Hello blog friends! I’m glad you are here. I hope you have a few minutes for a quick chat over a cup of coffee or tea. The weather was up and down in Toronto this past week. The first half of the week was cool and windy. The second half of the week was better with sunshine and warmer temperatures.
On one of the sunny mornings, with daytime high around 16C (60F), I went for a long bike ride and stopped at Humber Bay shores for a nature walk. Humber Bay is about 10 km (6.2 miles) west of Toronto’s city centre. A string of beautiful parks with many inviting trails and nice views of Lake Ontario await in this area. Let me show you in pictures.
The Trails
A network of sixteen flat and well-maintained biking and hiking trails weave through Humber Bay Park East and Humber Bay Park West. Autumn foliage provides pleasant colours and intermittent shades on a sunny day.
I saw and heard many small birds among the trees but they were too quick for me to take a good photo. I also passed a few small water streams when I explored the trails. They all feed into Lake Ontario.
The Views
For unobstructed views of Lake Ontario, I walked the outer trails at the south end of Humber Bay Parks. Rock boulders and benches along the shorelines offer excellent spots for bird watchers hoping to find interesting shorebirds and waterfowl, or for park visitors to sit down and enjoy the panoramic views.
Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat
Located along the Humber Bay Shores, the Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat (HBBH) is an ecological restoration project that provides critical habitat for a variety of native butterfly species. It opened in 2002 and is about four acres in size.
I took a self-guided tour following informative interpretive signs located throughout the Humber Bay Butterfly Habitat. The HBBH is comprised of many different plant communities, including wildflower meadow, short grass prairie, woodland, and wetland. It also has a Home Garden that incorporates butterfly-friendly plants and physical features that turn a garden into a haven for butterflies.
Sunflowers
Upon leaving Humber Bay Parks, I saw these big and beautiful sunflowers. They are made of metal and should last all four seasons! I love the details on the flowers, the curved stems, and the veins on the leaves.
Gratitude
It was delightful to be outside cycling, walking in the sunshine, and enjoying seasonal scenery along the shores of Humber Bay. I’m thankful for these parks and all the sunny and warm days that we’ve had this autumn, especially in November when it’s typically overcast and unpredictable here.
The local weather forecast calls for rain or a mix of rain and snow on Sunday, followed by a mix of sun and clouds and normal temperatures on Monday. I’m enjoying the comforts of home on Sunday and will head outside again on Monday.
Happy Thanksgiving on November 26 to my family, friends, and blog readers who live in the USA! Stay safe and well, everyone.
How did your week go? I’d like to hear your comments.
Linking here.
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Natalie the Explorer 
Thank you for the beautiful walk and coffee.
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Thank you, Antoinette, for joining me. I greatly appreciate it.
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What a lovely area to bike! I love those metal sunflowers.
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Joanne, The views of Humber Bay along the biking and walking trails are amazing. I enjoy exploring this area.
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What a beautiful park. I always enjoy butterfly gardens. Did you see many or was it too cold? Thanks for taking us along and sharing your beautiful photos, Natalie. Have a great week ahead!
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Jill, There are usually a lot of monarch butterflies in August-September, plus some other types of butterflies. I didn’t see any butterfly last week, probably too cold for them. Have a beautiful Sunday and a great week ahead!
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I love getting my virtual and picturesque tour, especially when we have had pouring rain around here. This is the first time I have heard of Humber Bay. Gorgeous contrast of the sky, water and still some Autumn colours. The Toronto skyline gives me an idea how far you are away from downtown Toronto. We have found a water issue yesterday morning in our family room. No idea where the water is coming from. Lucky to get an immediate company in start drying and so on. I will keep you posted. Still thankful for a great deal. Thanks for the “walk” Natalie. Have a good week!
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Erica/ Erika, I hope the water issue didn’t have time to cause much damage with the quick response from the company you got in. Please keep me posted. Take it easy this weekend.
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I’m surprised you’re having such a beautiful Autumn — ours has been really up and down, weather wise. This was a gorgeous outing, and I especially love the butterfly habitat. Maybe you’d like to go back in the summer when the critters are around?!?
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Debbie, We’ve had unusually warm days this month although it can change quickly. Humber Bay Parks are picturesque year round. I see a lot of monarch and cabbage butterflies in August-September.
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This looks like a really fun walk! I love that you can get close to one of the Great Lakes so easily! They are a few hours away for me, but still aren’t we lucky to have them nearby!?
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Dawn, We’re very lucky to have the Great Lakes nearby. They’re truly amazing and massive bodies of freshwater. I’m grateful to be able to walk or cycle along the shores of Lake Ontario. The scenery is always beautiful.
