Monday, August 23, 2021

A Trail, A Sewage Lagoon and Home

 15 August 2021
Health Valley Trail, Waterloo, ON

     There is a local trail called the Health Valley Trail (not quite sure how it got its name) that runs for about 4.5 km between Waterloo and St. Jacobs. We had not entered from the Waterloo side for a couple of years so we decided to give it a try.
     There seemed to be a bit of a congregation of Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) and when they gather like this there is likely carrion in the area.


     Who knows what might have been on the menu? Rotting guts of White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) perhaps.


     Ah, to thrust one's head into the body cavity! Delicious!
     Common Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is both prolific and beautiful and seems to be at its peak right now.



     It found great favour with many insects, including this Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens).


     Alfalfa Plant Bug (Adelphocoris lineolatus) made the point that it is not always confined to alfalfa.


     If I am not mistaken the following fly belongs in the family Sarcophagidae (flesh flies).


     What it finds to its liking on Tansy I am not sure.
     Common Green Bottle (Lucilia sericata) is a very handsome species, but is at times implicated in the spread of disease.


     Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) is by way of contrast both benign and lovely.


     We spotted Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) quite frequently and will look forward to seeing the fruit a little later in the year.


     Dark Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus) is surely one of the most handsome of all the Hymenoptera.


     A bumble bee of indeterminate identity foraged for nectar.


     We were very happy to see this moth alight for enough time to have its picture taken. It was a new species for us, Two-banded Petrophila (Petrophila bifascialis).


     It is rarely that an Eastern Tailed Blue (Cupido comyntas) perches with wings outspread and we were delighted to be able to capture a picture.


     Usually the folded wing look is all we get.


     Common Ringlet (Coenonympha california) was, as the name implies, common.


     Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata) was also not difficult to find.


     Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) was ubiquitous, but flitting hither and thither and rarely landing. Finally a male cooperated.


     There were many Common Water Striders (Aquarius remigis) zig zagging on the surface of a small pond, and it is really interesting to see the form of the shadow they create.


     If you look carefully in the picture above you can see one of the insects near a white spot in the bottom right quadrant.
     An American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) seemed far less interested than we were.


     A Groundselbush Beetle (Trirhabda bacharidis) is very attractive.


     It is a type of skeletonizing beetle but other than that I know little of its lifestyle.


     There were many birds, but the vegetation was dense and obtaining photographs was not at all easy. The following image of a female Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) will show you what I mean.



     Several species of Tyrant Flycatcher (Tyrannidae), some surprisingly vocal for the time of year, but frustrating from a photographer's standpoint, were not shy. Finally a Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) perched in clear view.


     It took Miriam at least twenty minutes of dogged determination to get this shot.

19 August 2021
Our backyard, Waterloo, ON

     An Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) found the phlox in the backyard exactly to its liking.


     It burrowed right inside the flower to get that last drop of nectar.



19 August 2021
Milverton Sewage Lagoons, Milverton, ON

     A dedicated birder seeking shorebirds can think of no odour more pleasant than a little eau de sewer on a hot day in late August. "To follow your nose" never had a more apt meaning.
     With migratory shorebirds in mind we went to Milverton in anticipation of a bonanza. What did we find - nada, rien, nichts, nothing, zilch, zippo! A wasteland, or a waste water might be more appropriate, both literally and figuratively.


     When we first arrived in fact, there was not a single bird of any description on the water. When you can't even find a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) in Canada one wonders what cataclysmic event might have occurred!
      There were Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) in a tree, however, so all was not lost.


     A Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor) no doubt sensing our angst came and perched conveniently close to us.


     Then the show began! I am not sure how many Halloween Pennants (Celithemis eponina) there were but I don't think that over a hundred would be an exaggeration.


     As pennants are known to do they showed tremendous tenacity in clinging to an elevated perch, even in strong wind, and even if they left it for a brief interlude, they quickly returned. 



     By now the absence of a few shorebirds seemed quite trivial!
     A Broad-leaved Sweet Pea ( Lathyrus latifolius) might well have been named Broad-smiled Sweet Pea for us!


