Laurel Creek and The Kissing Bridge Trail

      The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) administers various parks around our area, and we always enjoy visiting them. 

     This year, Waterloo Public Library has acquired annual passes which are made available for seven days on a first-come, first-served basis and we have taken advantage of them when we have been able to.

Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo, ON

     This park is mere minutes from our home, so even if we only have an hour or two to spare it's convenient for a visit.

     The varied habitat makes it very pleasant and a good spot to observe wildlife - and admire birches.

     Ticks should not be an issue in November, but we continue to have abnormally warm weather, so who knows what might lurk in the grass?

     Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) have settled in for the winter, and we saw many of them.

     It is such a jaunty little character with personality and charm. 

     Speaking of jaunty characters it doesn't get much better than a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). 

     Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) flies late into fall, but at our latitude it is surely getting to the extreme limits of its flight period.

     It must also be true of Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum), although suffice it to say that our changing climate is affecting the distribution of many species.

          A lone Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum) is obviously still able to make a living on the reservoir.

     No doubt it is competing with Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) for its fishy dinner.

     Far out on the water a couple of Ruddy Ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) kept company with a juvenile Red-necked Grebe (Podiceps grisegena) - more competition for the fish.

     Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) came in closer to shore to feed on submerged vegetation in shallow water.

     The wind is dispersing the seeds of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), good news for Monarchs (Danaus plexippus).

     Chickadees seemed to travel alongside us, and if a snack were offered wasted no time in securing a seat at the table.

     A Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Corthylio calendula) foraged in close proximity, but it was impossible to get a clear shot.

     Dragonboat races are probably over for the year and the craft will nestle under snow for the winter.

     We spotted the nest of a Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) and hoped that a successful brood had been raised in it.

     Another successful visit to a place close to home.

     How lucky we are.

The Kissing Bridge Trail, Elmira, ON

     We were joined by our friend, Pam, for a morning out. Our original intention was to spend the time at the Conestogo Lake Conservation Area, but we arrived only to find it closed for the season.

     Undaunted we decided on the Kissing Bridge Trail instead.

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was there to greet us as we began our stroll.

     Dark-eyed Juncos, everywhere delightful, so jaunty and engaging, seemed inclined to put on show for us.

     The prominent flash of their white outer tail feathers is so difficult to capture in flight, but you can clearly see it here.

     As might be expected, Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) was very busy collecting and stashing food. 

     We are all familiar with the expression "busy as a bee" but "busy as a squirrel" would do just as well.

     In addition to the distinctive black morph shown above, the "conventional" grey form was present in abundance.

     A single American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) also put in an appearance.

     This is a feisty little creature, seeming always to be in a bad mood, treating humans only as objects to be scolded.

     We frequently heard the characteristic "chip" call of Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) and it was not long before a handsome male posed for us. 

     The "chip" call is uttered in a variety of contexts, probably most frequently as location calls. Male and female both engage in this behaviour.

     Many Black-capped Chickadees kept us company, but the birds along this trail apparently have not come to recognize humans as a mobile source of food and we were unable to coax one to our outstretched hands.

     White-breasted Nuthatches (Sitta carolinensis) were unusually vocal, with several appearing to be calling to each other. We glimpsed them as they flitted around and landed on the backside of a trunk or behind branches. Finally an individual perched for a portrait!

    In similar fashion Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) announced their presence and flashes of blue darted through the woods. At last, patience was rewarded and we had a direct line of sight.

     Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) was exceptionally prolific and there were dense stands at several points along the trail.

     One lone fruit was still green.

     Fungi were also ubiquitous.

     Even among the drab, denuded trees there were splashes of colour.

     Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa) is an impressive plant.

     Northern Cardinal kept us company most of the time, yet despite the vivid colour of the male, it was often hard to spot them. This individual presented a rear view only. 

     This apple tree seems to be infected with Apple Scab (Venturia inaequalis).

     Downy Woodpeckers (Dryobates pubescens) played games with us, fluttering from branch to trunk, and always perching on the back side. Patience was rewarded, however, and a female posed nicely for a picture.

     There has been a good deal of hype recently about making a country great again, whatever that implies, and presupposing earlier greatness by a generally accepted standard.

     There is never a need to make Nature great again. It is always magnificent. 

      We stopped to enjoy a coffee and a muffin. I neglected to take a picture of Miriam and Pam relishing the pleasure, but I can reach into the archives for a picture of Miriam's world class muffins.

      This is truly the essence of a good life. Hot coffee, delicious treats, the very best of company and juncos flitting around our feet.

      The simple joys really are the best. Better we all take the time to enjoy them more.