In Search of Open Water

It’s been a hard season for waterfowl.  The extreme cold has frozen most of the Great Lakes for the first time in around 20 years.  Around Toronto and north of here, there are reports of many swans and ducks being found dead because of the lack of open water that they can land on and find food in.

So on a warm day (10° C) last week when I took a long walk, I looked out over Riverdale Park off of Broadview Avenue onto melting snow.  I soon realized that the specks on a sizable flooded area were actually ducks. And I wondered if they have come here because they are having trouble finding open water on Lake Ontario. 

Ducks in melting snow

Ducks in melting snow and ice, Riverdale Park, Toronto, March 11/14


Ice Crystals

We’re back to a cold snap in Toronto–around -20°C–which is cold for the city. Here’s two views of a window with beautiful ice crystals this morning.

Ice Crystals

Ice Crystals on the window, Toronto, January 21, 2014

Ice Crystals

Ice crystals on the window, Toronto, Jan. 21/14