Around the World Travel: Spring: A Time of Awakening Along the Shores of Lake Ontario

Humans and birdlife alike, share the bounty found along the Martin Goodman Trail along the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto, Ontario.

The Trail is 20 kilometres long and runs from the Humber River, near the Palace Pier in the west, to just west of Victoria Park in the east. The focus here is the part of the Trail that starts near the Grand Harbor condominium complex in the west to the Sunnyside Pavilion Cafe in the east, about six kilometres.

Boardwalk looking west toward Palace Pier

Swan tending to the gulls

The path boasts two main watercourses: the Humber River and Mimico Creek. The Humber River is a tributary of Lake Ontario and runs to the west of the City of Toronto. Although the main artery of the Humber River runs approximately 100km (from the Niagara Escarpment in the northwest to Lake St. George in the Oak Ridges Moraine near Aurora to the northeast), many creeks and tributaries feed into it.

Mimico Creek is 33 kilometres long. It starts in Brampton, Ontario and flows south into Lake Ontario.

Along the trail, and certainly all along the shoreline, one will find a multitude of ducks, geese and gulls. Graceful swans float along the lake like a well-orchestrated ballet. The Great Blue Heron has a habitat near Mimico Creek. The Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat, which is home to six different types of butterflies, including the majestic Monarch, is also found in the area.

SWANS

To the east is the iconic CN Tower. To the west, the City of Hamilton. On a clear day one can see the plume from Niagara Falls.

Sunrise in the City of Toronto

The CN Tower

The CN Tower from Humber Bay Shore

In the coming weeks there will be a burgeoning of flowers which will rise from their winter slumber and infuse the area with hues of purple, white, yellow and shades in between.

Flora

A couple of swans

There are many people throughout the day walking their dogs, cycling, walking, jogging and sunbathing. Singles, couples and groups partake of nature's wonders.

I leave you with a few photos for your enjoyment.