iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 08/10/2026

We are so broken that we can't even say the word m**k

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 15/07/2026

Lots of stories today on the bad air quality in Toronto from forest fire smoke. None of them mention why

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 15/07/2026

No one could have seen this coming🙃 😢

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 15/05/2026

Reading this yesterday made me die inside

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 27/04/2026

A red-breasted nuthatch in Rattray Marsh last weekend. #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 19/04/2026

Kinglets are back, as usual darting fast in dense brush. Managed to get this photo, where we can see the ruby crown. One day I hope to get a good photo with the crown up. #birds

A small yellow bird with an orange patch on its head in dense brush.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 06/04/2026

He's got more people blocking him than he has followers.😂

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 26/09/2025

I'm sure our new minister of AI will approve of my productivity boost using AI to create this cartoon of Carney nation un-building.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 25/08/2025

Didn't see too much today, but these goldfinches were not bothered by my presence. I was only 10ft away, and they just continued to eat. #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 17/08/2025

Did not see much at Sam Smith yesterday, but these terns were very active. #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 02/08/2025

We were really surprised to find a tree swallow nestling in the swallow field at Sam Smith Park. Most of them had fledged a few weeks ago. Being a bright sunny day, got some nice feeding photos. #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 31/05/2025

A few photos from a very chilly and windy morning in Sam Smith Park. #birds

A small yellow warbler sitting ins some dense greenery

A wilson's warbler, yellow with a black cap, sitting in and behind some dense greenery, looking like it's abut to take off

A cedar waxwing, brown with black marking across its eyes, in a tree in bloom, eating blossoms

An easter wood pewee, small grey bird, taking flight from a dead branch

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 24/05/2025

The first orchard oriole we have seen this year. We first heard a baltimore oriole in the tree, spotted it, it flew off and we saw this guy. #birds

An orchard oriole, mostly yellow with black patched. Its wings extended as it moves about a tree in blossom.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 20/05/2025

The swallows are back at Sam Smith park. There is one field where volunteers maintain tree houses for the swallows. These are filled with tree swallows. Then down the path is a bridge where barn swallows build their homes. #birds

A tree swallow on a bare branch in a field. Background is a blurry green. It's cloudy making the blue feathers on it's back very iridescent.

A bark swallow in flight heading towards the camera, concrete structure of the bridge in the background

Two barn swallows in flight heading for the underside of a bridge. Their wings are extended and tail feathers spread.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 20/05/2025

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 18/05/2025

Today as we were walking past some blossoming fruit trees I said, would be nice if someone came by and posed in the tree. Seconds later this baltimore oriole flew into the tree. #birds #PortCredit

A bright orange and black oriole sitting in a tree in full bloom with dark pink petals, mouth open eating a petal

A bright orange and black oriole sitting in a tree in full bloom with dark pink petals, tail fanned out

A bright orange and black oriole sitting in a tree in full bloom with dark pink petals.

A bright orange and black oriole sitting in a tree in full bloom with dark pink petals, moving between branches

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 07/05/2025

So many warblers, so little time. This northern Parula was in our backyard today. #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 03/05/2025

It's the best time of year, spring migration. We did not get out today, but the warblers came to us. Around lunch time our backyard tree was full of warblers. Daughter got a black-throated blue warbler as well. #birds

A Black-throated Green Warbler perched on a budding tree branch, showing its yellow face, olive crown, and distinctive black throat, with soft green blossoms and bare twigs in the background.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 01/05/2025

I setup a BirdNET-Pi device in my backyard last summer. It's been fascinating seeing(hearing) species pass through our yard.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 01/02/2025

Quite cold out this morning but nothing a few layers couldn’t fix. Spent almost 2 hours down by the lake bird watching. Tried to sit quietly on the shore and wait for the arctic ducks to come closer but no luck.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 22/01/2025

The northern birds are down for a visit, a tree sparrow, junco and long tailed duck, all taken the last couple weeks. Last weekend at Sam Smith, we saw the most birds we had seen in a long time, even though it was very cold and icy. #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 28/12/2024

We had one sleeping on our shed roof last week.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 27/12/2024

If only there was a precedent for political satire. www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/1...

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 26/12/2024

This guy checking us out before heading over to the Riverwood Conservancy feeder for a peanut this morning. #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 24/12/2024

I'm going with intense on this one. Saw this hawk in our backyard last year, but I am pretty sure it is wondering what I was doing in it's yard. 😅 #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 22/12/2024

Taken last winter, some harlequin ducks made a wrong turn somewhere and spent a few days off shore at Col Sam Smith park in Toronto. #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 21/12/2024

It was a little chilly (-10C) but delightfully sunny this morning. Did not see much other than the regulars, however the fresh snow yesterday adds some interest to the background. The robins were all poofed up trying to stay warm. #birds

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 21/12/2024

That stinks. Today was our last visit to Tatsu’s as they will be closing forever on Christmas eve. Now all the fencing is up for construction at our usual birding hangout. Our thing used to be birding then Tatsu’s.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 15/12/2024

From the back catalog. Dark-eyed junco, Riverwood conservancy, Mar 23, 2024. #birds

This image features a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), a small and recognizable songbird commonly found in North America during the winter months. The bird is perched on a bare tree branch, which suggests a colder season. Its distinctive slate-gray plumage contrasts with its clean white belly, and it has a pale pinkish beak. The junco appears to be calling or chirping, as its beak is slightly open. The background is softly blurred, focusing attention on the bird and the textured branches surrounding it.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 14/12/2024

An unusual find at Col Sam Smith park this morning. This killdeer tried to land along the shoreline but it was all ice. It then landed in some grass along the main trail.

