The dull, short days where the sun never shone and the temperature hovered around the soggy freezing mark have mercifully given way to sunny, crisp, cloudless days. Yes, it’s very cold but if you’re not in the wind it can be really very pleasant. Still, for those who can’t or won’t venture far from their front door there’s lots to see and experience. I’ve noted this before in this column but that was specifically in terms of watching birds; but there’s so much more to enchant us right on the street where you live.
I consider myself very fortunate in having a house on a small street in Millbrook that dead-ends into the wetlands. Simply by walking to the end of my street I can see and experience so much! The wetlands alone are beautiful at every season; but in the snow and sun they are ravishing. The sun catches the cattail leaves and heightens their glossiness and enhances the subtle brown colours. If the wind blows over them they wave and rustle, with both sound and movement creating marvelous effects. The forest on Medd’s Mountain also is lovely in every season. Snow on the conifers adds a definite, wintry refinement. When the sun rises over Medd’s Mountain my heart thrills! And the moon rising over it has a regal, silvery elegance.
After a recent and lovely snowfall, the next morning was crystalline with a sunny, cloudless sky. A neighbour (another avid birdwatcher) and I happened to meet up down by the pond. As we were chatting (yet another pleasure on the street where I live), a large flock of Blue Jays erupted in a hectoring call and then dove into a hedge of cedar. Two minutes later a Cooper’s Hawk sailed majestically into a maple tree nearby. It had the decency to sit still for several minutes so we both got a good view of it with my binoculars. Because of the bright light we could even see the orange colour of the eye! This raptor is in the subfamily of Accipiters: these are chunkier than the Falcons and more streamlined than the Buteos, of which probably the Red-tailed Hawk is the best known. After it flew away on silent wings, the jays started to emerge. They fluttered out one after the other like large blue butterflies. There were probably 30 of them! I am surprised to see such a large flock, but consulting my ROM “Birds of Ontario” I learn that this is actually not uncommon. You learn something every day!
Many readers of my column will know that trees are one of my passions. And here on my street we are lucky to have many mature specimens–both on the street and in Medd’s Mountain. Surely it is this prevalence of mature trees that accounts for the wonderful population of four kinds of woodpeckers. At this season the deciduous trees exhibit their sturdy architecture. And among their bare branches you will often see the nests that birds used last summer. Just the other day I noticed for the first time yet another orioles’ nest. And in the large maple on my front lawn I now see a tiny nest that must have been built by Red-eyed Vireos.
The rink on the millpond has been extremely well used this winter. Skaters, hockey players and children simply sliding on the icy surface make sounds that are the epitome of a Canadian winter. From my street I can’t hear the sound of blades on the ice, but I can certainly hear the slap of a puck against a stick.
My little puppy, now learning to walk on a leash, is just beginning to experience the richness of what our street offers. When she has her rabies shot we’ll be able to venture further. But for now the big world of this single street is plenty! I am sure whatever street you live on has similar attractions. Whether it’s from your window, your front door, or out on the street itself, get out! And enjoy!
GET OUT! By Glen Spurrell
