New Years Eve 2012

The final tribute to the end of a challenging year with the tradition of out with the old and in with the new at Nathan Phillips Square (Toronto City Hall)!!

Awesome U2 - New Years Day

Have a great year everyone !! I'm look forward to taking some higher quality pics with my my new camera from Santa! So check back and visit my blog once in a while for updates once I figure out how to use it!! :)
 

The Toronto Zoo

Peacock checking out the menu!

Cutie Polar Bears!

We can't complain here in Ontario about the weather.  In fact it's been pretty pleasant give or take a few days.  This is the good side of global warming I suppose, and most of us know the bad side.  The poor Polar Bears are feeling the brunt of it, in fact are in the danger zone of becoming extinct forever while the polar ice caps are melting down.  I mean there is only so much we can do to help transport them to colder climates. It was this frame of mind that brought me to the zoo to visit the Polar Bears.  Why not?  There are still a lot of animals at the zoo at this time of year to view and the price is far more reasonable in the cooler months than in the heat of summer, which is their peak season.  From September 3rd to May 18th every year, you can see Polar Bears, Elephants, White rhinos, Grizzly Bears, Cheetahs, Lions, Tigers, Hippos and even Giraffes!   

The North American Grizzly

Sorry didn't catch their names!

The exhibits 'Around the World, Grizzly Bear trail, Camel Trail and Savanna Trail take about 3 to 4 hours to cover on the outside.  There are also many pavilions that are able to stay open all year round because they are indoors and kept at very warm and humid temperatures to ensure the survival of the species.  That's where I was able to visit the Gorillas and Orangutans, Komodo dragons and several fish (including the Lake Malawi Aquarium), birds, bats and snake species, among others.

Moose/Spotted Hyenna

Honestly, not only is it great exercise to walk through the park (especially coming out of the Grizzly Bear trail!) which is all uphill but since the animals are there anyways, it doesn't matter if you believe that they should be kept in captivity or not (which I don't personally), but you might as well enjoy them.  Enjoy seeing and being a part of their surroundings (even if its mock) because most of us will never get to experience the Savannahs in Africa, Eurasia or Australia.  But for a few hours you can still get as close as possible in a safe environment to explore the wonderful world of wild animals.  

Click here for a short video of the GORILLAS! :)





 

Warden Woods Trail

Spring, Summer or Fall, Warden woods is a beautiful trail located in the east end of Toronto.  I'd say it's not big, not small, just big enough to feel like you've escaped the rush of a city into the balance of nature for a while.



Warden Woods Trail is a heavily forested trail covering a land space of 56 hectares.  From the corner of St. Clair and Warden to Pharmacy Avenue, it follows the Massey Creek which flows into the Don River.  I've been here before (see Warden Subway Station on this blog) but didn't walk through the entire trail because at the time most of the paths were muddy and sloppy.  It's now late autumn and a lot of vibrant fall colours are disappearing into browns, tans and greys.  The reminder of course that winter is not far long, but this trail will still be utilized in the winter for snowshoeing and hiking.  

If you keeping on the asphalt pathway, there are many examples of beautiful scenery to take pictures of, worthy of framing!  The valley was formed by erosion caused by Massey creek through glacial deposits and the path can be winding and hilly at times.  You'll see some heavily forested areas which I suspect are much lovelier in the late spring/summer months when the green foliage is out. 

The Taylor Massey creek is protected and preserved by volunteers of the 'Taylor Massey Project'.  For those interested in learning about how to get involved yourself or just finding out more about project goals and objectives Click Here

 

Even though it is virtually impossible to get lost in Warden Woods because you are always just minutes from civilization, while in it, it really does feel like a different place in time.

Happy Trails!

Fir Valley Woods Trail

 Chances are if you're doing a search on Fir Valley Woods Trail you won't find much; that's probably because if you blink you'll miss it. 

Fir Valley Woods Trail is a small spot of forest off Warden Avenue between St. Clair and Danforth avenues.  There are no bike paths, or concrete foot paths anywhere, but that isn't to say that Fir Valley isn't without its unique charms. 


There is a broken bridge that overpasses the Taylor (or Massey) creek and I suspect that this trail is pretty much left unattended by the City of Toronto, unless there is some unforeseen danger or emergency which takes place here. 


The Fir Valley Woods trail covers a land space of approximately 1.5 hectares.  It contains a watershed tunnel, a steep hill, a small cluster of fir trees (of course) and an exit adjacent the Warden subway station. 

If you follow out towards St. Clair Avenue you will get to the entrance of a much larger trail called Warden Woods.

Fall Colours at Taylor Creek

 The Taylor Creek Park trail (also known as the Massey Creek trail) were named from two well known families that had historical ties to the area in the early 1800's.  The Trail follows a major stream that forks and flows to form the Lower Don River (the East Don, and this tributary).  

It is such a peaceful and beautiful area with entrances that are so secluded from the Cities core, it just feels like your own private forest.  By travelling southwest on the trail you will end up at Lower Don Trail which will take you parallel to the Don Valley parkway and downtown Toronto. 


Taylor Creek Park and trail is 16 kilometers long and runs from the Sheppard and Victoria Park and flows diagonally under Hwy 401 at Pharmacy.  It continues with on and off watershed and diverted interruptions until it spills out into the Don River.  

Since 1993 with the help of citizens and other environmental groups called, "Friends of the Don East (FODE), there has been much pressure put on the City to reduce the storm water flow into the Taylor Massey Creek much.  In 2003, the City implemented the Wet Weather Flow Management Master Plan which will do just that and improve the habitat in the creek for fish and other water organisms living there.