Monarch Migration Mississauga, Shoreline Cleanup Port Credit Ontario

The monarch migration this year was later and sparser than in years past, so I was happy to see these butterflies in some numbers on September 24.

My timeline for monarchs migrating in Mississauga is indelibly set as the 11th of September, as on that date in 2001, in the midst of morning news and disbelief, the cosmos in the garden were covered with monarchs: Beauty amidst horror.

And so, each year in early September, I keep watch for the monarchs. In the intervening years, cold weather and loss of habitat in their Mexico wintering grounds decimated much of the monarch population, and I look hopefully each year for their numbers to increase.

Monarchs in Mississauga Port Credit Ontario

On my way to the Port Credit Farmers Market on Saturday, September 24 (coincidentally the same day as the Great Ontario Shoreline Cleanup),  I saw monarchs mobbing the purple flowers of the Butterfly bushes near the Credit River at Memorial Park. I didn't have my camera with me, so shopping done, I returned home to fetch it.

Monarch Butterfly on Butterfly Bush

I took a few photos and a short video (posted below) on my way to help a friend who was one of the shoreline cleanup leaders at Memorial Park/ Credit River.

Monarch Butterflies ~ Banks of the Credit River, Looking North West

The City of Mississauga department that oversees the parks in this part of Port Credit have planted a number of butterfly bushes on either side of Lakeshore Road at the Credit River. As well, they've planted lots of Brown-Eyed Susans, another great monarch favourite.

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup ~ Port Credit Ontario Memorial Park

A perfect fall day to be out in the parks, with cleanup crew making their way around fisherman hoping for salmon in the annual salmon run on the Credit River. Upon seeing the cleanup crew, several of the fisherman joined in, picking up trash and recyclables, and adding them to the bags. Several families out for a walk stopped to thank the cleanup crew for their hard work, and to say how much it was appreciated.

Cleanup Complete:  5 bags trash, 3 bags recyclables

Interesting to see the various categories of trash, windblown or human tossed, and the densities of both. Tim Horton's coffee cups were by far the most common item, and had me wondering if their corporate or local staff could be persuaded to sponsor their own cleanups, or donate/sponsor additional trash cans.

Next up were liquor bottles, concentrated past the Memorial Park gazebo, where summertime festivals take over the stages. I'm just saying. No connection proven, but a startling number of '26ers' were found.

Also problematic for people, pets and birds are discarded fishing line. One of the boys helping with the cleanup found one such entangled mess that still had a three-barb hook attached. Or rather, it found him, as it embedded itself in the sole of his shoe.

[A nearby salmon fisherman removed the hook from the line, and noted that the hook was much too large for Credit River fishing.]

Other items recovered include a broken folding chair, a still-in-pretty-good-shape collapsible canvas chair in carry bag, a large, used paint roller, a soccer ball (slightly dented), the odd beer bottle, and pop cans. Oh! and myriad cigarette butts and plastic bags!

Mouth of the Credit River at Lake Ontario

This is why we clean up our shoreline: The natural and enhanced beauty of this part of Mississauga is a treasure worth preserving, not only for those who live or visit here today, this month or this year, but for generations to come.

Another group scheduled to cleanup the Saddington Park shoreline (out of view to the right in photo) likely would have found similar trash, with the added filip of trash from boats.

Indeed, golf balls from the (we assume, as it's nearest) Mississauga Golf Club regularly find their way several kilometers westward along the currents of the Credit and Lake Ontario to wash ashore at Brueckner Rhododendron Garden. As many as 125 golf balls have been recovered at a time at BRG.

Back to the Monarchs: Here's the short video.

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• Learn more or sign up for next year's Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
• Learn more about Monarchs on Wikipedia.

Saddington Park Mississauga: Boats, Buoy, Bikes, Man in Tree

Coast Guard boats, new buoy Lake Ontario, outboard canoe fishing, bike tricks Credit River breakwater, man in a tree:  What are Things I Saw Last Week

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CCGS Griffon Lake Ontario at Port Credit Saddington Park

The Canadian Coast Guard was in town, so to speak, off Port Credit harbour at Saddington Park. I'd seen this ship a day earlier, but couldn't get a photo due to fog and rain. Using this photo, I could enlarge enough to read the name Griffon on the rear side. And looking through the CCG site, I found its home port is Prescott, in eastern Ontario.

