Fields of Goldenrod and
Nectar for Everyone!
7 September 2014
At Princess Point in Hamilton, Goldenrod was in full bloom in meadows where it has been left undisturbed. Not surprisingly, this bonanza provided copious amounts of pollen and the insect pollinators were hard at work, collecting nectar and in the process doing the important work of pollination.
As has been noted in a recent post I was delighted to see a couple of Monarch butterflies at Grass Lake. I was even more delighted to see many, many more hovering over the field of gold, and landing and feeding at will. It was indeed encouraging to be able to glance around and see Monarchs in all directions. There was still nothing to rival the swarms of yesteryear, but it was wonderful to see more than I have seen in several years.
It truly is a vision of beauty and set against the panoply of gold seemed ever more serene.
This grasshopper was numerous also, and is probably in the genus Melanoplus, but I have been unable to identify it as to species. If anyone can help please leave a comment below.
What was also very heartening indeed was the sheer number of Common Eastern Bumblebee Bombus impatiens all impressively laden with pollen. They looked for all the world as though they were toting saddlebags!
In addition, there were numerous flies, damselflies, butterflies and other insects and it seemed for a moment that a small corner of virgin wilderness had been created in an urban centre. If one closed one's eyes the sheer buzz of insect sound was music to the ears, a true symphony of nature.
