Winter Returns

Trumpeter Swan overwintering in Southern Ontario

The highlight of this weekend was SUNSHINE, an experience we have missed for several weeks as persistent clouds, fog, ice, rain and snow have been our rotating weather features. There is no way I can stay indoors on sunny days, even in sub-zero temperatures. 

Trumpeter Swan at rest

We drove to a park on the shore of Lake Ontario. Many waterbirds overwinter here but I haven't visited since the pandemic's beginning. In the past century, the Trumpeter Swan population in Ontario had dwindled severely and the Trumpeter Swan Restoration Group worked hard to restore the species. Their efforts have been successful and many swans overwinter in Southern Ontario. The birds in these pictures are accustomed to supplemental feeding during the winter from humans and are pretty tame compared to the skittish Trumpeter Swans on the Grand River closer to home.

Burlington Bay

The water in the bay was frozen near the shoreline but was open where the currents moved in deeper water. A few diving birds were close enough for photos. 

Golden-Eye Duck

Female Common Merganser (l) and an American Coot (r)

Horned Grebe

The other benefit of high-pressure weather is the ability to see the night sky. Apparently, a newly discovered comet, Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) nicknamed the Green Comet will be visible until early February. Unfortunately, it rises past my bedtime today but will gradually rise earlier each night. I enjoyed seeing Neowise in the summer of 2020 and hope to see this winter comet on another clear night this month. In the meantime, I am glad we have returned to more seasonal temperatures and that the ground is brightened with new snow.

Raven enjoying a romp in the woods- (photo credit- The Becka)