Wild Turkeys Spotted in London, Ontario

 

Wild turkeys are back. Unregulated hunting and loss of forest habitat resulted in Ontario being devoid of wild turkey by 1909. I know that I never saw a wild turkey when I was a boy in the 1950s. But that has all changed.

The first wild turkeys of the present reintroduction program were released in March 1984. In the coming years approximately 4,400 wild turkeys were released at 275 various sites across the province.

Wild turkeys are not common in Ontario but there are flocks living in certain parts of the city. This one was spotted deep inside the city on the front lawn of a Riverside Drive home. There are a number of big flocks to be found in the area immediately south of my southwest London home. Every once in awhile we spot a turkey strolling through our backyard. 

For more infor the Ontario Ministry of Resources has posted information online.

Suburban Walkway Joins Two Courts

Suburban residential streets are often said to discourage walking. This isn't true in my immediate Byron neighbourhood. Byron is an older suburban area in southwest London, ON.

Since moving to Byron I've learned to walk a lot and lately biking has entered the picture as well. Why? My granddaughters. We have two parks in our immediate area. And both can be reached by walking on trails that are devoid of car traffic and even sidewalks, for the most part.

My photo today shows the trail at the far end of my court. It leads into a bush and up a hill, ending at an extended, terraced, concrete staircase terminating in the court above mine. At that point, the smallest park is but a short walk away. My granddaughters call this walkway through the woods "going on an adventure."

Note the well trodden pathway. Lots of people take this path, often when walking their dogs.

Honey Locust Form Drifts Reminiscent of Snow

When the Edie and Wilcox subdivision was built in the uplands of the Byron area of London, the trees that lined the streets were often picked for the beauty of the spring blossoms or the lovely fall colour of the leaves.

The small leaves of the Honey Locust trees turn a very bright yellow before falling and quickly turned a deep, golden brown. The leaves are so numerous in many areas that driveways are slippery with drifted piles of honey locust leaves.

Boler Mountain: a ski hill inside the city limits

It was looking iffy as far as weekend skiing was concerned. The weather had been warm and the city was looking rather green. My wife even spotted a robin, along with some other spring birds, in our backyard.

Then Thursday it turned colder and the city had about 15 cm of snow dumped on it. Nice.

Plus, the local city hill has some of the best snowmakers anywhere. They have a reputation of being able to make snow at temperatures that other folks can't.

From the looks of the hill, yes hill, Boler is one small area delivering big fun way out of proportion to its size, the snowmaking crew has earned the reputation.

Was it record warm weather in London?

Apparently Windsor, Ontario, as well as Toronto, hit new record highs for Feb. 28th yesterday.

Did London? Don't know. That said, it was warm. My thermometre read 16-degrees centigrade. That must be close to a record.

My granddaughters and other London kids went outside to enjoy the warm weather while they could. Today, the day after, it's going to be close to freezing with an accumulation of 15 cm of snow.

Oh well. There may be skiing this weekend after all.

Road graders become snow plows come winter

It's been snowing all day and now, in the evening, the snow plow has arrived - sorta.

I've always called this giant piece of equipment a road grader. I don't recall these being used as snow plows in the southern Ontario town I once called home. I decided to do a Google search for more information.

I learned Cat calls these motor graders and the wing on the side and the blade at the front are custom additions for snow removal.

A good operator can plow a street and leave the roadway clear and yet not plug the entrances to everyone's driveway. This operator was good. Very good.

A Winter Wonderland

Check out the depth of the snow sitting on the bird bath in the lower left of the posted picture.

London, Ontario, has had oodles of snow this winter and more is expected come Monday.

This is a winter for kids: sledding, snowman making, skiing, skating, if its an outdoor winter sport or activity, this is the winter for it.

Now, adults have another take. Many can't see passed the icy roads.