We have had relentlessly gloomy weather recently, including several foggy days. On one such day, we could not see anything beyond the river.
A week ago, the skies started to clear at the end of the day to great effect.
We have been feeling nostalgic about the number of birds we could see, even in November, when we lived close to Lake Ontario. Being so far inland now provides more limited bird sightings at this time of year.
Here is a raft of scaup offshore at Colonel Samuel Smith Park on November 19, 2018.
Here are some of the birds we saw in the parks and along the Lake Ontario waterfront.
Red-bellied Woodpecker (male), Downy Woodpecker (male), Downy Woodpecker (female)
Common Redpoll (female or immature), Northern Mockingbird (twice), Northern Cardinal (female), Black-capped Chickadee.
Great Black-backed Gulls arrive on the lake for the winter. Here is a first winter bird and an adult (lower photo). Ring-billed Gulls are dwarfed by both Herring Gulls (upper photo) and Great Black-backed Gulls.
Both Mute Swans and Trumpeter Swans stay on the lake all winter.
Mute Swan in flight, immature Mute Swan, Trumpeter Swans.
A variety of waterfowl that breed farther north, migrate to Lake Ontario for the winter when northern lakes freeze up.
Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser (male), Red-necked Grebe (non-breeding adult or immature), American Wigeon (male), White-winged Scoter (female), Common Goldeneye (female), Long-tailed Duck (male), American Wigeon (male).
Mallard pair, Redheads (male and females), Canada Geese, Gadwall pair
Mink are a common sight along the lakeshore.
Thanks to Wandering Bee, we have Narcissi in bloom with the scent of spring in the air.
Something new from me
A long time ago, a friend told me the way he introduced people to classical music was to start with Mozart. I found several videos and now YouTube is suggesting many more.
Five TSO musicians are playing while socially distant in the same space.
We saw one of Simon Rattle’s final performances as principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic when we visited Berlin. To see complete performances online by this orchestra requires a paid subscription.
Opera overtures are usually five to ten minutes long.
Still with me? This concerto runs for half an hour.
The companion piece to the concerto is this quartet.