Three Walks at the End of April

23 April, 2025

The Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

     Depending on the scope of your imagination faces may be seen in this old tree.

     It's safe to say that an Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) was not engaged in such idle speculation.

     You can be sure, before you have gone very far, a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) will put in an appearance.

     Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is one of the most appealing of the spring ephemerals.

     Common Sunburst Lichen (Xanthoria parietina) will provide excellent building material for a hummingbird nest.

     We spotted a pair of very industrious chickadees busily preparing their nest site.

     The surface of the water was alive with North American Common Water Striders (Aquarius remigis), always a source of fascination for me.

     I have no doubt that a Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) would be happy to dine on them.

     In recent years the trail has developed quite a few holes and people have used their ingenuity to alert fellow walkers to the danger.

     Common Blue Violet (Viola sororia) is one of the rewards of a springtime walk.

     Predictably, a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) stopped by to say hello.

     I suspect that Baltimore Orioles (Icterus galbula) breed along the Mill Race every year; here is evidence of last year's activity.

     A male Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinensis) went about his business.

     If there's food to be had, upside down is no problem.

     American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is one of our most common birds.

     A handsome pair of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) added sparkle to a spring day.

     The very attractive new growth here is that of a tree in the subfamily Amygdaloideae, part of the family Rosaceae. I am unable to get any more specific than that.

     A Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) never fails to brighten the day.

     The seed "wings" of Box Elder (Acer negundo) verge on whimsical.

     Black Knot (Apiosporina morbosa) is a fungus affecting members of the Prunus genus, such as cherry, plum, apricot and chokecherry trees in North America.

     We heard a loud splash near the bank and knew we had startled something, probably a mammal or a large turtle.

    In mere moments we had confirmation as a Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) swam rapidly away from us.

     On the way home we saw a male Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis), a fitting end to a great morning.

25 April, 2025

Benjamin Park

     This location is a mere five minutes walk from our front door, and even though the park is surrounded by suburbia, it hosts a representative sample of Nature's bounty. In the spring, wildflowers especially are abundant and varied.

     Magnolias (genus Magnolia) do not retain their blossom for long, but at its peak the blossom is magnificent.

     Large White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) was not quite ready to reveal its flower.

     Carolina Spring Beauty (Claytonia carolineana), small, delicate and achingly beautiful, on the other hand, was exuberant. 

     Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) is grand and stately.

     I look forward to the blooming of every spring ephemeral, but Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) is one of my favourites.

     Red Trillium (Trillium erectum) is bold and handsome.

      This is a Toothwort (genus Cardamine) but I am not sure of the species.

     I think that Miriam outshone herself with many of these pictures, but her macro shot of Lungwort (Pulmonaria officinalis) is exceptionally beautiful to my eyes.

     A creek runs through the park and it was dank and muddy after much rain.

     An American Robin was gathering mud for its nest and in the process coating its feathers liberally.

     It will need to bathe to restore itself to peak efficiency.

Common Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Squills (genus Scilla)

     The marsh at the east end of the park is home to breeding Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus). 

     Daffodils abound in the park, and I am never quite sure how they got there.

     Regardless, they contribute colour and beauty and are welcome in my world.

     Willows (genus Salix) are very appealing.

     Colt's-Foot (Tussilago forfara) is both early and prolific and forms a series of bright yellow buttons spread across the landscape.

     Butterflies have been scarce this year. Small White (Pieris rapae) is the only one we have seen with any degree of regularity.

27 April, 2025

Health Valley Trail, Waterloo

     The Health Valley Trail goes from Waterloo to St. Jacobs for a distance of about 5km. We parked at the Waterloo end, walked about half way and reversed direction.

     The trail starts off by skirting a farmer's field.

     A lone tree never fails to capture our attention.

     In early spring when the ice broke up the Conestogo River overflowed its banks and much debris was left behind.

     The river is now tranquil as it meanders along.

     Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemis picta marginata) hauled out to bask in the warmth of spring sunshine.

     It seems quite late for a Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) to be migrating north and to early for it to be already heading south, so perhaps this individual decided to forego breeding this year and remained here.

     Once again wildflowers captured our attention.

     Yellow Trout Lily predominated, but White Fawn Lily (Erythronium albidum) was spotted here and there.

     Virginia Spring Beauty (Claytonia virginica) is distinguished from Carolina Spring Beauty by stalkless linear leaves more than 7cm long.

Yellow Trout Lily

     The presence of a Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) added an exclamation point to our riverside stroll.

     It's always interesting to see the growth that occurs in an old rotting stump - the fulfillment of Nature's recycling.

     Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum) was not in bloom, but was widespread throughout.

     The river was full of small fish - North American Minnows in the subfamily Pogonichthyinae, but specific identification was difficult - and for me, impossible!

     Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) is a gorgeous little flower.

     Wide Leek (Allium tricoccum) is a common plant, but I have never tried it in our cuisine. Perhaps I should.

     These three walks were all quite short, no more than a couple of hours each, but they enable you to see the rich diversity of Southern Ontario.

     It's a great place to live!