Discover Southern Ontario Blog
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We are currently receiving many submissions to our website and have quite a backlog. I have just undergone open heart surgery and it will take some time for me to work my way through all our new 300+ submissions.
Five Bald Eagles
Deb from Hanmer wrote ... My Husband came home all exited telling me to grab my camera. I had no idea what he wanted me to take pictures of but it was ...
Ajax Opossum
Amanda wrote to say ... we have had one living in our backyard for years with no problems in residential South Ajax, Ontario.
The Cheerful Chickadee
In this area of Southern Ontario the Black Capped is the most familiar of the over 50 species of Titmice and Chickadees that live world-wide. They are often found foraging in small flocks of between 12 and 20 birds, throughout woodlands or at back yard bird feeders.
Bruce County Wild Peacocks
These were sighted in southern Bruce County along the Ripley Road, we noticed a pair of male peacocks in a corn field in full display.
White Squirrels - Bayshore Village
There are quite a few white Squirrels on the peninsula. I couldn't get close enough to confirm it, but I am told by residents that they have brown eyes, so they are not albino.
The Nuthatch
These small, agile, birds prefer to live in woodland however, a few species have adapted to rocky habitats, and we often see them at our bird-feeder in the garden, especially in the winter time.
The Cardinal
In Canada, one the most distinctly plumed red birds is the Cardinal. Of all the birds in Ontario, this brilliantly coloured bird is so spectacular that it is almost unmistakable. This is one of our non-migratory species so it is around the bird-feeders all year long, and shows up so well against the snow, in the winter time.
The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, are sometimes seen in the northern hemisphere, including here in Southern Ontario.
Collingwood, Ontario
Today, Collingwood is known as a resort town for all seasons, with great skiing, snowmobiling and for its close proximity to Wasaga Beach on Georgian Bay. In the days before the arrival of European settlers, this area of Southern Ontario was inhabited by the Iroquoian Petun Nation who built their villages in the area.
The Snowy Owl
The Snowy Owl lacks the feathery tufts which characterize many species of Owls, and only has slight evidence of them. The beak is black and is perfectly designed to capture and eat the small mammals which are this birds main food - each bird consumes around 8 - 10 small rodents daily!
Definite sighting of two Wolves!
We've heard howling and yipping for over 6 months in the late evening or early hours of the morning, but previously always in the distance, this was up close!
Lake Erie Bald Eagles
Dennis from Merlin, Ontario, asks if anyone knows of Bald Eagles in the Rondeau area?
Winter in Southern Ontario
Here in Southern Ontario, global warming seems to have had little effect on our winters, apart from making them a little less severe and perhaps not quite so cold as they once were.
We still experience lots of snow during winter in Ontario and most people who live here spend time outdoors enjoying the fresh air.
Discover Sarnia Ontario
Sarnia is a border town in Lambton County with Lake Huron to the north and St. Clair River to the west. Originally inhabited by the Attiwandaron Indians, the first wave of immigrants didn’t arrive until the 1830’s, and an oil boom brought much prosperity to the region from the mid 1850’s until about 1921, when industrial workers took over as the primary source of employment.
Bald Eagle on World's longest freshwater beach!
Gerry from Wasaga Beach wrote to say ... I was looking out of my window overlooking Wasaga Beach, when I noticed a larger than usual dark object on one of the small ice chunks. Normally it's just a crow, commonly seen on the beach, or occasionally a turkey vulture.
Continue reading "Bald Eagle on World's longest freshwater beach!"
Mennonites in Ontario
The first time I saw Mennonites was when I came to visit Ontario for the first time, in 1977, it was hard to miss their horse drawn buggies on the country roads around Kitchener. We saw the Old Order Mennonites and Amish in the villages of Elmira and St Jacobs and around Aylmer , and as I was curious I decided to learn what I could about them and their way of life.
The Village of Elora
Elora, north of Kitchener, Ontario, is a quaint village originally settled in the early 1800's by Scottish pioneers and was later founded in 1832 by Captain Gilkison, who was interested in the town's potential for water power.
Is this a Wolf?
There is a ravine there with a loose wire fence around it. I actually think I saw 2 different ones in the same area on 2 different days ...
Steed & Company Lavender Farm, Sparta
If you like Lavender you will love their Lavender Harvest time, the lavender is in bloom from mid-June to mid-July and again from the end of August to mid-September. You will find Lavender items for Bed & Bath, for cooking and for your home & garden - so why not plan to visit this summer and enjoy all that Steed & Company Lavender has to offer!
