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  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!

Book Review - Widow Spiders of the World - Owlfly Publishing

 

     Chris Alice Kratzer has done it again! Following on the heels of her vaunted works on social wasps, and cicadas, Kratzer has proven anew that she is the champion of the underdog, the under-appreciated, the misunderstood, the ofttimes despised members of the great and glorious world of nature.

     Learn about widow spiders in a way that you have never done before and come away with admiration and respect for these maligned creatures.

     The format of the book is paradigmatic Kratzer, her style immediately recognizable, and the standard of excellence she sets is second to none. 

     The book begins with an impressive overview of widow spiders and their role in a healthy, fully-functioning ecosystem, written with scientific precision yet laced with snippets of wry humour to make even the most straight-laced arachnologist crack a smile.

     If ever a book was aimed at both the specialist and the layman this is it.

     Perhaps, like me, you have marvelled at the precision and the quality of the artwork; lucky for us Kratzer dedicates a section to explaining in detail how it is done. Further to reading the book I even found a You Tube video where she goes through it step by step.

     You will learn about the internal anatomy of these creatures, their external anatomy, food, web building, reproduction, their potential for alleviating human suffering as scientists unlock secrets of potential pharmacology, and sadly, the threats we humans pose to them.

     The comprehensive glossary is organized in the most pleasing and practical manner. Rather than an alphabetic list of all the terms it is subdivided by topic - General Terms, Ecological Terms, Anatomical Terms - and so on. The extensive bibliography is organized in similar fashion so that the reader can quickly zero in on the topic of interest - What Are Widow Spiders, Why Spiders Bite, General First Aid for Spider Bites, Antivenom - and so it goes.

     I am an unabashed fan of Chris Alice Kratzer and appreciate her books immensely. I think that barely a day went by this summer when I did not refer to The Social Wasps of North America. Success breeds on success, excellence follows excellence.

     There are other unsung heroes of the living world waiting for her special treatment - Gastropods, Orthoptera, Hemiptera......just sayin'!

     Widow Spiders of the World merits my unconditional, wholehearted, sincere seal of approval. Be sure to get your copy today!

Widow Spiders of the World - Owlfly Publishing

Chris Alice Kratzer

Paperback - 176 pages - 250 full colour illustrations - 43 full colour plates - ISBN 9781737892755

6 x 9 inches (15 x 22.5 cm)

Publishing date: 31 October, 2026

 

West Perth Wetlands, Mitchell, ON

27 October, 2026

     On a fine autumn day Lisa joined me for a morning's birding and we decided to go to the West Perth Wetlands, lured in part by reports of a Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), a rarity here in southern Ontario. I have seen many of them in regions much farther south but only one previously in this area.

     In the first pond large numbers of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) were present, but there was little else.

     There were a couple of high spots above the water, but mostly there was insufficient dry ground for many species.

     We did spot a couple of small groups of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos), however. 

     Moving on to the next pond in this wetland complex we were delighted to see a few Green-winged Teal (Anas carolinensis), North America's smallest dabbling duck, and a very handsome little character.

     Spurred on by our quest for the ibis, we hastened over to a large pond, where a couple of birders already present signalled to us that they had found the bird. It didn't take long for us to locate it but it was on the far side of the lagoon and only clearly visible through Lisa's scope. It was outside my camera range, but by digiscoping with her phone Lisa managed to get a very acceptable picture.

     The feeding must have been good for many Ring-billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) were cruising in, filling the air with raucous cries as they descended to the water to take advantage of the seemingly plentiful food at the surface.

     Knapweed (genus Centaurea) was still blooming prolifically and provided sweet nectar to abundant Common Drone Flies (Eristalis tenax).

     I don't think there was a moment when Clouded Sulphurs (Colias philodice) weren't flitting hither and yon, and occasionally alighting briefly.

     A Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) was an agreeable addition to our day.

     It was great to see a substantial Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) residence; a safe, warm haven for the cold months ahead.

     Most of the neoptropical warblers that spend their breeding season here have already departed. Myrtle Warbler (Setophaga coronata) is customarily the first species to arrive and the last to depart.

