Living in Aurora, Town of Aurora, Ontario » McKenzie Marsh

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

Northern Lights Public School, We Are Walking

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 03:40:28 +0000

We picked Northern Lights Public School – good school, close by and Matthew will only attend two days a week, and three days every other week in his first year junior kindergarten.

Few days ago I decided to walk with him to school. He didn’t resist but it wasn’t his best walking day so it was good to time the worst case scenario. It took us about twenty five minutes to slow walk. Hopefully by next week Thursday Matthew will focus on walking to school and my pockets will not be filled with stones, flowers and tree branches.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

We decided no school bus. Matthew will walk to school, of course, I will walk with him. We walk around Aurora a lot, so I know he can do it. It is only two days a week, and no worries if it is raining or really cold I will drive him to school. We are not exactly close but 1.6 km is manageable.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

We are definitely ready for school – knapsack, big lunch box (Matthew used to call it a big box of food), clothes and stickers.

But really, are we really ready? Matthew says he is. I on the other hand getting nervous for him, and, and, and I am going to miss him. I am holding back and saving all my tears for the first day of school, but today I almost let them out when I was making pancakes.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

It is hard to believe that he is going to school. Over four years there was first day at the Hamilton Park playground; first time at the McDonalds and Tim Horton’s; first time at the Aurora Public Library and getting first library card; first time walking Arboretum; first time walking McKenzie Marsh boardwalk and Nokiidaa Trail Link boardwalk – etc etc.

Next week there will be first time going to Northern Lights Public School. I know he will be fine but I will not be able to see that ‘fine‘. All four years every day I was always around, but this time I won’t be. I will be only 1.6 km away and it will feel like 1600 km away.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

Now I will have all this free time. I think to adjust to recent change I will be rubbing and scrubbing the house, or may be not. May be I will venture out more on my photo journeys around Aurora.

Or better idea, why don’t I hang out around the Optimist playground and when Matthew goes on the recess I can see him via my zoom lens. May be just for the month of September I be a stalking mom.

Northern Lights Public School, Bridgenorth Drive, Aurora

“True life is lived when tiny changes occur.” ~ Leo Tolstoy

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.