The Linear Trail, Cambridge, ON

 13 August, 2023

     The Linear Trail is exactly what its name implies, a straight trail, rather than a loop. It has been our custom over many years to start at the same end, but we decided it was time for a change and we began our walk at the other end. We were joined by Lisa and we set off together in high spirits.

     A Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) was there to welcome us.]

     We noticed many plants infested with leaf galls, the work of Phylloxera caryaesemen.

     This bug seems to be indiscriminate in its choice of host plant.

     Angelica (genus Angelica) was doing well.

     The characteristic larvae of Fall Webworm Moth (Hyphantria cunea) were almost in plague proportions!

     The larvae construct these rather unsightly tents and are capable of defoliating a tree. Fall Webworm Moth is the most common tent-making caterpillar in much of North America.

     Dryad's Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus) is a very common fungus; my hand will give you an idea of the size of this specimen.

     When you really start to look, it is quite startling how many plants are affected by Gall and Rust Mites (family Eriophyidae).

     I am sure that those who suffer from hay fever shudder at the mere thought of Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), but it was robust and healthy in several spots along the trail.

     It was a gorgeous summer day and the Grand River looked splendid.

     These Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) are probably all that remains of a family that started out with as many as eight or ten ducklings. There are so many predators of these young birds.

     One of my favourite books on waterfowl is the classic (my judgment) work The Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America by that great Canadian naturalist, F.H. Kortright. The language is quite lyrical and I was struck the other day when looking at this book for the sheer of pleasure of doing so, by the phrase, "The Mallard is a great destroyer of mosquito life." Styles do change, don't they?

     Since featuring Jerusalem Artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) on a recent post I have gathered that people either love it or hate it. Several have commented that it tends to cause excessive flatulence, while others say it makes divine soup. Perhaps both are true. Regardless, its flower is beautiful.

     A Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) is like an old friend.

     As we move ever closer to Fall, fungi are starting to pop up here and there, and I thought this False Puffball (Reticularia lycoperdon) exceptionally attractive.

     As you might imagine, we were thrilled to see a Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), surely one of Ontario's avian superstars.

    The highly invasive, rapidly spreading Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is a legacy from early European settlers we would prefer not have been bequeathed.

     The berries are highly valued by numerous birds species, especially American Robin (Turdus migratorius),  but they have a strong laxative effect, so that seeds are dropped in the vicinity where they were consumed and dense, impenetrable stands of buckthorn develop quickly and exclude native species. (Note added 04 September - All credit to Lisa who alerted me to the fact that this conventional wisdom about buckthorns and its excessive cathartic effect is unsupported by evidence, and indeed I have been unable to find any. The literature is full of references to this alleged condition, but it seems to have been a supposition passed down, thereby acquiring the mantle of truth. In fact, buckthorns seem to have no more laxative consequences than other fruit. As Christopher Hitchins so wisely remarked, "What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence." Thanks for your dedicated sleuthing, Lisa).

     A squirrel drey is not needed for warmth at this time of the year, but is no doubt still jealousy guarded by its owners.

     My probing tells me that this very attractive plant is a species of Onion (genus Allium) but I am unable to tell you more than that.

     Two-banded Petrophila (Petrophila bifascialis) is very common in August.

     Red-spotted Purple (Limentis arthemis astyanax) is always a welcome sight, fluttering on large wings, or perching for a photograph.

     Pale Jewelweed (Impatiens pallida) is delicate and very pleasing to the eye.

     It will not be long before this female Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) is stirring for migration.

     Another Song Sparrow dropped by to say hello.

     Where there had previously been one Cedar Waxwing there were now two, perhaps attracted by the insects trapped in a spider's web.

     A Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) quietly went about its business.

     We had by now reached the area known as The Confluence where the Grand and Speed Rivers join together. This is about half way along the Linear Trail and we usually come this far from the other direction.

     A Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritus) took off upstream perhaps in search of better hunting.

     This fearsome looking spider was trussing up its prey to be eaten later.

     I am fairly sure it is Parasteatoda tabulata.

     A Yellow-legged Mud-dauber Wasp (Sceliphron caementarium) is an impressive insect.

     It is a stinging parasitoid species that paralyses its prey (caterpillar, spider, cricket etc) upon which it lays an egg. The living, but immobilized prey is food for its larva when it emerges from the egg.

     A Blue-fronted Dancer (Argia apicalis) is in no danger from a mud-dauber wasp.

     Perhaps we have just not seen many, but Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) seems to be quite rare this year.

     Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus germinatus), a small hover fly, on the other hand is numerous and not hard to find.

      Tall Goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) was host to a Scoliid Wasp (family Scoliidae).

     Tiger Bee Fly (Xenox tigrinus) is a large, attractive insect.

     Common Greenbottle Fly (Lucilia sericata) has a gorgeous metallic sheen.

     It is not unusual to find Eastern Boxelder Bug (Boisea trivittata) in its appealing uniform.

     Just before leaving the trail and returning to the car a Least Skipper (Amcyloxypha numitor) put in an appearance, as though to say, "Goodbye. Come again soon."

     And so we will!