We have a rare visitor in #Toronto. An immature Purple Gallinule, slowly getting its rich purple colour.

Look at those incredible feet! Those help them distribute their weight and walk on top of floating vegetation like lily pads, as well as cling to plant stems.

Purple Gallinules are known for their long-distance vagrancy, with records from places far away from their usual range, as far as Iceland, South Georgia Island, Galapagos Islands, Italy and South Africa!

#Birds #Fall

I just read 'The Ardent Swarm' by Yamen Manai, translated by Lara Vergnaud, and liked it. Took me somewhere I've never visited in literature before: Tunisia. Got reminded of 'அஞ்சுவண்ணம் தெரு' by தோப்பில் முகமது மீரான்.

Some place in South America next?📚 🌎

#Books #Bookstodon

Magnolia warbler in his breeding plumage. Look at him!!😍 Will forever remember the moment that this guy came and perched just above me, totally unmindful of my presence!

#Spring #Birds #birdwatching #Toronto

Out of the blue, a bunch of rare birds showed up at the local park yesterday. Saw a Grasshopper sparrow, a Vesper sparrow and two of the most beautiful warblers - Prairie warbler and Cerulean warbler all within an hour! 🤩

#Spring #birding

What a show-off!

#Magnolia #Spring #Blossoms #Toronto

I just finished 'The Rise and Fall of Ancient Egypt' by Tobi Wilkinson

A nice first step into Egyptian history, it gives a broad overview of a ~3,000 year period in 656 pages. I'm definitely revisiting the Egyptian gallery in
the Royal Ontario Museum in #Toronto
after this!

#Books #Bookstodon

It is common to go "Oh, to be a bird in spring! Singing out to the world without any worry whatsoever".

I just saw two starlings vigorously fighting each other in the sidewalk (over territory), with one nearly killing the other! #Birds