Feeding the squirrels - Quebec Shore James Bay

                                              

                                             Self Portrait by April Dawn Georgekish (my niece)

                                                       Quebec Grey Squirrel

           Wemindji, Quebec  -  James Bay eastern shore

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Barry Wallace

Trumpeter Swans at Aurora Arboretum...

                                                                                                                         Photo by BarrytheBirder

BIG POND - Aurora Arboretum

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Blog cancellation hasn't lasted long...

Well, cancellation of my blogs hasn't lasted very long.   I'm back at it with my Camera on King & Aurora blog as of this date.   It seems I just can't put down my camera for than a few minutes, when I spot something that I just have to take a picture of.

The blogs won't appear every day but should last for some time to come.   Please bear with me as I try to make them as interesting as possible.

As for my BarrytheBirder blog, I will continue to publish bird pictures as I come across them but on a more infrequent basis.   Let's see what happens. 

As for this week, it's a look (below) at Aurora's Field of Gold (below) in the Aurora Arboretum where approximately five acres of daffodils are in bloom along the east side of Tannery Creek.   The huge display should last another week or so. 

Photos by Pat Cromie and Barry Wallace

Of further interest, just south of the Field of Gold and at the south end of the large Arboretum pond are the remains of some work by local beaver.   There are also a pair of Trumpeter Swans (below) that appear to be building a nest on the north side of the large pond.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Last CAMERA ON KING blog...

 

                                 (Photo by Linda Wallace)

It's been just over 13 years ago since I started this blogsite.  This installment is number 1,273 and it is what I expect to be my last one.   I'm in my 83rd year and I've decided to slow down a bit and try some new things other than blogging in the months and years ahead.   It's been a great experience and I have no regrets about tramping all over and photographing this part of York Region, particularly the wonderful King Ridge.  I've included a few photos below showing the diversity of this part of Ontario. 

King ~ green for evermore

Barry Wallace

Up on the King Ridge...

Photos by Barry Wallace

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

End of ice fishing season on Holland Marsh

 

                                                                 Photo by Barry Wallace

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King Township's Official Bird...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Black-capped chickadee

Poecile atricapillus

King Township has declared the Black-capped Chickadee as the official bird of the York Region township.   The choice was made in 2023 after 230 voters chose it over four other local birds.   Several events in 2024 will recognize the choice during the year.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder  

Turkey Vulture over Aurora...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Turkey Vulture

Cathartes aura

It's been two weeks since I saw my first Turkey Vulture of 2024, but a second one has now appeared over the forests of the Oak Ridges Moraine, in south Aurora.   This is a bird that has expanded both its summer and winter ranges northward.  It feeds mainly on carrion and refuse.   It has a length of 25" (69 cm) and a wingspan of 69" (175 cm) and is noticeably smaller than a Bald Eagle. This sighting was on the west side of Yonge Street, opposite the Aurora Cemetery.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

Instant urban legend...

Photo by Barry the Birder

Swainson's Hawk

Buteo swainsoni

A Swainson's Hawk has been spotted many times recently in Aurora.   Go to my BarrytheBirder blogsite to see photos and more information on this rare sighting.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

St. Patrick's Day at Delmanor in Aurora

 Photo by Barry Wallace

Aquarium and fish turn green

Please comment if you wish. 

Barry Wallace

GO Expansion ~ Barrie Corridor Vegetation Removals...

Photo by Barry Wallace

Between Vaughan and Aurora

Updated Timeline: September 2023 to March 2025

METROLINX HAS RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT WORK IS UNDERWAY TO DELIVER THE GO EXPANSION PROGRAM AND PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE ELECTRIFICATION OF GO SERVICE.

METROLINX will need to clear, remove and prune designated trees and vegetation  located within and along the Barrie rail corridor between Kirby Sideroad Road in Vaughan and Dufferin Street (including at King City GO), and between Bathurst Street and Engelhard Drive in Aurora.   Residents and business can expect to hear noise from trucks, chainsaws and woodchippers and other equipment related to this work, which will done quickly and as efficiently as possible.

Once cleared, growth control zones will be established to manage vegetation inside the corridors over the long term.   Trees removed within King, Vaughan and Aurora will be replaced through a tree restoration program.   This work will take place from 7.00 AM to 5.00 PM, Sunday to Saturday.

Questions or concerns can be directed anytime to YorkRegion@metrolinx.com.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Aurora's McKenzie Marsh springs alive...

19C - warm sun - ice gone - critters galore

Please

comment 

if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Prime Minister Mulroney remembered...

 

I only met former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney once, many years ago, when he was electioneering and as a local newspaper publisher in York Region I got to meet him in a gentlemanly show of support.   I was a Liberal way back then, but the ownership of the newspaper was held by the 'Conservative' Bassett family, of the day.   My editor at the time wrote an editorial in support of the Conservatives, who were easily victorious on election day.   Nevertheless I recall the man being very friendly, outgoing and gentlemanly and he had a colourful past, throughout his careers. 

Please comment if you wish.   

Barry Wallace

Camera on King revisited...

 Photo by Barry Wallace

Winter storm 49 years ago - King Road and Hwy. 400

I took this photo 49 years ago of the house, my late wife Linda and I were living in near Laskay, in King Township, and owned by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Len Glass.   Linda was very pregnant with our second child, Auralee, and we were snowed in with about 5 feet of snow!   There was some panic, but Linda's uncle, Bob Glass, who lived on a farm, a mile or so away in Strange, came to the rescue with his huge tractor and big snow blower.   The long farm laneway  was plugged with snow, but Bob prevailed and Linda gave birth by Caesarean Section at York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill, a few hours later, on April 8th.   All was well that ended well...thank God!   Happy birthday Auralee.   Luv ya.   Thinking of you Linda.

Please comment if you wish.    

Barry Wallace 

Delmanor Retirement Residence - Aurora

Photo by Barry Wallace

Aquarium between Concierge and Dining Rooms

 Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Delmanor Retirement Residence Wall Art...

Photos by Barry Wallace

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace