happened here?? Perhaps at one point in time this was part of a wall but now it’s completely embedded in the tree with nothing on either side.