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Spring / Summer in Canada
Hello all
the discussion arose at work recently (re Spring/summer Temperatures, and Wildlife to watch out for) and the guys were winding a bit so I thought I should get the low down. Thought I would ask the experts about the upcoming seasons in respect to any "unfreindly critters" (bugs insects and the like) which I am told to prepare for, in relation to children and any precautions required. I have been here myself in August last year and had no unfortunate encounters but have been warned about some types of troubles (mosquitoes, Mud wasps? I think etc etc) most types of insect etc may be nothing to worry about but it would be nice to farmiliarise myself with the native Southern Ontario and Toronto area wildlife for the sake of the Kids, (maybe also me):eek: Thanks in advance |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
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Originally posted by Big Kieran Hello all the discussion arose at work recently (re Spring/summer Temperatures, and Wildlife to watch out for) and the guys were winding a bit so I thought I should get the low down. Thought I would ask the experts about the upcoming seasons in respect to any "unfreindly critters" (bugs insects and the like) which I am told to prepare for, in relation to children and any precautions required. I have been here myself in August last year and had no unfortunate encounters but have been warned about some types of troubles (mosquitoes, Mud wasps? I think etc etc) most types of insect etc may be nothing to worry about but it would be nice to farmiliarise myself with the native Southern Ontario and Toronto area wildlife for the sake of the Kids, (maybe also me):eek: Thanks in advance Hello there, Spring/summer time ! springtime in Ontario is a feast for the senses. All across the province, visitors join in the celebration of nature’s rebirth as they flock to festivals and garden shows, wine tastings and theatrical tours. Spring is also paddling time in Ontario  the perfect time to take to the provinces vast network of waterways and breathe in the fresh, new growth that signals the onset of summer. It’s a time to sample Ontario’s natural bounty, perhaps to get up close and personal at a birding festival or to sample maple syrup for the first time. Spring is also time for fresh, new urban adventures. You can go city-hopping across the province and touch the shores of four of the Lakes in the process. It’s a time for big-city theatre festivals and international flower shows like Ottawa’s Tulip Festival, the world’s largest. It’s also a time when “small town Ontario� comes to life with antique shows and harness races, craft fairs and carnivals. All the world’s a stage here during the summer months, with more than 28 summer theatre festivals ranging from the historic Ontario Renaissance Festival in Milton to the Great Rendezvous Festival in Thunder Bay. Whisk your family through Ontario’s summer scenery aboard a heritage railway (there are more than 20 of them) or head for the hills to explore some of the province’s pristine wilderness. With more than 3,840 miles of coastline and more freshwater lakes and rivers than anywhere else in the world, Ontario is also a boating and sailing destination second to none. |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by mickj Hello there, Spring/summer time ! springtime in Ontario is a feast for the senses. .......... ..............Ontario is also a boating and sailing destination second to none. I can't wait this all sounds fantastic. I going to the Maple syrup thingy (hopefully) this weekend seen the Elmira one and have been told it usually is packed is there any other good ones, I've seen Bronte creek etc. any suggestions, Wife kids 5 & 9 yrs and me (Big kid) thanks Kieran:beer: |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by Big Kieran Hello all the discussion arose at work recently (re Spring/summer Temperatures, and Wildlife to watch out for) and the guys were winding a bit so I thought I should get the low down. Thought I would ask the experts about the upcoming seasons in respect to any "unfreindly critters" (bugs insects and the like) which I am told to prepare for, in relation to children and any precautions required. I have been here myself in August last year and had no unfortunate encounters but have been warned about some types of troubles (mosquitoes, Mud wasps? I think etc etc) most types of insect etc may be nothing to worry about but it would be nice to farmiliarise myself with the native Southern Ontario and Toronto area wildlife for the sake of the Kids, (maybe also me):eek: Thanks in advance |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by mickj Hello there, Spring/summer time ! springtime in Ontario is a feast for the senses. All across the province, visitors join in the celebration of nature’s rebirth as they flock to festivals and garden shows, wine tastings and theatrical tours. Spring is also paddling time in Ontario  the perfect time to take to the provinces vast network of waterways and breathe in the fresh, new growth that signals the onset of summer. It’s a time to sample Ontario’s natural bounty, perhaps to get up close and personal at a birding festival or to sample maple syrup for the first time. Spring is also time for fresh, new urban adventures. You can go city-hopping across the province and touch the shores of four of the Lakes in the process. It’s a time for big-city theatre festivals and international flower shows like Ottawa’s Tulip Festival, the world’s largest. It’s also a time when “small town Ontario� comes to life with antique shows and harness races, craft fairs and carnivals. All the world’s a stage here during the summer months, with more than 28 summer theatre festivals ranging from the historic Ontario Renaissance Festival in Milton to the Great Rendezvous Festival in Thunder Bay. Whisk your family through