We had never been to Darlington Provincial Park before and it’s only about a 75 minute drive from our house. Friends of ours like it there and said we should try it. I think we were hesitant to camp there as it’s in Oshawa which is just the outskirts of Toronto and we are used to being a bit more isolated. But we went this summer for a few days and thoroughly enjoyed it. We had site 4 and it was a nice site, all the sites are pretty good, typical Ontario Provincial Parks sites. There is a bay in the Park, McLaughlin Bay, and we went there a few times to photograph birds. Had we brought our canoe, we definitely would have went for a paddle. They have a couple of trails, Burk Trail is only about 1.25 km; Robinson Creek Trail is 1 km; Waterfront Trail is 2.6 km and last was the McLaughlin Bay Trail which is only 1.5 km but it links to a wildlife reserve and Oshawa Second Marsh trails so lots of hiking available. There is also a beach for swimming right on Lake Ontario. And there are bike trails just outside the park that go east and west and you can bike right into Oshawa and beyond. You will read about that in Part 2 of Darlington, next post !
We spent some time at McLaughlin Bay and it was fun to watch all the birds. We watched one swan who did not like Canada Geese and would chase them away, it got pretty vicious at times. I would not mess with either of those birds to be honest, they are both big and both mean. When walking one of the trails, we spotted this cute little rabbit all by himself. I took a few shots of him before he noticed I was there.
He was very tiny 
He didn’t know I was there ! 
A bird 
I like these flowers probably because I love the colour 
McLaughlin Bay 
Miserable swan chasing off the Canada Geese 
Not giving up 
Making sure he leaves 
He’s back 
Swan goslings 
Leaving the Bay
So that’s that……not many photos of the park itself but it is worth a trip for sure. We will get back there again one day. Part 2 of Darlington Provincial park is the next post, Spoiler Alert……….we go to some breweries.
Trums Travels 
Lovely photos regardless of not seeing much of the park, Susan! I was chased by Canada Geese when I was a kid in Michigan. We lived on a big lake and there were sooo many geese! They chased my dog too, the dog was too fast for the goose. Both specie are apparently forever angry! 😂
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They are nasty this Canada geese! I have been chased by them too lol
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I wonder why they are so mean!
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What beautiful pictures and a great shot of the bird with a dragonfly in its beak. I love seeing young wildlife pictures Susan!
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The swan is definitely on a tear in trying to chase the Canada Goose out of town. For such beautiful birds, they have a bad disposition sometimes. But geese are just the same as you said. They are cantankerous and stubborn sometimes. Last Sunday I was at a park and geese were there and The bunny however is adorable! Next year you will go out on the water I’ll bet. 🙂
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Wow! Your photos are stunning in both color and activity. Precious little bunny and geese can be quite aggressive. Thank you for sharing your trip. 🥰🙏🏻
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