RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

19 September, 2025 

     The very first agreeable fellow to welcome us was this charming Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax).

     The old silo is no longer a functioning grain storage location. It is the signature landmark of the adjacent Grey Silo Golf Course.

     The apples in the farmer's orchard are ready for picking; they look delicious.

     Viceroy (Limentis archippus) enjoys a life largely free from predators by closely resembling a Monarch (Danaus plexippus), which is toxic and avoided by birds and others who might wish to eat it.

     This seemed to be the day of the jumping spider. Here is another Bold Jumping Spider.

     It is always a joy to come upon a Great Spangled Fritillary (Argynnis cybele).

     New England Aster (Symphytrichum novae-angliae) never fails to charm me.

     As has often been the case this year, birds were sparse, so this Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was especially welcome.

     Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) is both attractive and edible; better get it while it's fresh if you have culinary aspirations.

     We are happy to admire it and let it be.

     I am fairly sure the ant depicted here is a species of Furrowed Ant (genus Myrmica).

     The Aphids (family Aphididae) are afforded protection by the ants who seek their sugary secretions, and will attack other insects intent on predating the aphids.

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) was its usual beautiful yet pestiferous self.

     An Eastern Black Carpenter Ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) is a formidable creature.

     No doubt, like the Furrowed Ant above, it will exploit and defend these aphids.

     This rock in the Grand River is nearly always occupied by a bird, often a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) as is the case here.

     A Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) is probably the most common spider on our walks. If I were tasked with finding one for a visitor it would be relatively easy to do so.

     This individual was hauling up prey it had captured, wrapped in silk and prepared for consumption.

Small White (Pieris rapae)

     An Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) was probing deep into Goldenrod (genus Solidago).

     Like so many introduced species Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is very attractive, but no less disruptive to native ecosystems.

     It's probably safe to say that even those who profess to harbour intense dislike of insects, reserve a soft spot for lady beetles. 

     This DeKay's Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi) was probably basking on warm pavement when a cyclist or other human, ran over it. It was still responsive, but I doubt that it could survive.

     A Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus) is a Jim Dandy in the world of invertebrates.

     Fall is glorious, isn't it?

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) made us happy.

     Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) is a captivating butterfly.

     It is generally the first butterfly we see in the spring, so we were happy to observe them in September, too.

     Another Viceroy was close by.

     These fungi are members of the family known as Artist's Brackets, Reishi and Allies (genus Ganoderma).

     Our walk begins and ends at a Mennonite farm, still active and farming in traditional ways, a sort of living museum, in fact.

     

     This old barn door seems to represent a parable for life itself - always be careful where you step!

Columbia Lake, Waterloo, ON

14 September, 2025

      An Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) was very busy.

     Although my knowledge of ants is quite limited, repeated exposure to them and the discipline of researching the taxon is leading to a little more familiarity. This individual is a species found in the Wood, Mound and Field Ants (genus Formica).

     Oleander Aphids (Aphis nerii) provide a sweet treat for ants and receive protection in return.

     New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) exudes beauty and charm.

     Chironomus ochreatus is a non-biting midge that often forms huge swarms - a good thing that it doesn't bite!

     Here is an interesting congregation of birds at the water's edge.

     There is a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), Mallards (Anas platyrynchos), two Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritus), and a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).

     Here is another Killdeer much closer.

     And two more of these little beauties.

     In total, dotted here and there, about twenty Killdeer were present.

     Plume thistles (genus Cirsium) do not usually command much attention, but withered, spiky and brown they looks very attractive!

     If there is an expanse of grass anywhere, it is a safe bet that you will find Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) grazing there.

     Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) is the most common and widespread of small yellowjackets that build nests in high, exposed aerial locations.

     Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris), despite its name, is brightly coloured.

     A Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum) posed nicely.

     We heard the distinctive harsh rattle of a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) and watched it land in a tree.

     An Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis).....

     We saw this ghostly apparition moving slowly under the surface of the water - a Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina); I felt as if I had a direct window into the late Cretaceous, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

     It has changed little since that time. It precedes hominids in the long history of life on Earth and will probably be here when humans have become extinct, still going about its business as it has always done.

     There are two storm water ponds at Columbia Lake and it's always prudent to check to see what is there.

     This was the day of the Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemis picta marginata); there were at least a dozen present, basking in the sun, and doing what turtles do.

     A couple of Canada Geese flew in.

     These interesting, and very attractive little characters, are, I believe, True Reed Beetles (subgenus Danacocia).

     A Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile).....

     I think that Miriam captured the exceptional beauty of a Larch (genus Larix); so often we focus only on the cones.

     An Olethreutine Leafroller Moth (subfamily Olethreutinae) was partly concealed.

     A Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is a very distinguished member of its kind.

     A pair of Mallards looked like the very embodiment of domestic bliss.

     Maybe a model for all of us.