Monday, August 15, 2022

More Odds and Ends

02 August, 2022
Columbia Lake, Waterloo, ON

     There is cause for despair over the long period of drought we have been experiencing, although our situation in southern Ontario is nowhere near as dire as in many parts of the world where entire ecosystems are being incinerated.


     When I see this parched lake-bed, baking in the sun, I cannot help but fume at the folly of continuing to ignore climate change. Entire trophic chains are obliterated under conditions such as this; how much they can recover is anyone's guess given that the planet is on target to get hotter over the next few decades. There are no benthic invertebrates to feed the myriad small creatures that inhabit the lake bottom, in turn preyed upon by small fish which fall victim to large fish, to provide food for obligate piscivores like ospreys, terns, kingfishers and so on, to say nothing of majestic eagles and stealthy herons - and on it goes. The link has been broken, and for those who think we are not affected by it, a rude awakening lies  in store.
     As John Donne so eloquently phrased it, "..... never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee."
     On the few areas where a little water persisted, and mud was created, Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) plied their trade.


     A couple of Spotted Sandpipers (Actitis macularius) flew in to join the parade, one of them disappearing almost immediately. How well they can blend into a rocky shore.


     This wonderfully attractive maple is an Amur Maple (Acer ginnala), native to eastern Asia, but now localized in the landscape of the temperate zones of North America.


     Attractive though it may be, it nevertheless competes with native species for scarce resources.
     A Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) exploits every nook and cranny of woodland and meadow with great success.


05 August, 2022
A Country Drive

     We went for a leisurely drive, primarily motivated by the desire to pick up fresh corn for dinner. In terms of birding, the dog days of summer are upon us, with most species busy raising a family, and with no need to sing, stillness descends on the landscape. Many species will already be winging their way south by month's end.
     A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) claimed a rock to himself; he was indeed king of the castle. 


     With lightening reflexes and a stiletto for a bill, I doubt there would be many challengers.
     Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) and their young are fattening up for the long journey ahead.


09 August, 2022
West Perth Wetlands, Mitchell, ON

     This location has long been one of our favourite destinations and over the years has delivered some outstanding species.


     Today we met a species brand new to us - our first genuine climate migrant. We chatted with a couple (and their dogs) who had moved to Mitchell from interior British Columbia, sick of dealing with the constant smell of smoke, with its attendant threat to respiratory health - to say nothing of the real possibility of losing their home to rampant, uncontrollable wild fires. There will doubtless be more to follow.
     Wood Ducks (Aix sponsa) have been a presence on the wetland for many years, and after a successful breeding season may be seen in very large numbers, in every stage of plumage from day-old duckling to adult, with males in transition from eclipse plumage back to their breathtaking splendour.


     Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) arrive from their Arctic breeding grounds and are happy to associate with ubiquitous Mallards (Anas platyrynchos).


     A Wood Duck joined the party to make it a trio.


     A Burr Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) had a prodigious crop of acorns.


     There will be many happy squirrels this year!
     No doubt Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) and American Robins (Turdus migratorius)  will be equally delighted with the fine crop of berries on Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus).


11 August, 2022
Columbia Lake, Waterloo, ON

     Miriam and I were sitting at home, unusually for us not doing much of anything, so we decided to visit Columbia Lake, a mere five minutes from our house, where a substantial contingent of Great Egrets (Ardea alba) had been reported. 
     All but one had departed, but one was enough for us, and we revelled in the graceful elegance of this denizen of the waterways.


     It is sobering to reflect on the fact that it was almost driven to extinction by feather traders seeking to satisfy the fashion for egret plumes for women's hats. And if you had a few stuffed hummingbirds to go along with it so much the better! 
     A Great Blue Heron is perhaps no less elegant than the egret, but pristine whiteness seems to confer extra cachet, probably because we are less familiar with it, and for no darker meaning than that.


     A Caspian Tern (Hydroprogne caspia) is an impressive bird with that blood-red bill looking vaguely like a carrot. Adult and juvenile together is a fine study.


     Inside the mouth of the bird is as crimson as the mandibles.


     Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis), as gulls are prone to do on a hot day, were happy to loaf at the water's edge.


     All of the foreground you see would normally be underwater, and as you may see from the standing gulls, it will not take many more days of heat to evaporate what water remains.
     A Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia) is very common in July and August.


     Coneflowers have passed their prime, probably at least in part due to being starved for moisture.


     Ants appeared to find what they were looking for on Wild Carrot (Daucus carota), otherwise known by the grander name, Queen Anne's Lace.


