A Pot-pourri

      The definition of pot-pourri in the Oxford English Dictionary is, "A mixture of dried petals and spices used to perfume a room etc"; alternatively, "a musical or literary medley". The term has come to mean, however, in popular usage, a mixture of unrelated facts and it is in this sense that I am using the term to pull together pictures that have been taken over the past couple of months and deserve a place on my blog.

03 May, 2022

SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

     I am quite sure that if Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) were not seen and/or heard within the first ten minutes of arriving at SpruceHaven we would be checking to see what disaster had befallen us.

     It is as familiar and as joy-inducing as a child's face in a playground.

     We have erected many nest boxes for Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) and they have responded accordingly, being one of our most reliable migrants.

     You may see a hundred in a day, a thousand even, and each one will be as delightful and inspirational as the last.

     Squabbles over nestbox occupancy are not uncommon. Sometimes it's best to go and find another.

     Eastern Bluebirds (Sialis sialia) covet the same accommodation, but one way or another the birds seem to settle their rivalries and both species produce young each year.

     In the woodlot, spring ephemerals are plentiful and endearing. The whimsically-name Dutchman's Breeches (Dicentra cucullaria) never fail to bring a smile to my face.

     Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum), with its spotted leaves, verges on emblematic of a southern Ontario woodland in May.

     Is there anything quite as stunning as a Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)?

     It is always a glorious discovery, flowering for a brief period, but promising to return next year to renew our love affair.

31 May, 2022

Along the Grand River, Kitchener, ON

     Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) is an attractive species that has become more common here in recent years.

     It is not unusual for American Robins (Turdus migratorius) to raise three broods in a year, and both parents are kept busy ferrying food to the nest, where seemingly insatiable young await the next mouthful.

     This male Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) has no doubt already mated with a female or two to fertilize eggs destined for the nests of other species. Not for him the chore of finding and delivering food to hungry chicks.

     The bright orange and black plumage of a Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) is eagerly anticipated each spring, by even the most casual observer, and engenders universal excitement and delight.

04 June, 2022

McGregor Provincial Park, Port Elgin, ON

     I was happy to be asked to give a presentation at the Huron Fringe Birding Festival, but took a moment out to take a picture of this incredible Yellow Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum).

     If you are not left gob-smacked and twitter-pated 

by this beauty I think your sensory organs are failing you.

11 June, 2022

SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

     Male and female Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) look different enough that early ornithologists thought they were separate species, until noted in unmistakable affirmation of their common identity.

♂

♀

     We visit the Tree Swallows often, but the camera is always smoking nevertheless, and the shot is sometimes quite exceptional. Bravo, Miriam!

     Here is the inside of a typical next box and I am sure you can see the female sitting tight.

     Healthy young were growing rapidly in another bird house.

     Common Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia) appeared to be in the full flush of its flight period.

     No doubt, some of them were captured as food for hungry young Tree Swallows and Eastern Bluebirds.

     A Goldenrod Gall Fly (Eurosta solidagnis) is a distinctive creature, its entire life being spent on goldenrod (Solidago).

     Goldenrod Leaf Beetle (Trirhabda canadensis) was also easily found.

     The world of nature is often a world of mimicry, a device used to great advantage by many species, this Hairy-eyed Bee-mimic (Mallota posticata) being no exception.

     The Great Outdoors is never anything but wonderful, the world's finest classroom, a source of infinite pleasure. 

     Miriam and I are very happy to be part of it.

Odds and Ends

      Winter has been a strange affair so far, with snow and relatively cold temperatures one day, followed by above freezing conditions day after day thereafter, with precipitation in the form of rain. The regular species  have been active at the feeders, including a very welcome Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus). 

     More often than not a male has graced us with his presence, so we were especially happy to see this female.

At Home and a Morning at SpruceHaven

09 August 2021

Our backyard, Waterloo, ON

     Northern Cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis) are daily visitors to our backyard, and this handsome male makes a statement!

     You could be forgiven for thinking that he looks a little grumpy, but a couple of minutes later he was singing his head off!     

     A male House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) is a smart looking bird too.

     A female Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) would find it hard to compete with the cardinal or the finch in the good-looks department, but she is a welcome visitor nonetheless.

     I have tried as best I can to identify this arachnid, without success. If you know what it is, feel free to leave a comment.

13 August 2021

Our backyard, Waterloo, ON

     Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) is a frequent victim of cowbird parasitism and in years past we have seen these tiny birds feeding gargantuan cowbirds. This year, however, we have on several occasions observed adults feeding their own young, so perhaps they are developing effective strategies to combat the cowbird cheats.

     These two are gazing skyward for some reason.

     They did not appear alarmed and we saw no predator in the sky above them, so what they were looking at will forever remain a mystery.

     A third individual was perched nearby.

    The following American Robin (Turdus migratorius) is probably a female, based on the muted colouration.

     Females are generally duller overall with browner black on the head, but I have never found this to be entirely reliable, and somewhat subjective. For all practical purposes males and females look the same.

     An Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) was industrious - as bees are supposed to be.

     You may recall from my last post that a Northern Cardinal was seen feeding a fledgling Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrush ater). Here we see a male cardinal with his own young.

     As is the case with human children, food is usually top of mind.

     Give me more!

     There seems to be every indication that he will grow up to be as handsome as his father.

14 August 2021

Berlett's Road, Wilmot Township, ON

     On the way to SpruceHaven we generally travel along Berlett's Road, which at times can be pleasingly birdy. 

     We often see Wild Turkeys (Melegris gallopavo) and this flock seems to have become particularly tame around one of the houses that borders on a forested area.

     I have no doubt that they had consumed all the seed that had spilled from one of the bird feeders and were relaxing in the warm sunshine of an August morning.

