A Visit to Lakeside Park, Kitchener, ON

"Nature isn't separate from us, and part of our salvation as a species depends on respecting, if not rejoicing in, that simple companionable truth."

Diane Ackerman

                                                                                                                                 

     Lakeside Park is a noteworthy little oasis in the midst of urban development and Miriam and I made a couple of recent visits. Here is an account of the first one.

26 July, 2026

     For a naturalist, patrolling the park with eyes wide open, there is a never-ending source of discovery and joy.

     This Topiary Grass Veneer (Chrysoteuchia topiarus) was spotted quietly resting and we took a picture without disturbing it.

     Loxocera cylindrica is a species of Rust Fly in the family Psilidae.

     Virginia Stickseed (Hackelia virginiana) looks labyrinthian and vaguely sinister embraced by clinging vines.

     Ants in the subgenus Lasius are often detected foraging above ground.

     Predictably, Common Red Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva) were seen "everywhere."

     Adults feed on aphids, and eat pollen and nectar. Larvae prey on ground-dwelling invertebrates, such as slugs and snails, and live at the base of long grasses. The adults, which are active between June and August, spend much of their short lives mating and can often be seen in pairs.

     In Britain they are commonly referred to as Hogweed Bonking Beetles!

     Condylostylus is a genus of flies in the family Dolichopodidae. It is the second largest genus in the subfamily Sciapodinae, with more than 250 species included.

     It is far from easy - at least for me - to separate one species from another, but here are two of these scintillating little creatures.

     I think this is a Virginia Creeper Treehopper (Telamona ampelopsidis), but I am not sure.

     Jagged Ambush Bugs (genus Phymata) are easy to find.

     Carrot Seed Moth (Sitochroa palealis) was first spotted in North America in 2002 and has become well established.

     It manifests a distinct preference for Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) as seen above.

     This attractive flower is probably Lesser Burdock (Arctium minus).

     Common Motherwort (Leconurus cardiaca) is introduced and widespread.

    The specific epithet cardiaca refers to the belief in the 17th Century that  motherwort is useful for removing "melancholy" vapors from the heart.

     I am always happy to see Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), an excellent native pollinator plant.

     Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus germinatus) is one of our most common flower flies.

     Dragonflies are often difficult to photograph because they dart around at high speed and seldom land. Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) is a little more cooperative than many other common species.

     There are those who refer to Chicory (Cichorium intybus) as a weed. How dare they? The flower is as close to perfection as one might attain.

     Eurasian Drone Fly (Eristalis arbustorum) is a very attractive hoverfly.  In North America, the species was introduced near Toronto around 1885 and is now ubiquitous throughout much of Canada and the United States.

     Perennial Sow Thistle (Sonchus arvensis) is ubiquitous and (as are all thistles) quite beautiful.

     Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) is an invasive plant that causes serious issues in native ecosystems.

     

     It has spread rapidly across North America and is present in nearly every Canadian province and almost every U.S. state. This plant has the ability to produce as many as two million seeds in a growing season, creating dense stands of Purple Loosestrife that outcompete native plants for habitat. These populations result in changes to ecosystem functions, including reduced nesting sites, shelter, and food for birds, as well as an overall decline in biodiversity.

     White Meadowsweet (Spiraea alba) is delicate and fragrant, and exceptionally beautiful.

     Fungi are not easy to identify without specialized education and practice, but based on my limited ability with these taxa I believe this specimen is Bearded Fieldcap (Agrocybe molesta).

     A Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) was foraging on Common Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

     I am utterly entranced by Miriam's whimsical captures of Ribwort Plantain (Plantago lanceolata).

     This Red-belted Bumble Bee (Bombus rufocinctus) was busy sipping nectar from Crown Vetch (Coronilla varia), having already garnered a substantial quantity of nectar.

     What a handsome creature it is!

     We visited Lakeside Park just a few days later when my daughter was spending time with us, and I had originally planned to combine the two sessions into one report. This is already quite long enough, however and there will be more to follow.