CCGS Griffon at Saddington Park Mississauga

The Griffon is a 'High Endurance Multi-Tasked Vessel – Light Icebreaker'. Since this has been one of the coldest Aprils in ages, albeit with no ice that needed breaking, it was nice to see this harbinger of spring. Daffodils and tulips are nice, too, but for boat-mad Port Credit, boats in the water herald the summer boating season.

Small Canadian Coast Guard Vessel in Credit River at Lake Ontario

Though I can make out the serial number of this smaller Canadian Coast Guard boat alongside the pier on the Credit River east bank at Port Credit, I couldn't find a name or description online. See details for Griffon at Canadian Coast Guard site.

New Buoy Lake Ontario off Credit River entrance Saddington Park

As for what the Coast Guard was doing, I might have a clue. See the light near the top left of the photo? (Click to enlarge, then click Back Button to return to this page). About this time, I noticed a small light out in Lake Ontario that hadn't been there before. Checking the CCG site, under Aids to Navigation, I found this mission statement:

To manage, maintain, and provide aids to navigation in Canadian waters in order to facilitate safe and expeditious movement of maritime traffic to protect the marine and freshwater environment, maintain maritime safety and to facilitate maritime commerce and ocean development . . .  through to floating aids (small, medium and large buoys.

Sunlight Highlights Buoy Lake Ontario at Port Credit

At night, the light is small when seen from shore, but it's very bright. Daytime, it's almost impossible to pick out the buoy from shore, even when you know where it should be. Just at sunset one night, I noticed the sunlight reflecting off the buoy, and took this photo.

Lake Ontario Buoy off Saddington Park Mississauga

This buoy can also be seen from land just after dawn, when east light makes it possible to see it above the water. I tried to estimate how far from shore this buoy was set, but I'm not the best at guessing distances over water. It's perhaps a kilometer off shore. The only contact I could find for the Canadian Coast Guard is by telephone, so I'll keep checking.

Fishermen Launch Outboard Canoe Saddington Park

Now, I don't know about you, but when I see anyone trying to board a canoe from shore, especially one to which they intend to attach an outboard motor and load their fishing gear, I have to stop and watch. Well, first I grab the camera, then I watch. They don't call canoes 'tippy' for no good reason-)

Sternback Canoe with Outboard Motor Credit River Fishing

Back in the day, we had a sternback canoe that we used to go fishing. But it never occurred to us to climb down rocks to connect the outboard motor. Hat's off to these fellows, for they did a perfect job and were soon motoring off into Lake Ontario.

Before: Bike Trick on Breakwater Saddington Park East Side

Saddington Park is popular with young fellows who practice manouevers on their bikes. Sometimes they go up and off the picnic tables but they make my heart stop when they  go up and down the rocks of the breakwater around Saddington's perimeter.

After: Bike Trick on Breakwater Saddington Park East Side

This young fellow made it down, as I knew he would. I'd watched him go up and down and across these large rocks several times. But each time, I do hold my breath, thinking how cold the water, how rough the rocks.

Man in Tree Saddington Park Mississauga

And for no apparent reason, this man was up a tree at Saddington Park near the Mississauga Road South parking lot at Lake Street. Since this climbing took place on a holiday weekend, and he had no saws, etc. I am pretty sure he wasn't with the City forestry department on an emergency call. Passersby stopped to watch and chat. Near as I could tell, he was just practicing climbing trees. The red in the photo is a rope.

Also seen but not photographed were the first sailboats, small fishing boats, canoes and kayaks of the season, as well as two hardy chaps on SeaDos, and several tankers heading across Lake Ontario; feisty Trumpeter Swans defending their mates, black cormorants fishing, and dozens of Red Wing Blackbirds back for the season. Now let's hope the weather warms up!

Related blog post  Boats Mississauga from last Spring.

Salmon Fishing, Electrofishing, Racing Pigeon : Mississauga Ontario Canada Videos

This summer I've taken a few videos of the Port Credit area of Mississauga Ontario Canada: Salmon Fishing, Electro Fishing, a Canadian Racing Pigeon as well as a Busker at Buskerfest.

