Ramblings | Natural Crooks Ramblings

Fishing Birds in Southern Ontario

Where Grindstone Creek completes its journey to Lake Ontario, I was able to spot many types of fishing birds within a few minutes.

Are Introduced Alien Plants Ever Any Good? Butterflies Visit Viper’s Bugloss

A post about Vipers with absolutely nothing to do wtih snakes, only bees and butterflies.

What Lily Is This in Winston Woods and Other Wildflower Wonderings

In which I continue to wander and wonder about wildflowers in the woodlot.

A Few New Wildflowers in Winston Woods

Nothing exciting but a few new to me and less common wildflowers make strolling through a small woodlot a game of detection.

The Damsels and Dragons Are Dancing

A few dragonflies, wings glinting in the sunlight, brighten my walks.

The Butterflies Are Back

A bounty of Butterflies brighten the day.

The Beauties of Spring in South Oakville Ontario

Virginia Spring Beauties and Large White Trilliums are still plentiful in this small woodlot and other winged spring beauties passed through the trees over the first few weeks of May.

How Can I Find Less Common, Unusual and Rare Sparrows?

Frankly, it takes a bit of effort to find the less common sparrows–at least for an amateur like me!

A Surge of Spring Migrants in Mississauga

Almost everyone was happy to see some spring birds arriving in Missisauga. Everyone except perhaps the Bees.

A Short Spring Rattray Ramble

Hooray for a new boardwalk around the Knoll and the sights and sounds of spring at the Rattray.

Still Waiting for Spring

Still no migrants but a few birds brighten a windy walk.

Exploring an Oakville Woodlot In Late March

No big surprises but nevertheless a pleasant walk in the woods in March.

A Winter Walk at Humber Bay East in Toronto

Squinting at the ducks on a January ramble before the snow flew.

Late Autumn Polar Bear Dips for Mississauga Winter Warriors

In a pool of ice-skinned water, brave birds bathe and others sip.

Brown Snakes in the Toronto Mississauga Oakville Area

If you aren’t keep on reptiles with no legs, just skip this one.

Coming and Going: Migrating Birds Through Mississauga

Whether they are heading south or north, I’m always happy to hunt for birds happily hunting.

Dragonfly Day Brings Sun-loving Saddlebags

Warm winds bring wandering explorers to Mississauga.

An Early September Ramble Along the Trail

Every day is a new adventure walking along the nearby trail.

Expect the Unexpected When on a Nature Walk Even In a City

I’m rather amazed at some of the birds I’ve spotted briefly while on a walk near my home in a regular city suburb.

Identifying Butterflies in Mississauga

Identifying Mississauga butterflies can be satisfying in the same way as snapping pieces into a jigsaw puzzle.

Finding Mississauga Butterflies Is a Game of Hide and Seek

Butterfly photography incorporates the joy of a good game of Hide and Seek.

The other day while on my covid-approved walk near home, it was too windy to find many winged things and take decent photos of them. So instead, I started taking snaps of as many different autumn colours as I couldaaa

A Change of Wings Again

If the butterflies won’t flaunt their wings for me, sometimes the warblers will.

Butterflies Nearby

Late summer walks are often best when shared with colourful butterflies.

Signs of Spring in South West Mississauga

Although I can’t explore my usual parks this spring, I have been able to find some of the usual suspects, be they bugs, birds or blossoms, in the small remnants of wild left in my neighbourhood.

Signs of Spring or Winter Warriors at the Rattray Marsh?

Did these spring-coloured birds stay the winter or arrive back early from their southern travels?

A Winter Wander Through the Rattray Marsh

Do young Red-tailed Hawks have striped tails?

A Winter Ramble Around Humber Bay East Park

Neither the Gadwall nor the Mockingbird spurned me!

A Promise of Spring

Hints of summer colour on a winter afternoon.

Where To Go to See Waterfowl in Winter Near Mississauga and Oakville

I expected to see Mallards but saw another beautiful bird, too.

A Trick of the Tail: A Red-Tailed or a Cooper’s Hawk?

Why do birds always pose for me back end first? Are they pre-emptively expressing their disdain for my efforts?

A Canvasback Cruises Past at LaSalle Marina

After a shopping trip to Lee Valley recently, I sneaked in a half-hour visit with the ducks and swans at LaSalle Marina in Burlington. Lots of waterfowl congregate at this spot in the winter, perhaps because the over-wintering Trumpeter Swansaaa

An Early Autumn Ramble through the Rattray

Birds, butterflies and even a reptile enliven a ramble through the Rattray in October.