Sparta, Ontario
My hubby and I first discovered the village of Sparta Ontario one afternoon in the 1980's, when we were out for a ride on our motor-cycle - we were young and reckless then!
Nesting pair of Bald Eagles
Waterloo Region in the Laurel Creek Headwaters ESL. I have been a volunteer wildlife photographer with the liaison group for the ESL since 2009. This is a first time to have a pair of nesting Bald Eagles ...
Dresden, Ontario
The village of Dresden, Ontario, has connections with the Underground Railroad and Slaves, through the writings of Harriet Beecher Stowe, the author who wrote the novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”.
The elusive Catbird
Catbirds give the impression of being entirely slate gray, but on closer observation you will see see that these birds have a small black cap, blackish tail, and a brown patch under the tail. The Catbird is a medium-sized Northern American perching bird and is named for its cat-like call.
Bald Eagles in Brigden
Stacey wrote ... Today my husband and I were out on the deck enjoying the beautiful day when out in the back field landed two Bald Eagles. We weren't sure what they were at first, so we went and got the binoculars and spotting scope and sure enough there were two eating a dead Raccoon.
Ontario Animals
The White Tailed Deer, Raccoon, Opossum, Flying Squirrel, Chipmunk, Wolf and Coyote, Badger & Beaver ...
Homeschooling in Ontario
When you are homeschooling in Ontario it is as if you are the Principal of your own private school, you have complete freedom to choose how your children learn, what they learn, and when they learn.
Discover Southern Ontario
This area is a great place to call home, as we have great weather - if you like hot summers and cold, crisp winters, and colourful Autumns that will take your breath away!
Owls in the neighbourhood
These 4 owls have been visiting us since last Friday. The always come at dusk and are hard to get a good picture of.
Ontario Big Cats
Ontario is known to have populations of big cats, Lynx and Bobcat, and the occasional Cougar being sighted, but none of these animals should be seen in the wild in Southern Ontario.
Owls of Ontario
In Southern Ontario there are several types of Owls, which vary greatly in size, ranging from very small Saw Whet Owl, to the large Great Horned and Great Grey Owl. They are mainly nocturnal, however the Short Eared Owl is often seen during the day, and all species typically have the large eyes and facial disc of their kind, sensitive hearing and in general, are rodent eaters.
Fabulous Fall in Ontario
When I think of Canada, I think of fall in Ontario - Autumn here is truly beautiful! Canada is famous for being the "Land of the Maple Leaf" and this leaf is in the middle of our country's flag.
Unknown Owl in Hamilton
I was jogging with my dog about 6:45am in Hamilton, Ontario, when we encountered this owl-looking species. At first I thought it was a cat, that's how ...
Bald Eagle sightings across the area
Our readers from St thomas, Goderich, Kirkfield, Wasaga Beach, Tilbury have sighted Eagles ...
Big Footprints spotted in Wainfleet
My hand measures about 6 inches long and probably 5 inches wide in this picture ...
Recycling box Opossum
Oh, he is just a little fella, how cute. Luckily they are cute and harmless, and they eat ticks!
Harmless Pickering Possum
Around 11:00 am today (July 25, 2020), I was shocked to see one, I think it is a Possum, right inside recycle bin at my door outside here in Pickering!
Bird of Prey - Homer Watson Park
Karen wrote to report ... I was walking through Homer Watson Park Kitchener, on the trail by the Grand River. This bird caught my eye. It was sitting in the tree next to the path at a low level. So beautiful!
Indigo Bunting Visitors
Eight of our readers recently wrote to tell us of their sightings of Indigo Buntings ...
Collier Homes, St Thomas, Rick Collier builder of distinction
Collier Homes, Rick Collier has been building homes in the St Thomas area of Southern Ontario for many years and has a reputation for quality construction ...
Continue reading "Collier Homes, St Thomas, Rick Collier builder of distinction"
Thrilled to see an Indigo Bunting!
We're used to seeing Blue Jays in our backyard, but this little bird was nothing like that, so I took a closer look, and quickly looked up the bird online. It was indeed a male Indigo Bunting, and it flew over to our feeder.
Coyote Sightings
Readers from Innisfil, Port Colbourne, Caledonia, Guelph, Burlington, Ajax, Brampton have told us of their Coyote sightings ...
