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Northern Light

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I blew off work this afternoon (one great thing about working for yourself!) .....to get some much needed sunshine. I went for walk in Crothers Woods, which is the forested north slope of the Don Valley below Thorncliffe and Leaside.

Documentary tour follows:

Trailhead signage

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Trilliums with Mayapples

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Closeup

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ZigZag Golden Rod (not yet in flower, its a summer flower and is yellow)

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Trout Lily in flower:

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Some context: (5-10 minute drive from downtown Toronto, maybe 45m to 1hr on foot)

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This is looking down the access road to the North Toronto Treatment Plant, with a view of the Millwood Bridge:

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Close-up (note that this view will change when an Ontario Line (or Relief Line) bridge gets built in front of the the Millwood Bridge):

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They really should close this road in winter for a toboggan hill!

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Look what I found peeking out over the valley ridge:

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Continue from above:

Mayapple by the hundreds! Great to see:

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A whole raft of ferns just waking up from a winter's slumber:

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Closeup:

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For anyone who participated in the Trees Across Toronto tree plantings of the Miller Era, this is one of those sites from "Sun Valley" Which is the slope below Crothers Woods roughly opposite Beechwood.

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While the trees have done decently..............the understory (all those white flowers you see) are a non-native invasive plant called Garlic Mustard.

***

Healthy White Pines planted by volunteers............a decade ago???? (guess)

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Stinging Nettle can be found though....that's a goodie......though don't be touching it with ungloved hands......it does hurt....

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Here's another bad one though..........non-native, invasive, Dog Strangling Vine! (just starting for the season, it does become a vine)

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A view of Apartments/Condos on Broadview from the valley:

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And....we finish on a good note, another native flower, this time, Wild Geranium:

1620339456132.png
 
Continue from above:

Mayapple by the hundreds! Great to see:

View attachment 317785

A whole raft of ferns just waking up from a winter's slumber:

View attachment 317786

Closeup:

View attachment 317787

For anyone who participated in the Trees Across Toronto tree plantings of the Miller Era, this is one of those sites from "Sun Valley" Which is the slope below Crothers Woods roughly opposite Beechwood.

View attachment 317788

While the trees have done decently..............the understory (all those white flowers you see) are a non-native invasive plant called Garlic Mustard.

***

Healthy White Pines planted by volunteers............a decade ago???? (guess)

View attachment 317789

Stinging Nettle can be found though....that's a goodie......though don't be touching it with ungloved hands......it does hurt....

View attachment 317790

Here's another bad one though..........non-native, invasive, Dog Strangling Vine! (just starting for the season, it does become a vine)

View attachment 317791

A view of Apartments/Condos on Broadview from the valley:

View attachment 317792

And....we finish on a good note, another native flower, this time, Wild Geranium:

View attachment 317793
These look beautiful.
Wondering if I'd be able to see the same type of plant life in the Chatsworth Ravine, which I believe is a connected tributary, and my closest nature trail
 
These look beautiful.

Thank you.

Wondering if I'd be able to see the same type of plant life in the Chatsworth Ravine, which I believe is a connected tributary, and my closest nature trail

I haven't walked Chatsworth in a few years.

But its a fairly small, urban segment, so I wouldn't think the same variety is likely (but I could be wrong).

Offhand, I know you can see violets in flower there now.

There is some better stuff on the Havergal lands, but I don't know what degree of public access is permitted there.

****

However, if you're up for a long walk, that brook in Chatsworth Ravine is Burke Brook and it flows all the way to the Don River.

The nicest sections (where you are most likely to see good, diverse plants are Sherwood Park, and then the forest on the other side of Bayview that runs all the way into Sunnybrook/Serena Gundy.

I know you can find Trillium there, and Trout Lily's regionally rare white cousin.

That's this area:

1620343923867.png


The westernmost good part is about 1.4km from Yonge Street and maybe 1.6km from the heart of the Chatsworth Ravine.

But a round trip walk would be close ~7km and a bit (about 2 hours walking at a steady clip, no rest breaks).
 
Thank you.



I haven't walked Chatsworth in a few years.

But its a fairly small, urban segment, so I wouldn't think the same variety is likely (but I could be wrong).

Offhand, I know you can see violets in flower there now.

There is some better stuff on the Havergal lands, but I don't know what degree of public access is permitted there.

****

However, if you're up for a long walk, that brook in Chatsworth Ravine is Burke Brook and it flows all the way to the Don River.

The nicest sections (where you are most likely to see good, diverse plants are Sherwood Park, and then the forest on the other side of Bayview that runs all the way into Sunnybrook/Serena Gundy.

I know you can find Trillium there, and Trout Lily's regionally rare white cousin.

That's this area:

View attachment 317805

The westernmost good part is about 1.4km from Yonge Street and maybe 1.6km from the heart of the Chatsworth Ravine.

But a round trip walk would be close ~7km and a bit (about 2 hours walking at a steady clip, no rest breaks).
I actually do that route a few times per summer, but starting at Muir Gardens. The Havergal grounds are actually even closer and security is light with the lack of school. I've been walking there recently as well
 
I actually do that route a few times per summer, but starting at Muir Gardens. The Havergal grounds are actually even closer and security is light with the lack of school. I've been walking there recently as well

Trilliums in particular will be around for about another 10 days in peak condition....after that they will start to wane.

Summer will bring different flowers.
 

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