Recent Sightings in Benjamin Park, Waterloo, ON

 

     This park is a mere five minutes away from our house, so we go there often. 

     What follows is a random selection of a few highlights of the past couple of weeks, not ranked in order of importance.

     Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is probably the bird we see more than any other at this location.

     Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) has also been extremely common this year. There seems to be a cohort of unattached males, a dozen or so birds, and they are heard constantly.

     They take advantage of the fully leafed-out trees for concealment and are difficult to photograph.

     An Eastern Cottontail Rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) is capable of driving a gardener off the deep end, but on the trail, harming no one and trying to stay one step ahead of the numerous predators who would make a meal of it, it is charming.

     American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis), a late breeder, takes full advantage of the bounty of seeds in late summer.

     A Red-banded Leafhopper (Graphocephela coccinea) is a very attractive little insect.

     Locust Borer (Megacyilene robiniae) is a significant pest of Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacia) trees.

     Ironically, I know of no Black Locusts in the area, but this species is known to favour the pollen of goldenrods (genus Solidago) as a food source, which is where I located it.

          Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) is very common and finds protein to feed its growing young.

     Soon, as the weather becomes cooler, they will revert to their habit of soliciting food from their human friends.

     An Eastern Wood-Pewee (Contopus virens) is a charming little bird, subdued in colour, but no less beautiful.

     This bird, one of three I saw, is undertaking southbound migration to its winter quarters in northwestern South America.

     Surely, one of the delights of late summer/early fall in southern Ontario, is New England Aster (Symphytrichum novae-angliae).

     Asters and goldenrods are often found together.

     Northern Paper Wasp (Polistes fuscatus) is an impressive insect.

     It is sometimes referred to as Imposter Wasp because it mimics many other species.

     Mexican Grass-carrying Wasp (Isodontia mexicana) is a large wasp with a menacing appearance.

     It derives its name from its practice of carrying long pieces of grass to partition and close its nests.

     I know that you are all in love with wasps so here is one more to make your day complete!

     Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) has outnumbered all other wasp species by a good margin over the last little while.

     It is an important pollinator species.

     I hasten to point out that I have never been stung while photographing bees or wasps. They seem to be totally indifferent to my presence.

     As best as I recall, I have only been stung twice by a wasp, both times while eating outside where sugars in food or drink may have lured them in. I bore them no ill will!

     Let me finish with a couple of much-loved birds for those of you who are getting over the wasp heebie-jeebies!

     Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is much loved by everyone. I doubt whether I could get a single word of demurral on that score.

     If a poll were taken to identify the most recognized bird in North America, American Robin Turdus migratorius) would be a serious contender!

     I am very lucky to have this park so close to home. I might go for a stroll there this afternoon!