RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

 "The natural world is the refuge of the spirit.....richer even than human imagination."

                                                                                                      E.O. Wilson

21 August 2022     

     Right at the start of our trail there is a small pond which we always check carefully. 

     Over the years there have been interesting sightings from deer to herons, from muskrats to duelling blackbirds. What you don't see in the above picture is an American Mink (Mustela vison) hard up against the far edge. We were too far from it for a decent shot anyway, but it swam behind the bush and never reappeared. You will have to take my word for it!

     The Carrot Seed Moth (Sitochroa palealis) lays its egg in the seed heads of Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) and we can never resist, at this time of the year, trying to find one.

     I am quite sure that Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) are far more adept at locating the lavae than we are, and they relish this highly nutritious supplement to their diet.

     Most goldenrods found in Ontario are placed in the genus Solidago; Flat-topped Goldenrod (Euthamia graminifolia) is sufficiently different from other species to be assigned to the genus Euthamia. The specific epithet graminifolia means "grass leaved", a reference to the linear leaves.

     Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) is very attractive in early spring when it is one of the first plants to adorn our woodlands, but when its blue berry-like seeds are revealed in late summer it is equally splendid.

     I read recently that a field of cows is viewed by many as a classic tranquil, pastoral scene, but I would offer a stream with Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) as its equal.

     Often overlooked due to their familiarity they certainly merit more than a casual glance.

     A Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) landed in front of us and was very cooperative.

     It is of course not spotted once it sheds its breeding plumage, but it is still a very striking bird.

     Hedge Bindweed (Calystegia sepium) is a familiar plant known by a dizzying variety of colloquial names, Granny-pop-out-of-bed being my favourite, but it does serve to reinforce the value of learning the scientific name to eliminate doubt.

     Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) is a lovely plant, found in marshy areas, sometimes in standing water.

     Rain has been a scarce commodity in southern Ontario this summer and most creeks and small tributaries have dried up.

     Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) is ubiquitous through our region with its lovely white flowers and ensnaring tendrils.

     Two-banded Petrophila (Petrophila bifascialis) is a very common diurnal moth in August.

     This sparrow is giving me a little trouble in terms of ID. It is certainly a Melospiza sparrow and Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) would be the most likely candidate, but I am leaning towards Lincoln's Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii), although it seems a tad early for this species. Climate change, however, is overturning many patterns of migration.

     Tyrant Flycatchers (family Tyrannidae) in the genus Empidonax are very difficult to identify one from the other when they are not singing. This individual is probably an Alder (E. alnorum) or Willow Flycatcher (E. traillii), but I can't say which with certainty.

     We were very excited to encounter a fine-looking example of Homo sapiens, a female if I am not mistaken, in the subspecies ebikeensium, only recently discovered by scientists, but with an expanding population it would appear.

      This species is known for bright colouration of  dazzling variety, a protective head shield that varies in shape and hue, excellent balance, and a marked enthusiasm for bursts of speed and manoeuvrability.

        It was the supreme pleasure of our outing to come across this outstanding individual. 

      Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a lovely perennial flowering plant.

     The seed pods of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) are well formed and will soon be splitting open to release their seeds to the wind.

     There is a prominent rock in the Grand River and I would hazard a guess that at least fifty percent of the time it has a gull resting on it. In this case it is a Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis).

     An American Herring Gull (Larus smithsonianus) preferred to rest on the water.

     We passed the impressive nest of what I am pretty sure is a Bald-faced Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula maculata), sometimes referred to as Bald-faced Hornet.

     On page 79 of The Social Wasps of North America (Kratzer, 2022), there is an almost identical picture. This a species you really don't want to irritate!

     Tamarack (Larix lariciae) is one of my favourite trees, with its tiny cones.

     Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) is highly valued by a variety of animals, human hikers included!

     I have to credit Miriam's sharp eyes for spotting this Willow Pinecone Gall Midge, containing the larva of the Gall Gnat Midge (Rabdophaga strobiloides).

     Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) seems to colonize even the most meagre patch of bare ground.

     If you look carefully you will see a land snail just to the right of the leftmost flower, probably in the genus Cepea.

     A Honey Bee (genus Apis) is well-loaded with pollen.

     Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) always resembles a cuddly toy to me.

     For those paranoid, or at the very least overly concerned about being stung by a bumble bee, rest assured that if you leave it alone it is quite happy to return the favour. If it does feel compelled to sting, it pays with its life.

     A Small Carpenter Bee (genus Ceratina) is very attractive too.

     What could be more delightful to end our walk than Chicory (Cichorium intybus)?

     Perhaps we can all re-dedicate ourselves to preserving and protecting all that nature has to give. The future deserves no less.