A Fine First Day of August

 At Home, Waterloo, ON

     As we headed out the door Miriam spotted this  Shadow Darner (Aeshna umbrosa) stationary on a bush in the front yard.

     This is our first visit from this large, striking dragonfly. It regularly patrols up and down rivers and ponds, with feeding forays into moist woodland edges, so what it was doing in suburbia I have no idea. It was a welcome guest, however.

Mill Race Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

     This is one of our favourite local trails, never failing to deliver something of interest, and on a weekday it is quiet with not much human traffic - exactly to our liking.

     Eastern Black Walnuts (Juglands nigra) have had a very good year.

     Squirrels will be happy.

     Several kinds of Honeysuckle (genus Lonicera) thrive in southern Ontario, all quite similar in appearance to my unskilled eye.

     Stream Bluets (Enallagma exsulans) were quite common and delighted us in so many ways.

     At times the sun would catch them in flight and they positively sparkled.

     Both Miriam and I take great pleasure in Common Water Striders (Aquarius remigis) and never fail to accord them their due.

     Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) were seen frequently and seemed the very essence of riverine tranquility. 

     They can be quarrelsome at times but today peace and civility reigned.

     Newly independent American Robins (Turdus migratorius) found their own food if they had to, but were still not above haranguing their long-suffering parents to cajole them into surrendering tasty morsels.

     Tiny cones are emerging on Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis).

     I know a woman, a staunch naturalist, who has called her son Thuja. Sounds like a great name to me.

     The Water Plantain (Alismataceae) family was well represented.

     White Campion (Silene latifolia) is both delicate and beautiful.

     Common Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) is exceptionally appealing, the interior resembling a gemstone - hence the name, jewelweed.

     It is found in wet areas including marshes and seepages, and is a very important food source for Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilocus colubris) as this tiny bird fuels up for its long journey south. A jewel of a bird feeding on a jewel of a plant.

     Two-banded Petrophila (Petrophila bifascialis) seems to be inordinately attracted to Goldenrod spp (Solidago) although I have found nothing in the literature to confirm this. 

     We took several pictures of different individuals and all were on goldenrod. As I look at pictures taken in the past it appears to be equally attracted to Canada Thistle (Cirsium muticum). It rests during the day and becomes active at night.

     As you will notice there are numerous small beetles (order Coleoptera) on the flowers, but I have been unable to identify them.

     I have already mentioned that we saw many Stream Bluets; at times verging on abundant.

     What would a stroll along the Mill Race be without a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus), or two or ten?

     I am sure that I could see a chickadee every minute for the rest of my life and never tire of them; their appeal is eternal.

     Common Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are generally on patrol at night, so it was surprising to encounter this individual in broad daylight.

     At times, Powdered Dancers (Argia moesta) rivalled Stream Bluets in abundance.

     A Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) did its best to appear invisible.

     Common Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is the bane of unfortunate hay fever sufferers, as vast quantities of irritating pollen are dispersed on the air.

     False Bindweed (genus Calystegia) dots the bankside here and there, glittering amongst the green like a little jewel.

     An Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) had stopped by the farm gate, as though to seek permission to enter.

     This wasp, a species of Potter Wasp may be found in the genus Ancistrocerus.

     It packs a powerful sting and it's fortunate that we generally escape being stung. Look, admire, but leave it alone is the best plan of action.

     A family group of Mallards was extremely agreeable, the young having become almost as big as the adult.

     Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) is a splendid plant, standing upright in the water, with delicate white flower clusters.

     Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), mischievous as ever, were scampering up and down tree trunks and nibbling on berries.

     Here you see the treetops reflected in the water, with patches of sky penetrating the canopy.

     A juvenile Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) still has much to learn about life, but he will join the safety of a flock before undertaking his first migration in a couple of months.

     Would that I had the good looks of a Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula).

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is a highly invasive introduced plant, deleterious in its impact on native vegetation yet surpassingly beautiful and favoured by pollinators.

     It's worthwhile to point out that we saw much more. One cannot get a photograph of everything.  A Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) cruised along beside us as Great Crested Flycatchers (Myiarchus crinitus) whistled their cheery greeting. American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus americanus) deftly hopped out of our way and Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) caroled us with their familiar refrain. Fish swam in shoals and myriad small insects massed above the water. Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) operated with their normal appealing boldness and panache. And on it goes.

    I have had a long and productive life and have seen many things. When you boil it all down, it really doesn't get much better than this.