Doors Open Aurora 2012, Lumsden’s Trumpeter Swan Gardens & The Giant Thistle

Anna Lozyk Romeo — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 03:53:39 +0000

That was my last one, favorite one and the most entertaining one visit to the Doors Open Aurora. Despite the heat I was glad to visit the Trumpeter Swan Gardens created by Harry Lumsden. This was my second visit.

I called up Mr. Lumsden back in May and was allowed to photograph the swans – Trumpeter Swans in Aurora, Visit To Harry Lumsden’s Pond.

This visit was different. The gardens were open to public so I knew that my pictures will be a lot more interesting and not just swans.

When I arrived I was greeted by volunteers. I was directed to go behind the house first and then if I am not mistaken to walk to the North side of the property. While walking I passed by couple of ladies with a child in the stroller. One of them briefly looked at me and then said to the other one ‘You better get your camera out may be we will see some birds‘. I smiled and I had to say something ‘Well you are definitely going to see swans‘. They nodded and we all laughed.

Trumpeter Swan, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

Since my last visit, this time gardens were a lot more green and beautifully over grown. First thing I noticed was this giant Scottish Thistle, probably close to two meters tall. Normally we would call thistle a weed, but in Mr. Lumsden’s garden obviously it is not.

Scottish Thistle, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

So things got much better after seeing the giant thistle. I took few nice pictures of the crowd with Mr. Lumsden. Not until later I noticed that I took pictures of someone I know.

Trumpeter Swan, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

Then I spotted someone in my peripheral vision either taking pictures of the thistle or the group of people with Mr. Lumsden. He looked familiar so I sneaked and took photo of him for further analysis later that day.

If turned out that was Matt Maddocks with his new toy. Matt and Deb were also visiting Trumpeter Swan gardens that day. I tell you it is always nice to be in the larger group. Conversation with Mr. Lumsden turned out far more interesting and entertaining, and all thanks to Deb.

Matt Maddocks Taking Pictures

I remember the days when I didn’t know Matt and how I used to read his intriguing Letters to the Editor in the Auroran. As of this year Matt took extra step and has now a regular column Point of Privilege on the community FOCUS site for the Town of Aurora.

Matt gathered lot of interesting information during his Doors Open Aurora experience and wrote a very intriguing and profound essay. If you curious you can read it for yourself, Doors Open Aurora – Of Swans and Freedom Fighters. Mr. Lumsden 6 acre property can be very adventurous. Before I met up with Matt and Deb again I walked alone around the pond in the shade of trees. I kept seeing visitors pouring in. Even thought it was getting close to four o’clock they just kept arriving.

Another incident. About four or five visitors arrived together, adults and youth. I overheard that one of the girls was scared of the birds and kept complaining about it. How can you be scared of the birds, I just don’t understand. But hey we all are scared of something.

At some point one of the ladies turned around and said to the girl ‘No worries dear, you will not find any birds here‘. Well, I just had to say something again, ‘but you will find swans just over there‘. She and the others looked in the direction of swans, and everyone laughed.

I guess since we don’t see swans flying on regular basis just like other small birds, many consider them something else. But what is that something else? Who knows.

Harry Lumsden Himself

Then later a small disappointment. During my first visit Harry Lumsden told me that there were six swan eggs in the nest. I came to the pond in mind that I will see all six of them.

I asked how come there was only one cygnet. He corrected me and said that there were actually seven eggs and explained that they didn’t hatch properly because disturbed female seeing disturbed male kept coming off the nest. Out of seven only two survived, but then turtle ate one of them.

That makes you think that their extinction wasn’t just our contribution.

Trumpeter Swans with Cygnet, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, Aurora

If it wasn’t for Deb we would never know why this Trumpeter Swan has red feet (photo below). Harry Lumsden gave us this complex explanation, but all you need to know – recessive gene, or not very popular one. Apparently, there are three swans (not sure if in a whole Ontario or Canada) reported to have red feet and one of them is here in Aurora, Ontario at the Mr. Lumsden’s Swan Garden.

So this bring me to the end of my adventures during Doors Open Aurora. I am hoping again that for next year there will be no birthday parties or wedding parties scheduled for that day. I will keep my fingers crossed.

Red Feet Trumpeter Swan, Harry Lumsden’s Gardens, 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.