Ontario’s summer scenery aboard a heritage railway (there are more than 20 of them) or head for the hills to explore some of the province’s pristine wilderness. With more than 3,840 miles of coastline and more freshwater lakes and rivers than anywhere else in the world, Ontario is also a boating and sailing destination second to none. |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by oceanMDX Are you trying to land a job with Ontario Tourism? ;) You seem to be one very well-adjusted immigrant. :cool: I moonlight for the Tourism board :D I just love travelling and adventures, Canada fulfils my thirst for this sort of thing, and am glad to be here. So much to see and do in this country :) cheers |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by mickj I moonlight for the Tourism board :D I just love travelling and adventures, i use to write articles about this for my UNI rag back in London. Canada fulfils my thirst for this sort of thing, and am glad to be here. So much to see and do in this country :) cheers |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by Big Kieran I can't wait this all sounds fantastic. I going to the Maple syrup thingy (hopefully) this weekend seen the Elmira one and have been told it usually is packed is there any other good ones, I've seen Bronte creek etc. any suggestions, Wife kids 5 & 9 yrs and me (Big kid) thanks Kieran:beer: |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by oceanMDX I was born, raised and educated about 10 miles south of Elmira. Lots of Mennonites with their horses and buggies around the Elmira area. When we were checking out new homes, we loved Elmira, but decided to go for somewhere else, as it would take more time to drive to TO from there. :( |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by mickj Would that be St Jacobs village you are talking about? There sure are a lot them there during the weekend ( Farmers Market ). The stink of horse dung round there is unbelievable. :( Regarding the horse dung, if you place it under your upper lip, you'll find that you can grow a mustache much faster. ;) Sorry for the country humor. :D I used to know a banker who got transferred to Elmira. I told him that he must like working in such a nice town. He said no, people come into the bank with pig shit on their shoes, and maple syrup on their money. Ha, the joys of rural Ontario. :beer: |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by mickj I moonlight for the Tourism board :D I just love travelling and adventures, i use to write articles about this for my UNI rag back in London. Canada fulfils my thirst for this sort of thing, and am glad to be here. So much to see and do in this country :) cheers http://www.grouptourplanner.com/index.cfm?Rid=599 Anyway, back on topic...mosquitos are a pain, DEET will stop them biting, but I wouldnt want to cover my kids in it, as there are "concerns" Best bet is to to keep covered up, and avoid going in the woods early or late in the day. Someone else mentioned the flies, these are usually a bit later in the season, and are worse farther north. Another thing to watch out for if you are going in the wilder areas are ticks, which can spread some disease or other I think. Not sure its a hazard, but you will probably smell a few Skunks this time of year too, and we have already had a couple of racoons hanging around our yard, they are hungry this time of year, and tend to come closer to people as a result. Cute as they appear, dont get too freindly with them as they can carry rabies in some cases, although of course most dont. Iain |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Seems like i finally have my own editor on this forum :rolleyes:
I did say i moonlight for the Ontario Tourism board, and that was said with tongue in cheek. One thing was left out, the PICTURE, couldn't that be located, or was it just too much work? :lecture: |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by mickj Seems like i finally have my own editor on this forum :rolleyes: I did say i moonlight for the Ontario Tourism board, and that was said with tongue in cheek. One thing was left out, the PICTURE, couldn't that be located, or was it just too much work? :lecture: I cant speak for anyone else, but if you are just cutting and pasting, save the bandwidth and just paste the link. For myself, the interesting stuff here is the personal opinions and experiences, if I wanted to see what the tourist board thought, I would just go to their site. No offence Iain |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
There is button on this forum called IGNORE, its there for a purpose, if you don't want to read a post by a particular person, something to consider :rolleyes:
This i believe is a forum, not me writing on someone's wall in the boonies :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by oceanMDX Besides mosquitoes, another insect to be on the lookout for is the "deer fly" because they are painful biters. They are found around the edge of forests especially near flowing water when it is hot and humid. They fly around your head in circles before landing on your head and biting. :scared: we were here last August and encountered a "wasps nest" in my wifes aunt's Garden but these guys were coloured Black and White I think instead of being Black and yellow (weird) maybe they weren't wasps at all. Also I know that as we share the same landmass as the rest of America and there are some nasties that live farther south (eg Rattlesnakes etc.), was wondering if we get any poliferation of these or does the climate keep them at bay? I know , sounds like a silly question but I'm a complete greenhorn as far as local wildlife goes. Thanks Kieran |
FYI, we dont write on each others walls in the boonies, that seems to be more of a city thing, but please, just let it go eh? Its getting really old, and I really dont think anyone else cares if I live in a rural area or on the corner of King and Younge.
