A Morning with a Chinese Home School Group along The Mill Race

      Before setting off on the trail we walked down to the Conestogo River to check what might be present there.

     Two Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias) were spotted, quite distant but visible even without binoculars.

      The Mill Race Trail extends a little beyond the main entrance on Three Bridges Road, on the other side of the road, and we decided to walk up to the waterfall, never having done so together.

     Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata) were screeching pretty much the whole time, and occasionally we caught a glimpse of one.

     Crossing back over the road we embarked on the trail proper.

     Recently the trail had been closed for five days for maintenance, primarily to clear the path of downed trees, the result of strong winds in the area, but it seems to have been an opportunity to grade the surface too, and it was hard packed and in great condition.

     It didn't take long for a group of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) to come to visit us. 

     I really must remember to bring some cracked corn to reward them for their friendliness!

     The fall colours have not been as vibrant this year as they usually are, due to stress caused by drought early in the growing season. This Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) was almost as fiery as the leaf on the flag, however.

     It didn't take long for the children to make their first attempt at feeding Black-capped Chickadees (Poecile atricapillus).

     As we progress deeper into fall and cooler weather, these birds are far more willing to look to humans for food. We invest in nutritious, high energy sunflower seeds to make sure that what we give them is beneficial.

     The children are always ecstatic to be out in the fresh air, and the birds are a delightful bonus for them.

     Such happy faces!

Becky, Phoebe, Charlotte

Luke

     In a couple of spots the chickadees were quick to surround us to take advantage of outstretched hands bearing seed.

     At the half way point of our excursion we have made it a tradition to stop at the Eco Café for a coffee and a snack, and access to washrooms.

     This visit was made more exceptional than usual by the presence of a young lady painting en plein air. In years past one saw this activity quite often, especially along the banks of a river or in a forest clearing, but not any more. It was so pleasing to see it taking place on the sidewalk, to record the life on the street.

     We chatted briefly and she gave me permission to take her picture and post it on my blog. Her  name is Mariia Kiiasko and here is a link to some of her work: https://www.instagram.com/m_way_paints?vrfl=aXJ6azVmZ3hjcmNq&utm_source=qr 

     On the way back one of the children spotted this perfectly formed woodpecker hole.

     Shortly afterwards we came upon a male Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), perhaps the architect himself!

     Familiar fungi caught everyone's attention.

     St. Jacobs is a quaint little village, very popular with tourists and a tourist train runs from Waterloo to St. Jacobs and back during summer and fall.

    These young explorers are nothing if not adventuresome, with parents who know that kids need to be challenged and allowed to exercise their curiosity and resolve.

     Here is Theodore, the quintessential child for whom no challenge should go unanswered. It's not for nothing we have dubbed him Theodore the Explorer!

     Here is his big brother, Joshua.

     Joseph, Daniel, Rachel and Joshua discovered an Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis). It looks to be a pretty good size, too.

     As the chill of autumn supplants the warmth of summer they will be seeking underground hibernacula to pass the winter below ground, where the temperature remains above freezing. 

     Amelia was especially keen to hand feed a chipmunk; her infinite patience was rewarded.

     She did it more than once, too.

     Luke and Phoebe were anxious to show off treasures they had found.

     Becky was equally keen but she kept her fingers clenched on the little shells she had found.

     We spent a great morning together, as we always do. In all my years of leading groups I have never bonded with any of them as intensely as I have done with "my" Chinese Home School group. It really is quite remarkable.

     Thanks to Steven for videos and pictures, and Ingrid, Penny and Theo for their pictures.

     We'll do it again next month.

MacGregor Point Provincial Park, near Port Elgin, ON

"Attention is the beginning of devotion."

Mary Oliver

07 September, 2026 

     This gem of a park along the shore of Lake Huron is becoming a firm favourite with us. It has a wonderful range of diverse habitat, including a wetland, mixed forest and the shore of Lake Huron. 

     First order of business on arrival is coffee and a Morning Glory muffin.

     We usually begin our wanderings along the Huron Fringe Trail.

     Meadowhawks are quite common in the fall and it was not long before we saw our first White-faced Meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum).

     Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophocampa caryae) caterpillars were on the move and we saw them several times throughout the day.

     These caterpillars sequester toxins and some people get rashes and furious itching when in contact with the hairs. The discomfort rarely lasts long; however, a few people have been known to have severe allergic reactions.

     Fen Grass of Parnassus (Parnassia glauca) is exquisite, and MacGregor Point is a location where we can reliably find it.

     Ohio Goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis) thrives in the sandy soil close to Lake Huron.

     Its entire range seems to be confined to the shorelines of the Great Lakes.

     Lesser Fringed Gentian (Gentianopsis virgata) is exceptionally beautiful and a characteristic flower of September at MacGregor.

     Sticky False-Asphodel (Triantha glutinosa) is found in the same habitat.

     It seemed at times that we could hardly take a step or two without disturbing a Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens).

     They are masters of camouflage and I am sure that for every one we saw many others escaped detection.

     Kalm's Lobelia (Lobelia kalmii) favours calcium rich sites along the shoreline.

     Shrubby Cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa) is a pleasing burst of colour, heartwarming and energizing.