Have a look, leave a comment, or post a video reply on my YouTube Channel (right menu).

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Here's the salmon fishing video I took early evening at Saddington Park in Port Credit. This fisherman and his friend did an admirable job of landing this salmon, and keeping it fresh and cold until they left for home.

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Here's a short video of a racing pigeon who stopped by my balcony in (Port Credit Mississauga) for rest and recuperation before heading back home, as he was trained to do.

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Electrofishing (Ontario) was a new concept for me. When I saw this boat and a whole lot of people on the Credit River one evening, I shot first, asked questions later :-) Here's the video of the electrofishing boat and crew at work.

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This weekend, I'll see if I can get some videos at the Southside Shuffle Blues and Jazzfest here in Port Credit. This is the last big event / festival of the season, though smaller events to mark Port Credit's 175 birthday continue to the end of the year.

River Ice Port Credit Lets Ducks Walk on Water

A very sunny Sunday in a fairly mild winter in Port Credit, Ontario (see this post for details) meant that the ice on the Credit River was rapidly melting.

And this normal, natural occurrence offered the illusion that ducks were walking on water. [Click on image to enlarge, then click Back to return to this page]

 

Gulls on Ice Port Credit Ontario

Just south of the landmark Lighthouse, the west side of the Credit River forms a little bay that's a great favourite with the local avian population -- Mallard ducks, swans, gulls and occasionally a bufflehead duck or two.

 

Gulls, Mallard Ducks Ice Sheet Credit River in Mississauga

 The ice in this little bay had mostly melted, and what remained was a barely visible clear skim of ice, beneath which the river current flowed, causing it to undulate gently.

This thin ice sheet provided an ideal landing platform for a few dozen gulls, and a smattering of mallards.

 

Mallard Duck Male and Female Walking on the Credit River

As the ducks came in for a landing, or waddled towards open water, their little feet slipping on the ice gave the illusion they were walking on water. This unusual site had most passersby stopping to watch their antics.

 

Canada Geese Credit River at Saddington Park 

Three Canada geese swam leisurely by, ignoring the mallard antics. Likely the river ice sheet would not support the weight of these larger birds. And, for what it's worth, the ducks seemed to be enjoying themselves!

 

Canada Geese Credit River Port Credit Ontario

Canada geese and swans know to look for grain along the west bank of the Credit River, just south of the Lighthouse in Port Credit, where the fishing boats moor in Summer. The green  roof top right is Snug Harbour Restaurant; the highrise is the Waterside Inn.

Each year at this time, someone spreads grains near the river bank in the same spot, and the hungry migrants remember it and tell their friends.

I took a short video of the ducks walking on water (Ice) and sliding in for a landing:
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Canoes, Rowers, Fishermen, Waterfront Trail, Fall Foliage ~ Fabulous Fall Port Credit on Lake Ontario

Such a fabulous, warm and sunny Fall day, it seemed everyone in Port Credit headed to the waterfront to walk the trail, to fish in Lake Ontario at the mouth of the Credit River, to canoe, cycle, row and kayak, and marvel at the last of the gorgeous colours of the fall leaves.

Here are a few pictures to show you how to celebrate the gift of a summer day in late Fall! Click on a picture to enlarge, then click the Back button to return to this page.

Snug Harbour Restaurant Port Credit

A bright red canoe heads down river past Snug Harbour restaurant (across from the landmark lighthouse) towards Lake Ontario.

Fisherman Lake Ontario Port Credit

One of many fishermen along the lower Credit River this fall afternoon, with a view of the CN Tower and Toronto skyline.

Driftwood Shore Lake Ontario Mississauga

Afternoon sun made this large piece of driftwood gleam, and the still Lake Ontario waters are testament to the calm winds. With no waves to stir the water, we had a rare glimpse of the lake's sandy bottom.

Rower Lake Ontario Port Credit

A man on a mission: this lone rower was skimming along so quickly west towards Hamilton, I had to move fast to snap this picture.

Walkers Along Mississauga Ontario Waterfront Trail

This stretch of the Waterfront Trail passes between Lake Ontario and the PetroCanada lands, a rolling, twisting path that's popular with cyclists, roller bladers, walkers and runners. Several cyclists were towing babes in wagons.

