High Park Hillside Gardens (Toronto)

On a recent visit to High Park located in west central Toronto on 161 hectares (400 acres), I walked about half way into the park to the Hillside Gardens to enjoy the cool breeze while staying in the shade. Due to the extreme temperature my camera phone kept taking hazy photos.

A series of three ponds with fountains fenced in by trimmed hedges. This would have been an excellent location to meditate except for other visitors to the pools, some whom tended to be quite vocal.

More information about High Park can be found at: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/featured-parks/high-park/attractions.htm


Photo Credits: BE Martin All Rights Reserved.

Last week I ventured down to High Park where this photo is taken to get back to nature. Once you reach the edge of the park and venture into the magnificent stands of oak, pine and other trees whatever irritations were bothersome evaporated. Although most of the leaves are gone from the trees the enchantment remains.

I spent quite a bit of time with the large oaks, aware of their energy being compressed for the winter. The oaks provide a nurturing calm to life forms around them. Those engaged in energy work will be able to resonate with them as a group or on an individual basis. Its a beautiful experience to commune with their essence allowing full grounding.

High Park has 400 acres of native vegetation and a teahouse that serves a wonderful inexpensive breakfast before 11AM. Perhaps next trip I'll see how the buffao are doing as the park maintains a small zoo on the premises.




Photo Credit: Bobcatnorth CC=nc-sa flicker.

Winter in High Park

[1]



[2- Northern Cardinal - male]




[3- Northern Cardinal - female]


The Northern Cardinal is a common and popular bird living in a variety of habitats including city parks and back yards. It mates for life and will return to the same breeding area each year. Mated pairs communicate with complex songs. Their preferred habitat is forest edges, swamps, hedgerows, suburbs, and anywhere with small trees and shrubs.



[4- Wood beyond the pond - click to enlarge]



In the summer the beavers are busy enlarging their beaver lodge and reinforcing the dam to make the pond larger.


[5 - Southern end of Grenadier Pond]







[6 - Looking west from south end of Grenadier Pond to Ellis Avenue]



At Ellis Avenue and Queensway is the location to catch the Long Branch Streetcar to return to your destination or a cafe for a hot drink.


Source for birds: A Field Guide to the Birds of North America by Michael Vanner, pp.236-237.

Photo Credits: [1][4][5][6]-Grant MacDonald CC=nc-flickr, [2][3]-gmnonic CC=flickr.