     Lakeside Park forever!

The Health Valley Trail, Waterloo with Chinese Home School Group

 23 July, 2026

     It's always a joyful event to get together with this group and today was no exception.

     I had chosen the Health Valley Trail as the location for our walk, and in retrospect it was probably not the best selection. At this time of year the vegetation is really dense and crowds in on a path that is already narrow. Much of the way we had to proceed in single file, so it was difficult to make sure everyone saw everything we came across, or listen to the information I imparted. 

     We started our walk with a great discussion of two wildflowers; at this point we could still gather round together. The plants under discussion were -

Chicory (Cichorium intybus

     and -

Wild Carrot, aka Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota)

     

     Chicory is exceptionally beautiful in my estimation; the roots may be baked, ground and used as a coffee substitute.

     Wild Carrot is a model of elegance and is the ancestral originator of the cultivated carrot we all like to eat. It was introduced into North America by European settlers and has become common where it is often known as "Queen Anne's Lace". Anne, Queen of Great Britain is the queen after whom the plant is reputedly named, though as a plant name it is not known before 1895, 180 years after her death. It is so called because the inflorescence resembles lace, prominent in fine clothing of the day; the red flower in the centre is said to represent a droplet of blood where Queen Anne pricked herself with a needle when she was making the lace.

     Insects are plentiful at this time of year, Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva) is extremely common and seems to favour Wild Carrot above all other plants.

     We saw several Seven-spotted Lady Beetles (Coccinella septempunctata), an attractive little insect.

     This species is native to Europe, most of Asia and North Africa. It was introduced into North America as a biological pest control agent to combat aphid infestations.

     A careful inspection of the flowers revealed Jagged Ambush Bugs (genus Phymata), a fairly common insect predator overlooked by many.

     Here is one that has caught a bee and is feasting on it.

     Little Becky is always excited to be with the other children and enjoy the walk. She looks a little glum in this picture but rest assured she is not. The camera just caught her at the wrong moment.

     We heard more birds than we saw. The foliage forms an unbroken screen and the birds are busy foraging for food to feed hungry nestlings.

     A couple of Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) put in a brief appearance.

     An Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) looked at us quizzically.

     American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was the one species it was not hard to spot.

     A Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) was having a successful morning foraging for nectar and honey - witness the pollen baskets on its hind legs.

     Japanese Beetle (Papillia japonica) is undoubtedly one of our more attractive insects, but that doesn't make it any more desirable.

    While it is not considered a pest in Japan due to the presence of predators, it is a serious problem here in North America. It damages plants by skeletonizing the foliage and feeds on many species of plants. I sometimes wonder whether anything is immune from its depredations. 

     A Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) delighted us all.

     Perennial Sow Thistle (Sonchus arvensis) seemed to be at peak abundance.

     This attractive little fellow resembled Jiminy Cricket! It is a type of Spur-throated Grasshopper (subfamily Melanoplinae).

     We were heading back to our cars and it seemed like a great species to end our walk.

     As always it has been a very agreeable morning. 

Victoria, BC - Part 4

22 June, 2026 

Clover Point - Beacon Hill Park - Ogden Point Breakwater - Oak Bay

     We were rapidly becoming used to seeing deer in the neighbourhood and scarcely paid attention to them. This doe meandered around as we left home, totally unconcerned with us.

     I assume the collar signifies that the animal is being monitored by the municipality or the province. They are abundant and unafraid.

Clover Point

     Many Small Whites (Pieris rapae) were fluttering in the light breeze, occasionally even landing for a moment or two.

     Here is the grand sweep around the bay at Clover Point.

     As at all locations the bird life varies with the season, but Black Oystercatcher (Haematopus bachmani) is a fixture year round.

     The same claim is made for Harlequin Duck (Histrionicus histrionicus)

     West Coast Lady (Vanessa annabella) joined the Small Whites to swell the butterfly community.