     It evidently provided abundant nectar to an Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens).

     There is hardly a more pleasing sound in all of nature than the thrum of pollinators going about their business.

     Spider Wasps (family Pompilidae) seem to spend more time on the ground than they do in the air. I spotted this one walking along the beach.

     It didn't take long to see the object of its quest.

     The wasp stings the spider into permanent payalysis, to be dragged away to a nest already prepared.

     A single egg is laid and the nest is sealed.

     She then goes off to begin the whole process anew.

     This elegant Tan Jumping Spider (Platycryptus undatus) would be wise to maintain a good distance from the wasp.

     I am always surprised that we don't see more gulls on Lake Huron when we visit MacGregor Park, but this solitary Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) was the only one close to shore.

     Northern Evening Primrose (Oenothera parviflora) is a charismatic plant.

     We found this half-eaten fish on the beach; I think there is enough remaining to identify it as American Gizzard Shad (Dorosoma cepedianum).

     Clouded Sulphurs (Colias philodice) were quite common on the day.

     Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) prefers wetlands with nitrogen-rich soil.

     Its berries are toxic to humans and livestock but are eaten by thrushes (family Turdidae) with no ill effects. Given the ability of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) to neutralize other plant poisons I suspect that they, too, consume the berries, but I have never observed them doing so.

     A Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) struts and leaps like a braggadocious man-about-town.

     Common Greenshield Lichen (Flavoparmelia caperata) decorated trunks and branches.

     It has been a terrific mast year for Northern White Cedar (Thuja occidentalis).

     The caterpillar of a Banded Tussock Moth (Halysidota tessellaris) is a masterpiece of design and function.

     There were other caterpillars, however, that we failed to identify. 

     Bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) is commonly found at this latitude.

      Native Americans traditionally made use of the plant's leaves, which they gathered in summer and dried for use as a tobacco substitute or mixed with tobacco

     Several Viceroys (Limentis archippus) were seen throughout the day.

     White Snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) is a poisonous perennial herb in the family Asteraceae).

     Wood, Mound and Field Ants (genus Formica) are widespread in a variety of habitats.

     I am fairly sure these are Chicken Fat Mushroom (Suillus americanus).

     Spiders occupy so many different niches in every ecosystem you can imagine. One has only to look. Here is a captivating Potter's Grass Spider (Agelenopsis potteri).

     At the end of this walk we had lunch and then it was off to the wetland, via the Tower Trail.

     There are many interpretive boards along the way, most of them informative and well done.

     Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor) is a very common fungus.

     Lichens fascinate me in so many ways, yet I remain dismally inadequate in identifying many of them. I am pretty sure these are Blemished Lichens (genus Phylctis).

     Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum) was in dragonfly heaven!

     The tower is splendidly constructed with different viewing levels and we spent quite bit of time there, surveying the marsh and its inhabitants.

     We were delighted to discover six Great Egrets (Ardea alba), a species that becomes more abundant in Ontario every year.

     It is a majestic bird.

     There were at least three Belted Kingfishers (Megaceryle alcyon) hunting actively - and having great success.

     Once the crayfish was swallowed it was time to rest and digest!

     The more we explored the wetland the more enamoured we became of it.

     Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) made their home there.

     It is always heartwarming to see these wild, migratory birds, a total contrast to the thousands of geese that are now permanent city residents, mooching from humans, holding up traffic and gooping up the soles of your shoes!

     Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) found the wetland an agreeable stopover on their journey south.

     Midland Painted Turtles (Chrysemis picta marginata) will enjoy the warmth of the sun for as long as it's possible, before burrowing into the mud to brumate for the winter.

     We were definitely thrilled with the Great Egrets.

     I am sure it would enjoy a tasty snack of Northern Leopard Frog du jour.

     A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias), always splendid, was perhaps overshadowed somewhat today by its pristine white egret cousin.

     I mentioned earlier that the interpretive signage was mostly well done, but a little more rigorous editing is need. 

     It is amazing that from concept to production to installation no one noticed that a Pileated Woodpecker had become a Pileate Woodpecker. Miriam saw the sign first and it took her all of ten seconds to spot the error.

     I am sure that White Turtlehead (Chelone glabra) pleases everyone.

     Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) no less.

     A Grey Comma (Polygonia progne) posed nicely.

     Compton's Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis l-album) is not a species we see often. Unfortunately it never came to rest anywhere that permitted a good photograph. This was the best I could do.

     We had a very satisfying day from start to finish, with discovery and excitement every minute. What you see here does not represent even twenty percent of what we saw. Sometimes we were unable to get a picture at all, at other times they didn't turn out well. Some creatures that we encountered were anxious to hide and showed themselves only briefly. Many organisms remain unidentified, and often we simply wanted to enjoy what we were seeing, without bothering with the camera at all.

     And think about it. There is no charge for any of nature’s bounty, no reservations to make, and the show plays twenty-four hours a day. The therapeutic benefit you receive from immersion in nature comes without a visit to a therapist. It simply washes over you and makes you feel good. You get some exercise and breathe clean air away from the grime and pollution of towns and cities.

     If you have never tried it you really should!