Rondeau Provincial Park, 04 June, 2024

     It had been quite a while - before COVID in fact - since Miriam and I had visited Rondeau Provincial Park, so on a beautiful late spring day we decided to rectify that omission.

     It's always a delight to visit this enchanting spot on the north shore of Lake Erie, firmly ensconced in the Carolinian Zone where the vegetation differs considerably from the area around home, and some birds that are hard to find in Waterloo Region are quite common there.

      On the way down, not far from the park, we spotted this juvenile Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) in a field, mantling prey.

       We tried to identify the prey but were unable to.  The bird, however, was making a good meal of it.

       Upon arrival at the park gate we paid our admission and stopped right inside to use the facilities and walk out on the dock.

     A Green Heron (Butorides virescens) flew across in front of us to land in the vegetation that curved around the bay.

     Several House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) seem to have successfully taken over the cavities in a couple of dead trees.

     As might be expected Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were both vocal and ubiquitous.

     Bittersweet Nightshade ( Solanum dulcamara) is exceptionally delicate and beautiful in my estimation.

     A Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) was assiduously working over the grassy areas in search of ants and other small invertebrates.

Spicebush Trail

     A Wild Turkey (Melagro gallopavo) greeted us right at the entrance to the trail.

     It seems apparent that turkeys have come to know that they are safe from hunters in the park and they do not immediately flee from the sight of a human.

     We were thrilled to discover Spicebush Swallowtail (Papilios troilus) almost right away, one of our target species for the day.

     Northern Spicebush (Lindera benzoin), from which the butterfly takes its name, was very common.

     Neither the plant nor the butterfly are found outside the Carolinian Zone so the combination of the two so early in the day was exceptionally pleasing.

     The boardwalk led us onwards.

     In the early stages of the trail Northern Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum) was seldom out of view.

     Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis) was common too.

     We saw this Warty Harvestman (Leiobunum verrucosum) and decided to exchange pleasantries and leave each other be.

     Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) is one plant that may be found with equal ease at home and at Rondeau.

     Ferns in general are prolific in the park. Here is Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis).....

     ..... followed by Christmas Fern (Polystichum acrostichoides).

     Another Wild Turkey trotted along ahead of us.

     I have not seen a typical spectacular emergence of mayflies in years and it appears they are declining as are most insect populations. We saw but a few Giant Mayfly (Hexagenia limbata) here and there.

     Summer Azure (Celestrina neglecta) was more common but rarely landed and then with wings closed.

     Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela) was much more obliging.

     A Pale Metarranthis Moth (Metarranthis indeclinata) is almost ghostly, resting in the tangled vegetation during the day.

     Tulip Tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) is a classic representative of Carolinian forests.

     Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) is very handsome.

     Miriam was awarded the distinction of a mayfly landing on her pants.

     Throughout the entire walk we could hear Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) most of the time but they can be frustratingly difficult to see. Once in a while though a male needs to make himself visible.

     Purple-flowered Raspberry (Rubus odoratus) is a very attractive shrub; unusually it does not develop thorns.

     It was lovely to see a Hobomok Skipper (Lon hobomok) in attendance on Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea).

     An Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta) is both impressive and beautiful.

     I am sure that any child seeing this post would want an Eastern Eyed Click Beetle (Alaus oculatus) to take home.

     What an adorable little insect!

     Northern Crescent (Phyiodes coctya) was seen a few times and even obliged us by perching with wings outspread.

     Another Common Yellowthroat popped up to defend his territory.

     Yellow Warblers (Setophaga petechia) were just a little easier to spot than Common Yellowthroats.

     House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) verged on abundant and we would see them in every location we visited; many were breeding.

     Just as we were about to leave the trail we spotted a Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans).

     Now that's a great way to end a walk.

South Point Trail

     Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) is a common plant along the waterways of southern Ontario, its fruit favoured by both humans and birds.

     Curled Dock (Rumey crispus) is an invasive plant, classified by some as a noxious weed that establishes easily even in impoverished soils. 

     Its seeds are readily spread on water where they cling to fur and feather and are thereby dispersed.

     Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela) is entirely expected in early June, and several kept us company.

     A species of Nomad Bee (genus Nomada) was foraging for nectar.

      At times there were several Summer Azures flitting around us at the same time, but most seemed reluctant to land; and when they did Miriam had to be quick to catch a shot.

     One even opened its wings briefly.