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Such beauty in this area, Natalie, and, wow, 60 degrees is a great daytime temp to be outdoors! I love the scenery and fall vibe! We are currently enjoying low 60s for daytime highs, with COLD temps in 30s at night, which is typical. I can do cold and sunny! We have to be out of the house today for part of the afternoon so the buyer can complete an inspection. It will give my hubby and dogs a good excuse to walk to the bike trail and make a coffee stop! Take care as your weather changes! Have a great week!
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Terri, Like you, I can do cold and sunny. The blue skies make everything look better. It’s been a busy time for you with your existing and new homes in two states. Enjoy Thanksgiving week and all the best with your move!
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It’s very exciting times, Natalie. Be glad when it’s all done!
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Beautiful scenery for a bike ride and walk! It’s hard to imagine that snow is in the forecast but I guess the weather can change rather quickly where you live.
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Janis, Yes, at this time of the year, over here the weather can change rather quickly and vary from one area to the next in the same metropolitan region. Today we’ve got rain and wet flurries which melt quickly by the lake but up north the forecast calls for snow. It will be back to sun and clouds tomorrow.
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Sixteen trails in one park, that’s amazing! I’m happy to read that you had a beautiful bike ride, walk, and time outdoors, Natalie. I can feel your smile of gratitude across the border! 🙂 My weeks remain busy as I deal with these the final touches of publishing my travel memoir, Plunge! But, I as able to get some shorter walks and one strenuous hike in with Maya.
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Liesbet, It’s good to have walk breaks with Maya. I hope the weather is nice where you are. I was happy with ten trails in Humber Bay Park East and six trails in Humber Bay Park West, plus the Waterfront Trail. I’ll be in touch by email before your birthday and book launch. Have a great week!
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Fabulous images – the light is just gorgeous. My fave is the 2nd image – the stream with the blue sky and that lovely autumn foliage. Thanks for taking us there.
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Thanks, Jo, for joining me. It was beautiful that day when I went to Humber Bay Parks. The bay area is scenic and it’s just about 10 km from the city centre.
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Very pretty – lovely to get out while you can too!
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Yes, thankfully we have many parks here and the weather has been mostly good in November.
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What a beautiful spot Natalie – so much to see and experience. I love all these places you discover and share with us – and all the lovely water environments that come with them.
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Thank you, Leanne, for joining me virtually. Humber Bay parks are picturesque and the nice weather that day made for a perfect outing.
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What a stunning walk, Natalie. Your weather has been incredible — sending you warm wishes that the nice weather lasts a little bit longer! 😀
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Hi Donna, Thank you for your warm wishes. I hope for sunny days even if we don’t get double-digit temperatures in the winter.
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Beautiful photos from your adventures in the park. Love the butterfly habitat! I’m glad the weather has been nice enough for you to enjoy the outdoors. Have a great week ahead! ❤️😀
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Diana, I’m glad you liked my photos. I hope all’s well with you. Stay safe and have a happy Thanksgiving week!
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You live in a beautiful part of the world. I’ve probably said that before but it’s true. I like butterfly habitats which I find whimsical and fun. So cool that you can visit one.
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Thank you, Ally, for your comment. The shorelines of Lake Ontario are picturesque. I think serious photographers would have many spots to take great photos around Humber Bay. August and September seem to be the best months to see a lot of butterflies here.
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Another lovely tour Natalie. Many thanks.
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Thank you, Gary, for stopping by. I greatly appreciate it.
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I like the deep shades of blue in the photos.
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Frank, The deep shades of blue are beautiful.
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You find so many beautiful places to visit, Natalie! The photo of the trail stretching out in front of you made me want to go to Humber Bay park to run or stroll too. It would be fun to go back at a time of year when you can appreciate the butterflies and sunflowers!
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Laurie, Humber Bay Parks are scenic year-round and great for running, walking or cycling. These parks are about 6.1 miles from the city centre so not far at all. I look forward to next summer to see the real butterflies and sunflowers again.
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Glad you are able to get some got cycling in this late in the year. We had yo-yo weather this week as well. Sounds like a great place for riding and walking. Cool that you take advantage of all of the places around you! Have a great week 🙂
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Trent, We had some unusually warm and sunny days in November but I think it will be cool or cold from now on. The Waterfront trail is maintained year-round so I hope to continue cycling in the winter, even if less frequently than in other seasons. Have a great week!
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It’s funny to see Toronto looking so tiny on the horizon. The autumn colours always make being outdoors special. Hope the weather’s not too bad next week, Natalie 🙂 🙂
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Jo, Yes, I was about 10 km west of downtown Toronto when I took the above photos. The weather is back to normal for November here, cool and still decent for walking 🙂 Have a wonderful week!
