Saturday, December 14, 2019

Birds, Bread and a Brisk Walk

13 December 2019

     I was sitting at the computer where, like many of us I suspect, I spend far too much time, and Miriam sidled up to say, "Let's go for a walk." I think it took all of a nanosecond for my bum to leave the chair.
     Hillside Park is mere minutes from home, and we needed bread from our favourite bakery which is in a small shopping plaza nearby, so that is where we headed.
     It was a gorgeous day, the kind that makes you rejoice in winter. The sun was shining, there was little wind, and the temperature was hovering right around zero, sometimes edging just over into positive territory, the kind of day to walk forever.
     The park looked splendid. There was ice still on the creek, but it was giving way to open water, and the play of sunlight verged on magical. 



     It pays to pause a while and take it in. The patterns of nature are varied, glorious and ever changing.


     Thank goodness for urban parks. 



     They are not perfect, but any area bearing even a resemblance to a natural state is appreciated, providing a respite from the unceasing presence of a burgeoning humanity.
     Bare branches against the sky told the tale of trees in dormant mode, waiting for the warm days of spring and increasing hours of daylight to renew their cycle of leafing out and bearing fruit.


     The green of conifers stood in stark contrast to denuded limbs.



     European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is found throughout southern Ontario. It is a serious invasive pest, extremely difficult to eradicate, which was originally used by early settlers for fencing purposes since it grows quickly and forms a dense barrier.
     The berries, however, are greatly favoured by birds, and many species take advantage of them.


     One of the great problems is that the berries function as a natural laxative and pass through the bird very quickly, which means that seeds are deposited where they were taken from the tree, and in short order the multiplier effect creates whole stands of the offender. And the process repeats itself. It is noteworthy that the berries are toxic to humans but pose no equivalent danger to birds.
     House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) were unconcerned with such matters. Food was the only thing on their minds. The males seem exceptionally handsome this year in their scarlet livery.





     For the first time ever, we saw Wild Turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in the park. The picture is quite unsatisfactory, but it serves to record this initial sighting of a species that has thrived in spectacular fashion in recent years, habituating to suburban backyards with aplomb.


     I had a presentation to give early in the afternoon, so we could not tarry more than an hour; otherwise we might still be there, it was so lovely.


     So, back to the car and a visit to the bakery before heading home for lunch.


     A loaf of freshly baked Kalamata Olive bread seemed just the ticket for a lunchtime sandwich.


     We had grilled eggplant, a superb smoked Gouda cheese and fresh tomatoes for the filling. 


     Does life get much better than this? I don't think so. How about you?
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

79 comments:

  1. Beautiful captures and a good snack. Well done! :)

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  2. Hola David, creo que tienes razón en cuanto al frío, viendo tus fotos ahí esta muchos más frío. En mi tierra las noches son menos cero, puede llegar a los diez pero normalmente rondan los dos o tres grados bajo cero, durante el día no baja de cero. Y decirte que en Asturias somos como los ratones y se hacen muchos y sabrosos quesos. Las fotos preciosas y nos llevan a un hermoso paseo. Un fuerte abrazo para ti y para Miriam.

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  3. There was a Wild Turkey living in a park, lane way and backyards just south of Bloor st and Christie Pits Park. I went several times to try to see it this summer but had no luck.

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    1. If ever you are in the K-W area let me know. I could probably find Wild Turkeys for you.

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  4. Hari OM
    that was a walk worth having! That bread looks delish - and the filling sounds double d!!!

    Interesting, that buckthorn looks a lot like the Alderleaf, methinks, which I believe is a native your way and must make ID a bit confusing. A lot different from the Hippophae Rhamnoides, (Sea Buckthorn), of orange fruits with which I am familiar. These are now even being farmed as the berries are of high nutritional value to humans as well as our avian friends! YAM xx

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  5. A nice day for a walk, lovely captures of the birds and a wonderful choice for lunchtime. Sound like you two had a great day outside with nature.
    Have a lovely evening!

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  6. Une très jolie balade, et ce pain a l'air très bon!
    Bonne soirée

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    1. Vous ne pouvez pas croire à quel point le pain est bon!

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  7. The drawing of the grace is very beautiful, the birds are winning, and the bread seems very satiated.