     At the far corner of the lake, partly shaded by trees is an area that holds water longer than anywhere else and the Caspian Terns were feeding there. Can you see them almost at dead centre in the picture?


     We saw them make a couple of successful plunges; no doubt the fish are compressed into ever smaller pools making for easy pickings. A second Great Blue Heron seemed to reinforce the point.


     Thanks for stopping by my blog today.
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

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

54 comments:

  1. ...at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge there is so little water. I wonder how serious things need to get to gain attention.

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  2. I often despair at our species, while revelling in the beauty of the natural world, which (in some cases) continues without us. Despite us.
    Loved seeing that the Caspian Tern's inner mouth matches the exterior. Thank you and Miriam for documenting the beauty and sounding (yet again) the warning.

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    1. I think that Miriam got a remarkable picture of the inside of the tern's mouth. She literally stalked the bird, taking a step, stopping, another step and so on, until she was close enough. One more step and I am pretty sure the bird would have flown, so she timed it perfectly.

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  3. Hari OM
    A fair rant, David...while there is a bit of me (as many) that sorta would like to see the world in a hundred or two hundred years time, the larger part of me quite relieved to heading into my own sunset and leaving all this deterioration behind. Meanwhile, we capture what we can of the beauty - and these shots are just gorgeous. YAM xx

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    1. The world is indeed in a sorry state, and all man made. Here The Rhine is a sorry sight, too, and people still don't realise that it's almost too late to change it. Glad you and Miriam found some birds to take pictures of, the close up of the red beak is fantastic, kudos to Miriam. Let's enjoy it as long as we can! BIG hugs, Valerie

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    2. I saw pictures of the Rhine. Unbelievable!

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    3. I'm with you, YAM. It's getting to the point where even on local walks I can see the deterioration from year to year.

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  4. In my 80 years, I've seen and photographed one egret. We are not on their flightpath to Lake Erie. Blue herons are my favorites; I can rely on them to reappear every spring.

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  5. I will tuni in your rant as it is fully justified. I didn't know that it has been that dry in your part of the world as well. It is a huge problem here as you know, but unfortunately there are still too many people who take water for granted and just water their large lawns daily without any regard to the dire situation. Humans seem to be the stupidest species and probably the only one who will succeed in extinguishing themselves. What a good day this will be for the planet. When it comes to wildfires - there doesn't seem to be a place anymore that won't have wildfires sooner or later I'm afraid. Even Germany already had several this summer, even in areas that are usually blessed with a lot of moisture. And there is no one else to blame but ourselves.
    Wonderful photos again - Miriam is a master! The photo of the open mouth of the Caspian Tern is a real winner!

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  6. Wonderful pictures and they eloquently depict the ravages of drought. That is much the state of things here as well. Let's hope we all get some relief soon.

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  7. Goodness it is very dry according to the first photo, hopefully rain will fall soon and no floods. The remainder of the photos are nice.

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  8. Here in the Netherlands we also have a major problem with the drought, it will not be long before shipping is no longer possible on the major rivers,
    There will always be people who deny that we have a climate crisis, just like with the corona pandemic, there are still people who deny it, how stupid can you be.
    The photos are beautiful again David.
    Greetings Irma

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  9. The climate changes must be easy to see now even for they who do not want to see them...
    The drough around the world is terrible.
    The coneflowers looks like they need rain too. I have Acer ginnala in my garden.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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  10. Hi David - the damage we're doing to our natural world is horrific and I do hope we don't pull the plug on life in the coming years ... I agree brilliant photo of the tern's mouth - thank you Miriam for that excellent shot. We've just had a good shower - not long enough, but not heavy enough to run off. Your odds and ends are delightful to see - cheers Hilary

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  11. Beautiful pictures !!!
    Nature is indeed gorgeous...and so different of what we have in Portugal.
    Animals suffer from the heat here, the lack of rain and fires...
    Have a nice day !
    Anna

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  12. Hello David,
    Beautiful birds and photos. I love the view at the West Perth Wetlands. The Plovers, Terns and the Barn Swallows are some of my favorites. Take care, enjoy your day!

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  13. The drought is really worrying David.
    Here too there is a lot of rain and it is getting warmer and warmer. ;-((
    Beautiful pictures of all those different bird species.
    Hope nature gets better soon.
    Greetings Tinie

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  14. We all need some rain...the water level of the Rhine has reached to a new low this week. Today is just 73cm. Those bird pictures are post cards worthy and so beautiful, David.

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  15. I walk around this island and enjoy the surroundings and the wildlife, wondering how long it will continue this way? We are on a fast moving train with no stops planned by the look of it, the point of no return is here I fear! I relish every minute in nature now!

