Extraordinary and Amazing Nature Photos and Videos from Aga Khan Park and East Don Trail That You and Your Family MUST See
By MALIK MERCHANT
(Publisher-Editor, Barakah, Simerg and Simergphotos)
Flags at Aga Khan Park fly at half-mast to honour more than 200 children whose remains have been found buried at what was once Canada’s largest Indigenous residential school. Mayors of communities across Ontario, including Toronto, Ottawa, Mississauga and Brampton, ordered flags lowered to honour the children. Photo: © Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
I would like to begin this post by telling readers that all the flags at Aga Khan Park have been at half-mast for the last few days to honour 215 children whose remains were found buried at a former Kamploops indigenous residential school. The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, announced the lowering of flags on federal buildings. Mayors of different cities across Ontario followed suit and ordered flags to be lowered in their respective jurisdictions. The Aga Khan Park has four flags located by Wynford Drive: The historic red and green Ismaili flag, and the flags of the City of Toronto, the Province of Ontario and the Maple Leaf of Canada. In his statement concerning the tragic discovery, the Prime Minister stated that “the tragic legacy of the residential schools is still present today, and through concrete action, our government will continue to support survivors, their families, and their communities across the country.”
Life begins in spring! You can see it on the ground with lush green grass, on trees and shrubs with beautiful flowers, and in water, speaking of which I am delighted to tell you that all the 5 ponds of Aga Khan Park are flowing with water. At the inauguration ceremony of the Park, Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, said:
“…..the Garden of ancient tradition, like the Garden here today, is a place where – whatever difficult moments may come our way – we can always find, in the flow of refreshing water, a reminder of Divine blessing.” (Read speech delivered on May 25, 2015)
The soft sounds of the water flowing across the ponds and over their edges bring calmness to our minds. Science explains this feeling of calmness from a biological level. It says that seeing or hearing the soothing sounds of moving water triggers a response in our brains that induces a flood of neurochemicals. These chemicals increase blood flow to the brain and heart, which induces relaxation (Read article).
Most of the videos and photographs that are posted here are related to water, and I think you will be amazed with what I have seen at Aga Khan Park and the nearby East Don Trail during the past week.
At East Don Trail, as I looked below me from a deck onto a small area of swampy pond water infested with frogs, a mother remarked to the young children and youth she had brought along that “you are watching frog sex today.” I was quite amused. Little did she know that I had watched and photographed a mallard a couple of days ago in a very passionate encounter.
As I looked across 50 metres onto another pond from the deck I was standing, I observed that there was intense activity going on between a pair of frogs, with other frogs “jealously” trying to break them up apart. The view was not very clear, so I decided to take a trail leading to the pond.
I encountered a groundhog just 2 metres ahead of me, and passed it once it disappeared into its burrow. I arrived at the pond and the birdhouse next to it. It was muddy from the previous days rain. I can’t imagine my state if I had slipped and fallen! Seeing my plight of negotiating through the muddy area, a visitor shouted out from the deck, “Its all worth it.” I totally agreed with her.
Later upon returning to the parking lot, which lacks washroom facilities, I cleaned my heavily soiled muddy shoes and trousers with water I was carrying in my car. It was a truly exciting and eventful morning, and I hope you enjoy the videos and photos as well as share them through this post link with your family and friends.
The Frog: Fertilization In Progress at East Don Trail, With Plenty of Interference
Video: Frog Confrontation #1
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Video: Frog Confrontation #2
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Video: Frog Confrontation #3
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Photo: A Failed Pursuit to Overpower!
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Canadian Geese at Aga Khan Park
Video #1: Arrival and Feeding Outside the Jamatkhana Building
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Video #2: Bathing in Aga Khan Park Pond
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Video #3: Skybound from Aga Khan Park Pond
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The Beautiful Male Mallard
Four beautiful male mallards stand by the bank of Don River that passes through East Don Trail. June 2, 2021. Photo: © Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
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A pair of mallards, green-necked male at left, stand on edge of a pond at Aga Khan Park. June 2, 2021. Photo: © Malik Merchant/Simergphotos.
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Video: The Tiny Mighty Turtle!
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More Wildlife Photos and Videos
Video: Bunny Chase 1
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Video: Bunny Chase 2
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Earth, Sky and People
Video: Birdhouse – a Shared Space
Date posted: June 5, 2021.
Last updated: June 5, 2021, 10:00PM (second bunny video added)
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Thank you; enjoyed the pictures..
This is so beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed all the videos and photographs. Thank you.
Outstanding!!! Beautiful Nature, Animals, and Architectural Delights! Love the videos! Feel like I am actually there! It takes a real artist, a real photographer and a great mind to capture these images. I thank you for reminding me not to let Spring pass too quickly!
Amazing pictures & live videos captured so well….with a lot of patience.