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    1. PS - The man pulls a radiator to sell it to scrap iron.

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  8. This sounds like a perfect winter walk. You saw some great birds. And your lunch looked great, too. Here we had wild and windy weather with heavy rain and hail stones, and a hefty gust took my umbrella out of my hands and it was gone....Now I need a new one! Have a great weekend, Valerie

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  9. Hello, pretty winter scenes. Zero degrees is too cold for me. Great captures of the House Finches. The bread looks delicious. Happy birding, enjoy your weekend.

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    1. It is seriously good, Eileen. They also make amazing pretzels.

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  10. You made a very nice walk, and that bread looks really good!
    Enjoy your weekend!

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  11. Love these photos, they are spectacular and I love to see photos of close by where you live. The house finch is so pretty.
    Your taste in bread looks good as well, love olive bread but generally we go for brown. Eggplant, cheese and tomato sounds just perfect, yum yum.
    All the best, have a good Sunday. Diane

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  12. Hello David,

    Beautiful winterphotos. Zero degrees sounds just like here. I like winter very much, but it's too long.
    I already long for spring, and I guess that you do it as well.
    Lovely bread!

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    1. It's true, Marit, sometimes winter is too long. I don't mind it all at this time of the year but once it get past February it is time for it to end.

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  13. Un corto paseo amigo David muy bien aprovechado, buen paisaje, algunas aves interesantes y un buen desayuno no se puede pedir más a la vida, ¡esa es la buena vida!
    Un fuerte abrazo para ambos amigo y compadre David.

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  14. Bare trees have a beauty of their own.
    The birds on the branch , among the berries - how cute is that!

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  15. What a wonderful day you had. I attempted a stroll early in the morning after going to the supermarket to buy....bread! There is an Italian bakery next to the supermarket, but I love PEI bread and that is what I bought. The stroll was cut short by freezing rain.

    Gorgeous pictures!

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  16. Nature is an incredible artist with superb galleries isn't she?
    Thank you so much for taking us on this walk - how I longed to be there.
    Your lunch looked very special too. A local baker does an excellent sourdough olive bread which I often buy.
    I hope your presentation went well.

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  17. The ice formations in the moving water held my attention, comparing one rendition to another.

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  18. I'm wondering if some of the red branches, especially in the fourth photo, might be the dogwood you mentioned in a previous post. I brought some home from Minnesota several years ago. They've lost their red color, but are surviving very well in a floor vase. I hang tiny silver and gold balls from them at Christmas time.

    The house finches are quite handsome. I only met my first one about three years ago -- what a singer he was!

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  19. What a lovely walk - great looking at the icy stream from the warmth here. It rarely gets down to zero here. Your lunch sounds delicious. Memo to self "buy some eggplant at next week's market"

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  20. En trevlig promenad i den varierande naturen, det finns så mycket att upptäcka genom årstidernas växlingar. Jag är så glad över våra fyra årstider men ännu har vi inte fått någon vinter utan det är varmt, grått och mörkt.
    Invasiva växter blir ett allt större problem överallt i världen spridda av människor som inte haft kunskap. Rhamnus cathartica finns här men såvitt jag vet orsakar den inga problem. I sina ursprungsländer har växterna naturliga fiender som inte låter dem bli för dominanta men när de etableras på främmande platser saknas dessa fiender och de kan bli ett riktigt kostsamt gissel i naturen. Förvisso likadant med allt levande.

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  21. Hi David.

    Well that's a good thing that you came out of that chair.
    It is beautiful there.
    Beautiful nature and beautiful those birds.

    The bread looks very tasty.

    Greeting from Patricia.

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  22. Definitely a perfect day! Glad you took the time to appreciate it :)

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  23. Hi David - Miriam takes brilliant photos of nature too - these are delightful .. cold but very descriptive in 'their pose'. The finches too - so good to see them so close. Your lunch sounds delicious ... while it's great you're off out giving talks about birds and nature ... enjoy more of these delightful outdoor ventures in all weather - cheers Hilary

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  24. I'd be sitting near the window with the sun coming on a 0 deg day, but we won't go into that.
    I can image how wonderful it would be for the two of you to walk and take photos with the sun on your backs. Beautiful photos, all of them.

