A Day at The Pinery, Lambton Shores, ON

 26 September, 2024

     Having already visited locations on Lakes Ontario and Erie this year, we decided to spend the day at The Pinery, an ancient oak savannah on the shore of Lake Huron.

     We arrived around 10h:00 so the first order of business was to find a space to have a coffee and a muffin.

     This would do perfectly!

     The sheer number of oak trees makes this a very agreeable destination, but I am woefully inadequate at identifying the various species, so through this post they will all be in the genus Quercus, but no more specific than that.

     Having finished our snack we set off to find a trail.

Cedar Trail

     Despite being the Cedar Trail there was an abundance of oaks.

     White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginanus) are noted for their voracious, indiscriminate eating habits and these deer exclosures were interesting.

     In most areas deer are not subject to any form of natural predation and experience explosive growth, often quickly eliminating their food sources, and in the process damaging fragile ecosystems. The idea of a cull is anathema to most naturalists, but faced with winter starvation, it is sometimes a necessary solution to a vexing problem.

     This is a splendid example of lichen, probably a form of Typical Shield Lichen (subfamily Parmelioideae), but I am getting way beyond myself when I attempt identification of these fascinating organisms.

     Here is a beautiful example of a Sow Thistle (genus Sonchus), thrusting up from the forest floor.

     This fearsome insect is a type of Spider Wasp, family (Pompilidae).

     You probably don't want to get on its bad side!

     There must have been a recent emergence of the larvae of the Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) for their caterpillars were "everywhere."

     Here is a species of Common Flower Fly (genus Syrphus).

     There were several groups of birds, some migratory, some resident, but pictures were not easy to come by. Here is a Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula).

     Strangely, a wetland hosted not a single duck, not a grebe, not a gull, not a goose.

     Asters (genus Symphyotrichum) are always lovely - a great mood enhancer in my world.

     Here is a fine example of the fungus known as Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus).

     Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) were common and very vocal, both residents and migrants.

     Many White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) were moving through the area.

     And a few White-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys) too.

     And what would a woodland walk be without an Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) or two?

     It was time for lunch and it didn't take us long to find a suitable spot.

     In fact, we had the whole picnic shelter to ourselves.

     The exciting discovery at this location was a Metric Paper Wasp (Polistes metricus), a species that has only recently occurred in Southwestern Ontario.

     Initially, it landed inside Miriam's lunchbox, but she managed to coax it outside. Here you see it sitting atop a Babybel cheese.

     A trail led from the picnic area down to the lake, with a highly descriptive name as you see!

     

     There were many birds here, mainly Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) - 

     - and Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata).

     A narrow trail was bounded by snow fencing on either side, a device to help hold the dunes in place and to deter people from climbing onto sensitive areas, I assume.

     The views of Lake Huron were impressive.

     As you might imagine, Miriam occupied herself by taking pictures.

     The stones formed a sort of natural mosaic and were extremely pleasing to the eye.

     Dune grass serves to anchor the sparse soil and prevent erosion.

     White Poplar (Populus alba) is able to eke out a living in this harsh environment.

     A Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus) foraged successfully on goldenrod (genus Solidago).

     This Celery Leaftier Moth (Udea rubigalis) stubbornly refused to perch any way other than upside down!

Nipissing Trail

     Never having done this trail before we were keen to discover its treasures.

     So we set off.

     Here is an excellent example of the process of decay and renewal so vital to the health of a forest ecosystem.

     Another Celery Leaftier Moth proved that late September is the time to see them!

     The berries of a Greenbrier (genus Smilax) looked especially ripe and appealing.

     Once again we observed the regeneration of a forest taking place before our eyes.

     I don't think I have ever seen two tussock moth caterpillars so close together.

Riverside Trail

     Mushrooms are fascinating organisms, but an identification challenge for the non-expert. I am able to narrow this species down to the genus Stereum.

     Here I am a little more successful with a more colourful and distinctive species, Stereum lobatum.

     Running Strawberry Bush (Euonymus obovatus) will soon be withered and limp on the forest floor, gathering strength for spring.

     

     Another fungus in the genus Stereum.

     Bluestem Goldenrod (Solidago caesia) was still blooming prolifically.

     The meandering trail ultimately brought us the the Ausable River.

     It is always such a pleasure to see rivers in their natural state, unchanneled and meandering as they should. There is a rare beauty about them, and a sense of tranquility too.

     Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemis picta marginata) basked in the warm rays of late September sun.

     Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were emblematic of the scene laid out before us.

     Several Turkey Vultures (Cathartes aura) were seen overhead, probably migrating.

      Recreational boaters and kayakers made their way along the river, quietly observing the wildlife no doubt.

     A Pure Green Sweat Bee (Augochlora pura) is always a delight to see.

     I think someone may have declared Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus) Day for we saw many of them.

     Autumn Meadowhawks (Sympetrum vicinum) were abundant.

     Nodding Beggartick Bidens cernua) is a welcome addition to moist areas.

     It's getting late in the season for Ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) to still be here, but this individual patrolled the river for a while and then perched on a branch overhanging the water.

     These Midland Painted Turtles lined up in formation.

     Pretty soon they will be entering brumation (sort of like hibernation) until next spring, so doubtless they are enjoying these last warm days.

     Brown Stink Bugs (Euschistus servus) will try to get into your house to overwinter - but it's better to keep them out!

     I believe these creatures are Oleander Aphids (Aphis nerii).

     They seem to be north of their normal range, but I can't figure out what else they might be.

Essex, ON

     The claim to fame for this small Ontario town is a population of Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) possessing an inherited condition that causes their fur to be white.

     We had never seen this rarity before and were very pleased when we found one almost right away. It was quite cooperative too, keeping its distance, but showing no sign of fleeing.

      It really seemed to us that we had hit the jackpot when it was joined by the "normal" black and grey morphs.

     It was a brilliant curtain-closer on a day with nature.