A Pleasant July Meander

20 July, 2020

Bridgeport Community Trail/Schaeffer Park

     The Grand River (it really is grand) meandered along and we meandered with it.

     Having parked at the community centre, we mounted the steps to the embankment alongside the river.

     A small patch of Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) had made a home half way up.

     Across the river a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) was searching for snacks among the Pond Lilies (family Nymphaeceae). Frogs beware!

     Common Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis) was blooming prolifically.

     I am sure that berry-eating birds have  noticed the fine crop on this Honeysuckle (genus Lonicera).

     A juvenile American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was making his way in life.

     Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) is exceptionally beautiful.

     We saw our first Pale Phalaenostola Moth (Phalaenostola metonalis) of the year - and it cooperatively posed for a picture!

     This was followed by a Black-dotted Glyph (Maliattha synochitis).

     I should have checked the calendar to see whether it was Moth Day, for here is a species in the tribe Olethreutini.

     It was a hot, humid day and we were glad of a little shade.

     Myrmosid wasps are a strictly Northern Hemisphere family, exhibiting extreme sexual dimorphism. This is a winged male (genus Myrmosa).

     They are external kleptoparasitoids of the larvae or pupa of ground-nesting bees and wasps.

     Here is a Mining Bee (genus Andrena) laden with pollen.

     Villa is a large, difficult genus, including many parasitoids of moth larvae. The species below is probably Villa lateralis.

     Small White (Pieris rapae) was plentiful, familiar and easy to identify!

     Condylostylus is a common genus of Long-legged Fly, often seen feeding on small arthropods.

     Wild Basil (Clinopodium vulgare) was exuberantly blooming.

      Blue Mud-dauber Wasp (Chalybion californicum) is easily recognizable and interesting from many perspectives.

     It scouts spider webs while in flight. It then lands on the web and plucks the snare with the finesse of a pizzicato violinist, duping the spider into thinking an insect as been caught, only to find itself on the mud-dauber's menu.

     Normally solitary, C. californicum congregates at night with others by the dozen, sometimes in the hundreds, under bridges, eaves, rock ledges or other sheltered places, to sleep.

     Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) was indeed dancing that day. Here is a resting female.

     One-banded Mason Wasp (Ancistrocerus unifasciatus) is a striking insect.

     Their habit of nesting in a range of cavities from holes in walls to openings in metal structures has resulted in cosmopolitan distribution for this species.

     Here a pair of Japanese Beetles (Popillia japonica) are working diligently to produce the next generation, no doubt quite unaware that the prior generation was already unwelcome.

Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia)

Staghorn Sumach (Rhus typhina)

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is wonderfully attractive yet detrimental to native vegetation.

     It produces a large volume of nectar, ensuring that it is preferentially visited by pollinators, to the detriment of other plants.

     Manicured gardens have their place, but explosions of wildflowers have a beauty all their own.

     It was no surprise that Miriam was attracted to their wild, unrestrained burst of colour and scent.

     A Short-horned Grasshopper (family Acrididae) found the meadow equally appealing, with never a hint of chemical poison to spoil its dinner.

     A male Powdered Dancer was brilliant in the July sunshine.

     A small contingent of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) enjoyed cool water, and were a model of Canadian iconicity.

Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea)

Wild Teasel (Dipsacus fullonum)

     The bridge over the Grand River is impressive.

      Our path took us under it.

     It was time to go home!