     We parked at the side of the road quite close to them and they seemed not the slightest bit perturbed.

     Wild Turkeys buck the trend of species in decline; they have done spectacularly well in recent years and are now a common sight.

     

     A little farther along four juvenile Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) were perched on a wire; three left as soon as we spotted them, but one remained behind for a picture.

     In wet areas near the ditches Spotted Jewelweed (Imaptiens capensis), so important for hummingbirds fuelling up for migration, lined the verges.

     Usually it is difficult to get anywhere close to American Crow (Corvus brachyrynchos), but on this occasion, using the car as a blind, Miriam managed some quite decent shots.

14 August 2021

SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

     Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a wonderful native plant that attracts bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators. 

     I am always happy to see it and it is established in several locations at SpruceHaven.

      Common Eastern Bumblebees (Bombus impaties) could be found all over it.

     To identify grasshoppers down to the species level is a bit daunting for any but an entomologist specializing in the taxon. The best I can do with the following species is to assign it to the large genus melanoplus.

     The grasshoppers were so numerous that many exploded in front of us as we walked, conjuring images of plague numbers that must defy belief.

     Many species of Echinacea populate prairie ecosystems, both moist and dry, and it is very exciting to see the number of species that have taken root in our emergent temperate grassland biome.

     Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is exceptionally striking to my eyes.

     Sow Thistle (Sonchus oleraceus) is not quite so entrancing.

     As already mentioned identifying grasshoppers as to species is not easy, and I am certainly reaching the boundaries of my knowledge when I attempt it, but it is challenge to try, and the process of learning is always enjoyable.

     There is more than one genus of Smooth-horned Grasshoppers; I am pretty sure this is one of them, but I am not sure which!

     Goldenrod Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanica) is obviously not restricted to goldenrods.

     Ambush bugs, in the subfamily Phymatinae are superbly camouflaged as they lie in wait for their prey. We spotted Pennsylvania Ambush Bug (Phymata pennsylvanica) several times.

     You will note by looking carefully there are two bugs here, in copula.

     Camouflage seems not to be a major concern in the ecstasy of the moment!

     Grey-headed Coneflower (Ratibida pinnata) is one of the prairie species that has become established in the grassland; wonderful to behold.

     Appropriately enough, one of its alternate common names is Prairie Coneflower.

     Many areas are awash with gold, with False Sunflower (Heliopsis helianthoides) nodding in gentle breezes or bending to the power of stronger winds.

     It is impossible not to be moved by the beauty of it all.....

     ..... and to wonder what it will all look like a few short years from now.

     A Great Spangled Fritillary (Speraria cybele) found everything to its liking.

     Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) foraged at will.

     Western Honey Bee (Apis melifera) was no less dedicated in its quest for nectar and pollen.

     A male Indigo Bunting Passerina cyanea) was perched on top of a conifer across the road from SpruceHaven.

     Wild Lettuce (Lactuca canadensis) is sometimes referred to as Indian Lettuce, in reference to the fact that its leaves were boiled by First Nations people to make a kind of tea, albeit quite bitter.

     Stable Fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) is an impressive insect. Don't get bitten by one, however - it hurts!

     Their preferred hosts are cattle and horses, but they display little hesitation in turning their unwelcome attention to dogs and humans.

     The following larva has eluded all my attempts to identify it.

     The fly below is found in the genus Poecilanthrax.

     Daisy-like Annual Fleabane (Erigeron annuus) was quite common throughout.

     This Western Honey Bee appears to have had a successful bout of foraging judging from the load in its pollen baskets.

     Canada Wild Rye (Elymus canadensis) is known to establish easily so it was no great surprise, yet no less of a pleasure to come across it, a recent component of the grassland.

     Various species of thistle (Genus Cirsium) are equally adept at propogating themselves, and though their seeds provide an important food source for birds such as American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) they are aggressively invasive, and we may have to devise ways of removing them.

     A Black Blister Beetle (Epicauta pensylvanica) is known to favour yellow plants, as seen here.

     The web of Argiope spiders are wonders of architecture, and in the fall when early morning dew is a daily feature, meadows glisten with them.

     A Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) found foraging to its liking.....

     ..... as did a Northern Corn Rootworm (Diabrotica barberi).....

     ..... and a Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice)

     Pinkweed (Persicaria pensylvanica) is an attractive plant and a target of pollinator insects.

     Unfortunately it has the potential to swamp entire areas, as has happened at the spot we refer to as Teen Hollow.

     We will have to put our heads together to see whether some form of remediation is possible.

     Common Eastern Bumblebees are nothing if not industrious.

     A hyper-abundance of Pinkweed is probably to their liking, if not to ours!

     It was difficult to slog through the Pinkweed down to the ponds which are reduced in size due to relentless summer heat, but a Twelve-spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella) justified the effort.

     A friendly Northern Leopard Frog (Lithobates pipiens) was unperturbed by our presence.

     Carolina Grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina) is numerous and the easiest  grasshopper to identify.

     We saw Common Ringlet (Coenonympha california) fluttering daintily above the grasses, alighting now and then.

     False Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus turcicus) is a very attractive little animal.

     Cabbage White was very common, and this male perched nicely for us.

 

     The sighting of a One-spotted Stink Bug (Euschistus variolarius) was a first - always exciting.

   Barn Swallows have had a successful year and many youngsters were waiting for long-suffering adults to come and feed them.

     Finally, I offer you a Tarnished Plant Bug (Lygus lineolaris), a serious pest of fruits such as strawberries, peaches and apricots. 

     We enjoyed discovering the bug, but we don't have to deal with its destructive consequences.

     It will be plain to all who read this account that our restored grassland, which just three summers ago hosted a soybean crop, has become a veritable centre of biodiversity.

     I am giddy just imagining what is still to come.