Just my opinion, you can do what you want. The thing is, when you can actually be bothered to write about your own experience and opinions, it is interesting, generally thoughtfull and well written, which is how you have avoided my killfile so far, I just wish you would do it more often, rather than the cut and paste. Iain |
Originally posted by iaink FYI, we dont write on each others walls in the boonies, that seems to be more of a city thing, but please, just let it go eh? Its getting really old, and I really dont think anyone else cares if I live in a rural area or on the corner of King and Younge. Just my opinion, you can do what you want. The thing is, when you can actually be bothered to write about your own experience and opinions, it is interesting, generally thoughtfull and well written, which is how you have avoided my killfile so far, I just wish you would do it more often, rather than the cut and paste. Iain :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: Well, this was an interesting thread, but seems to have degenerated into something personal. :lecture: :zzz: :zzz: :zzz: |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by Big Kieran yeah some one at work mentioned Deer flies are they similar to hores flies (locally called "Cleggs") in Uk as they can cause a nasty wee bite? we were here last August and encountered a "wasps nest" in my wifes aunt's Garden but these guys were coloured Black and White I think instead of being Black and yellow (weird) maybe they weren't wasps at all. Also I know that as we share the same landmass as the rest of America and there are some nasties that live farther south (eg Rattlesnakes etc.), was wondering if we get any poliferation of these or does the climate keep them at bay? I know , sounds like a silly question but I'm a complete greenhorn as far as local wildlife goes. Thanks Kieran Yeah, the wasps look a bit different, and there are hornets as well, which are basically big wasps, but then the squirels here look different too, mostly big black ones, although you do see the odd grey or red one still. As long as you are not unlucky and get West Nile or Lyme disease in the woods you have nothing to worry about, but them flies and mozzys sure are irritating. I have heard that some moose are driven literally crazy by them up north. Iain |
For those that can be bothered, my posts are there to be read/ignored/replied to, if you can be bothered at all. I read a lot of post, and choose the ones that need a reply.
What i don't do, is PERSONAL ATTACKS. Its pretty clear how i have chose not to reply to certain people's posts, if only some people will do the same. The forum are not for personal attacks, if you've got beef with someone, PM it. :rolleyes: |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by iaink Anyway, back on topic...mosquitos are a pain, DEET will stop them biting, but I wouldnt want to cover my kids in it, as there are "concerns" ..... ....... Cute as they appear, dont get too freindly with them as they can carry rabies in some cases, although of course most dont. Iain Havent seen a racoon yet but I think I have experienced thier hanywork? You know those wee green wheelie bins we use for the compostable garbage? well a couple of weeks ago I went out and found the edge of the lid actually gnawed through. I first thought this was the work of rats or something but when I saw the size of the gnaw marks I reckoned this rat must have been at least 6FT 250lbs Tattooed arms and would maybe answered to "sir". Only joking but the give away was the tell tale footprints in the snow. Jees these guys MUST be hungry! well at least I didnt encounter a Bear as I belive you did I recall seeing a snapshot i think on one of your past posts, looks ike the missus at 6:30am :scared: he he Not Really she's Marvellous:D Thanks Kieran |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by Big Kieran yeah some one at work mentioned Deer flies are they similar to hores flies (locally called "Cleggs") in Uk as they can cause a nasty wee bite? we were here last August and encountered a "wasps nest" in my wifes aunt's Garden but these guys were coloured Black and White I think instead of being Black and yellow (weird) maybe they weren't wasps at all. Also I know that as we share the same landmass as the rest of America and there are some nasties that live farther south (eg Rattlesnakes etc.), was wondering if we get any poliferation of these or does the climate keep them at bay? I know , sounds like a silly question but I'm a complete greenhorn as far as local wildlife goes. Thanks Kieran |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by Big Kieran , looks ike the missus at 6:30am :scared: he he Not Really she's Marvellous:D Thanks Kieran The bin certainly sounds like racoons, talking about the bear picture, the reason we have that ugly compost tip in the background is because the 'coons kept on knocking over the fancy home depot composter! If you think that is bad, I know a family who had a family of Skunks...with protective mother and all.. move in under there sunroom:eek: Got rid of them by spraying fox urine all over the place...dont ask where they got the urine...aparantly they use if for hunting or something... Am I the only expat here who has a problem with all the hunting that goes on here?...just not my thing I guess. Personally I think it would be fairer if the deer were armed too, make a fair fight of it, although the main hazard in the woods this time of year could well be getting shot by an overkeen marksman..every year they manage to wipe out a few of there own...natural selection in action perhaps:) Iain |