Copper Beach in Fall - BRG

The Waterfront Trail passes through the BRG - Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens in west Port Credit. The copper beeches were particularly lovely this afternoon along the east garden at the Godfrey's Lane entrance.

Tamarack - Larch Fall Colours BRG

Across the Waterfront Trail from the stand of copper beech trees is this stand of tamaracks (AKA larch) in their yellow fall foliage. See also this post for mor larch/tamarack pictures.

Red Crab Apples - Lake Ontario Waterfront Trail

Fall in Ontario is all about colour this year, and these red crab apples certainly did their part! While areas north of the city of Toronto had wet snow showers this past week, in sunny lakefront Port Credit, we were treated to a warm summer day; Temperatures reached 17C (63F). Most people wore only a light sweater or jacket, and several men were wearing only Tshirts and shorts.

The weather forecast for the next few days calls for temperatures nearly this warm, so if you're in the Toronto - Mississauga - Oakville area, do make a point of going out for a walk. We'll be into winter in Canada soon enough!

Related: Paddling and Hiking in Ontario's Southern Shield Country book Amazon.com
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Culham Trail Fall Colours Credit River Mississauaga Ontario Canada - Great Drive, Great Walk, Cyclepath

The Fall Colours along Mississauga Road from Port Credit to Streetville are close to peak colour today, with leaves shades of gold, red, orange almost fully covering the trees. The change is more complete in the Streetsville area. Here are a few pictures I took this afternoon along the Culham Trail as it passes near Eglinton Avenue.

Highway 403 Mississauga Road Overpass

On my drive up Mississauga Road from Port Credit, I pulled onto the shoulder of the Hwy 403 overpass to take this picture of the changing leaves in the Credit River Valley. The Culham Trail (walking, cycling) runs along the river from Dundas to the Brampton border (map at bottom).

Hewitt Meadows Park Mississauga Ontario

As Mississauga Road approaches Eglinton Av, stay in the right hand lane, and turn east onto the bridge. If you are coming south down Mississauga Road, turn left at the Eglinton lights and get into the right hand lane as soon as possible. As you cross the Eglinton Avenue bridge over the Credit River, keep to the right hand lane, and be prepared to turn right at the first street, which is signed Hewitt Lane.

Hewitt Lane into Hewitt Meadows Park at Eglinton Avenue

 Hewitt Lane is dirt, fairly rough and narrow, so go slowly or drive a big truck. There is a small parking lot at the bottom of the lane, which ends at the Credit River. 

 

 Culham Trail Sign - Credit River at Eglinton

The trail is marked with signs near the parking lot, and is easy to follow. Under the Eglinton Avenue bridge, which is directly overhead at the parking lot, there is another footpath that leads up the hill on the northeast side of the bridge. I did climb the hill here, and crossed Eglinton to get back to Hewlett Lane.

Culham Trail Along Credit River

Before walking down Hewlett Lane, I walked to the middle of the Eglinton Av bridge to take this photo of the south Credit River Valley. As you can see, power lines mar the view. The lane in the picture is the Culham Trail.

Credit River South of Eglinton Bridge

From the parking lot, another footpath leads due west to the banks of the Credit River. This year, perhaps due to the lateness in the season, there were no salmon in the river.

Credit River  Fall Colours

The rough path (not the Culham Trail; that's paved and to the east of here) runs along the water line, and following rains, can be quite slippery.

Oak Trees Mississauga Fall Colours

On the top of the Eglinton bridge embankment, there is a line of young oak trees, seen here with fall colours of yellow. I wish I'd had more time to walk the trail, but these pictures, and the short walk I did have were an impromptu stop on my way to the bank.

Port Credit River At Memorial Park Mississauga

As I drove back down Mississauga Road to Port Credit, I took a detour on Queen Street to park along the Credit River across from Memorial Park.

Yesterday, I posted some pictures of fall colours on Lakeshore Road just west of here.
See also Streetsville Ontario page for more pics.

Do try to take a drive or bike along Mississauga Road while the weather is cooperating! The drive is perfectly lovely, the speed limit 50 kph, and the colours are gorgeous! There are  few places to pull over, and virtually no places to park. You might try pulling into a side street and walking back to take a picture. But most of all, just enjoy this beautiful show! The leaves will be gone before we know it.