     What a beautiful little flower when viewed close up.


     
A male Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis) was very handsome.


     What would an August day be without a Common Ringlet?


     Or a Clouded Sulphur?


     Carolina Grasshoppers (Dissosteira carolina) exploded from underneath our feet.


     I am not sure what to make of this Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) with its exuvia. It has clearly past the teneral stage and acquired adult colouration, but remains in place and appears to have an injured left forewing. Might a bird have attacked it? If so, why would the bird not finish the job and eat the dragonfly or carry it back to its young?


     I am grateful to Richard Pegler for discussions on this matter.
     A Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchela) is a very handsome dragonfly.


     Widow Skimmer is equally impressive and this male exhibits excellent pruinosity.


     Now what was it we first came for? Shorebirds, you say? Well, it seems to me that we didn't have a bad day without them

19 August 2021
In our house, Waterloo, ON

     Is a fly in a house a House Fly? I think not, but I can't get anywhere with the ID of this one.


     It may have to remain a mystery!
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

62 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    Difficult to scale that last...or see the abdomen - but if you check the second image on this link, could it be a deer fly? Loved this post with all the bugs!!! YAM xx

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    1. I don't think it's a deer fly, YAM. We have them here and they look quite different - and when they bite they hurt. Out west they have a species lovingly referred to as a chunker, since it flies off with chunks of your flesh!

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  2. Fantastic pictures ~ so much patience is required ~ Thank you for the visual pleasures! I've missed visiting, but I'm glad to be back :)

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  3. Bellas imagenes me gustaron las mariposas. Te mando un beso

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  4. I must admit it would take a pretty special bird to entice me to visit a sewage lagoon or indeed a landfill site, though I know there are some whose enthusiasm leads them to such places. An interesting array of insects - to think that most people simply dismiss them all as "bugs".

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    1. At the landfill in Brownsville, TX they even have a visitors book where you sign in and they direct you to the best spot to see Taumalipas Crow and Chihuahuan Raven. On a hot Texas summer's day the odour is powerful!

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  5. Les insectes trouvent de quoi se nourrir, il y'a beaucoup de fleurs.
    La tanaisie est jolie et a une odeur bien particulière.
    Bonne journée

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  6. Thank you for the trip. You always find and show so many beautiful insects and flowers.

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  7. Hi David and Miriam - an amazing range of birds, insects, lepidoptera and plants for us to see live in your part of the world ... thanks too for identifying so many. Stay safe ... cheers Hilary

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  8. Beautiful photos. Interesting critters. You have sharp eyes for the little insects. Have a great day.

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  9. Beautiful photos as always David, and the photo of Empidonax minimus was very good. Tell it to Miriam!
    The pink phlox is very pretty. I love this flowers who bloom in August very much. It's still a little summer left here.
    Hugs from Norway.

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  10. Hi David, as always you had a great walk and Miriam got some fantastic photos, kudos! We don't have wild turkeys here, but I often see the crows digging into a dead rabbit or rat - tastes are different. A sewage lake sounds rather off-putting, but you both seem to brave everything to get your photos! And I know why the Canada geese weren't there - they're all here! And I love the photo showing the shadows of the water-striders! Have a great day, take care, hugs to you both, Valerie

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  11. The flowers are pretty. Often wondered how many insects there are in this world, guess no one knows exactly.

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  12. Hehe those house flies!!I just discovered one under my bed today after having the window open. I do not like insects but we must have them !! Great pictures of all the birds ,flowers and insects.Great new header too :)))

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  13. Lovely photos. Miriam is certainly patient in getting the photo she wants and they are stunning. I, on the other hand, lose patience after a minute or two.

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  14. Wonderful series of beautiful flowers, insects and birds. I like the pretty Tansey and Phlox.

    Take care, enjoy your day!

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  15. Me encantó el reportaje estimado amigo y las fotos son preciosas, felicita a Miriam de mi parte hace un trabajo encomiable.
    Se me paso decirte el otro día que la nueva foto de cabecera es preciosa, todo un lujo.
    Recibe un fuerte abrazo querido profesor y amigo David.

