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.

The Mill Race with Visitors from Austria, Riverside Park with Special Friends

 08 September, 2025

     Some of you are perhaps familiar with Traude's blog (see here); we were delighted receive a visit from her and her husband, Edi.

      High on their list of things to do was a visit to the Mill Race with the prospect of hand-feeding a chickadee or two.

     Before embarking on the trail proper we checked the Conestogo River to see what might be there. We were greeted by a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) nicely perched, albeit a little distant.

     If you look carefully at the following picture of the river you will see, at the left, a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) perched in a tree.

     Its perch was perhaps a little precarious and it used its wings to balance on the branch.

     There, that's better!

     The fall iteration of Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is always an exciting find.

     Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) scampered along in their normal fashion, sometimes gazing wistfully at us, but moving at lightening speed when they felt the need to do so.

     There are those who deem that cows in a field are the epitome of peacefulness. A flock of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) always does it for me. 

     The leaves of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) are almost as appealing as the flower.

     I think this handsome creature is Treagnatha versicolor).

     Nodding Beggarticks (Bidens cernua) are characteristic of stream sides in the fall, a lovely complement to the changing colour of the leaves on the trees.

     Better not to show the next picture to children. They will all want a Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris) for Christmas!

     I think that Traude wanted to become an instant Canadian and placed a maple leaf on her heart.

     We saw many Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) caterpillars as they searched for a sheltered spot to pupate and spend the winter.

      The hairs on this larva cause itchy rashes on some people, especially those with allergies, so it's better not to touch them.

     The hairs, correctly know as setae, have microscopic barbs that cling to the skin. If transferred to the eyes serious damage can occur.

     There are many Eastern Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) trees along the Mill Race, so it was not surprising to encounter the larva of the Walnut Caterpillar Moth (Datana integerrima). It has personality to spare, verve, panache and good looks.

     It will descend to the ground and burrow down and pupate.

      American Rubyspot (Hetaerina americana) favours swift running streams and rivers of all sizes. The Mill Race is perfect for this species, especially since the Conestogo River, rapid and pellucid, flows nearby.

     What a gorgeous insect!

     Not a great picture, but evidence that a Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) joined us for a while.

     A Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) perched expectantly nearby.

     It needed no encouragement to visit Traudi's outstretched hand containing black sunflower seeds.

     Shrews (family Soricidae) are voracious insectivores and need to eat constantly to fuel their metabolism. Perhaps this individual failed to pack enough calories into its body and succumbed.

     Grass Spiders (genus Agelenopsis) want nothing to do with us.

     An Osprey (Pandion haliaeetus) scanned the river for fish, waiting for the right opportunity to make a move.

     This is the black morph of Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).

     A Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) was mining goldenrod (genus Solidago) for pollen and nectar.

     This dragonfly is a species of Meadowhawk (genus Sympetrum), of that I am sure, but I am unable to identify it accurately to species.

     Traude and Edi rested on a bench and posed for a picture.

     Gerrini is a tribe of water striders with many genera. They have hydrophilic hairs that enable them to walk on water without sinking.

     This fly seems to have been parasitized by a fungus in the genus Entomophthora, substantially weakening it. 

     In its debilitated state it appears to have become ensnared in a spider's web, unable to extricate itself.

     Near the end of the trail a female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) came to visit.

     In addition to the pictures here, we also paused at the Eco Café for coffee and snacks, and followed up our walk with lunch at our house.

     Miriam had things to do, but in the afternoon I took our guests to Riverside Park in Cambridge for enhanced photo opportunities.

     Edi and Traude left late afternoon to return to their B&B, preparing to fly to the West Coast the following day.

     It had been a pleasure to help them enjoy a little of the nature of Waterloo Region.

01 November, 2025

Riverside Park, Cambridge, ON

     I have no pictures to share from Traude and Edi's visit to Riverside Park, but I spent a joyful couple of hours with friends to welcome November, and here are a few pictures from that visit.

A

A handsome group

Hopeful

The indomitable Sepideh

Success!

Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) 

Looking good

Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) and Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

Patience rewarded

Making friends

Chickadee breakfast bar