Discovering Photogenic Toronto – The Scarborough Bluffs - PHOTO GALLERY

Discovering Photogenic Toronto – The Scarborough Bluffs – PHOTO GALLERY

Oct 26, 2012 Estonian Life No. 43 2012

The Scarborough Bluffs, located at the foot of Brimley Road South, is an escarpment rising as high as 65 metres from Lake Ontario. Easy walking trails provide views of the adjoining marina and houseboat community, the lake and the sandstone cliffs. Over the centuries, erosion has shaped the cliffs into various interesting shapes. More adventurous trails provide access to more densely treed naturalized areas as well as a large marsh. Bird-life abounds, including various shorebirds such as ducks and swans, but the area's most visible and audible avians are the red-winged blackbirds, which nest in the marsh.

Cardinals, grackles, robins, sparrows, mourning doves and cedar waxwings are also easy to spot, especially in the spring and autumn when the leaves are less plentiful. Animal sightings are less predictable, but on my first visit, a mink was spotted on its way to a morning swim. An ideal time to visit is at sunrise, as the morning light over the lake can produce memorable scenes and fog can bring an eerie element to the Bluffs. Autumn colour is plentiful, helped especially by the various shades of sumach red.

Of note, the Kungla 30th anniversary album featured the Bluffs as a background to several group photos.

Bluffers Park is easily accessible by car, with abundant parking available, although the weekends can be busy. Picnic tables and benches are available for those who may need to rest. Several trails are paved, thus allowing access for carriages and wheelchairs. During the summer season, both a snack bar and a reasonably priced restaurant are open. Cyclists and walkers from the nearest TTC will face a steep hill descending to the park.

Peeter Põldre

Photo gallery – Photos by Peeter Põldre