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  16. Wonderful series of photos of insects and flowers.
    Nature is extraordinary.

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  17. Love the vulture pictures. And the butterfly pictures. And the dragonfly pictures. And, well, all the pictures.

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  18. I think that I'd put up with with the less than subtle aromas of that sewage lagoon, David, if it yielded such splendid insects. Whilst the butterflies do not look so very different to species that we get here in central England, the dragonflies are staggeringly different (nothing like the three Libellula sp. in UK) and truly spectacular.

    The colour of tha phlox in your backyard is wonderful - no small wonder that the bee found it attractive too.

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  19. I enjoyed the fascinating series of animals and plants, David.

    Keep them coming!

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  20. Thank you very much David, beautiful series, wonderful photos. This morning we were only 12 degrees and I immediately baked a cake and then a bread that I had already prepared ... and you don't believe how comfortable it was in the kitchen ... cut the cake fresh and on the Terrace - which was soaking wet - tasted... nice atmosphere outside :-))
    The crickets are still chirping and as long as that is so ... the summer remains :-))))
    Hug

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  21. This is a follow up on my note to you over the weekend about not being able to leave a oomment..I was on my old computer that I had just updated..In doing that I don't get the readers version on some blogs..I didn't know this but there is a little box on the left end of ones search bar..It should be grey..When it's black (as mine was) the readers version doesn't come up..One has to click on it to make it grey..So, we're good..I learn something every day..well almost..ENjoy the rest of your week..Way too hot here..

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  22. Such a ton of pollinators. Great job. AND you can ID them!!

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  23. The Turkey Vulture seems to be one of the most unattractive bird species, but then all have their place in nature. I enjoyed the inclusion of so many butterflies, moths, and especially dragonflies in this post. Glad Miriam's patience rewarded her with a shot of the Least Flycatcher, quite an unusual name for such a little bird.

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  24. I tried to photograph some Cabbage Whites yesterday but they didn’t stop long enough. The only one I photographed this year looked like something chewed on it. This is a great collection of insects. I have to focus on them for a change. I am still fascinated with wildflowers. I haven’t seen tansy here. It is a beauty.

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  25. I always enjoy seeing nature through your eyes. Thank you! :)

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  26. An explosion of butterflies and dragonflies. A visual joy.

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  27. They're all gorgeous but those dragonflies in particular are drop-dead fabulous. All the insects are -- I see things in them I never see "in person!"

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  28. It's incredible the way those flitty insects hold still for you (or probably better said, for Miriam). Wonderful photos of all of them and the birds. And this post could serve well as an insect and wildflower ID manual for those of us lacking in your knowledge. I enjoyed everything about this diary!

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  29. Beautiful bugs, butterflies and creatures great and small. Yellow is certainly the color of August.

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  30. I enjoyed the fascinating series of animals

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  31. Querido David el Buitre no me resulta nada atractivo, pero ahí esta para cumplir su función, así que es genial. El paseo me resulto entretenido y precioso, los insectos, flores y pájaros son preciosos. Y las fotos espectaculares, Muchas gracias. Un enorme abrazo para ti y para Miriam.

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  32. It is interesting to compare your insects with ours. They are so alike it is actually a bit strange.
    Like your blue butterfly. We have similar ones without the dots in the lower part of the wings. The same with the dragonflies.
    The Turkey Vultures I have seen on travels, so ugly yet totally fascinating birds.

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  33. Ah, the joys of sewage farms! I wonder when I will get back to Werribee? Anyway, what a great set of pictures - biodiversity really is remarkable! I can be of no help with the mystery fly.

    I'm still in lock down, and, if the truth be told, my cup of patience and tolerance is just about empty! Hope all is well with you and M. Cheers S

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    1. I am starting to wonder if we will ever be free of these lockdowns. I have little confidence that we won't be plunged back into another one sooner or later.