Googlemap Mississauga Road. Zoom out to see route.


View Larger Map
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Riverwood Wood Carvings Chappell House ~ Mississauga Ontario Park

Today I toured Riverwood Conservancy, a City of Mississauga (Ontario) park, and I couldn't have found a better tour guide than Dr. Nina Barabas, co-author of Wildflowers of Riverwood, a four-year labour of love to identify and photograph the wildflowers in this city park.

Riverwood Park Sign - Parking Lot

Riverwood Park is located northeast of Burnhamthorpe Road and the Credit River. Turn north at the traffic light, follow the winding drive up the hill, and park in the lot. This sign will orient you to the various trails. See map link at bottom of page. Note: Click on photo for larger image, then click Back button to return to this page.

Dr. Nina Barabas, co-author of Wildflowers of Riverwood

Nina took our small but feisty group on a tour of the late fall wildflowers and seed pods, stopping often to pick, smell, identify and admire the natural habitat around the marshy pond (below). Nina is one of many volunteers at Riverwood who help make this garden grow.

Pond and Marsh - Riverwood Conservancy Park

Nestled in the undergrowth just west of the main park drive and lot, this small pond makes a pretty tableau. Note the brown shapes, bottom center. These, says Nina, are teasel flowers, likely named as it can be used like a comb or brush to 'tease' wool.

Old Wood Wagon Near Chappell House Mississauga

Riverwood is a large park (60 hectares - 150 acres), with some trees 350 years old. Before it became Riverwood, this area was a film location for (the late) David Carradine's Kung Fu The Legend Continues series in 1994.

Stone Steps Riverwood - Mississauga City Park

From a trail down along the Credit River, look up the hillside and you'll find these lovely old stone steps leading up to the back yard of the Chappell House. According to the web site, Riverwood is co-owned by the City of Mississauga and Credit Valley Conservation.

Down the Lane to Chappell House ~ Riverwood

Wide roadway and bridge over MacEwan Creek leads to Chappell House past marsh lands and rushes.

Approaching Chappell House

Built in the Arts and Crafts Style, Chappell House is set among flower gardens and old growth trees. Walk around to the back garden overlooking the ravine.

Tree Trunks get new life at Riverwood and beyond

Wood sculptor Jim Menken carved the birds in this tree trunk near Chappell House, and the owls in the photo below. His wood carvings are simply wonderful!

Owls in the Tree Trunk Riverwood

Sculptor Jim Menken turns dead trees into art. These owls at Riverwood seem to be admiring the fall colors. If you drive Missisisauga Road about one kilometer north of the QEW, you will see another of his carvings on the north side.

Koi Pond - Chappell House Grounds

Flagstones and flowers edge this lovely pond sited in the front garden of Chappell House.

Riverwood Boardwalk Trail Credit River Lands Mississauga

New boardwalk protects fragile low lands along the Credit River, while providing a firm surface for walkers. More information, including how to get a copy of the wildflower book and how to volunteeer at Riverwood Conservancy.

Mississauga resident Jo-Anne from Meadowvale knows many of these city green spaces, and is a keen wildlife observer in the city and beyond. Jo-Anne writes:

Over the past few weeks, I've seen an adult Bald Eagle by 403 / QEW and a female Hairy Woodpecker yesterday here at Lake Aquitaine. Lots of Black-capped Chickadees and Red-breasted Nuthatches around Meadowvale as well.

Earlier this week on the way to Kitchener-Waterloo, I saw 3 White-tailed Deer running close to Hwy. 401 westbound just before a sign for Guelph. On the way home, I saw about 30 Turkey Vultures soaring above Lake Kelso and very low above Hwy. 401 eastbound.

I plan to visit Riverwood Park and Erindale Park soon to see the changing tree leaf colours along the Credit River.

Both Erindale Park, northeast of Mississauga Road and Dundas, and Riverwood Park are part of the Culham Trail walking cycling trail that continues north to Streetsville. See Googlemap Riverwood Park and Googlemap Erindale Park (Entrance to parking lot is across from Piatto Restaurant).

Do try to get out to these city parks to take in the fall colors! They'll be gone, and snow covered soon enough!