Joyful Learning at its Very Best

 18 December, 2025

     It is always stimulating to be with the young and curious, but the Chinese Home School group whom I have been privileged to get to know over these past few months, surpasses all expectations. Parents and grandparents are sources of inspiration and guidance; the kids are superb. 

     The children are rambunctious and joyful, and the parents have that unique quality that is rare today - they let their children be children! Hooray for these enlightened mothers. Hooray for these wonderful children!

DesJardins Canal, Dundas, ON

     We started our day at the DesJardins Canal in Dundas, where the above group picture was taken.

     Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) have come to know that the arrival of a car often means humans bearing food, and they are quick to scurry ashore to take advantage of a potential free meal.

     Sadly, all too often, well meaning people feed the birds junk food. One assumes that this is a reflection of their own diet. Stale donuts are best avoided by both duck and human alike.

     A Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) remained aloof from the unseemly scramble on shore, content to dive for the aquatic prey it favours.

     A small group of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) sailed on by. 

     If you look carefully at the right rear of the picture there are a couple of Hooded Mergansers.

     A lone Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) came to see what it could cadge, much to everyone's enjoyment.

     There was no shortage of willing hands to feed it; indeed it had chosen the right group!

     First, get a little seed.

     Extend your hand.

     Success!

     I should declare up front that this post is going to be overloaded with people pictures.

     Who can resist shots like this? Demure, shy, beautiful and satisfied with having fed the bird - all revealed in the same expression.

     Yoninah does not usually bring her very youngest on these outings, but today we had the pleasure of her company.

     This bright little girl was the very model of good behaviour all day long, and she didn't miss too much either!

     It took mere nanoseconds for the Mallards to realize that the goose had successfully cajoled us into dispensing food, and they quickly returned.

     A few Rock Doves (Columbia livia) came to join the party,too.

     Here I am in my appointed task, providing information on the area and its flora and fauna.

     The park, formerly an abandoned industrial area was rehabilitated and planted with native vegetation.

     The plants above are primarily Goldenrod (genus Solidago), but invasive Wild Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum) has taken hold, introduced no doubt by birds and mammals when seeds have stuck to their feathers and fur. Invasive species are so ubiquitous it verges on impossible to exclude them.

     The old chimney was left in place for Chimney Swifts (Chaetura pelagica) to use, and after several years of standing empty, the chimney has now attracted a colony of these endangered birds.

     "All the world's a stage," wrote William Shakespeare, and on this cool December morning the stage was reserved exclusively for us!

     Bird houses are nestled among Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea).They are vacant at this time of year, but occupied by families of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in the spring.

     How pretty it looks with a light dusting of snow. 

     The Tree Swallows have long since migrated south for the winter, pursuing their diet of aerial insects, but House Sparrows are hardy and remain with us all year.

     Here is a very handsome male.

     Dapper though he may be, he will have to be at his best to win the wing of this fair lady.

     Another stop and more interpretive commentary.

     The Urquhart Butterfly Garden is an essential stop on this circuit, celebrating as it does Fred Urquhart, a name indelibly associated with the Monarch butterfly, and one of Canada's great heroes.

     It was here that the moment that melted my heart occurred. Suddenly, a tiny hand grabbed mine and it was though a bolt of emotion zapped me from the sky.

     Little Becky perhaps decided she needed another grandpa and I fit the bill. She didn't stray far from my side for the rest of the day. It is truly incredible to have this happen. What feels better than the hand of a child? I don't think there is anything to compare and Cloud Nine was reserved especially for me for the rest of the day.

    

         Time for a rest. 

     Will that guy never stop talking?

     Snow is to be enjoyed.

     As anyone who lives in a northern climate knows, winter produces its own special form of beauty, and Miriam's keen eye barely misses a thing.

     Death is a constant in this world, no less among humans than other creatures, and while we don't hope to find dead birds there is perhaps a lesson in it for all of us.

     Life is short, but can be very sweet, and it is up to  us to enjoy it to the fullest, and contribute to wild nature and environmental diversity as best we can. I have no doubt that this group of intelligent children contains amongst it several future leaders.

     Canada will be in good hands.

Grindstone Marsh, Hamilton, ON

     Grindstone Marsh is part of an interconnected system of natural features known as the Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System.

     As soon as we arrived Theodore the Explorer was off like a shot to climb the steepest slope he could find.

