A Mid-winter Surprise

We have been enjoying such beautifully mild temperatures this winter, and people everywhere are hoping for an early spring.  "Fonthill Flossie", our local weather prognosticator in the form of a groundhog, agrees.

I headed out to the Green Ribbon Trail, a small inlet of Martindale Pond.  It's a favourite spot year-round for me, because there are always birds there, and sometimes a real treasure.  I've seen Great Blue Herons, a spotted sandpiper, belted kingfishers, mute swans, grey catbirds, and many sparrow species, among others.  I didn't think today, being still so early in the year, would hold any surprises, but I was wrong!  I was very surprised to see a mockingbird!  What was he doing way up north in February?

I was also able to get some nice shots of the Canada geese and some landscapes.  If you look closely, you'll see that there are tiny bits of green peeping out from among last year's decaying leaves.