A Visit with Friends to Huron Natural Area

08 November, 2026

     On a reasonably pleasant November day (it is November, after all) I was happy to be joined by my good friend, Sepideh, her husband and a group of friends from her Iranian Canadian community. We have explored nature together three times now and I am very pleased to call them my friends, too. They are warm, intelligent, engaging people and it is a pleasure to share my day with them.

     Before going any further, please meet my co-leader for the day, appointed on the spur of the moment, the intrepid Mateen.

     How lucky I am to have such an assistant, his services freely offered and sanctioned by his mom!

     The nights are becoming decidedly cold now, the temperatures sometimes dipping below zero, but a few hardy plants still bring us floral pleasure.

     New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) looks a little bedraggled but uplifts us with its tenacity anyway.

     Other asters are equally hardy. This is probably Pannicled Aster (S. lanceolatum).

     Most goldenrods (genus Solidago) have gone to seed by now so it was both surprising and joyful to see blooms still persisting.

     Several Noisy American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) gathered to bid us "Good Morning"; this individual especially anxious to let us know he was there.

     Staghorn Sumachs (Rhus typhina) have produced an abundant crop of seeds - important winter food for birds and mammals. And they are beautiful, too.

     Huron Natural Area comprises several distinct habitats and is often eminently attractive in its natural simplicity.

     It is remarkable that this gem has been preserved in a part of the City of Kitchener where it is surrounded by commercial and industrial development. It is a veritable oasis of tranquility, enjoyed by many.

     A lengthy boardwalk traverses a wetland and that is where we were headed. Birds congregate there, knowing that humans bring food.

     In no time at all Mateen’s hand was outstretched offering sunflower seeds.

     In mere moments Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) were dining at the Sunflower Café.

     Don't think for a moment that only children indulge themselves. Here is a very happy Sepideh with a chickadee on her hand.

     A female Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) came to pay us a visit.

     Inevitably seeds are spilled and some are placed along the rail, so she doubtless obtained her share.

     Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) were spotted throughout the wetland. Here is a handsome male.

     Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is the official bird of the City of Kitchener, so it was fitting that a couple joined the fray.

     Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a stunningly handsome bird, with a raucous cry that is hard to miss. A couple of birds swooped in to snatch up some food.

     Several American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were perched atop the snags and in the trees surrounding the wetland. Some will migrate but more of them remain each year to spend the winter with us.

     Before arriving back at the parking lot, we took another group picture since a couple of people were a little late and had joined the group along the trail.

      Many thanks are due to Sepideh for organizing this group, Let's do it again in the spring - if not before!