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  25. Beautiful nature and birds. Greetings Caroline

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  26. Fraaie natuur serie, de vogels zijn weer goed in beeld gebracht. Wel
    n koud Begin, hihi.
    Groet kees.

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  27. I couldn’t agree more. Such a lovely walk!

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  28. A walk in the park in winter is a real pleasure. The pictures are excellent and the bread looks delicious. Oh, I really feel like grilled eggplant, tomatoes and Gouda cheese.
    Hugs and greeting :)

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  29. I reckon Miriam is in line for three awards, David:- Landscape Photographer of The Year, Wildlife POTY, and Bread POTY! All look mouthwateringly beautiful - except the one shot that's a bit of a turkey! ;-}

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    1. I will be widening the door so that she can get her head through it!

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  30. It looks like a wonderful day and the icy patches are a work of art. We in the west are also fortunate to have urban park lands and pathways to sustain us as “progress” closes in. On such walks, I’ve wondered at the berries birds eat and how bitter these same berries would taste to me. Probably poisonous to humans, I’ve seen robins pick off every single berry off a holly tree.

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  31. Life doesn't get much better than fresh olive bread (or muffins!). Nice camera work from you both.

    Our weather does not improve and now I have a sprained ankle. Too much celebrating on Boris' win and the defeat of the Corbyn idiot.

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  32. Winter has a special kind of beauty, it's always great to have an invigorating walk in the woods.

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  33. Tus paseos siempre me gustan y ese pan, me comeria un trozo ahora mismo (y eso que he terminado de comer hace poquito ) Besos desde Marbella, Costa del Sol, con 21 grados.

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  34. Simply beautiful environment, with agreeable critters! So glad you shared your walk with me. Lunch would have been great too!

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  35. A home finch looks so cute, David. I like your story about nature, park, stream, I agree it seems wildlife.
    A loaf of bread is so delicious, of course, your sandwiches were tasty.

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  36. Dear David, What a beautyful walk that must have been with the frost and snow. That bread looks verry tasty dipping in olive oil with seasalt is my favorite.
    Enjoy,
    Ragards,
    Roos

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    1. Hi Roos: We like to dip ours in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

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  37. Bread is such a sinful, delicious treat in our house after my heart attack...I could really go for some right now. First, loved your "patterns" of nature & 2nd... your pretty birds!

    Sorry for being tardy visiting today. Internet connection issues. Thanks for joining us at I'd Rather B Birdin

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  38. Amigo David, qué buena idea dar ese paseo, disfrutar de la naturaleza con sus formas cambiantes pero armoniosas, ver los árboles desnudos de hojas y con bayas que alimentan a las aves ¡qué bonitas fotos!
    El pan tiene que estar riquísimo ¡ummmm!
    Muchos besos.

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  39. Merece la pena salir a pasear. Las imágenes que has tomado, merecen la pena de contemplarla y las aves, hacen las delicias de la vista y de oído con su armonioso cántico.

    Besos

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  40. Hi David.
    Thank you Miriam for this outing! It's better than the computer ;-). We cycled today and I worked in the vegetable garden.
    Congratulations on the observation of Meleagris gallopavo.
    The passerines are superb.
    Kisses from France.

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    1. Cycling AND working in the garden. You are going to be in great shape, Nathalie. Just about to leave to visit dear friends for dinner.

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  41. Even in the midst of winter, you described a perfect day. A day full of happiness and enjoying all nature has to offer. Beautiful photography as well especially of the birds amid the berries. Sounds like a very healthy lunch too. Indeed, life doesn't get any better than that.

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  42. Wonderful pictures of the winter landscape. I love the look of the bare branches against the winter sky.

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  43. The frozen creek looks beautiful and cold. Nice to see birds coming out looking for food. The cold weather makes one hungry.

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  44. Chleb bardzo apetyczny! Lubie pszenne pieczywo. Sama piekę ciemne chleby więc czasami tęsknię za białą bułką.
    Gratuluje obserwacji. Dla mnie i samiec i samica sa piękne!
    macie lód w strumieniu? W Polsce nadal ciepło, czekamy na zimę!

