Language Monument

This monument was completed in April this year in Dentonia Park, East York but its plaque has only been added recently. It commemorates the right of all people to speak their mother tongues. This monument is a small-scale replica of the Shaheed Minar in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The original monument in Dhaka goes up to a height of 14 meters.

Taylor Creek Park

It's a nature park along the Taylor-Massey Creek that is great for hiking or bike rides for the most part of the year. High trees on both sides of the trail make you forget that you are in the middle of the city.

Taylor-Massey Creek can swell rapidly during rains thus lifebuoys and related equipment is available at regular intervals.

There are several ponds along the creek that offers excellent viewing spots for bird watchers. In summer one can find Red-winged Balck birds, Grackles, Robins, and Ducks in abundance. 

Mallard Ducks

A sunbathing Robin

Nesting atop a Muskrat lodge

 

Muskrats look like beavers but are much smaller in size. Unlike beavers, they are not into felling trees and building dam business. However, they do like to build their homes somewhat similar to the beaver lodges in or around water bodies. When Canadian Geese return from their winter vacations from the south, they prefer to nest near water with a good view of surroundings. Thus, Muskrat lodges in small ponds are one of their favorites. 

This goose nest is in the center of a little pond at Tyler Creek Park near Dawes Road. The geese will stay here till hatchings occur. Muskrats won’t bother them at all.

The other partner was grazing around the pond and keeping an eye on the surroundings.

This seems like a one-sided symbiotic relationship heavily in favor of the geese. So why do Muskrats tolerate such an intrusion into their homes? I would like to think that they are gracious hosts and like the occasional company.

By the Pond

It is so peaceful here by the pond at Taylor Creek Park. There are sounds of birds coming from all sides. The sharp calls of Red-winged Blackbird, the melodic songs of Robins, finches, and starlings with some occasional quakes of ducks make it seem like a place far away from the city life. There is a constant drone of nearby traffic in the background, but the road is out of sight, and after a while, your mind starts to filter out that low hum. Then a state of serenity envelops you all around.

United Against Hate

Fall Colors Around Dentonia Park

Fall colors in and around Dentonia Park in East York.

Rose Garden

Summer is over and the Rose Garden at Exhibition Place looks deserted. Cold autumn winds are blowing and leaves are showing dark markings all around. But a few hardy ones are still here to enrich the surroundings with their splendor.

Murals at Alexandra Park

Graffiti murals at Alexandra Park, Toronto. The bigger mural at the top is by Elicser Elliot and Troy Lovegates.