Health Valley Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

21 July, 2025 

     I am not sure whether this female Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) turned her back in disdain, or wanted to show off her dorsal features.

     Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) is surely one of the most common plants in an Ontario meadow.

     At the top right you will see a Common Red Soldier Beetle (Rhagonycha fulva), almost as ubiquitous as the plant itself.

     Fly Honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum) is spectacular, and an Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is happy to hang out there.

     A female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is probably through with her maternal duties for the year.

     The evidence of Gall and Rust Mites (family Eriophyidae) is commonly seen.

     I think that most people are familiar with spittle masses, commonly known as "cuckoo spit", but  probably do not know the insect whose nymph creates it. Here is one of those species, the aptly named Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumerius).

     Orbweaver spiders in general are easily found, Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) being one of the most common species in our area.

     Most gardens will harbour one or two webs.

     Marsh Snipe Fly (Rhagio tringarius) was introduced from Europe and seems to be displacing the native species R. hirtus.

    A glance along the river revealed two likely suspects.

Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius)

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

     Female Narrow-winged Damselflies (family Coenagrionidae) are not always easy to narrow down to species.

     I believe that this is a Green-legged Orbweaver (Mangora maculata) with Miriam's hand behind to see the details a little more clearly.

     Bee-mimic Robber Flies in the complex Laphria canis are very hard to distinguish as to species in the field.

    They are almost indistinguishable from bumble bees at a first glance, a trait that serves them well as they pursue their carnivorous diet, feeding on wasps, beetles and other insects. 

     An alert Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) would not hesitate to make a quick meal out of them.

     A male Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) is just one of a host of dapper dandies in the odenate realm.

     Surely even the most arachnophobic among you will fall in love with a member of the Orchard Spiders and Allies (genus Leucage).

     Bracket Fungi (family Polyporaceae) are found in a variety of forms and sizes, often massed together on downed trees.

     When people ask, "What is your favourite (insert a word)?", it's a basically impossible question and should never be posed! Chicory (Cichorium intybus) would rank highly on my list, however, if the category were flowers.

     Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) is nothing short of majestic.

     Sadly, it's almost impossible to find a mature, old growth tree today, most of them having been harvested long ago, especially in southern Ontario.

     American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) seems to be eternally perky and cheerful, and is a welcome companion on most of our local rambles.

     Eastern Harvestman (Leiobunum vittatum) suffers from an identity crisis, often being mistaken for a spider or a crane fly.

     There is something uniquely elegant about the name of Eastern Calligrapher (Toxomerus germinatus).

     Important work is being done to rid the area of invasive Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

     American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is an opportunist in the selection of a nest site.

     It was exhilarating to see efforts being made to provide habitat for pollinators - vitally needed as the world faces steep declines in their abundance. 

     As we were about to leave an American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos) was cawing loudly. Was it saying, "Good riddance!" or "Thanks for being a friend."

     We can only hope it was the latter!