WRN Outing to the Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

     I was happy to organize an outing for Waterloo Region Nature to the Mill Race Trail in St. Jacobs, a well-loved spot. As has been my custom for the past few years I run the event twice - once on a weekday and again on Saturday, so that people who still must earn their daily bread have a chance to participate.

11 January, 2023

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman, Lisa Den Besten, Barry Earle, Karen Earle, Lynne Elliot, Bob Fraser, Curtiss MacDonald, Marianne McIntosh, Elaine Mowbray

Guests: Joanne Makulski, Paul Makulski, Crystal Rose.

Barry, Karen, Joanne, Paul, Lynne, Curtiss, David, Elaine, Marianne, Bob, Crystal, Lisa

     It was a pleasant day by Ontario winter standards, a mere minus two, not as sunny as we might have hoped, but pleasant nonetheless. Everyone was delighted to be out to explore the wonderful world of nature in the company of like-minded individuals.

     Miriam took a picture of the Conestogo River before we set off on the trail.

     Usually by this date in January it would be frozen, but winters have been mild of late and the river flows freely.

     Errant spray forms scintillating structures.

     The nest of a Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) seems to have been little damaged by recent strong winds, and hung as a reminder to all of us that spring is on the way.

     Everyone, young or old, is anxious to feed a chickadee, and we wasted no time stretching out our hands with seed aplenty. 

     Crystal had high hopes.

     Success was not long in coming.

     A Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) remained aloof from the feeding frenzy, content to gather seeds upon the ground.

     A little farther down the trail everyone replenished their seed to give it another try.

     The ubiquitous Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) have quickly associated people with food and swam to greet us.

     Had I my wits about me before leaving home I could have brought cracked corn for them; unfortunately we had nothing to share, except our deep appreciation of their beauty, and the pleasure they bring to our lives.

     American Beavers (Castor canadensis) have constructed formidable dams this year, and I suppose that the trail was in danger of flooding, so the structures were broken up to allow the water to flow downstream.

     It really is a shame that this had to happen. Even industrious beavers are no match for humans and their heavy equipment. 

     Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) must surely take one of the top spots of Ontario's most beautiful birds and we are indebted to Lisa for finding a small flock for us.

     Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) has expanded its range greatly over the past thirty years or so and is frequently the most common picid on our walks.

     Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) accompanied us pretty much the whole way.

     White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) are a familiar sight along the Mill Race, always delightful to see, especially when they come within arm's length.

     Even better when they land on your hand.

     Marianne had to be content with a chickadee.

     Many Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) skittered along the path, and burst into flight showing their white outer tail feathers like a beacon.

    The ice formations are at times nothing short of magical.

     And Miriam has an eye for them and captures them for all to see.

     A couple of female Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) plied their way along the Conestogo River.

     We all visited the Eco Café in St, Jacobs where we enjoyed warmth, hot coffee and muffins or tea biscuits, and access to washrooms - for which the ladies are especially grateful.

     On the way we spotted a female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) perched grandly in a tree.

    Several House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) disported nearby, including this very handsome male.

     American Red Squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) were their normal feisty selves, letting us know exactly what they thought of us!

     It had been a delightful walk, enjoyed by everyone. We'll do it again on Saturday morning!

14 January, 2023

Leader: David M. Gascoigne

Members: Miriam Bauman, Janet Ozaruk, Tracey Rayner, Mary Ann Vanden Elzen

Tracey, David, Janet, Mary Ann

     We were a cozy little group as we set off together to enjoy a winter walk. The temperaure was minus twelve degrees and it was gloriously sunny.

     Quite a bit of ice had formed on the Conestogo River and it sparkled in the pellucid light of early morning.

     A pair of Mallards handled the conditions with equanimity.

     I had not met up with Tracey for quite a while and it was great to see her again. Recent good intentions had been thwarted by inclement weather or family commitments.

     She is a true child of nature, enchanted with everything that dwells upon this Earth, animate or inanimate. There is no greater pleasure for her than to get out in nature alone, to experience the joy of interconnectedness with all that surrounds her. On a recent solo expedition through the forest she cogently noted that "the only scary part of being alone was when she encountered other humans."

     I am reminded of the words of the great ecotheologian, Thomas Berry, "We must say of the universe that it is a communion of subjects, not a collection of objects." Tracey embodies that spirit.

     The Mill Race was frozen over in stark contrast to just a few days earlier.

     The refracted light of the sun danced before our eyes and starbursts exploded on the trees.

     Everyone was keen to share the morning with a chickadee of course and it was time to share some birdseed.     

     Success was not long in coming.

     A Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) watched the goings-on from high atop a tree.

     As always, numerous White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) kept us company along the trail, often serenading us as they perched alongside us, ever anxious to obtain a little food.

     We were intrigued by these holes in the bark of a trunk, but never reached a conclusion as to who or what made them.

     Snow creates its own brand of magic,

     The brilliant red berries of Japanese Barberry (Barberis thunbergii) were nothing short of uplifting.

     There are so many nuances to a winter wonderland - a hackneyed phrase perhaps but nonetheless true.

     The reflection on the ice only added to the allure of a sparkling day.

     While stopping to scan along the river, we espied three Muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), apparently feeding on vegetation just below the surface of the water.

     Here are two of them brought in a little closer.

     Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) were quite common, taking advantage of seed piles left by caring humans.

     Janet scanned for interesting things.

     It was a day for Muskrats, this time on the Mill Race side.

     White-breasted Nuthatches have fed from my hand many times, but none for as long as this individual.

     It stayed there for close to a minute I would guess, feeding on one seed after another, finally flying off to cache provisions for future consumption.

     While I was feeing the nuthatch, a Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) roamed through the cedars close at hand, never remaining still for a moment, and difficult to photograph.

     We spent a wonderful morning with much stimulating conversation, and coffee taken together at the Eco Café. We must do it again soon!