     Over many years, West Perth Wetlands has hosted Wilson's Snipe (Gallinago delicata) in fall migration; this year was no exception.

     For the most part they were well camouflaged, but one obliging individual moved into the open.

     Spruce (genus Picea) have had a good mast year.

     Several noisy American Crows (Corvus brachyrynchos) kept us company.

     It is always a pleasure to interact with these highly intelligent birds.

     Small White (Pieris rapae) was not nearly so numerous as their Clouded Sulphur cousins. Occasionally one landed and remained stationary long enough for a picture. 

     Even a few Red-legged Grasshoppers (Melanoplus femurrubrum) were exploding beneath our feet.

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is just about at the end of its blooming period for another year - but you may rest assured it will return with increased vigour in the spring.

     What a scintillating morning Lisa and I spent together in our more than human world. 

 

Recent Highlights

22 October, 2026 

Huron Natural Area, Kitchener, ON

      Given the unusually warm fall, asters are blooming in profusion even in late October.

      This stand of Frost Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum) caught my attention and admiration.

     American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is surely as adorable a little rodent as one might imagine.

     If rats looked as cute we would love them all!

    Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocpous pileatus) is not a bird I see often, so any encounter is exciting. This is not an especially good picture, but it is all I was able to manage.

24 October, 2026

Huron Natural Area, Kitchener, ON

    Huron Natural Area is an park I do not know well, and I am trying to become familiar with it. Hence my reason for visiting again just two days later.

     Autumn Meadowhawks (Sympetrum vicinum) were present in large numbers. I don't know how many I saw but it was certainly scores.

     Everywhere I looked Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) was dispersing its seeds on the wind.

     Is there anything quite as peaceful as a pair of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) dabbling in a pool?

     I have seen remarkably few fungi this fall, so a couple of Shaggy Manes (Coprinus comatus) was very agreeable.

25 October, 2026

RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

     A noisy flock of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were feasting on a bumper crop of Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was happy to join them.

     We were immensely excited to discover a new species for us. May I present the bewitching Narrow-winged Tree Cricket (Oecanthus niveus)?

     No family of trees is more associated with Canada  than maples, and they are very dear to my heart. In the fall the colour of their leaves is legendary, and it was uplifting to see this gorgeous Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) at the end of our walk.

     Long live Canada. Vive le Canada.

     The true north strong and free. 

Rachel Rocks

     Recently, our good friends Graham and Marg Macdonald were visited by their sister-in-law from the UK and we were happy to join them on a stroll along the Mill Race in St. Jacobs.

     The birds were cooperating and Rachel proved to be a bird whisperer of the highest order.

     A White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) made its presence known with a loud greeting, and was quickly spotted.

     In a mere moment, it landed on Rachel's hand to take advantage of the sunflower heart buffet. 

     I am quite sure that this feast is equivalent to Lobster Thermidor and Baked Alaska rolled into one for a nuthatch!

     Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus) were not going to let the feast pass without gleaning their share and they, too, swooped onto Rachel's outstretched hand.

     What joy!

     When I take people along the Mill Race I always tell them that I can pretty much assure them a chickadee on the hand, with a good chance of a nuthatch, too. To complete the trifecta, however, a friendly, confident Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) is needed, and that's far from assured.

     

     This male, however, took one glance at Rachel's hand, and glided down in an instant.

     Her first visit to The Mill Race and she had a perfect score!

     A few curious Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) came to see what was going on, hoping no doubt for a little cracked corn, but I had none with me.

     American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is a dapper little fellow, but argumentative and pugnacious, backing down from no one. We were certainly glad to see him, however.

     American Robins (Turdus migratorius) were ubiquitous, attracted by a super abundant berry crop and dense stands of Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

     Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were drawn to the same rich pickings.

     At the end of our walk we enjoyed coffee and scones at the Eco Café.

     It is a safe assumption that the denizens of the Mill Race were abuzz with excitement following Rachel's visit - chickadees chattering, nuthatches nattering, woodpeckers whooping, ducks quacking and waxwings whistling.

     Rachel Carson believed that every person has to respectfully repay an eternal debt to nature; safe to say that another Rachel did that today.