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    1. Yes, there is still ice on the creek, Ludmila. Yesterday the high temperature was only around minus six here.

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  45. I think I'd better have Rick try throwing some olives in one of his breads. That looks delicious! And I have to say you and Miriam are a wonderful combo -- probably in many ways, but certainly as you write so poetically and her images and eye capture so much of the beauty around you. Loved this!

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    1. I will bask in this comment al, day, Jeanie. Thank you!

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  46. It's looks very cold David. I love the red bird. Greetings Caroline

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  47. The nature is essential, it gives energy through the year. Beautiful shots.

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  48. David - I am with you 110%. Life is good when we can get out into nature and let a little (or a lot) seep into our very souls. And a walk in the woods is always more enjoyable when there is good food (and preferably a beverage, too) waiting at the end. Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!

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  49. That was a great walk! The photos of the ice in the water are stunning! Off course I Love the House Finches, and the bread looks delicious.
    Best wishes to you both!
    Maria

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  50. What a perfect day …
    A wonderful walk and beautiful photographs.
    I did enjoy this post :)

    All the best Jan

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  51. A walk that happens to turns beautiful pace, and the birds, superb.

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  52. Yes, thank goodness for parks! Your adventure was a beautiful one. The icy lace is so beautiful. That's a rare sight for my neck of the woods, though it could happen this year. We already got a dusting of snow on the low mountain ranges around us.
    I wonder if sea buckthorn is related to European buckthorn. The sea stuff is a specialty ingredient in lotions and creams.

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    1. I am unfamiliar with Sea Buckthorn. I will do a little research!

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  53. Good bread and winter weather are high on the list of good things this week with me too! We have a wonderful shop just down the street and we send H to get bread in the morning! Life is good.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Paris, France

    PS: in a strange turn of events I saw Ring-necked parakeets in central Paris!

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    1. When we were last in France, Stewart, we used to go to the local bakery in the small town near to where we were staying and buy a fresh baguette. Half of it was eaten on the way back to the car! Had dinner with friends on the weekend at their place and took a bottle of Jacob's Creek Shiraz and they had already opened a bottle of a Wolff Blass. We almost burst into "Waltzing Matilda!" See you in less than seven months.

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  54. Hi David,
    No doubt about it, you certainly know how to enjoy life. Taking walks in nature, relaxing as much as possible and coming home to have a great lunch. With such a start of the day your presentation must have been a succes.
    Greetings, Kees

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  55. Any day that finishes with something from a bakery is a good one, especially after such a lovely walk!

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    1. It is actually a sourdough olive bread, Pam, and a sure sign that it is freshly baked without preservatives is that if not eaten within three or four days it starts to garner a little mould. Supermarket bread with all its chemical content will resist mould for centuries!

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  56. Looks like a wonderful place to walk! Great images of the ice formations.

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  57. Oh, look at all the beautiful birds on your blog! I am a bird lover too, and it is my dream to see the red cardinal one day. I don't get to see them living in California. Your brisk walk sounds wonderful, and there is so much beauty in nature. The bread looks delicious. I think I can eat bread and butter alone for a meal. Thank you for visiting, and you take lovely photos.

    ~Sheri

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  58. Hi David,
    you have a wonderful way of describing a walk in the parc.
    And seeing the nice icy pictures, I longed to be there.

    Best regards, Corrie

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  59. Buenas bayas tienen los pájaros y vosotros un estupendo almuerzo.
    Te deseo una Feliz Navidad David 🎄🕊🕯 Que lo pases muy bien con tu familia.
    Un abrazo.

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  60. Looks like a lovely walk, David!
    Wishing you and your family a lovely Christmas⭐️

    Ida

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  61. Stunning bird photos and that olive bread has me salivating! xx

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  62. ello David
    this is really a beautiful park when I see your photos; Great to live so close to such a beautiful park. I also see beautiful patterns in the ice and that is something that I have been missing in the Netherlands in the winter in recent years. You had good weather and then walking is a wonderful option.
    The finches are great to see and also very beautiful in color. funny that you also saw wild turkeys :-))))
    The olive bread looks fantastic :-)
    Dear greetings from your girlfriend from the Netherlands xo

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  63. These birds are a welcome sight to see.

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