Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » Atkinson Wetland

First Day Of Fall At Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Geometric Views

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 19:33:47 +0000

I tell you there is a lot of geometry at the Nokiidaa Trail link boardwalk. Yes the official name is the Nokiidaa Trail boardwalk and not McKenzie Marsh. McKenzie Marsh is the pond on the other boardwalk along the St. John’s sideroad, North side. On the South side you will find Atkinson Park Wetland.

It was first day of fall and I went out around 5 pm to take some evening shots. To my surprise I wasn’t the only one. There were few other photographers along with people going for a walk or a bike ride. Speaking of bikes people continue to ignore the sign telling them to dismount the bike.

For today just enjoy the ride. It is really getting cold and it wasn’t warm either on the first day of fall.

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking East

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking West

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Looking South

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Approaching Biker

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, Almost Looking North

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, A Runner

Nokiidaa Trail Link Boardwalk, A Dead Tree

First Lofts In Aurora, Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts, Spring Lookout

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 03:12:02 +0000

This is how spring looks in the Town of Aurora when looking out from the top of the Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts, former Wells Street Public School, in all directions.

I can only imagine how beautiful it looks now when it is filled with green trees, looking over the Town Park and looking on the other side towards the Yonge Street.

Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts, Spring Lookout Over Town Park

Images published here were taken on almost the last day of April, 2012. Perfect sky and not showcased here, but I did find small moon hanging over the Town Park during the photo shoot day. I didn’t realize that the moon was actually there until I thought I had spot from the dirty lens.

Also, I didn’t realize until Andrew Fogliato wrote more about the school, ‘Back to School, This Time to Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts‘, that these will be the only lofts in Aurora so far and one of a kind because I don’t think we will have another heritage school like that to convert to lofts.

Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts, Spring Lookout Over Town Park

If you like that kind of lofty style and small community living this is a perfect home sweet home. It isn’t just about this great lookout from your window or balcony, but it is also about a walking distance to the park, go station, dining and to the historic downtown.

Not to mention all the entertainment and outing you can attend at the Town Park – festivals, concerts and nice cup of coffee at the Aurora Farmer’s Market.

Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts, Spring Lookout Over Town Park

Yes, back to school. Just couple of weeks and Matthew will be going to school for the first time. Four years passed just like that. I am so glad that I took so many photos of him, because so much has happened that all my photos serve me as a good reminder of many things we did together.

All those photos also serve me as a good reminder how fast Aurora is changing. On Yonge Street, North of Wellington condominiums will be build. Same behind the Cinaplex Odeon on John West Way.

Zellers targeted by Target in few months will be Target store. Across the Nokiidaa Trail Link on St. John’s sideroad, overlooking the Atkinson Park new houses are being build. No going back to school at the George Browning house – demolished. No renovations at the Isaac Petch farm house – will be demolished.

Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts, Spring Lookout Churches & Aurora Cultural Centre

Of all these projects going on in the Town of Aurora I am mostly in favor of Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts project. The former school will continue to be our historic landmark and will be shining in the Town Park for many many years to come. It always be a school but with different purpose.

Wells Street Schoolhouse Lofts, Spring Lookout

McKenzie Marsh Aurora Ontario Great Blue Herons Moved In, Cormorants Moved Out?

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sat, 11 Aug 2012 02:16:43 +0000

For some time now I have stopped walking to the McKenzie Marsh boardwalk on the St. John’s sideroad. We never make it as Matthew prefers the community Arboretum, entrance on the intersection of Industrial Parkway and St. John’s. I don’t blame him – on the way home we visit three playgrounds – at the Optimist Park, Northern Lights Public School and Thompson Park.

However, that one day when we did go to McKenzie Marsh we encountered many Great Blue Herons. Firstly, they were flying around as something was about to happen. It was close to the lunch – so may be it was their hunger flight. They were setting themselves up, at least five of them.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

One heron flew very close to the boardwalk and stood on the dead tree roots, usually where the red-ear slider turtles are found. I took many pictures of the heron and he didn’t mind. I am assuming that with so many photographers now visiting the boardwalk and even the constant traffic noise from the road, herons are adapting.

Many other birds flew over the body of water, but that day the herons were definitely dominating the McKenzie Marsh. And I was glad. Sometimes it is nice to have one species around so I can observe them closely.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

In the past, we used to have an interesting crowd of the cormorants, but looks like the population of them declined over the years. They mainly occupied the landmark tree on the East side of the boardwalk. They are still around. I saw two on the tree the other day, but this is nothing compare to seeing about fifteen of them.

The cormorants are interesting birds, not to mention they are also invasive. I am sure that now with less of them hanging around the Great Blue Herons are having a blast. They can now hang out on the landmark tree.

However, on this side of the McKenzie Marsh I have never seen a cluster of them. Herons always like to sit by themselves scattered in all directions. One somewhere on the back of the marsh, one sitting on the landmark tree, the other one on the stump, then one hiding on the willow tree across and of course this one on the pictures fishing very near to the boardwalk.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

Beside Great Blue Herons as always there were Canada Geese and ducks. Seagulls were flying over. Mind you I miss the Caspian Terns. They usually fish on the South side of the St. John’s (Atkinson Wetland). They can be mistaken for seagulls. Look for the distinct red beak and interesting fishing technique.

Great Blue Heron, McKenzie Marsh, Aurora

Trumpeter Swans in Aurora, Visit To Harry Lumsden’s Pond

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 03:32:45 +0000

Sometimes I see Trumpeter Swans at the McKenzie Marsh and sometimes not. Once I was sitting with Matthew on the bench overlooking the marsh and when I looked up there was a slow flying swan above us.

What a spectacular view that was. Okay just one swan, but still – I never seen a flying swan before. A tip then – don’t ever forget to look up – you will never know what will pass above by you.