    Wonderful post, David!

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    1. With luck we will enjoy some of it with you next June, Marie.

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  16. Thanks for these great photos, many of birds which I seldom see (here in mountains). After hurricanes we sometimes get seagulls in the parking lots next to the pigeons. Yes being aware of changes due to the climate crisis is important...as well as continuing the conversation, rather than avoiding/denying it.

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  17. I have lost all hope at the way people continue to ignore climate change.
    I had no idea that you had a drought in Canada currently. However, I do remember those awful wildfires in Vancouver last year during some spectacularly hot weather.
    Where is it that the Barn Swallows in Canada fly to for the winter? Very sadly I have noticed that many of our birds here are looking much thinner than usual.

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    1. Hi Rosemary: Our Barn Swallows fly to South America, principally to Amazonia, but some travel as far as northern Argentina. It's interesting that you mention that birds are looking thinner, no doubt due principally to the catastrophic decline in insect populations. You can drive all day here and never get a splat on the windshield.

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    2. We have noticed the same here - not one insect on our windscreen when we drove up and down to the Lake District - what a worry!

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  18. Estimado y querido amigo, tus primeras imágenes hablan por si solas. Así estamos en mi país, los pantanos y ríos están con un 25 % de caudal y en algunos casos menos, la sequía ya es un hecho terrible y faltaban los incendios. Esta semana es muy triste para mi ciudad, ya se han calcinado más de 10.000 hectáreas de un alto valor ecológico del Vall d'Ebo, es una zona tremendamente hermosa y de los pueblos cercanos 2000 familias han tenido que abandonar sus hogares. Lo que está ocurriendo este año no tiene parangón en la historia. A todo esto, los principales culpables son los ecologistas que no dejan hacer limpieza de bosques y crear cortafuegos, saben más que las propias gentes, que toda la vida han cuidado los montes. Los rebaños han disminuido drásticamente, antiguamente los pastores llevaban sus rebaños y hacían una buena labor de limpieza, ahora ni eso, ya que no quedan prácticamente por la presión de ecologistas y de la cantidad de lobos que acampan a sus anchas totalmente protegidos. En fin no te quiero cansar David, esto es un verdadero desastre y me produce una enorme tristeza. Probablemente, no haga falta una guerra nuclear para terminar con el planeta, ya estamos en ello poco a poco. Este año y hasta la fecha que aún no ha terminado el verano de todos los incendios registrados en Europa, mi país se lleva la palma con el 40 % del global de todos los incendios registrados. Es para echarse a llorar.
    Un gran abrazo amigo y compadre David.

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  19. L'eau manque de partout et maintenant on va avoir de gros orages qui vont tout détruire.
    Les hérons doivent avoir du mal à trouver du poisson, ma voisine a eu une poule éventrée par un héron!
    Belles photos comme toujours. Bonne soirée

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  20. The waters have dried up everywhere. The cracked earth is an unpleasant spectacle.

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  21. For the sake of the wild life, I hope rain arrives soon in your area. It is a few years now since we had a drought that was dry enough to crack the earth, and I wonder what this summer is going to bring us.

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  22. I worry for how the earth is drying up. I am so very fortunate to live in a place where we are not having this problem. The world is in a horrible place.

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    1. ".....where we are not having this problem." Yet!

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  23. A continuing delightful visit to nature and especially the variety of birds. The drought in some areas, flooding in others, excessive heat with climate change is certainly distressing. Creatures and humans are all challenged to adapt.

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  24. I'm sure,David, that the weather-related events of this year will help accelerate action, but whether it will be enough is another matter. Our temperatures here have dropped from mid 30s to 16°c (as I write this, mid morning) in just three days, and we have had much very welcome rain in the past 24 hours. In Scotland they have had sub-zero temparatures already! The whole situation is crazy! Thank you for reminding me of the words from John Donne.

    Thank you also for the encouragement, by showing us that, even in difficult circumstances, some aspects of nature are able to hang on in there.

    With best wishes to you and Miriam - - - Richard

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  25. El agua es fuente de vida y su carencia puede ser catastrófica. En mi tierra hay sequía y hay que tener cuidado con la poca que hay de no desperdiciarla.

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    1. Water conservation and careful use are going to have to become normal practice, as of course, it always should have been.

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  26. No aprendemos amigo. De seguir así el agua se convertirá en un lujo. Sin ella es imposible la vida. Empecemos a escuchar más el sonido de esas campanas que doblan por nosotros. Gracias David.
    Buena semana.
    Un abrazo.

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  27. Those Caspian terns are amazing. What good sightings, David, apart from things like the dried up lake bed. That's a little scary.

