Columbia Lake, Waterloo, ON

14 September, 2025

      An Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) was very busy.

     Although my knowledge of ants is quite limited, repeated exposure to them and the discipline of researching the taxon is leading to a little more familiarity. This individual is a species found in the Wood, Mound and Field Ants (genus Formica).

     Oleander Aphids (Aphis nerii) provide a sweet treat for ants and receive protection in return.

     New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) exudes beauty and charm.

     Chironomus ochreatus is a non-biting midge that often forms huge swarms - a good thing that it doesn't bite!

     Here is an interesting congregation of birds at the water's edge.

     There is a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis), a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus), Mallards (Anas platyrynchos), two Double-crested Cormorants (Nannopterum auritus), and a Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).

     Here is another Killdeer much closer.

     And two more of these little beauties.

     In total, dotted here and there, about twenty Killdeer were present.

     Plume thistles (genus Cirsium) do not usually command much attention, but withered, spiky and brown they looks very attractive!

     If there is an expanse of grass anywhere, it is a safe bet that you will find Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) grazing there.

     Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) is the most common and widespread of small yellowjackets that build nests in high, exposed aerial locations.

     Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris), despite its name, is brightly coloured.

     A Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum) posed nicely.

     We heard the distinctive harsh rattle of a Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) and watched it land in a tree.

     An Eastern Forktail (Ischnura verticalis).....

     We saw this ghostly apparition moving slowly under the surface of the water - a Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina); I felt as if I had a direct window into the late Cretaceous, when dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

     It has changed little since that time. It precedes hominids in the long history of life on Earth and will probably be here when humans have become extinct, still going about its business as it has always done.

     There are two storm water ponds at Columbia Lake and it's always prudent to check to see what is there.

     This was the day of the Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemis picta marginata); there were at least a dozen present, basking in the sun, and doing what turtles do,

     A couple of Canada Geese flew in.

     These interesting, and very attractive little characters, are, I believe, True Reed Beetles (subgenus Danacocia).

     A Familiar Bluet (Enallagma civile).....

     I think that Miriam captured the exceptional beauty of a Larch (genus Larix); so often we focus only on the cones.

     An Olethreutine Leafroller Moth (subfamily Olethreutinae) was partly concealed.

     A Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is a very distinguished member of its kind.

     A pair of Mallards looked like the very embodiment of domestic bliss.

     Maybe a model for all of us.