Town of Ajax Wildlife Meadow

On most summer weekends the west end of the Ajax waterfront hosts hundreds of people, who enjoy family BBQs, fishing, sports and all that the park has to offer.  With enhancements to the park in recent years and the frequent community events, there is always something to do and it gets pretty busy.

For me though, it is the (quiet) east side of the waterfront where I prefer to spend time on busy

weekends.  The town has done a great job in letting the waterfront go back to nature and the Wildlife Meadow is absolutely beautiful.   It has inspired me to learn more about Ontario wildflowers.

Here are a few photos taken this past weekend (and hopefully one day I will be able to identify all of them!).

Mating Monarchs - hopefully this will start a rebound in their numbers.

Wild for Wild Turkeys

The wild turkey population is thriving in Durham Region!

It is hard to believe that in the early 1900s, numbers had dwindled to the point where in the 40s a turkey reintroduction program was created.  It was definitely successful.  In my travels I see almost as many turkeys as I do geese these days it seems.  There are hundreds in south Durham Region alone.

So much so that I was getting into my car at my local grocery store five minutes from my house, and a small flock of five walked past me on the sidewalk!  Quite out of their range, which is normally close to farmers fields.  It was Thanksgiving weekend so I suggested they move along quickly!

Here are a few of my wild turkey encounters over the last few months.

Durham Backroads - Coyote Pup!

I found him in a relaxed but observant pose, near the high grass by a Durham backroad.  From a distance I thought he was a large cat, but as I approached I realize he was a coyote pup.

Likely Mom and Dad were in the background somewhere, but I never saw them.  It was nice to see him looking so healthy.