Health Valley Trail, Waterloo, ON

28 April, 2025 

     We have been visiting this trail which runs from Waterloo to St. Jacobs, a distance of about 5km quite frequently of late. We have been rewarded with great sightings.

     Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is frequently encountered exploiting the rich resources of the Conestogo River. You will see the sequence here as a fish is caught and swallowed.

     That was a pretty small fish, perhaps a minnow of some kind, and it will take a lot of them to satisfy a hungry heron.

     At this time of year most of the Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) we see are males.

     The females are incubating eggs in secluded spaces or guarding young without help from the male.

     A male Northern Cardinal, by contrast, is a dedicated father, putting equal time into parenting duties.

     Large White Trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum) always add charm to a southern Ontario landscape.

     Common Blue Violets (Viola sororia) are a welcome sight, too.

     We came upon evidence of humans with too little to occupy their time.

     We spotted a female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) probing in the grass, no doubt seeking food for growing nestlings.

     Are you not entranced by Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)? I know I am, and Miriam is, too.

     And who can deny the delicate beauty of White Fawn Lily (Erythronium albidum)?

     Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) often announce their presence with their distinctive call, and are then not hard to find along the river.

     A Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) bathed vigorously. 

     The river was becalming and peaceful; quite magical really.

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) might be immune to aesthetic considerations, but this habitat provides a reservoir of nesting material and food aplenty to raise two or three broods. What more could a robin ask for?

     Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) spread across the forest carpet, punctuating the dun evidence of last fall's leaf drop.

     Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) was lancing upwards in substantial concentrations.

     Colt's-Foot (Tussilago forfara) is a bright yellow burst of exuberance, guaranteed to always please.

     A male Red-winged Blackbird is polygynous, and a desultory parent in consequence, providing grudging support to his first consort and little help at all to the other members of his harem.

     A White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is loved by all.

     Hooded Sunburst Lichen (Xanthomendoza fallax) is possibly favoured by a hummingbird for construction of its nest.

     Despite its bright colour it blends well into the dappled light of a tree and camouflages in excellent fashion. 

     Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) was seen here and there, sometimes in extensive patches.

      Several Spotted Sandpipers (Actitus macularius) worked the river, probing for food in every likely nook and cranny.

     An American Robin gathered worms to stuff into hungry mouths back at the nest. 

     A stately Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) impressed us with his regal demeanour.

     Butterflies seem to be scarce this year, and we were happy to see a couple of Northern Azures (Celastrina lucia).

     We observed lots of Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) warming their bodies in the spring sunshine.

     A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) displayed typical aloofness to human passers-by.

     A Mallard was no less interested in us.

     As we neared our car to return home, a Great Blue Heron soared high overhead like a retrospective into the dawn of avian life on Earth.

     A fitting end to a great walk.

Book Review - Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal About Coral Survival - Princeton University Press

 

     As though we needed one more canary in the coalmine to alert us to the damage we have inflicted on the environment, the death of coral reefs is yet another sombre warning that our profligacy and inaction are having catastrophic consequences. 

     Lisa S. Gardiner, in fluid conversational prose, friendly and engaging, examines the prehuman fossil record and reveals what once was and may never be again. Coral reefs, with their riotous colour and myriad organisms, are among the most diverse and vibrant ecosystems on Earth, yet relentlessly and inexorably we are killing them. To be sure, throughout time corals have lived and died naturally, and have often recovered to thrive anew, but anthropogenic influences are accelerating reef deaths, and the situation is getting worse. 

     Climate change is the greatest threat of all - "We need to limit climate change by reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases. The longer it takes to stop climate warming, the more reefs we'll lose." Past resilience is no longer adequate.

     But surely one can only conclude that we have become an army of Don Quixotes tilting at windmills. There is outright denial of climate change at the highest levels of government, and indifference by others. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been eviscerated and most of its scientists fired, and funding and research have been eliminated or severely restricted. As the comic strip character, Pogo, exclaimed, "We have met the enemy and he is us."

     Coral reefs have a rich connection to humans throughout history providing food, wonder, tourism and education. All of this is threatened with extinction along with the parallel extinction of coral reefs. There are laudable attempts to save coral and to develop heat-resistant species, but even looking through the rosiest of rose-coloured spectacles one is bound to conclude that the tipping point has been crossed. 

     The black-and-white drawings and infographics  in the book are quite delightful and serve to please the reader and elucidate the text.

     When photographs are involved, however, the lack of colour renders them dismal. 

     If ever a book merited full colour illustrations it is a book on corals. A dull grey image does little to convey the vibrancy of a healthy reef. Perhaps production costs were an issue, but given PUP's extensive colour illustrations in most of its natural history and biology books in recent years, it puzzles me that we are not treated to colour in this instance.

     This is an important book with a significant message, and dire warnings for a world about to change drastically in the coming decades. 

     Lisa S. Gardiner has done an admirable job in alerting us to impending disaster. Sadly, it is unlikely to be read by those who have the ability to chart the course of radical change.  At COP conferences and other environmental symposia the rhetoric soars and the chest-pounding is loud. But little is ever done, targets are not met, commitments fall by the wayside, funds committed are not delivered, and the world plunges deeper into a terrifying scenario of our own making.

