Sunday, January 10

Some Winter Beauty

The boys came over today. It was a beautiful winter day, though a bit chilly. It was 18 Celsius or, for my US friends, minus 7. The sun was shining and there was little wind, so we picked Mom up and headed to LaSalle Park in Burlington.
This is what we saw when we first arrived. Lots of Mallard ducks in this area and quite a few seagulls.

The harbour was frozen and the sky was a beautiful blue.
Mute (orange bill) and Trumpeter (black bill) swans were plentiful down the path at the feeding area.

Three Canadian geese were making their way toward the feeding area. It looked like they were walking on water, but it is really ice.

The water was open at the feeding area. A man who was feeding the swans said that the birds weigh between 30 and 40 lbs.


Canada geese, Mallard ducks and swans all together at the feeding area.




A beautiful Mute swan.



One of the volunteers dishing out corn for all the waterfowl.
We enjoyed the day, though the walk back to the car was a bit chilly. We were facing into the wind, but what better way to enjoy a beautiful winter day?

On the trip to the Marina, we saw a Cooper's hawk at the side of the road. He was gorgeous. After I dropped the boys off, I drove along the river and saw an otter. That was a surprise. I didn't realize otters lived this far south. I know we have them in northern Ontario. Interesting day.

19 comments:

  1. That sun is deceiving! I thought it was cold here at 11 fahrenheit - but that's warm compared to your temps. I'm impressed you got out in that - good for you!

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  2. The swans are beautiful. But I think I would have stayed home on a cold day like that.

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  3. My, you're brave. I haven't been out in this cold weather at all. However, tomorrow we're going to be back in the 40s. A heat wave for sure after the frigid temps of last week. I will definitely be getting out of this house.
    Mama Bear

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  4. Beautiful pictures. I had to laugh as I read the other comments. I live in Manitoba, where we think it's warm when the winter temperatures get close to -15 celsius(5fahrenheit)We are actually supposed to get above freezing by Tuesday...very unusual in January!

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  5. Awesome post my friend, praying your diabetes is doing well. I love you.

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  6. Do those birds ever get frozen onto the lake?

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  7. Beautiful pictures Mary!!! Wow! You all got out on a very cold day! I love your new header! How neat!!! It is suppose to get warmer this week!! I am ready! Love and hugs Carolyn

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  8. Those Trumpeter Swans are incredible. So pretty. Looks like a beautiful day, even with the cold temps.

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  9. Love the photos Mary, gosh anyone would think that ducks would be cold swimming in such icy water :D

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  10. How beautiful was that..... I think I am headed to our park tomorrow.. time to get out and walk and we have a lot of ducks that spend the winter here........

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  11. looks like a fun day...albeit rather cold...even the pics look cold!! -7, yikes!

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  12. Well....a beautiful day indeed....but too darned cold for me. I wouldn't venture out in that temp to save my butt. I do love those photos you've shared tho!! Swans...gorgeous birds!!!!

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  13. That was beautiful girl.
    Our creek behind our house is looking a tad frozen in spots too. Our area is not used to temps like this...especially when they stay this way for so long.
    I love the pictures of all the birds feeding together....there has got to be a lesson in that. :)

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  14. Lovely wintry photo series ... love all the beautiful birds hanging out together amicably ;-)
    Hugs and blessings,

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  15. Hi Mary, I love all of your shots of the birds and especially of the swans..I don't know how the birds survive during such cold temps..I guess God takes care of his flock!!Have a good day.
    Hugs, Baba

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  16. Great foul shots. I have never seen that many together at one time. I feel like a wimp complaining of our cold weather when you are minus 7. Looks like a fun outing. Peace

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  17. Oh Mary, such gorgeous pictures and I really will have to check out LaSalle Park one day!! I would so enjoy seeing all those swans, geese and ducks, they're all so beautiful. It's -9c right now so it's nice to have a break from the -24c we were having! lol xoxo

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  18. pretty pics and so good to feed the hungry birds!!


    but I gotta tell ya

    my first thought at the sight of them all was "what a load of bird-poop!"

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