     As might be expected Glaucous-winged Gulls (Laurus glaucescens) patrolled the shore.

     Puget Island Gumweed (Grindelia integrifolia) was attractive and unfamiliar to us.

    Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) appear to have had a successful breeding season and many juveniles were patiently waiting for parents to bring food.

     Mallows (genus Malva) were both common and beautiful.

Beacon Hill Park

     On a visit to Beacon Hill Park one is always greeted by Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), both vocally and visually.

     They are magnificent birds and a great favourite with visitors. 

     I am never quite sure whether these birds are now considered feral, having originated from captive stock to be sure, but they seem to wander and breed at will, and we saw not a single banded bird. They have spilled out of the park and may be readily seen in residential neighbourhoods adjoining the park.

     Whatever their status, they are magnificent birds. 

     A Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) is a little more pedestrian but no less delightful.

     American Sand Wasps (Bembix americana), generally deemed beneficial, were busy, in the way that insects often are.

     Chestnut-backed Chickadee (Poecile rufescens) is the cousin of Black-capped Chickadee (P. atricapillus) so familiar to us at home.

     Water droplets are the jewels of nature, eternally renewable, beautiful, and always available to rich and poor alike without charge.

     We saw Lorquin's Admiral (Limenitis lorquini) quite frequently.

     On every occasion but one, as best I remember, a Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) has been perched atop this totem pole when we have visited Beacon Hill Park.

Ogden Point

     A huge cruise ship was berthed at Ogden Point, the first time we have witnessed this.

     No doubt it provides a substantial boost to the local economy.

     A Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) greeted us and probably greeted the cruise ship wayfarers too.

     We have been visiting this eatery since the very first time we arrived in Victoria, and today we stopped in to have a coffee and share a blueberry scone.

     Ogden Point is possibly the most reliable spot to see Pigeon Guillemot (Cepphus columba), and true to form a pair were swimming in the inner harbour.

     They were moving away from each other in the above picture but flew to the seawall and became very good friends!

    I am unaware of the conditions that prompted it, but there seemed to be a mini invasion of Moon Jellies (genus Aurelia).

     Not something we see often, so we were delighted.

     A Pelagic Cormorant (Urile pelagicus) was equally agreeable.

     We glanced back at the cruise ship as we were leaving.

     We headed for home, stopping to do grocery shopping on the way, had lunch and relaxed for a while.

Scented Garden

      Late afternoon, we decided to walk over to the Scented Garden which we had spotted earlier.

     It is quite lovely, designed primarily for the blind and visually impaired to experience the scents of nature.

     A White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) evidently found this location to its liking.

     With so many flowers and the possibility of caterpillars it came as no surprise to see a European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula) on the prowl.

     A male House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) surveyed the scene from a lofty perch.

Oak Bay

     If my memory serves me well this female Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) was the only one of its species we saw during our stay on the Island.

     A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was in its usual spot.

      Perhaps the fishing was not good at that spot for it took off almost right away to move to the other side of the bay.

     We did not see many shorebirds during our visit but this Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) was reliable.

     Where Rock Doves (Columba livia) are concerned love is always in the air! Just look at that male puffing out his chest and the female ignoring him!

     Large gulls interbreed frequently and the resulting plumages are variable and confusing, especially for birders from central and eastern Canada who rarely see them. This individual is probably a mix of Western Gull and Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus occidentalis x glaucescens), colloquially known as Olympic Gull.

     Someone had vacated a picnic table and left the ingredients for a substantial feast behind - especially if you are a crow!

     Mirroring humans, they went for the junk food first. Cheesies were the preferred choice and it took them no time at all to get into the bag.

     The crow dietician will not be pleased!

     This female Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) had but one duckling in her care. 

     It's likely that she started out with eight or ten young and they fell victim to various predators. The remaining individual is now big enough that it has a great chance to survive.

     It was with great excitement that we spotted a North American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) just as we were about to leave.

     It was a memorable curtain call to an exceptional day.