Highlights From Here and There

      This post represents a few highlights from recent walks, and events at home, with no theme other than nature is on display!

     The Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) which provided such a stunning burst of colour when in bloom, has gone to seed, but is no less spectacular.

     Mother Nature weaves her magic tapestry in many different ways.

    I recently purchased a new bird feeder, which is not entirely effective, and I bought with it a cylinder of safflower seed, a first for me. I was assured that squirrels do not care for safflower seed; nobody told the squirrels in my yard, however.

     They are very adept at knocking off the cap and sitting on top of the seed munching away. The moral of this story is that you should not let anyone convince you to buy safflower seed. The squirrels are dining well, but the birds seem not to enjoy it all. I have seen only one American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) trying it, and quickly returning to the feeder containing sunflower hearts.

     American Beavers (Castor canadensis) have been industriously preparing for winter.

     What would a walk along the Mill Race Trail be without the company of a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)?

     Fungi are always interesting in all their diverse forms and colours, none more appealing perhaps than this beautiful polypore.

     American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) are ubiquitous but not always easy to photograph.

     You may see a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and be as enchanted as the first time you ever saw one.

     For me, a Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) engenders a similar reaction.

     House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) have not been slow to learn that friendly humans bring bird seed to Riverside Park and this female was patiently waiting her turn at the table.

     An Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) muscles its way into the feast.

     An Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is no less persistent.

     When most people recall a Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) it is the bold, handsome male that springs to mind. Give a thought to the elegant female too.

     At Humber Bay Park in Toronto we came across the most cooperative Merlin (Falco columbarius) ever!

     It flew to a bare tree directly in front of us - and nearby.

     We watched it for close to fifteen minutes and it remained there when we left.

     It was a remarkable encounter with a bird that can be frustratingly difficult to keep company with.

     A pair of Hooded Mergansers (Lophodytes cucullatus) takes your breath away every time.

     Unconscionable pet owners continue to release alien species into the environment where they have the potential to spread disease and outcompete native organisms for scarce resources.

     Red-eared Sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) have been able to withstand our cold winters and are now successfully breeding in southern Ontario.

     DeKay's Brownsnake (Storeria dekayi) is not uncommon, but is so secretive it is seldom seen.

     We were very happy to see this harmless little snake.

     Let me leave you with a picture of one of my favourite birds, Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis), under-appreciated and often maligned. 

     On your best day you never looked this good!

     There seems to be one issue or another with Blogger these days. The latest glitch is that when I scroll down my Reading List and get to the point where the "Load more" option shows, nothing happens when I click on it. I am unable to proceed to older posts. So, if I have neglected to comment on any of your posts it indicates no lack of interest. If I don't get to them before Blogger consigns them to the ether somewhere, and prevents me from going back to them, I have no way of knowing that I missed one.

     Remember the days when it all worked so well?