     Never one to pass up a challenge, he doubtless causes his parents a little consternation at times, but one cannot fail to admire his adventurous spirit. We always wonder what he is going to do next!

     Having convinced Theodore to rejoin the group, we set off to explore.

     Aptly named Snowberries (genus Symphoricarpus) are always a lovely sight.

     The dun-coloured vegetation and the frozen marsh portrayed a superficial air of lifelessness, but nothing could be further from the truth.

     There is beauty in dormancy as the plants gather strength and sequester resources for the coming spring. Their cycle is finely tuned for maximum efficiency.

     A Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), no doubt appreciating the dense cover during the overnight hours, emerged from the rushes to bid us good morning.

     As if to continue with a lesson on New World Sparrows (family Passerellidae), a White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) perched for an extended period in full view - and very close.

     Everyone was anxious to try their hand at feeding songbirds, and seed was quickly dispensed to outstretched hands.

     This is an area where, usually, almost as soon as we set foot past the signboard, chickadees and nuthatches descend upon us, knowing that breakfast is served.

     For some reason we were treated with total disdain and nary a bird showed up!

     A Baltimore Oriole's (Icterus galbula) pendant nest reminded us of a breeding season past and gave us hope for another to come.

     As Alexander Pope wrote, "Hope springs eternal."

     It might be expected that little legs tire, so a brief rest with an adult is not to be spurned.

     As we made our way back to our vehicles a Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) put on a bit of a show for us.

     The leaves of White Avens (Geum canadense) are still green, despite the cold weather.

     Winterberry Holly (Ilex verticillata) seems to exude good cheer and is entirely appropriate for the season.

LaSalle Park and Marina, Burlington, ON

      People cannot resist defacing signs, can they?

      The first order of business here was to have lunch. We enjoyed a sunny interval, and with the weather being relatively mild we were able to eat outdoors.

      Miriam and I chose a bench and Penny took this evocative shot.

  

      While we were eating several birds entertained us, including this American Coot (Fulica americana).

    A Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) swam by gracefully, as only Mute Swans can.

     A pair of Mallards came out of the water to investigate whether we had any food for them, and to gobble up any crumbs we might have let fall to the ground.

     Josh's keen eye caught sight of a perfect example of a beaver-chewed branch. He was soon tugging away at it.

    Not a great picture, but here is a female Red-breasted Merganser (Mergus serrator) swimming away from us.

     A female Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) was a little closer and in better light.

     A female Northern Cardinal found berries and buds very much to her liking.

     Several Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) came quite close to shore and at the right angle the wonderful iridescence of their heads was visible.

     Ruddy Ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) were, unfortunately quite far out.

     I had brought my scope to enable the birds to be seen well, and we set it up for all to enjoy, even the little ones who probably had a hard time adjusting their eyes, but were nevertheless anxious to give it a try. A stool enabled them to reach the eyepiece!

     The following pictures are self-explanatory.

     Ingrid thought we should have another group shot against the water, and Miriam was happy to oblige.

     What a great looking group!

     The area was brightly decorated with appropriately themed murals.

     Trumpeter Swans (Cygnus buccinator) Canada Geese and Mallards were gathered at the boat launch. The grey swans are the young of the year. One day they will look as grand as their parents.

     It was time to set off along the woodland trail.

     Another American Coot paid a visit.

    Evidence that American Beavers (Castor canadensis) had been hard at work was everywhere.

     This white domestic Mallard, known as a Pekin Duck, has been resident at LaSalle Marina for several years and is a great favorite among visitors.

     The trail got a little crowded with our group.

     We observed many black morph Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), sleek and glossy, brimming with health and vitality.

     Several Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) were seen.

     The nasal call of the White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) enlivened the woodland, and they were not hard to spot.

     This individual exercised good judgement in feeding from Becky's hand, much to her delight.

     She does it right, remaining quiet and not running around, and has frequent success - remarkable for one so young.

     Here are more bird feeding shots.

     How's this for a happy face?

     American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) were seldom far away.

     This female Bufflehead, distinctly different from the male, swam close to shore.

     We were treated to the spellbinding spectacle of a juvenile Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) soaring overhead. Unfortunately is was moving away from us, but Miriam managed to fire off a couple of shots before it became a speck on the horizon.

     An American Black Duck (Anas rubipres) swimming below was in no danger.

     It will come as no surprise that some of the boys were off exploring once again.

    But it was time to go.

     What a great day it had been. The memories will not fade for a long time.

     I am already looking forward to the next time. I expect you are, too!