Painted and Predator

A new generation begins at the Rattray Marsh.

Blitz, Blitz, Butterfly Blitz! Join In at the Riverwood Conservancy June 22 2019 Mississauga ON

A flurry of butterflies might await those attending the Credit Valley Butterfly Blitz training and kickoff session on Saturday June 22 in Mississauga.

A Belated Spring Near Kingston

2019 seems to be a year when spring is especially reluctant to commit to anything except rain. I’ve been busy with family matters but on the one sunny day this week which landed on the mid-point of the month ofaaa

All the Usual Spring Suspects Land at Riverwood in Mississauga

Even a short walk can bring a bounty of spring migrants.

Not My Usual Sign of Spring: Canada Goose Fight in a Furious Flurry of Wings and Water

Spring is a bit late in arriving this year but on a cold and frosty Saturday morning I found some familiar signs while strolling around a storm water pond in Oakville. One sight I didn’t expect to see was aaaa

An Autumn Red Squirrel’s Monday

Everyone knows how Monday goes, even this little red guy.

Waiting for Godwits

While waiting for a small flock of Hudsonian Godwits to grace us with a closer admiring look, I rambled around the shore and found some other interesting spectacles.

A Fall-out of Fall Birds in Southern Ontario

From American Tree Sparrows to Yellow-rumped Warblers, an almost entire alphabet of birds were on display in late October.

Did You Find Anything to Photograph at the Rattray Marsh?

For me, the hard part is to not take 1000 photographs on a nature photography walk through the Rattray Marsh in Mississauga.

Ogling Nymphs and Eyeing Odd Robins While Rambling Along Sixteen Mile Creek In Oakville

Birds behaving bizarrely in the heat and bugs calmly soldiering on.

What Is This Black Fluffy PomPom of a Chick with Big Feet and Long Toes in the Swamp in Southern Ontario?

In which I meet the Virginia Rail’s family and the kids are adorable.

Skippers and Small Butterflies at Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve

I’ve seen so many butterflies at Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve this June that I had to split up the photos into two articles. First I showed off some of the lovely larger butterflies that posed for my camera. Now I’maaa

Wandering Where the Butterflies Are: a Visit to Fletcher Creek Ecological Preserve

In which, one camera in hand and another around my arm, I stalk the wilds of Flamborough in search of flying herbivores.

A Feast of Spring Warblers in Mississauga

After the starker colours of winter, the explosion of shades and hues, tones and contrasts of the spring warblers fresh summer plumes is a feast for the eyes. As usual, I spent many hours in early May standing in aaaa

Seeking the Source of Sap in Spring

The benefits of spring sap.

Walking Woodcocks and Sipping Sap Suckers Ignore Me at Col Sam Smith Park

Sometimes a bit of snow can help a photographer.

Signs of Spring at Colonel Sam Smith Park in Etobicoke Ontario

Spring means Teal at two.

Early March at LaSalle

The first week in March I went for a ramble at the LaSalle Marina in Burlington. While I was there, I heard that there were several Red-throated Loons in the bay. Although I had some binoculars with me I doubtedaaa

Icicles Line the Lake Ontario Shore Line While Bored Birds Beg

Winter isn’t silent when it’s filled with the off-key muted trumpets of the swans, the irritated honks of the Canada Geese and the delicate chimes and jingles of the ice-coated twigs.

Wintering Trumpeter Swans Bugle and Brighten LaSalle Park Marina in Burlington

Though I visited LaSalle counting on seeing Trumpeter Swans I was pleased to see some other winter favourites–and even some lovely snow-capped sumac.

Urquhart Butterfly Garden at the Desjardins Canal: Come for the Butterflies, Stay for the Birds

Winter is great but sometimes I get a little wistful for summer in January.

Butterflies, Birds, Ground Squirrels and Blossoms Enliven the Marble Canyon Trail in BC

While watching the turquoise and water water dashing down the rapids at Marble Canyon is interesting, there’s lots of life along the trail too despite the forest fire.

Double-crested Cormorants Take Tactical Advantage of the Desjardins Canal’s Dead End

A mid-September saunter along the Canal let me observe some interesting bird behaviour.