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  34. Now I know what those bees I've seen lately are. Thanks for identifying the Eastern Carpenter Bee for me. You've seen some amazing insects and birds lately. One bird I haven't seen at all this year is the Cedar Waxwing. Some years there seems to be so many. Looks like your walks have been productive. Hope your week isn't as hot and humid as we are here in New Hampshire.

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    1. As you point out, Cedar Waxwings can be elusive but we know a couple of spots where they seem to hang out regularly so we can usually find a few. It is hot and muggy here too. Yesterday it was 32 awful degrees, with humidity piled on top of that. I am longing for the first frost!

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  35. Hi David.

    Wonderful what you show.
    That turkey vulture is very funny.
    Beautiful the flowers, insects and butterflies
    Beautiful Halloween streamers.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  36. Great assortment of photos. I always enjoy seeing flowers at this time of year, as time seems to be running out as the descent into Fall looms.

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  37. Hoi David,

    Wat een mooie soorten weer allemaal, vooral die voor jou inlandse libellen vind ik prachtig. Mooi ook die luzernevlinder en het staartblauwtje. En dan die bijzondere vliegenvanger, wat een mooie soort zeg.

    Groeten,
    Ad

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  38. Great photos!
    I especially like the Dragonflies! We see a lot of them here patrolling the shores of small ponds, but sitting still long enough for a photo? Almost never, or maybe I just don't have the patience to stand still and wait long enough.

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  39. Great captures. Oh, to have that patience...

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  40. ...I wish that I had the patience that these images show. Your butterfly captures are gorgeous, thanks for sharing!

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  41. Fantastic collection of photos! I thought you might like to know that I cannot see a moth now without thinking of you ;) Who knows, I may even learn their names one day!

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  42. You have some lovely pollinators here!

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  43. Those photos are lovely. Love all the little plant visitors although I had to shudder at the sight of the toad. I don't like them.

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  44. Love all the photos with the butterflies.
    Vultures are a bit scary.
    Your new header photo is quite nice David.

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  45. David, great photos of insects such as butterfly, beetles, housefly :-) I don't know many of them. Miriam's photographs show them as they are.
    The first photo was scary.

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  46. Your insect photos always amaze me. They never hold still long enough for me to get them in focus! All your yellow flowers of August 15th make me nostalgic for those end of the summer weeks at home in northern Minnesota. When I look at the photos, I can just hear the buzzing insects in my mind. Ahhhhhh!

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  47. Hello David,
    so close and at the same time such a great change, from one beautiful motif to another, very beautiful
    Greetings Frank

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  48. Hi David,
    I am impressed by the surprising variety of different species. The vulture, but above all the beautiful dragonflies are for me the highlights of what you show us here. Great post.
    Greetings, Kees

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  49. David - I am so impressed that you and Miriam can get so many shots of dragonflies. We have many around here, but I can't get close ... So, I enjoy looking at your photos, and learning the identification of these magnificent creatures, too!

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  50. I always enjoy my visits to your blog.
    Yet again, another wonderful post, chock-full of beautiful photographs.
    Thank you.

    All the best Jan

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  51. Maravilloso paseo querido amigo. Muchos de esos insectos y mariposas también las hay por aquí. Abrazos.

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  52. Well done, a lovely set of photos. I am really enjoying the diversity of you posts now. The dragonflies are amazing. Sorry I am not keeping up with blogs and comments just so much going on. Lots to do in the garden and I have not had time to process photos that I have taken, I am getting backlogged!! We are going to la Rochelle for 4 days (to take a break) and I know that when I return I will be snowed under with even more photos to process!! To add to that the figs and the quinces will be ready so more time spent in the kitchen. I will catch up one day!
    Hope all is well, best wishes to you both, Diane

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    1. We are deliberately taking far fewer pictures, Diane. The amount of time we were spending on editing was getting ridiculous. And even when edited and assigned to their appropriate folders, most of them will never be looked at again.

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  53. Your posts are always such an amazing array of nature. I'm a little late to this post, but do you think your fly might be one of the Spear-winged Flies (Family Lonchopteridae)?

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  54. Thank you very much David, beautiful series, wonderful photos

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