Clear Day

What a contrast from Yesterday! Skies are clear and deep blue today after yesterday's massive snowstorm. Strong winds have carved the snow like sand in the park.

Some roads and streets in the area are still buried under a heavy blanket of snow and it will take several days for the city crew to clear them. But this is certainly a welcome change in the weather conditions for now.

This is what the real winter feels like...

Just until yesterday, the skies were completely clear and there was not a speck of snow on the ground. Then suddenly the weather system dumped nearly 60 cm of snow overnight. Some of these Christmas characters in our neighborhood seem bewildered at this unexpected change in events. While little snowman on the right and Santa clause certainly look joyful as if they are saying "Now this is what the real winter feels like...".

Snowstorm

Danforth village area after the massive snowstorm overnight.

Still Sleeping

It is the middle of the Spring season. After recent rains, all trees are in a festive mood and are showing numerous shades of green.  Front lawns are filled with lively flowers and grasses are flourishing so fast that they now need regular haircuts. Still, this huge old tree in the middle of Dantonia Park is not ready to snap out of its deep winter slumber. I am not sure if these particular species are late risers or is it the age of the tree that is affecting its wake-up call. Perhaps at this age, it has seen all that matters under the Sun and now wants to sleep in for a few more days before joining the masses around.

Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths and Rock Cress

Spring colors near Dantonia Park.

Winter's last hurrah

Heavy snowfall at this time of the year in Toronto is a bit unusual. Temperatures in the preceding weeks were regularly into the double digits. Tree buds along with the hardy bulbs like woodland crocus, daffodil, hyacinth, and tulips all woke up earlier than usual and started to show off their distinctive colors. It seemed that the Spring season was firmly in place. 

But this is Toronto and its weather sometimes oscillates like the mood swings of a teenager. A combination of cold arctic air from the north and a storm system from the US dumped nearly 10 centimeters of snow overnight. Now there is a sheet of white fluff everywhere outside. 

Weather conditions are again expected to sway back in a day or two but it feels good to say a proper goodbye to the outgoing winter season.

Early Signs of Spring

Spring is a bit early this year. There was less precipitation during the season. Then the weather started to warm up in March and the whole month remained nearly snow-free. Ring-bill seagulls and other migratory birds also returned earlier than usual.

Woodland Crocus and tree buds, which started to show signs of life in the previous fortnight, are now visible at many places and are adding color and life to the outdoors.

Snow Laden Trees

Snow laden trees in the neighborhood after a heavy snowfall the night before.

Autumn in East York

Busy bees, yellow wasps and killer hornets

There are a number of flowering plants in our garden but honey bees are only interested in one particular white rose shrub. It has dozens of flowers and almost everyone is being tendered by a little industrious worker these days. 

These are smaller, gentler bees so it is easy to take close-ups of this intricate process. 

Other insects were also present to take advantage of this opportunity. I spotted this yellow paper wasp sitting quietly and basking under the spring sun. Paper wasps carry a painful sting but only show aggressive behaviour if threatened. They get their name from the paper-like hives they build from fibres and deadwood.

Then I spotted a very large hornet with orange and black stripes on its abdomen. I haven't seen anything like it before. I tried to fix my camera on it but it was moving too fast to give me any chance.

Then all of a sudden, it attacked an unsuspecting bee, chopped off its head in an instant and flew away with its body. I have read that hornets kill bees to feed their young but witnessing an actual event was shocking. I am not sure whether it was the feared 'Japanese killer hornet' or one of its local cousins. Anyway, it was not a happy ending to an otherwise excellent afternoon.