Always Something To See in Mississauga

This fall has been busy with home repairs and renovations so I haven’t been able to explore as much as I would like. I did get out for a pleasant walk in October at the Riverwood Conservancy, though. It wasaaa

Unexpected Encounters with Tortoiseshells and Turtles in Burlington in October

On an early October afternoon, the sun shone and the temperature shot up and lots of interesting creatures were out and about enjoying the burst of summer-like weather.

Patience Brings Rewarding Birds at the Rattray Marsh When It’s Crowded on a Sunny Sunday Autumn Afternoon

Any guesses as to what the Blue-headed Vireo is eating are welcome!

What Big Smooth Caterpillar Is Rusty Brown With 5 White Eye Spots? Or Green With Small Black Spots Divided With Vertical White Lines?

We’re supposed to be on bird walks at Riverwood but we keep finding interesting huge caterpillars, too!

Welcome Encounters with Warblers and a Giant

In a late August ramble around the Rattray and Jack Darling, I glimpsed a variety of warblers and insects making the most of the summer sun and encountered a Giant.

An American Snout Butterfly Visits the Rattray Marsh in Mississauga

In July (of 2017) I started seeing reports from across southern Ontario of sightings of a butterfly I’d never heard of before called an “American Snout.” Of course, I really, really wanted to be able to casually mention (i.e. brag)aaa

A Morning Ramble Along Crescent Beach Nova Scotia Seeking Shells and Sandpipers

There’s always a hint of mystery to exploring a beach in the early morning.

Trying to Sort Out Some Plain Brown Skipper Butterflies Browsing on the July Bergamot Blossoms at Riverwood Conservancy in Mississauga

I thought little brown sparrows were difficult to identify: then I met faded, torn, tiny brown butterflies with a few random cream dashes on their wings. Now the sparrows seem almost simple in comparison (although I still can’t id them either!)

Spring Rambles Bring Butterflies, Flowers and Birds in Abundance

There’s something magical about this time of year when the woods and meadows are blooming and there’s something new, or new for the year, to see everywhere. And knowing that it will continue to get better for weeks and weeksaaa

What Spring Birds Can I See Warbling in the GTA in mid-May?

Even if the flowers aren’t out these birds will provide a splash of spring colour.

Early May Migrants Brighten Up Cold Wet Spring in Southern Ontario

We’ve set some records for rain and possibly for lack of sunshine during the last two weeks of April and first week of May 2017 here in the Greater Toronto Area, GTA, in Ontario. It’s been great for getting meaaa

Subtle Wildflowers Herald Spring in Mississauga and Oakville Ontario

No matter how simple or how unusual all the flowers of spring are welcomed with a smile of recognition or delight.

Spring Butterflies Sip Sap Before the Snow Flies Again in Mississauga

Serendipity is finding Phoebes and Kinglets while seeking a simple spring butterfly.

Seeing a Snowy While Seeking an Audience with a King on the Last Day of Winter

Two unusual birds for the Toronto area brightened up a walk on the last day of winter 2017.

Butterflies and Moths of Mississauga and Oakville Including the Riverwood Conservancy, Rattray Marsh, Lion’s Valley Park and Bronte Creek

If you’ve seen an interesting butterfly in Mississauga or Oakville you may find a photo of a similar one here–but there are still many types I haven’t photographed yet unfortunately. Still, I’d like to try to put together a mini review.

Cooper’s Hawks Raise a Family at the Rattray Marsh in Mississauga

In the summer of 2016, a pair of Cooper’s Hawks successfully fledged several young from a nest in the Rattray Marsh. I had a glimpse into their lives for a few short weeks.

Various Blue Berries Brighten September Walks in Forests in Southern Ontario

I’d better start by stating that I call any small fruit a berry regardless of whether it is actually a drupe, berry, accessory fruit, aggregate fruit, multiple fruit, pome, pepo or hesperidium. If you didn’t know there were that manyaaa

What Birds Can I Easily See in Winter In Mississauga?

Feeding the Chickadees at Riverwood gives the other birds time to put in an appearance before I wander on down the path.

November Butterflies and a Bonus Bird at Colonel Sam Smith Park in Toronto

I wonder if the Cattle Egret was eating any of the November butterflies I was admiring?

A Mid-October Ramble Around the Rattray Marsh

All the small birds were busy hunting insects or berries until this yellow-eyed watcher appeared in their midst.

The Three Chickadees of Banff National Park, Alberta

While staying in Banff in mid-August, I spent two early mornings wandering happily around the Fenlands Trail adjacent to the Banff town site. The trail was busy with parents pushing strollers, quick walkers out for exercise, dog lovers, and touristsaaa