Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

"If we don't pay attention to nature's smallest creatures.....and to the role of the tiniest living things in providing for the rest of us, we may find ourselves in a truly frightening place."

                                David Suzuki

01 September, 2024

Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) continues to invade Hillside Park like an advancing scourge, beautiful yet destructive. The plant produces abundant nectar and is a magnet for bees and other insects.

     Here you see a Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) poised to enter the corolla, already bearing pollen from visits to other blooms.

     It almost disappears as it probes deep into the flower to drink sweet, energy-rich nectar.

     It was quite wonderful to see whole families of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) feeding on Elderberries (genus Sambucus). 

     The young were no doubt learning from their parents.

    Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) was prolific.

     Here is what the fruit looks like.

     As far as I know it has no edible value, but was used medicinally by native people.

     A Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) demonstrated anew that Himalayan Balsam is irresistible to insect pollinators.

     This bracket fungus was located high up in a tree. 

     It is probably Dryad's Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus) but it's hard to know for sure when viewed only from the bottom.

     A couple of Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), a black morph and a grey morph interestingly enough, seemed especially happy to see each other on a bright, sunny day.

     A young American Robin (Turdus migratorius), freshly launched into the world, was learning all the skills needed for survival.

     Violet-toothed Polypore (Trichaptum biforme) was performing the important function of nutrient recycling on a downed log.

     I am not sure whether American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus) have had a better than usual breeding season, or whether we are just seeing more of them, but they appear to be everywhere, charming us with their anuran appeal.

     Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) is frequently seen too, seeming to favour goldenrods above other flowering plants.

     Funnel Weavers (family Agelenidae) are very interesting arachnids. We first spotted this individual inside its funnel den.

     It then came out, as though to pay us a visit.

     Having seen enough of us and finding us decidedly uninteresting, and certainly not a source of lunch, it retreated back inside to wait for better opportunities.

     Jerusalem Artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) were showy and bold.

     Our final companion for the day was a Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscoma crucifera).

     There is a general recognition that bird populations around the world are significantly reduced, and at the local level we find this to be true. Even now, at the peak of migration they are more difficult to locate, and are present in much smaller numbers. 

     These are worrying times.