All the News That's Fit to Print

     In no particular sequence, here are some of the highlights of the past week for Miriam and me.

At the house

     A few years ago we planted Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) at the side of the driveway at the front of our house. It was nibbled right to the ground by pesky rabbits the first year, but since then it has bloomed spectacularly and we have enjoyed it very much.

     Oddly, despite having seen a multitude of pollinators using it, neither of us had ever seen a Monarch (Danaus plexippus), a butterfly dependent on milkweed, on the plant,  In early summer this year, however, we did see Monarchs frequenting it, and they displayed all the behaviours of a female seeking to lay eggs. It was unusual enough of an observation that before leaving in the car to run errands, I went back into the house to fetch Miriam so that she could see what I had discovered.

     We were never able to locate eggs, but here is proof positive of the outcome, a Monarch caterpillar in a late instar feeding on the leaves.

   

       Hooray, we said!

     And to add to the elation of the moment this striking Large Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus) was spotted too.

     I have no doubt we said Hooray again!

     A male Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar) seldom seems to land and we had been unable to get a picture. One morning, to our surprise on opening the front door, one was perched on the brick of the porch and we were finally able to fill in the gap in our photographic record for this species.

           A couple of days ago while sitting on the patio having our morning coffee and some of Brian Smith's delicious banana bread we noticed an American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos) perched on the fence. Usually this species is wary, having little reason to be trustworthy of humans, but this individual seemed quite content to rest for a while. Any thought we might have had that the bird was injured was dispelled as it moved around and walked along the rail. It was very handsome indeed.

          It was a pleasure to share our morning with this intelligent bird.

 

     Miriam has again raised butterflies indoors this year, and much as we have enjoyed the experience, we may rethink how we do it next year, since there is some evidence that it may not be entirely beneficial.

     Nonetheless having already released all our swallowtails, we looked forward with great eagerness to the Monarchs emerging. Many eggs are laid the same day, so it is hardly surprising that butterflies hatch out in the same manner.

      At the left in the picture above you can see a lone chrysalis still a few days away from hatching.

     We are thrilled when these splendid creatures first fly and are never anything less than awed by the process we are privileged to observe.

     One individual landed on Miriam's blouse, and then on her finger before flying off.

     It was a fitting farewell.

Ottawa

     We spent a couple of days visiting Caroline and Andrew in Ottawa, spending most of our time on their patio, admiring all the work they have done in their backyard, but Miriam, Caroline and I did take a walk through a local woodland.

     A pond covered in Duckweed (Lemnoideae) deep in the forest was very attractive, and I was surprised that neither Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) nor Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) have yet discovered it.

     There were many fungi throughout, especially in moist areas as you might expect, and I am reasonably sure this is a species of Amanita.

     Mushrooms are not my strong point, so if anyone can confirm the ID feel free to do so.

     In the meantime, I will do a little research into the species below to see if I can come up with a name for them.

   Identified by two members of iNaturalist as Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum) on 28 August 2020

   So many species of Yew (Taxaceae) found in Eastern North America are hybrids of species imported by settlers from Europe that they beggar identification.

RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

     Of late, when Friday morning comes around, we look forward to meeting Heather and Lily, to take a walk together. To tell you how thrilled we are to be able to share in Lily's life in this manner would require a chapter to itself!

     Having parked our car we noticed a sculpture across the road that we have never seen before, although it is somewhat weathered and obviously not new.

     Clearly it represents ears of corn and it would be interesting to know why and by whom it was installed here.

     A flock of Common Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) was perched in a tree nearby.

     Not long into our walk Heather spotted a large Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) basking on the road, and obligingly it stayed for a while before slithering off into the grass. 

     Lily will not remember when she encountered her first snake!

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a widespread invasive plant, whose flower is very attractive both to the human eye and to pollinators - especially bumblebees (Bombus spp.) it seems. The colour of the inflorescence on this plant seemed even more beautiful than usual.

     For the first time on our walks, Lily was a little fussy this morning, so mom carried her for a while.

     That feels better!

     RIM Park meanders alongside the Grand River and in places is characterized by classically tranquil scenes of bucolic perfection. We had never before seen artists painting it, and wondered why.

     Here is a view that begs for the interpretive skill of an artist's brush. Imagine for a moment what a French impressionist could have done with that!

     Following comforting moments with Heather, Lily fell asleep, hair askance and blowing bubbles.

     How cheerful and smiley she was when she woke up.

     It is fascinating to watch this precious little girl develop each week and clearly she is now moving her eyes to follow things or people she sees.

      I wonder what changes we might notice by next Friday.

Three Bridges Road, St. Jacobs, ON

     There is a small pond on Three Bridges Road where on one occasion, just before freeze-up, it was filled with Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser). Since then we have seen very little there although we always check as we go by.

     Imagine our delight, therefore, when we spotted both a Great Egret (Ardea alba) and a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), the two species feeding alongside each other.

     All in all, it has been a pretty good week I would say!