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:
.

.
l  

Surfin Bird Lake Ontario Cranberry Cove on a Warm Late Winter Day With Spring Fever Setting in!

Cranberry Cove Lake Ontario - a warm, sunny day with gusty winds bring the temperatures up to plus 10C was great for us winter-weary types and great for the ducks playing ' Surfin' Bird ' on Cranberry Cove in Mississauga.

Cranberry Cove Lake Ontario

Here's the wide picture of the Cranberry Cove shoreline at Rhododendron Gardens in Port Credit.

Surfin' Bird ~ Ducks on Lake Ontario

The waves were fairly gentle, but every so often, as waves do, a few larger ones rolled in.

Breaking Wave Cranberry Cove Lake Ontario

The sun was so warm that even with the winds gusting to 50 kph (31 mph), you still didn't need a hat or gloves, or any heavy winter coat. Almost as good as finding yourself on a beach in Florida without having had to get on a plane!

I shot a short video of the sounds of the wind and waves - nothing earth shattering and I am not expecting any Oscar. Just such a nice day to sit in the sun!

Surfin' Bird Video Cranberry Cove



Family Guy Surfin' Bird video - one of the funniest Family Guy's EVER!


-----

Lake Ontario Late Fall Weather Mississauga Canada

What a difference a week makes along Lake Ontario ! The first picture taken on a mild Saturday, November 29, shows the wind whipping up the waves under the ducks and seagulls.

Lake Ontario Mississauga Waterfront Trail

And after the cold winds and low temps of the past week, today brought a change in the weather to mild temps and no wind. Still lots of ducks and gulls bobbing on the waves. It was about plus 4 Celsius (49 F) and remnants of an inch of wet snow from last night were being melted away by a light drizzle of rain.

Curly Willow in Late Fall Mississauga Ontario

Not a shred of sunshine to be had, as you can tell from the gloomy picture of this curly willow against the low dark sky.

Waterfront Trail Lake Ontario Footprints - Looking West

The number of recent footprints on this section of the Waterfront Trail was somewhat surprising, given that no winter maintenance had yet been performed. Perhaps an early morning group of runners had happened along. As we walked into Port Credit along this trail, the only human we saw on the 20 minute walk was a fellow driving a truck with a plow at Saddington Park.

Footprints in the Snow - Canada Geese

On the trail in Saddington Park, these footprints (webprints?) made by Canada Geese brought to mind 1970s wallpaper pattern. Further along, heading east into Port Credit, I took a short video of the river ice heaving in the currents. ( I know, don't quit my day job!)

See the video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHGj3v38iFs

Or right here:

Update Photo December 15, 2008

Credit River Ice at Snug Harbour

The night before, the temperature had climbed steadily, until just before noon, when it reached 11 C (52F). A light rain was falling, the cold front moving in had high winds lifting me off my feet. Here at Snug Harbour, the ice floes heaved at the shoreline.

Here's a very short shot of the cold front moving in. This video is taken on the west side at Saddington Park.