Benjamin Park, Waterloo, and the Health Valley Trail, St. Jacobs

What is all intercourse with nature if by the analytic method we merely occupy ourselves with individual material parts, and do not feel the breath of the spirit, which prescribes every part its direction, and orders, or sanctions, every deviation, by means of an inherent law?

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

17 August, 2023

Benjamin Park, Waterloo, ON

     

     This park is right behind our house, so is always convenient for a walk if we are pressed for time or don't wish to drive.

     A very handsome Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) seemed to beg for a portrait.

     Herb Robert (Geranium robertianum) is an exquisite little flower.

     A Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) was foraging on goldenrod (genus Solidago), a magnet for so many species.

     The family Dolichopodidae, (Long-legged Flies) contains a huge number of species in many genera. It is very difficult to narrow identification down to species, but the following attractive individual is in the genus Condostylus.

     The path meandered onwards.

     A Bumble Bee (genus Bombus) was busily foraging.

     A Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) was no less occupied.

     A Brown-lipped Snail (Cepaea nemoralis) went about its business undisturbed by us.

     Small White (Pieris rapae), formerly known as Cabbage White,  is one of our most common butterflies.

     The nymph of the Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris)is a very attractive little creature.

     Perennial Sow Thistle (Sonchus arvensis) is proliflic; considered noxious and invasive by some, but the flower is undeniably beautiful.

     Its windborne seeds, often referred to as fluff, are widely dispersed facilitating the spread of the plant.

     The curiously named Obedient Plant (Physostegia virginiana) is a delight to the eye.

     A female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) appears to have been the victim of a massive infestation of feather mites and its head was totally denuded.

     Hopefully it will recover without permanent harm.

19 August, 2023

Health Valley Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

     The Health Valley Trail runs from Waterloo to St. Jacobs, and we approach it from both ends, going half way before retracing our footsteps. This time we started in St. Jacobs.

     It was not long before we saw our first Two-banded Petrophila (Petrophila bifascialis), common, but exceedingly handsome.

     A European Greenbottle Fly (Lucilia sericata) is exceptionally colourful when viewed in good light.

     Spreading Dogbane (Apocynum androsaemifolium) is a pleasing addition to any late summer walk.

     The Grand River is never far from view; always lovely.

     If there is one creature that can cause Miriam to hiss, spit and curse it is Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) - but only when it ravages her garden. On the trail it is an appealing addition to our walk.

     Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) is best left undisturbed to go about its business.

     An Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus germinatus) was perched quite whimsically at the end of a leaf.

     It's always a pleasure to find a new species and then doing the research to establish its identity. So it was with the Drury's Long-horned Bee (Mellisodes druriellus).

     I am fortunate to have a great library at my disposal and I use all the references in combination to clinch the ID (and sometimes even then it's not possible). I check the internet too but always as a backup and not as the primary source. The information there is not always accurate and pictures are quite often misidentified.

     Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) is like an old friend you never tire of seeing.

     Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) is quite common here, yet it is designated in The Social Wasps of North America (2022), Chris Alice Kratzer's fabulous book that has become my 'bible' for social wasps, as "critically understudied." 

     Seems like an excellent opportunity for a thesis for some budding young entomologist.

     Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were adept at flycatching, and there was no lack of aerial insects for them to hone their skill.

     Rock Doves (Columbia livia) favour human structures and this individual was perched on the underside of a railway bridge.

     A Box Elder (Acer negundo) was loaded with seeds.

     I don't expect you to be able to identify the bird below as a Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) but the picture gives you an idea how difficult it sometimes is to get a good look at a small songbird when the foliage is dense.

     A Cape May Warbler (Setophaga tigrina), in the same tree, was a little more cooperative.

     I always look forward to the emergence of New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), and it appears that a Ligated Furrow Bee (Halictus ligatus) was equally enamoured.

     Common Ringlet (Coenonympha california) is one more species that takes full advantage of goldenrod (Solidago spp.).

     A Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is really quite splendid and it posed nicely for a picture.

     Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens), on the other hand, does its best to remain concealed.

     Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis) was numerous and this one even stopped briefly in camera range.

     A couple of American Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) seemed happy atop a tree.....

     ..... overlooking the Grand River.

     This is a fine example of Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor), I think you'll agree.

     We often see apple trees (genus Malus) and I am never quite sure whether they are wild or a domestic strain that somehow was seeded along a trail, perhaps by an action as innocent as throwing away an apple core.

     We were mere steps from the car when a cheery American Robin (Turdus migratorius) popped up, as though to bid us goodbye, with a firm invitation to return.

     If ever you're in the neighbourhood you might want to accompany us on one of our walks. I think you'd enjoy it and I know the robin would be happy to see you.