Thursday, July 24, 2025

The Mill Race, St. Jacobs, ON

 08 July, 2025


     Some of you may be shocked that this is my second account of our walks without a single picture of a bird. Generally, avian activity is quiet in July and August; many species are occupied with the serious business of raising young, and we tend to direct our attention to other taxa during this period.
     North American Common Water Striders (Aquarius remiges) are an eternal source of fascination for Miriam and me.


     Summer is the time to collect pollen and nectar while the sun shines and this Masked Bee (genus Hylaeus) was foraging on Wild Carrot (Daucus carotus)


     Greenbottle Flies (genus Lucilia) are splendidly handsome insects.


     This species is probably Lucilia sericata and is generally viewed as a common pest throughout the world. It is sometimes implicated in blowfly strike in sheep. Ironically it is also beneficial to humans for use in maggot therapy to treat serious infections.
    Tall Hairy Agrimony (Agrimonia gryposepala) was easily found.


     Bull Thistle (Cirsium vulgare) recalls the emblem of Scotland.


     I strained to hear the refrain of bagpipes; alas there were none. Perhaps I should have worn a kilt!
     A Margined Calligrapher (Toxomerus marginatus) shared its space with a member of the family of flies known derisively as Freeloader Flies (family Milichiidae), who are kleptoparasitic, attracted to prey caught in spider's webs. 


     The individual above is in the genus Desmometopa.

     More Tall Hairy Agrimony.


     I have not been able to find out a great deal about this species of Long-legged Fly (genus Amblypsilopus), but it is spectacularly attractive.


     A Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans) is always an exciting discovery.


      Evidence of the labours of the Box Elder Pouch Gall Mite (Aceria negundi) were seen on many leaves.


Annual Fleabane (Erigeron annuus)

     Here is an unusual closeup of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syrica) playing host to an unidentified insect.


     Common Red Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva) seem to spend their entire lives eating and mating - with more mating than eating!


      Holarctic Azures (genus Celastrina) were fairly common, but seldom landed.


     Imagine going through life known as the Obscure Plant Bug (Plagiognathus obscurus)!


     Margined Calligrapher (Toxomerus marginatus) is one of our most common flower flies during the summer.


     One certainly would not consider this Beau Brummel as obscure!
     A male Streamside Bluet (Enallagma exsulans) was perched very dramatically, I thought, but I can assure you that it was not us he was trying to impress.



     Here you see a large assemblage of Black Bean Aphids (Aphis fabae) being guarded by Eastern Black Carpenter Ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) who defend the aphids from predators in return for their honeydew.


     Orange Day-Lily (Hemerocallis fulva) adds oomph to the lush green of summer.



    A male River Jewelwing (Calopteryx aequabilis) is a very handsome fellow.


     We saw many female Widow Skimmers (Libellula luctuosa), but not a single male.


     Perhaps on this day they were indeed all widows!
     Another Green Frog seemed quite indifferent to our presence.


    This branch with its luxuriant growth speaks volumes about the recycling of energy and nutrients in the forest.


     "Dead" is "dead" only from a human perspective.

Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum)

     Bluets were busily engaged in ensuring the next generation will have a good start in life.



     Common St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is at its best in mid summer.


     Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia oxyridis) is a successful immigrant to Ontario.


Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia)

     I know that many people harbour an irrational fear of spiders, and telling you not to fear them probably does nothing to alleviate your dread, but Miriam is happily hanging out with a Running Crab Spider (genus Philodromus). 


     In a recent report you may recall seeing pictures of one of the hugest Common Snapping Turtles (Chelydra serpentina) we have ever seen. The individual shown below was at the other end of the scale, quite small as snappers go, probably no more than a year or two old.


     A Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa) seedling was trying to establish itself, vying to capture sunlight penetrating through the canopy to the forest floor.


Tall Meadow-Rue (Thalictrum pubescens)

     Many trees show signs of stress, no doubt brought on by uncertain rain and excessive heat; Sugar Maples (Acer saccharum) perhaps more than most.


     An American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus) lingered in front of us for a moment or two as we neared the parking lot.


     A fitting end to a pleasant summer stroll.
David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

34 comments:

  1. Wonderful sightings! It's always great to see the diverse life thriving around us.

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  2. I really like the common snapper and the anurans in this post - the photo of the American toad is so nice!