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  28. Great photos! I fear for our future, but I am encouraged that substantial climate provisions are in the just-signed bill here in the US. I'm anxiously waiting to see exactly what rebates I can get on certain energy-saving purchases.

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  29. David - I echo the many comments that have already been made. Despair. Frustration that there are still people who deny climate change. Those who water their lawns that have no right to exist in the zone in which they live. And yet, I have hope. The US just passed the most significant piece of climate legislation ever. The momentum may be shifting. We must continue to push for more, all over the world.

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    1. Hope and realism unfortunately are two different things, Angie. If I am not mistaken the climate bill was passed without a single Republican vote, and you wonder what will happen if (as seems likely) they regain control of the House in November, and I don't even want to contemplate the consequences of Trump being re-elected. The saddest thing recently was to see Liz Cheney so soundly defeated - and she was an ultra conservative. The cult of Trump has seized the land. I barely even recognize the United States any more, and "hope" is not an expectation I have for the future.

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  30. Hi David,
    A climate change is clearly going on. It will be a severe problem for mankind to cope with this. After all, it is not the only problem we have to deal with. When you see the signs nearby, you get even more impressed by the impact. Of course the problem is having diffrent influences in different parts of the world, but it is impossible to deny it. Who knows what the future brings, especially for the younger generations.
    Greetings, Kees

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  31. Amigo David, tu preocupación por el cambio climático es compartida por muchas personas y creo que hasta los más negacionistas acaban de darse cuenta de que es un hecho real el calentamiento del planeta y las catástrofes que eso pueden generarse en poco tiempo. En España estamos sufriendo la sequía cada año, este año está siendo más intensa, hay pueblos cercanos en donde tienen restricciones de agua y ya veo que pronto me llegará a mi casa, y aunque tenemos dos depósitos de recogida de agua de lluvia apenas regamos ¡el agua va a ser un lujo en nada de tiempo! El tema es alarmante.
    Muchos besos.

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  32. Great photos as usual David. This drought issue is scary though. We are in one here also. This is our second drought as we had another one a couple of years back. It affects so many things, including a worry of fires, gardens not growing well, and being on a well that it might run dry. Thankfully we had a nice rain yesterday afternoon and through the night, even if it isn't enough to fix the problem by a longshot. It's scary for certain. Hope some rain comes your way. hugs-Erika

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  33. Hi David.

    Yes the drought the world is completely confused with the climate.
    Fortunately, you were able to see beautiful species.
    I really like the Stern.

    Greetings from Patricia.

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  34. very sad about the lake drying up like that. Enjoyed the photos though.

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  35. Beautiful pictures as always, but sad indeed about the draught. And people still say global warming isn't happening, or that you can't even say the word. My Cone Flowers are pretty much spent, way ahead of schedule. For while we had warmer then normal temps so I assume that's why they didn't last as long. Now, however we're having fall weather, definatly not the dogs days of summer. It's been a very cool August for us. Temps in the mornings have only been between 50-60 which is crazy for August. I hope you got your corn and enjoyed it.
    Sandy's Space

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  36. Sad to see the parched lake-bed. Climatic change is serious, we can feel it here too. The future looks bleak.

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  37. We are finally getting some real rain, enough for water to be standing in the yard, even some in the ditch! It will be absorbed quickly. I'm hoping we get enough in the next few days of predicted storms to lift the burn ban at least for a few days.

    Our clasping leaved coneflowers and queen anne's lace bloom in the spring here. And I failed to mention, I think, on your last post that we had a group of 7 or 8 whistling ducks perch in one of our pecan trees last summer. I see them flying overhead in the evenings a lot.

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  38. The Semipalmated Plovers fooled me. At first glance, I thought they were Killdeer. I smiled at the turkey, too. One of my favorite bluegrass songs has a chorus that includes the line, "Long gone, like a turkey in the straw." They can disappear in a flash, that's for sure. The last time I was at the Konza Prairie outside Manhattan, Kansas, the fellow I was with suddenly stopped the jeep and got out. He brought me a turkey feather to look at; he'd picked it up in the middle of the road after seeing the birds cross. I never saw them.

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  39. Tus fotografías son preciosas. Siento mucho que el lago se seque, por España también hay bastante sequias, aún falta para que llueva. Los fuegos, la mayoría son intencionados, no sé como puede haber personas así, destruyéndolo todo. Un abrazo querido amigo.

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  40. The Caspian Terns are magnificent! I've never seen them in person before - what a treat that would be!

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    1. One of these days you have to visit southern Ontario, Amy, and we will take you on a nature walk.

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