Those who have a problem with hunting, don't have to hunt - great eh?:cool:
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Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by oceanMDX Deer flies are similar to Black flies in that they both can deliver a painful bite. A Deer fly has stripped wings and is extremely persistent when it decides to feed on you - you have to kill it to stop it. my buddy at work said that these flies like a taste of something foreign from time to time. So I hope European cusine is off the Menu this season. well until at least we have time to blend in (coming from Dull UK we look very pasty and pale ) we are very easily spotted, as a result these critters probably see us from miles away. "Deet"? we will probably spend the summer wearing those outfits worn by Osama binladen's women with the wee letterbox slit to see out of. NB. the use of the name above in This post will probably cause another orange alert south of the border he! he!:eek: Many thanks Kieran |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by Big Kieran "Deet"? we will probably spend the summer wearing those outfits worn by Osama binladen's women with the wee letterbox slit to see out of. NB. the use of the name above in This post will probably cause another orange alert south of the border he! he!:eek: Many thanks Kieran |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by oceanMDX You're close but not St. Jacobs. I was referring to the north side of Waterloo. Regarding the horse dung, if you place it under your upper lip, you'll find that you can grow a mustache much faster. ;) Sorry for the country humor. :D I used to know a banker who got transferred to Elmira. I told him that he must like working in such a nice town. He said no, people come into the bank with pig shit on their shoes, and maple syrup on their money. Ha, the joys of rural Ontario. :beer: Better they come in with pig shit on there shoes than a gun.... :rolleyes: :D |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by iaink I won't tell her you said that if you dont;) Yep, that was my bear, I actually have it on video going from one side of the yard to the other (about 100 yards), but its too big to post:(...not to mention having understandably shaky camerawork too:) The bin certainly sounds like racoons, talking about the bear picture, the reason we have that ugly compost tip in the background is because the 'coons kept on knocking over the fancy home depot composter! If you think that is bad, I know a family who had a family of Skunks...with protective mother and all.. move in under there sunroom:eek: Got rid of them by spraying fox urine all over the place...dont ask where they got the urine...aparantly they use if for hunting or something... Am I the only expat here who has a problem with all the hunting that goes on here?...just not my thing I guess. Personally I think it would be fairer if the deer were armed too, make a fair fight of it, although the main hazard in the woods this time of year could well be getting shot by an overkeen marksman..every year they manage to wipe out a few of there own...natural selection in action perhaps:) Iain It must be the Scouse in us.... because i have a problem with hunting......:( |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by jeannie It must be the Scouse in us.... because i have a problem with hunting......:( I will admit, however, to being something of a hypocrite: I did have a barbequed moose steak from a moose that a friend of mine hunted himself. It was delicious, although I felt guilty eating it. |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by CalgaryAMC I will admit, however, to being something of a hypocrite: I did have a barbequed moose steak from a moose that a friend of mine hunted himself. It was delicious, although I felt guilty eating it. Remember to drop that into your conversation next time :D As a Londoner, there are no places to hunt there anyway :) , i have always hated the idea of killing an animal just for the fun of it, and its sad that people actually get their kicks from this. If you are going to hunt, you might as well do it with bare hands with the animal, and see who comes out alive :scared: cheers |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Originally posted by jeannie Better they come in with pig shit on there shoes than a gun.... :rolleyes: :D |
Re: Spring / Summer in Canada
Just thought of another thing to watch out for if you came from the UK....Poison Ivy and Poison Oak. A little education could save a lot of pain for you and the kids.
I got lucky because I dont react to it, but my wife had a shitfit once when we went for a walk, as i was wandering unknowingly through a big patch of the stuff. Could have been in agony if I was sensitive to it. Make sure you know what it looks like, and how to deal with it if you get it on you. http://www.aad.org/pamphlets/PoisonIvy.html Iain |
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