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  3. ...David, no detail goes unnoticed when you are out!

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  4. Absolutely stunning, David. Glorious captures.

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  5. Hari Om
    Not shocked - there were plenty of wings on show, albeit not avian! The Hypericum triggers fond memories of my late father's garden in which sat a bush we planted there some fifty years back. Every summer it was abundant in yellow and attracted all varieties of bee and wasp to its nectar. Positively humming... I miss that bush... YAM xx

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  6. Enjoyed your pictures. Nature always has something to show us, no matter what size scale.

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  7. There's always lots of interesting observations when you write a post about your latest walk in the country. No birds, but lots of other creatures and plants to learn about.

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  8. Cirsium vulgare - there are no pleasant memories with it from childhood.

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  9. Even if you don't have pictures of birds David, all the flowers are a very good substitute! It's very dry here too, and I hope that some rain will come soon.
    Hugs and kisses, Marit

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  10. I inadvertently deleted a comment by Angie's Recipes. Sorry, Angie. You were asking about the host plant for the Common Red Soldier Beetles above. It is Wild Carrot, often known as Queen Anne's Lace (Daucus carota).

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  11. Hello David.:)
    The male River Jewelwing, the female Widow Skimmers, and the male Streamside Bluet are very attractive, and the large concentration of damselflies was a fabulous sighting. I enjoyed seeing the plants, flies, and the frogs, toad, and Snapping Turtle.Your nature walk is greatly appreciated.
    Hugs and kisses
    Sonjia

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  12. The insects are really amazing. I loved that fly. Toxomerus marginatus . The colors are really beautiful.

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  13. Turtles and toads, what more could one want?!

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  14. The Streamside Bluet reminds me of a circus acrobat.

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  15. Your photography is wonderful! These creatures are a pleasure to see.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Danette. And thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  16. Love the photos showing details of the spiders and insects. The colours of the Calligrapher are amazing.

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  17. Those aphids and ants have an interesting relationship. You caught a great photo of them. And you've got to love the assortment of dragon and damselflies. July is all about insects, isn't it? Interesting I have seen hardly any birds at my feeders except some Downy woodpeckers. I guess they just assume hang out in the shady woods too. Thanks for sharing these photos and taking us along on a walkway with you.

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  18. You see so much that most of us miss.
    I worry about the oaks. They seem to be dying at an alarming rate around here. Nice to see that young one making a good start.

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  19. Your photos of the Bluets and other small creatures are as wonderful as your photos of birds. We do not see many birds at this time of the year along the Texas Gulf Coast either. We are happy to see what appears to be a couple of Red-Headed Woodpeckers. They used to be abundant here, but in recent years we have seen few of them.

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  20. Hello, Prof! Mill Race is always such a lively outing; although there were no birds this time, the forest was just as generous, with flowers, curious insects, peaceful frogs, and even a little turtle.
    Lots of bisous to you and the friendly american toad 🐸

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  21. I'm intrigued by the Milkweed, amazing close up.
    The frog, spider, all the insects, frogs are all wonderful to see - thanks.

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  22. This is a beautiful series of photos, David.
    Photos 22 and 23 are my favorites this time.
    I wish you a wonderful weekend.
    Best regards Irma

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  23. Diversity at its best!

    Cheers - Stewart M, Launceston, Tasmania

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  24. Great pictures David ! Nature is full of diversity and beauty ! We have the duty to preserve what Hearth gave us for free !
    Have a shinny weekend !
    Hug
    Anna

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    Replies
    1. “We have the duty to preserve…….” When did we ever respect that obligation?

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  25. Mooi gefotografeerd David.
    Mooi close in beeld gebracht de insecten.
    Hier hou ik van.
    Groetjes Tinie

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  26. My favorites in this grouping would be the Common Water Striders and the dragonflies, David.

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    Replies
    1. To watch water striders in action is a true study in fascination, Beatrice.

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  27. How nice that you captured the iridescence on that fly's (?) wings. Virginia creeper is horribly invasive here and once it sets roots hard if not impossible to get rid of. We have a wolf spider living in our bathroom. When I first saw him he was missing a leg. I noticed yesterday that he had regrown it.

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  28. Love that toad and all these wonderful pictures.

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