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Your autumn colors are splendid. Thanks for sharing, Natalie. 🙂
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Thank you, Marsha, for your visit and comment. I greatly appreciate it.
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You are welcome, Natalie.
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I really enjoy your positive and uplifting posts Natalie. I also love the sunflowers and the scenery. #lifethisweek
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Thank you, Debbie, for your kind comment. I figure when I stay positive, I gain something good and that beats being negative. Simple math 🙂
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I absolutely love the sunflowers!!! Even though am not much liking the sun temps are averaging 35 degrees celsius (not sure what that is in the other measurements lol)
~B
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B, Sunflowers are bold and happy-looking flowers. 35C (95F) is hot. I’d slow down in that heat.
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Humber Bay looks like a delightful place for a walk. I grew up next to the River Humber in the UK so the name attracted me 🙂
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Thank you, Lisa, for your visit and comment. Yes, some names bring us memories of where we were. Humber Bay is a scenic area year-round.
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The views are stunning! I would certainly enjoy exploring the area!
Happy Wednesday, Natalie!
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Veronica, Glad you liked the views. Have a great week!
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I adore seeing butterflies but mostly they are white around here. What beauty they have.
As you head into Winter, Summer is peeping its head around the corner and deciding that Australia will have HIGH temperatures of well over 37dC over this coming weekend.
Grateful for air con!!
Thank you so much for linking up for #lifethisweek. I am glad you did and look forward to seeing you next week. The optional prompt is 48/51 Self-Care Stories #7 30.11.2020. Denyse.
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Denyse, 37C is very hot. Stay cool and hydrated. I look forward to joining you next week.
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I am still catching up with reading, writing and life. Always enjoy your posts and pictures. They make me want to plan a trip north, perhaps some day, in a post COVID world. But glad to be invited along the journey. You have some wonderful parks!
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Thank you, Michele, for stopping by despite your busy schedule. I’m glad you enjoy my posts and photos. There are many nice city parks here and I love to explore them. Have a nice Thanksgiving!
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What a gorgeous and peaceful looking place. The scenery is amazing.
What a fantastic addition to ‘My Corner of the World’ this week!
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Thank you, Betty. Glad you liked my photos. Have a great week!
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Stunning photographs and some beautiful weather there Natalie. I know someone who lives in Toronto and think she mentioned snow recently. She was racing against time to get a new back deck finished!
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Deb, Last Sunday there was rain and wet flurries that melt by the lake and snow north of Toronto. The local weather forecast calls for sunshine this coming weekend. I hope it will come true.
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Another beautiful area in Toronto Natalie. Beautiful photos as usual and I absolutely LOVE the metal sunflowers. I love creativity and I love rustic and I love nature so quite naturally this really appeals to me! xo
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Min, I’m glad you loved the metal sunflowers like I did. Metal is hard material that gets rusty yet the artist makes such beautiful sunflowers out of it.
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So close to the city but still so far away? Really looks beautiful with the fall colours 🙂
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Thank you, Jesper, for your visit and comment. Yes, Humber Bay is about 10 km west of downtown Toronto. It’s a scenic area, great for walking, cycling, jogging, relaxing and photography.
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Such brilliant sunshine you had, Natalie!
I love sunflowers – these metal sculptured ones are so fun!
Happy Thanksgiving to you!
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Thank you, Ju-Lyn, for your comment. I’m glad you liked the metal sunflowers. Canadian Thanksgiving is on the 2nd Monday of October and American Thanksgiving is on the last Thursday of November. I celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving and think of my family and friends who live in the USA and celebrate American Thanksgiving.
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Ah! Got it! So, in essence, you celebrate twice!
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As per usual for me, I am behind on my blog reading. Had to stop and take in these lovely photos. Can’t imagine being able to cycle to such a lovely spot. Do you have to travel on busy roads to get here? I am such a chicken about riding in traffic, which we only do when biking to the gym. The rest of the time we are riding in boring circles in our neighborhood. Or maybe you pack your bike up on the car, drive to the shores and then cycle around them? Would love to know more. I enjoy biking just wish I had somewhere more expansive and interesting nearby (not asking for much am I?) to do it.
Beautiful colors in those trees. Love the metal sunflowers. The detail, like you said, is very nice. Especially on the leaves.
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Leslie, I cycle on the Waterfront Trail which is dedicated to cyclists, joggers, and pedestrians. No motorized vehicles allowed on this trail. It’s maintained year round so I can continue to cycle in the winter. The Waterfront Trail is part of the Great Trail which goes across Canada i.e. I can ride for days to reach the east or west coast of Canada.
I’m glad you like the metal sunflowers, too. Stay safe and well. Have a nice weekend!
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