Nature Makes Me Happy

     My whole life revolves around nature; it is the constant in my life. In one form or another it consumes most of my waking hours. In recent years the term Vitamin G has been coined, especially as it refers to those engaged in forest bathing in one or more of its various manifestations. Vitamin G stands for Vitamin Green and is known to be extremely beneficial to health and wellbeing. I have never taken part in ritualized activity as it relates to the embrace of the living world, but I have no doubt that a lifetime spent in the outdoors has provided me more than my fair share of Vitamin G. Perhaps we might even call it Vitamin Gascoigne!

     The pursuit of natural history yields new surprises, new challenges, new excitement and new delights every day. I know when I go to bed at night the next day will be a great day.

     Here are just three recent events that made me happy.

Eastern Parson Spider (Herpyllus ecclesiasticus)

     This familiar spider frequently enters houses where it emerges at night to actively pursue prey rather than lying in wait. It will render yeoman service in controlling other insect pests that seek shelter in the cracks and crevices of your house during the winter.

     It is generally found on the floor or on low walls.

     One individual has taken up residence in the shower in our second bathroom, and spends a good part of the day sheltering underneath the soap dish.

     Unless we have visitors staying with us we seldom use this shower so the arrangement works perfectly well for all of us.

     If you are lucky enough to have a Parson Spider in your house be sure not to touch it. It will bite defensively and it is quite painful. Left its own devices it will get rid of errant mosquitoes, stink bugs, wasps or other invaders - and all at no charge! The very definition of a welcome guest!

Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)

     This tiny little warrior, measuring barely 10cm, and weighing a mere 3 to 4 grams, is known to wander in fall migration, and we were thrilled when an individual put in an appearance at the hummingbird feeders of a house within walking distance of our own home.

     We have seen this species frequently in western North America, where it undertakes an incredible migration from northern Mexico to breed in Alaska, but never before in Ontario. Its winter range has expanded in recent years as a result of the climate crisis, and it may routinely be found north of its traditional non-breeding zone.

     It is pugnacious and aggressive at feeders, driving away competitors big and small. 

     The owners of the house appeared very pleased with their famous visitor and provided a guest book for all to sign, and suggested donations to be consolidated and turned over to a local wildlife group.

     We were happy to contribute and wish this little voyageur safe passage if and when it decides to orient itself southwest, to spend the winter in more amenable conditions than are on their way here.

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

     This is a bird that we see often, but for all its familiarity there is never less pleasure upon seeing it again.

     We were both surprised (and elated) to be able to approach this bird (probably a juvenile) within about twenty feet.

 

     We were as stealthy as we could be, and the bird seemed totally preoccupied with catching fish that it failed to notice us.

     It was having great success, capturing one fish after another. They were quite small and it would take quite a few fish to satisfy a hungry appetite, but most strikes were successful.

     A familiar bird; an unfamiliar close encounter. 

     Pretty special in my world!