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.