Today was the perfect day for an afternoon ramble through the Rattray Marsh in Mississauga. The skies were blue, the sun was warm but not scorching and the park was abuzz with spring sights.
Blossoms and Buds, Leaves and Promises of Spring
Yellow Trout Lilies glowed.
Trilliums abounded: maybe this mild winter helped them or maybe the removal of so many trees brought more sunlight last spring to the forest floor?
The first Spotted Geraniums were testing their reception.
I’m pretty sure this Skunk Cabbage was planted by CVC but it was still nice to see one.
Another sign of a mild winter: no bird or animal had eaten these Poison Ivy berries, yet.
Marsh Marigolds were probably at their peak.
This Wood Aven was not doing well but hopefully it will get a few more leaves and even a blossom.
There were some Canada Mayflower leaves but no sign of flowers despite it being May 2 already.
Blue Violets brightened up the forest floor.
While blossoming trees and shrubs added dancing white petals above.
Bloodroot were still in full bloom but their leaves were starting to uncurl.
Toad Seeks a Wife and Snavely Finds a Snack
American Toads were trilling many places. They lounged around in mid-creek–until a Mallard came paddling up. Then they quickly swam to near the muddy reed-covered edge, ready to take cover.
I am pretty sure this Garter Snake must have just swallowed something.
It seems strangely thick-necked.
More Mammals Make Themselves Known
I watched a Mink run upstream beside the creek from my lazy watching post on the downstream bridge. No photo though: I was too enchanted to see it to react in time.
When the Green Heron flushed and flew upstream, I looked around for a reason. That’s when I saw a young Raccoon working its way downstream. I suspect the Heron did not trust it to get too close.
I don’t particularly like Eastern Grey Tree Rats Squirrels but a family of teenaged ones were almost pretty.
A Bounty of Birds
Song Sparrows were singing almost everywhere.
Male Red-winged Blackbirds were chasing the competition and courting the ladies.
This bird flew to another, then away. The backlighting made it seem almost white.
I heard a few Baltimore Orioles before I finally saw one. This guy seems to be getting a lot of sticky Poplar threads stuck to it. Just like me!
A pair of Northern Flickers were trying to create more Flickers. Downy, Hairy and Red-bellied Woodpeckers also put in an appearance.
While unfortunately so were a pair of Mute Swans.
I’m not sure if this self-satisfied male Mallard has a partner nearby or if he was a washout in the spring pair-up stakes.
If you know this is a Green Heron, then you will see it looks like one. Otherwise, you will have to take my word for it. I didn’t see it until it was flushed and it flew upstream from near the downstream bridge.
Common Grackles were flaunting their iridescence in the spring sunshine.
Yellow-rumped Warblers brightened up Old Poplar Row’s parking lot. There were also some Yellow Warblers and a Common Yellowthroat singing.
In the Lagoon, a pair of Common Mergansers shared a resting spot on a log with a couple of Yellowlegs. A Killdeer also flew by.
Black-capped Chickadees darted busily about at several locations.
There were two, possibly three, Caspian Terns in the Lagoon. You could see how shallow parts of it are when the rather short-legged birds waded around.
This Blue Jay is most likely planning to stay here for the summer, unlike some of the flocks passing overhead on migration.
This Blue-headed Vireo made me smile.
I really like the way they will willingly pose for a photo, too.
As will, of course, American Robins, which are quite attractive too.
All in all, it was a wonderful day to be prowling around near the water!