This image depicts a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) in mid-flight against a serene blue backdrop, likely water. The bird’s wings are gracefully spread, showing their distinct pattern: dark feathers with light edges that catch the sunlight beautifully. The bird’s white and black head pattern is clearly visible, accentuating its unique markings. The water in the background is softly textured with gentle ripples and sparkles of reflected light, adding an ethereal quality to the scene. The composition emphasizes the elegance and agility of the bird in motion.

This image features a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), a small plover-like bird commonly found in North America. The bird is identifiable by its brown back, white belly, and distinct black double bands across its chest. It has large, bright eyes with a reddish orbital ring and a sharp, pointed beak. The Killdeer is standing on a patch of grassy ground, surrounded by dried leaves and natural debris, likely in a park or open field setting.

This image captures a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) in flight over a reflective water surface. The bird’s wings are spread, showcasing the sharp contrast of its dark brown feathers with light edges. The sunlight creates a shimmering effect on the water, with the Killdeer’s reflection visible below it, adding depth and dynamism to the composition. The scene emphasizes the bird’s agility and the natural beauty of its habitat.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 14/12/2024

My view just seconds before it buzzed my head (uncropped). 😆 The marina had a thin layer of ice across the whole surface so anything that would have caused the ducks to move out.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 08/12/2024

Birding the last few weeks be like

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 06/12/2024

Just went to block and report and it’s already gone. Feels weird to have effective and quick moderation.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 04/12/2024

Can I interest you in some fine Mississauga architecture brought to us by the Rogers family?

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 30/11/2024

Was a very quiet morning in Sam Smith. Seems as like everyone heading south has left and the northern ducks haven't arrived in volume yet. #birds

The bird is adorned with vibrant plumage, including a distinctive green patch on its head bordered by chestnut brown. Its body features intricately patterned feathers with shades of gray, brown, and white, and a bright yellow patch near its tail. The background consists of rippling water and some mossy rocks, giving a natural and serene setting.

This image shows a group of red-breasted mergansers (Mergus serrator) swimming in a calm body of water. These diving ducks are easily identified by their slender bodies, sharp red bills, and distinctive crests. The males, with black heads, white neckbands, and rust-colored breasts, are interspersed with females, which have grayish bodies and reddish-brown heads. The background features a tranquil, open water setting with soft ripples and distant shoreline vegetation, adding to the peaceful atmosphere.

A gold-crowned kinglet sitting in a leafless tree. The bright yellow patch on its head clearly visible.

Gold-crowned kinglet hovering near a bare branch, it has its wings extended in flight

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 23/11/2024

New lifer for us a couple weeks ago, a northern shrike. We arrived at Sam Smith and heard a very different call. We were not sure what it was. Pretty song for a bird also known as a butcher bird for how it deals with it's prey. #birds

A small bird on a dead branch against some yellowing leaves. White belly, grey head with black teardrop mark around its eyes.

A grey bird taking flight, exiting the frame to the right. Blue sky and leafless branches visible.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 22/11/2024

Flight shot Friday? Ok, I'm in. I took these two photos this spring. #bird

Three tree swallows, and adult flying in from the right. Two fledglings have their mouths open waiting to be fed.

Two male red-winged blackbirds in flight near the ground with their wings open and feet locked in a fight.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 21/11/2024

From the archive. This time last year, this little red phalarope was causing quite a commotion in Sam Smith Park in Toronto. #bird

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 21/11/2024

This is probably my favourite one. Also looks like I was wrong, wasn't spring, I took this July 27th...

An adult pied-billed grebe feeding a fish to one it's babies. Water has a green reflection and some vegetation growing on it.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 19/11/2024

Please don’t engage the trolls. Just mute, block or otherwise ignore. It makes me sad because I used to value this person’s opinion.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 16/11/2024

Nice to see the quote tweeting block feature working well.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 16/11/2024

It was heavily overcast this morning, but still quite nice out in Sam Smith park this morning. There were hooded mergansers and green-winged teals and even some straggler gold-crowned kinglets.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 13/11/2024

I haven't been active there in a while but felt like it was worth trying to get the stragglers some motivation.

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Matti Aleve @matti.aleve.me · 12/11/2024

Was a pretty quiet morning at Riverwood today, but still came home with a few nice photos.

A red-bellied woodpecker on the side of a large tree trunk against a blue sky.

A small moth or butterfly in bright sun on some leaf litter.

A grey squirrel on leaf litter on a bright sunny day. It has it's tail curled against it's back with a nut in it's paws.

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