A Summer Stroll

     A couple of days ago Miriam and I went for a walk at RIM Park. It was a glorious, sunny day, redolent with summer activity, but certainly muted in terms of bird life. These are indeed the dog days of summer when most species have stopped singing, and adults are busy doing everything they need to do to launch their young into the world, and staying as unobtrusive as possible. Many interesting facets of nature are present, however, and for even the casual observer there is much to enjoy.
    This nest of Baltimore Oriole Icturus galbula was no doubt home to a family, and we saw adults busy delivering food to fledged young.

     Common Milkweed Asclepias syriaca was blooming profusely, and the sheer range of insect life it harboured was a forceful reminder of how critical this plant is to many species.

     Here it is with a Virginia Ctenuchid Moth Ctenuche virginea, a diurnal species, feeding on the flower.

     Great Spangled Fritillaries Speyeria cybele were easy to find and milkweed was their choice of plant also.

     The tiny Edward's Hairstreak Satyrium edwardsii always seemed to be cooperative and showed its colours when we wanted to take a photograph. It is joined by a whole group of Virginia Ctenuchid Moths.

     Sensitive Fern Onoclea sensibilis was not hard to find.

     The Tiger Lily, profuse in many habitats, even alongside roads, is in the genus Lilium, but is really hard to pin down as to species. It is a gloriously beautiful plant.

     Red Clover Trifolium pratense was imported from Europe by early settlers as a forage crop and found an environment much to its liking and is now ubiquitous.

     We are first and foremost birders, so it seemed entirely appropriate that right as we left the park we saw a group of juvenile Barn Swallows Hirunodo rustica waiting to be fed by their parents. It is quite incredible how the adults can swoop in at top speed and stuff an insect into the waiting bill of the juvenile without reducing speed. It is a true feat of coordination.

     What a pleasant walk it was. We need to get out and do it again today!