     We meandered along the path where the lepidopterans were more numerous than in the closed forest, having open space to fly and vegetation in which to escape if necessary.

     Red Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) is one of my most beloved flowers and in several places they were in full bloom, looking nothing short of magnificent.

     White-spotted Sable (Anania funebris) is beautifully-patterned diurnal moth.

     It seemed to be lapping up minerals and was often joined by Summer Azures.

     Hobomok Skippers were not at all shy and perched for us in delightful fashion.

     The following very attractive Long-legged Fly is found in the genus Condylostylus.

     Least Skipper (Ancyloxypha numitor) was not as numerous as Hobomok Skipper; nevertheless with a little determination it could be found.

     In the following photograph you will see two Eastern Calligraphers (Toxomerus germinatus), a very attractive little insect, with a Small Carpenter Bee (genus Ceratina), and a species of Acalyptrate Fly.

     American Snout (Libytheana carinenta) is a strongly migratory species, occurring in Ontario only in small numbers and primarily in the Carolinian Zone, especially in summer, and we were excited to come across this distinctive butterfly.

     We were serenaded by Warbling Vireos (Vireo gilvus) several times.

     A Sand Chafer (Strigoderma arbicola) was spotted deep inside the flower of a False Bindweed (genus Calystegia).

     Common Silverweed (Argentina anserina) punctuates the day with a bright smile.

     A pair of distant Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) beamed down on us as only Cedar Waxwings can.

     Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora) was both abundant and beautiful.

     An Emerald Spreadwing (Lestes dryas) caught our attention and added joy to the day.

     A Wolf Spider (family Lycosidae) was no doubt on the hunt for its next meal.

     Better be careful, Mr. Spider, lest you become lunch yourself. A Yellow Warbler may have its eye on you!

Marsh Trail

     Remnants of fallen trees provide perches for birds and basking surfaces for turtles.

     Who could resist a smile upon encountering a Meadow Anemone (Anemonastrum canadense)?

     As had been the case all day, House Wrens seemed to be everywhere, many already occupying nests.

     In all of our familiar places Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) are present in seriously reduced numbers, so it was good to see a few at Rondeau.

     All hirundines are under threat so it was encouraging to also see Purple Martins (Progne subis)

     There are probably several factors contributing to population declines, but principal among them is the loss of insect prey. It is a serious situation and any glimmer of hope is very faint indeed.

     We had been seeing male Yellow Warblers frequently, the females probably being occupied with incubation duties, but this individual posed beautifully.

     She was perhaps taking a brief break from the nest.

      A male Purple Martin was vigorous in defence of his nest, screaming at a House Sparrow that even dared come close.

     The euphoria of a nature walk is incremental and to come across stands of Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) is ample proof of that simple truth.

     A Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) showed both upperwing and underwing.

     Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta) has been abundant everywhere this year.

     A Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) showed beautifully.

     Long thought to be a practitioner of Batesian mimicry, recent studies have revealed that the Viceroy is toxic, or at the very least distasteful, to predators and is thus now known to be a Müllerian mimic. This is stuff you need to know!

     We found it remarkable that so many species were feeding on the same tree.

     There appeared to be a wound where a branch had perhaps broken off and sweet sap might have been oozing, but we are not sure, and the insects ranged over other parts of the tree in any event.

     In the picture above you may see many Asian Lady Beetles (Harmonia axyridis) and a Carolina Cantharid (Rhaxonycha carolina) off to the left.

     They were joined by Stable Flies (Stomoxys calcitrans) in addition to the butterflies already shown.

     There were other small insects too, too small to photograph.

     It was a source of satisfaction to see Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) hawking for insects over the lake.

     A Northern Map Turtle (Graptemys geographica) had clambered out onto a log and was enjoying the warm rays of spring.

     A couple of Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) were flitting around and we saw this individual land on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca).

     We noted that it was a female and that she curled her abdomen up under her. Voilà, an egg!

      What a great way to end a fabulous day!

      It strikes me that I have covered a lot in this post, but it is to some extent arbitrarily chosen, and I hasten to assure you that I have left out far more than I have presented here. Some of the plants are mainly green and not especially photogenic, many organisms escaped our lens, and there are others for which we are still unable to clinch identification.

      Nature in all its wondrous and glorious diversity was on display, and you may be sure that will be making a return visit soon.  

     Until then, take good care and especially take good care of Nature.