JANUARY 26TH - HUMBER'S INTERPRETIVE CENTRE OPENS AND WILL FEATURE A PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT BY FOSS MEMBER, NANCY BARRETTT.

Nancy Barrett

On January 26th, 2017, the official opening of the the Interpretive Centre in Humber College's new Welcome Centre will take place from 4-6pm. The public are invited to take part in this event, especially people connected with Friends of Sam Smith Park.
Over the past year, Interpretive Centre staff have consulted with FOSS through the Advisory Committee around suggestions for interpretive exhibits that feature lakeshore grounds ecology.  
We are very pleased to announce that the very first exhibit which kicks off on January 26th will feature nature photography by our very own FOSS member, Nancy Barrett, titled "Through a Lens Brightly". Come to the opening and check out the exhibit!

Here is Nancy's bio ....

To register for this free event, click here.

Here are two of the photographs that will be included in Nancy's exhibit.

"November Palette"

"Web"

MYSTERY MAMMAL PHOTOGRAPHED IN PARK TODAY - CAN ANYONE IDENTIFY IT?

Irene Cholewka grabbed an interesting image in the park today.  This, as yet, unidentified mammal had a large fish in its mouth and was photographed on the ice in the large wetland pond.  Too small to be a coyote and too big? to be a mink, its identity is a mystery.  Any ideas?  Please comment below if you think you know.

FIRST SAM SMITH PARK "CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT"

In a previous post, we asked for volunteers to join some of us on Boxing Day 2017 for the first Christmas bird count, to our knowledge, ever done in Sam Smith Park. 
December 26th turned out to be a foul day of rain and wind.  However, three intrepid bird counters turned up to brave the elements.  Most birds were hiding from the weather as, quite possibly, those three should have been!
It is hoped that in future years the weather will be kinder and that the Christmas bird count will become a holiday tradition involving, of course, families and kids.

The results for our inaugural count are, although sparse, as follows:

17 species of birds were sighted.

Two Trumpeter Swans with Mute Swans - one Trumpeter is tagged - Brian Keaveney

White Winged Scoter - Brian Keaveney

Downy Woodpecker - Brian Keaveney