The Mill Race

 08 August, 2023

The Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

     It's always a good day to explore on the Mill Race Trail, one of our favourite spots in Waterloo Region. I met Miriam in 2002 and it was within a very short period that we took our first stroll there and have been doing so ever since - in all seasons I might add. I  figure that over all those years we have walked there on average three times a month, for a total of around 750 visits. Each one has been exciting and rewarding and I hope we do it at least as many times again.

     Even as we parked the car a male Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) was there to greet us.

     That's a royal welcome if ever there was one!

     A juvenile male Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was there too.

      We were already ecstatic, but we knew there was much more to come.

     It was not long before we happened on a fine example of American Germander (Teucrium canadense).

     White Avens (Geum canadense) dotted the stream bank here and there.

     White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) is both common and confiding along the Mill Race.

     Common Hemp Nettle (Galeopsis tetrahit) is betrayed as a nettle by its leaves, so despite its gorgeous flower it's better to resist the temptation to touch it - unless painful itching is what you are looking for!

     White-striped Black (Trichodezia albovittata) is an attractive diurnal moth that we have encountered quite often this year, much to our delight.

      It is generally found in moist, deciduous woodlands where the host plant of its larvae, Spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) grows.

     Many plants have red berries from mid to late summer, Red Baneberry (Actea rubra) being just one of them.

     Speaking of red, you are all familiar with this handsome fellow, a resplendent male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis).

     Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is not so sensationally hued but is no less appealing.

     Butterflies were frequently seen but few enabled us to get a picture. A very handsome Red-spotted Purple (Limentis arthemis astyanax) was one of the exceptions.

     A Golden Sweat Bee (Augochlorella aurata) seemed quite at home on Common Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis).

     Interestingly this ground-nesting species is social or eusocial at lower elevations, and solitary at higher elevations or northern latitudes. It is to my eye exceptionally beautiful.

     Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is well known by even the most casual of naturalists and captures the attention of a wide range of pollinators.

     Goldenrod (genus Solidago) provides a prodigious volume of pollen and this Cluster Fly (genus Pollenia) is taking full advantage of it.

     Cluster flies, parasites of earthworms, pose no danger to human health since they do not feed on human food. They do, however, enter buildings for warmth and shelter during the cold months of the year. In yet another example of human folly (if we needed one), cluster flies have thrived since the introduction to North America of European earthworms, yet another suite of non-native species.

     Wasps abound in August; many defy specific identification, however.

Genus Cerceris (Typical Weaver Wasps and Allies)

Genus Ancistrocerus (Potter and Mason Wasps)

      An Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) landed in front of us and very obligingly stayed in position for a minute or two.

     The underside shows quite distinctly how this butterfly comes by its name.

     A tree seemed to be oozing sweet sap and a wasp and several flies were attracted to it.

     Water Forget-me-nots (Myosotis scorpioides) are reminiscent of the familiar flower of woodland and garden.

     There were so many insects to delight the eye.

Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria)

Orange-legged Drone Fly (Eristalis flavipes)

Thick-legged Hover Fly (Syritta pipiens)

     Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) is easily found by the careful observer, and this individual was quietly perched trying to remain inconspicuous.

     Many Sarcophagid flies have prominent red-orange eyes. 

     Of European ancestry they are found in the Cryptic Carnaria-group Flesh Flies (what a mouthful!) - Sarcophoga carnaria. This fly is sometimes referred to as the "friendly fly" due to its proclivity to land on people - they do not bite and are totally harmless.

     Broadleaf Arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia) was its usual spectacular self.

     Stream Bluets (Enallagma exsulans) were frequently observed patrolling up and down over the water, males searching for mates.

     The following fly is in the genus Phaonia, a member of the large fly family Muscidae, a family that includes the familiar house flies.

     Phaonia is an obligate carnivore on other insect larvae.

     Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus germinatus) is one of our more common hover flies, often found on flowers as shown below where it feeds on nectar and pollen.

     There may be things more delightful than an American White Waterlily (Nymphaea odorata) on a languid summer's day, but right now I am hard pressed to think what that might be.

     This Robber Fly (genus Machimus) seems to have secured prey.

     It matters not how many times you see an Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus), it never fails to strike you that it is so damn cute!

     A couple of ardent Powdered Dancers (Argia moesta) were intent on securing the future.

     Odenates give a whole new meaning to sticking together!

     Small Whites (Pieris rapae) danced over the top of vegetation everywhere, even pausing for a moment here and there.

     Sociable Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) just seemed to be enjoying life.

     A Summer Azure (Celestrina neglecta) flitted around in front of us, tantalizing but unapproachable, until finally it landed, and permitted photos from every angle.

     An Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) appeared to be settling in to devour its prey.

     Last year and this we had lamented that we had not seen an Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) along the Mill Race, formerly a reliable breeding species, so imagine our delight when we came upon a family group.

     We had arrived happy and left even happier.

Mennonites in the field

     On the way home we stopped to watch a group of Mennonites tending their crop, the men working, the girls there to no doubt offer encouragement!

     It is truly delightful, isn't it?

     There are more reasons that I could list in a week why it is pleasant to live in this area, but the presence of a strong Mennonite community is incontestably one of them.