     If only action matched words.

Reefs of Time: What Fossils Reveal About Coral Survival - Princeton University Press

Lisa S. Gardiner

Hardcover - US$29.95 - ISBN: 9780691247335

288 pages - 6.125 x 9.25 inches (15.31 x 23.125 cm)

Publication date: 10 June, 2025

Three Walks at the End of April

23 April, 2025

The Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

     Depending on the scope of your imagination faces may be seen in this old tree.

     It's safe to say that an Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) was not engaged in such idle speculation.

     You can be sure, before you have gone very far, a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) will put in an appearance.

     Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is one of the most appealing of the spring ephemerals.

     Common Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria parietina) will provide excellent building material for a hummingbird nest.

     We spotted a pair of very industrious chickadees busily preparing their nest site.

     The surface of the water was alive with North American Common Water Striders (Aquarius remigis), always a source of fascination for me.

     I have no doubt that a Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) would be happy to dine on them.

     In recent years the trail has developed quite a few holes and people have used their ingenuity to alert fellow walkers to the danger.

     Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) is one of the rewards of a springtime walk.

     Predictably, a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) stopped by to say hello.

     I suspect that Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) breed along the Mill Race every year; here is evidence of last year's activity.

     A male Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinensis) went about his business.

     If there's food to be had, upside down is no problem.

     American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is one of our most common birds.

     A handsome pair of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) added sparkle to a spring day.

     The very attractive new growth here is that of a tree in the subfamily Amygdaloideae, part of the family Rosaceae. I am unable to get any more specific than that.

     A Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) never fails to brighten the day.

     The seed "wings" of Box Elder (Acer negundo) verge on whimsical.

     Black Knot (Apiosporina morbosa) is a fungus affecting members of the Prunus genus, such as cherry, plum, apricot and chokecherry trees in North America.

     We heard a loud splash near the bank and knew we had startled something, probably a mammal or a large turtle.

    In mere moments we had confirmation as a Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) swam rapidly away from us.

     On the way home we saw a male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), a fitting end to a great morning.

25 April, 2025

Benjamin Park

     This location is a mere five minutes walk from our front door, and even though the park is surrounded by suburbia, it hosts a representative sample of Nature's bounty. In the spring, wildflowers especially are abundant and varied.

     Magnolias (genus Magnolia) do not retain their blossom for long, but at its peak the blossom is magnificent.

     Large White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) was not quite ready to reveal its flower.

     Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia carolineana), small, delicate and achingly beautiful, on the other hand, was exuberant. 

     Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) is grand and stately.

     I look forward to the blooming of every spring ephemeral, but Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is one of my favourites.

     Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) is bold and handsome.

      This is a Toothwort (genus Cardamine) but I am not sure of the species.

     I think that Miriam outshone herself with many of these pictures, but her macro shot of Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is exceptionally beautiful to my eyes.

     A creek runs through the park and it was dank and muddy after much rain.

     An American Robin was gathering mud for its nest and in the process coating its feathers liberally.

     It will need to bathe to restore itself to peak efficiency.

Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Squills (genus Scilla)

     The marsh at the east end of the park is home to breeding Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). 

     Daffodils abound in the park, and I am never quite sure how they got there.

     Regardless, they contribute colour and beauty and are welcome in my world.

     Willows (genus Salix) are very appealing.

     Colt's-Foot (Tussilago forfara) is both early and prolific and forms a series of bright yellow buttons spread across the landscape.

     Butterflies have been scarce this year. Small White (Pieris rapae) is the only one we have seen with any degree of regularity.

27 April, 2025

Health Valley Trail, Waterloo

     The Health Valley Trail goes from Waterloo to St. Jacobs for a distance of about 5km. We parked at the Waterloo end, walked about half way and reversed direction.

     The trail starts off by skirting a farmer's field.

     A lone tree never fails to capture our attention.

     In early spring when the ice broke up the Conestogo River overflowed its banks and much debris was left behind.

     The river is now tranquil as it meanders along.

     Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemis picta marginata) hauled out to bask in the warmth of spring sunshine.

     It seems quite late for a Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) to be migrating north and to early for it to be already heading south, so perhaps this individual decided to forego breeding this year and remained here.

     Once again wildflowers captured our attention.

     Yellow Trout Lily predominated, but White Fawn Lily (Erythronium albidum) was spotted here and there.

     Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) is distinguished from Carolina Spring Beauty by stalkless linear leaves more than 7cm long.

Yellow Trout Lily

     The presence of a Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) added an exclamation point to our riverside stroll.

     It's always interesting to see the growth that occurs in an old rotting stump - the fulfillment of Nature's recycling.

     Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) was not in bloom, but was widespread throughout.

     The river was full of small fish - North American Minnows in the subfamily Pogonichthyinae, but specific identification was difficult - and for me, impossible!

     Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is a gorgeous little flower.

     Wide Leek (Allium tricoccum) is a common plant, but I have never tried it in our cuisine. Perhaps I should.

     These three walks were all quite short, no more than a couple of hours each, but they enable you to see the rich diversity of Southern Ontario.

     It's a great place to live!