It has been cool and rainy most days recently. We are enjoying the colours of the spring canopy that range from chartreuse, to lime, to spring green, but also features the purplish red or maroon of some red maples.
Last Friday on the one day the sun was shining, we took a brief walk along a wooded path beside the river in Harris Park.
There was birdsong all around us, some we recognized, and some we couldn’t distinguish in the cacophany of sound and background noise. There was the constant squabbling of Canada Geese that are now shepherding goslings around the neighbourhood, the calls of Red-winged Blackbirds, and the chirping of House Sparrows. Pairs of Northern Cardinals darted across the path, staying in contact with sharp chip calls. Just off the path, a Northern Flicker hunted for insects on the ground. Down the slope, two Gray Catbirds foraged in the fallen leaves where American Robins were also searching. Later a catbird treated us to its repertoire of mimicked calls. We heard the repeated raucous call of a Red-bellied Woodpecker and finally spotted it peering into what appeared to be nest hole high up on the trunk of a tree. We heard, but didn’t spot a Yellow Warbler. Merlin, the bird identification app, suggested that there were several other species present, including other warblers, but we could not confidently distinguish them.
We were most excited to hear the unmistakable song of a Wood Thrush deep in the trees. Wood Thrush numbers are in decline. These thrushes are considered a species of “special concern” in Ontario. We doubt that the pocket of trees in this local park is large enough to support nesting Wood Thrushes, but the presence of the thrush, even temporarily was very welcome.
The birds are in their finest breeding plumage at this time of year.
Male cardinals
Female Northern Flicker and female Rose-breasted Grosbeak, male Mallard
Male Red-winged Blackbirds do not attain their full black plumage with red and yellow shoulder patches until they are two to three years old. Non-breeding males tend to look scaly and have incomplete red shoulder patches. Female redwings reach maturity when they are one year old.
American Robins have already hatched the first of their broods. American Robins are a type of thrush, but only the very young have the spotted breasts of most other thrushes. This young one is probably waiting to be fed by adults.
Lilacs introduced by European settlers, Dryad’s Saddle fungus
Rondeau Provincial Park – May 8, 2025
On May 8th, we spent our first chilly spring afternoon at Rondeau. We can never resist stopping briefly at the Purple Martin houses on our way through the park. Many residents in the area have erected martin houses along the lake shore. It is common to see martins in flight, especially over bodies of water.
The trees were just beginning to leaf out. Rondeau is often slightly behind London as its proximity to the lake keeps the temperatures cooler in the early spring.
Large White Trilliums, Cut-leaved Toothwort, Early Meadow-Rue and Smooth Yellow Violets were in bloom.
Red Columbine blossoms were not quite open. Virginia Creeper was just emerging in some places.
Birds were relatively quiet that afternoon, apart from a Rusty Blackbird that called repeatedly at close hand. We finally discovered it directly above our heads. The population of Rusty Blackbirds is in sharp decline. This one will migrate farther north before nesting in wet woodlands, fens, bogs, muskeg, and beaver ponds. Note the blackbird’s pale eye. Non-breeding males are dark brown with rusty edges on their feathers.
A Nashville Warbler foraged high in a tree, moving rapidly as most warblers do. In contrast, this Black-thoated Blue Warbler was uncommonly still, allowing for good photos and good views.
This pair of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were high in the trees and not easy to photograph. They may stay to breed in the park or go slightly farther north.
Osprey Update
We are keeping watch for any sign of young being fed. So far, the male has stayed close by and the female remains low on the nest, keeping the eggs warm and dry.
This Week’s Flowers
Double pleasure. Two bouquets came home last week, thanks to a gift from Dan of the Wandering Bee flower farm. The poppies have been a bright addition to an often gloomy week.
More music from 1967
Starting with 1967, I will spread my music from that year over more than one post. By 1967, I was buying albums from time to time. Here are my favourite 10 from the top 30 for 1967.
As the last song says, “Ah, but I was so much older then. I’m younger than that now.”
About the final video (from Wikipedia):
At the 30th Anniversary Tribute Concert to Dylan at Madison Square Garden in 1992, “My Back Pages” was performed in the Byrds’ arrangement, with Roger McGuinn, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Eric Clapton, Dylan himself, and George Harrison, each singing one verse in that order.[4] This performance, which included guitar solos from Clapton and Young, also featured Jim Keltner, G. E. Smith, and the three surviving members of Booker T. & the M.G.’s (Steve Cropper, Booker T. Jones, and Donald “Duck” Dunn) as sidemen.[12] It was released on The 30th Anniversary Concert Celebration album in 1993.[12]
My Back Pages
Written by: Bob Dylan
Crimson flames tied through my ears
Rollin’ high and mighty traps
Pounced with fire on flaming roads
Using ideas as my maps
“We’ll meet on edges, soon,” said I
Proud ’neath heated brow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Half-wracked prejudice leaped forth
“Rip down all hate,” I screamed
Lies that life is black and white
Spoke from my skull. I dreamed
Romantic facts of musketeers
Foundationed deep, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Girls’ faces formed the forward path
From phony jealousy
To memorizing politics
Of ancient history
Flung down by corpse evangelists
Unthought of, though, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
A self-ordained professor’s tongue
Too serious to fool
Spouted out that liberty
Is just equality in school
“Equality,” I spoke the word
As if a wedding vow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
In a soldier’s stance, I aimed my hand
At the mongrel dogs who teach
Fearing not that I’d become my enemy
In the instant that I preach
My pathway led by confusion boats
Mutiny from stern to bow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Yes, my guard stood hard when abstract threats
Too noble to neglect
Deceived me into thinking
I had something to protect
Good and bad, I define these terms
Quite clear, no doubt, somehow
Ah, but I was so much older then
I’m younger than that now
Copyright © 1964 by Warner Bros. Inc.; renewed 1992 by Special Rider Music