Meanderings of Late

11 May, 2023

Lakeside Park, Kitchener, ON

     A Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) was there to welcome us to the park - a very agreeable beginning to our visit.

     Many years ago Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) was one of the most common birds found in an eastern deciduous woodland, but this is no longer the case. Its place seems to have been taken somewhat by its close cousin, Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus).

     Alternate-leaf Dogwood (Cornus alternifolia) was looking exceptionally handsome, I thought.

     Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) was, as is often the case, the most common warbler.

     The presence of this Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) no doubt caused many songbirds to remain hidden and silent.

     Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is much maligned, but is by any measure a very handsome bird.

     A male Black-throated Blue Warbler (Setophaga caerulescens) revived memories of Cuba where it was very common, preparing for its long migratory journey.

     Jack-in-the-Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is both interesting and beautiful, and it always brings great pleasure when we come across it.

12 May, 2023

Benjamin Park, Waterloo, ON

     The White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) bears the honour of being the Flower of Ontario, and it is one of our favourite blooms.

     It carpets our woodlands and really brings us joy.

     Every flower is special.

     Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) is also spectacularly beautiful, but I think for us, white reigns supreme. I could tell you that it's on account of my purity and  virtue, but I doubt that you would believe me!

     May-Apple (Podophyllum peltatum) puts in an appearance around the same time as the trilliums.

     Miriam really managed to capture the sublime iridescence of a Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) in this picture.

     Wood Forget-Me-Not (Myosotis sylvatica) is a lovely component of the woodland carpet.

     Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) as usual was reluctant to show its ruby crown.

14 May, 2023

SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

     "Springtime is bustin' out all over," to borrow from Rodgers and Hammerstein, and nowhere is it more apparent than at SpruceHaven.

     Just look at this resplendent male American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis).

     Does your heart not burst with happiness at the mere sight of such charm and beauty?

     Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) have returned in good numbers and they too bestow considerable enchantment on us.

     They have wasted no time in claiming occupancy of the nest boxes we have provided for them. After all it's the least we can do, having removed so many natural cavities, and imported aggressive House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) to evict them, sometimes with lethal consequences.

     Fortunately, at SpruceHaven the guerrilla warfare with House Sparrows is not a significant factor in the breeding success of this glorious hirundine.

     Once before I discovered the nest of a Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum), close to the house actually, so perhaps this individual is a male with his partner incubating eggs.

     We have had a moderate degree of success with Eastern Bluebirds (Sialis sialia) and hope that they too will call SpruceHaven home this year.

16 May, 2023

Lakeside Park, Kitchener, ON

     Palm Warbler (Setophaga palmarum) has been quite common this year - as it usually is - and always delightful, with its endearing tail-pumping behaviour.

     Several British blogs have recently featured bluebell woodlands where the floral carpet is breathtakingly beautiful. We don't have anything to rival that in Ontario, but I thought that dense patches of Forget-me-nots have a certain charm too.

     It is quite clear that Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta marginata) did not have floral appreciation on their minds when they clambered aboard a log to bask in the temperature-regulating spring sunshine.

     Dryad's Saddle (Polyporus squamosus) is widespread and common throughout the woodlands of southern Ontario.

     Yellow Morel (Morchella esculenta) is edible and eagerly sought after by foragers.

     While I am very fond of mushrooms, I prefer to leave wild specimens in place as part of the forest ecosystem.

     A Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) is always a welcome sight.

     As mentioned earlier, Warbling Vireo, is common, often heard singing incessantly before being sighted.

     A Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) is always a model of refined elegance.

     This robust male House Sparrow seems to have attracted the attention of two females. What a lucky chap!

     Red-eyed Vireo, erstwhile champion of the woodlands, is sometimes hard to find in recent times.

18 May, 2023

Dryden Tract, Cambridge, ON

     We joined the lovely Lisa Den Besten to meander through this enchanting grove of ancient forest, with warblers at every step of the way. That doesn't mean that we have photographs, however; now that the trees are fully leafed out warblers can be frustratingly difficult to see, even as they sing gleefully right above your head.

     Trilliums at your feet are much easier.

     An Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) trilled gaily to us and then perched where we could snap a picture.

     Shagbark Hickory (Carya ovata) is like a good many humans, a few of whom I even know - getting old and a little flaky!

     I know that Marit can never get enough of Trilliums so here is one more picture just for her.

     What an impressive representation of forest renewal as the flower is thriving in the decaying remains of an old tree now returning life-sustaining nutrients to the forest floor.

     Just before we ended our walk two male Scarlet Tanagers (Piranga olivacea) vied for the attention of a female.

     If you were going to write your own ending to the tale you couldn't do much better than that!