Our Backyard and Beyond

 17 June 2021

Our Backyard, Waterloo, ON

     Our backyard continues to remain a safe haven for a range of wildlife, with food, water and shelter present, and native vegetation aplenty.

     I cannot think of a day when at least a couple of Mourning Doves (Zenaida macroura) are not there from first light until the end of day, and at times in the winter there have been more than twenty.

     Its familiarity does not detract from its delicate beauty.

     Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis) is blooming prolifically at present and delights us when we sit out on the patio.

     Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) are regular visitors to the feeders, and it is not surprising that they have been bringing their young to visit.

     The fledglings lack the iridescent sheen and the yellow eyes of their parents.

     They are fully capable at this stage of taking care of themselves, but waste no opportunity nevertheless to cadge from mom and dad - usually with great success.

     A regular visitor is a male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) seemingly in the process of moulting his head feathers.

     We call him Scruffy - in the most affectionate way I hasten to add!

     This fledgling cardinal was constantly begging from its parents.

     And it worked every time!

     His patient, long-suffering and devoted mother is seen below.

18 June 2021

Laurel Creek Conservation Area, Waterloo, ON

     Other than for a few very common species, it was difficult to find birds; and the fact that the park was quite busy did not help the situation, so we applied our energies to insects primarily.

     The is a Hover Fly in the genus Cheilosia, commonly known as Blacklets.

     That's as far as I can get with the ID. There are almost 500 of these creatures worldwide, and they all look very similar to the uninitiated eye, and many of them are impossible to identify visually.

     Similarly, I am unable to name the species of the following Sweat Bee in the genus Lasioglossum.

     A very familiar Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica) gave us no trouble at all.

     This is the larva of a Leaf Beetle in the family Chrysomelidae. A handsome little creature, don't you agree?

     Spotted Grass Moth (Rivula propinqualis) is quite common at this time of the year, but easily overlooked.

     Herb-Robert (Geranium robertianum) does not seem to host many insects or their larvae; in fact the odour of its crushed leaves is claimed to repel mosquitoes.

     This American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was gathering food to take back to the nest to feed its young.

     It is conventional wisdom that most bird species find the Gypsy Moth caterpillar distasteful but this individual seems to have included them on its menu. Miriam and I have also witnessed Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) battering Gypsy Moth larvae against the ground and either consuming them or flying off with a beak full.

     We were very happy to find a cooperative Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok),

     Northern Crescents (Phyciodes cocyta) can be seen flitting everywhere.

     The caterpillar of the Gypsy Moth is quite beautiful but its impact on a deciduous forest is devastating.

     Following is a picture of a Long-legged Fly in the family Dolichopodidae.

     Shown below is a pond spreadwing in the genus Lestes , but I am unable to extend the ID beyond that.

     Spotted Spreadwing (Lestes congener) would be my educated guess, but if anyone feels confident to confirm or refute this supposition I would be happy to hear from you.

     Clemen's Skeletonizer (Acoloithus falsarius) is an impressive name for a tiny insect!

     This species is known from wineries, but I am not sure whether it is a great hazard to the grape crop.

     There are over 35,000 Long-horned Beetles (family Cerambycidae) in the world, and identification other than by an expert in this taxon is extremely difficult. I am fairly confident based on the research I have done, and on probability, this individual belongs in the genus Oberea.

     As I have mentioned in previous posts, Bluets (Genera Coenagrion and Enallagma) are also difficult to identify as to species without having the insect in the hand, and sometimes under a microscope.

     Daisy Fleabane (Erigeron pulchellus) is widespread and attractive.

     We caught movement out of the corner of our eye and were happy to find a Common Carpet Moth, also known as White-banded toothed Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata).

     It is not often that we see American Yellow Warbler (Setophaga aestiva) on the ground.

      It has a bill full of food, no doubt to be relayed back to hungry nestlings.

     Calico Pennant (Celithemis elisa) is an exceptionally handsome dragonfly, and Miriam captured a couple of great shots of a male.

23 June 2021

RiverSong Banquet Hall, St. Jacobs, ON

       After a long hiatus when COVID restrictions prohibited lunch on the patio, it was finally possible to resume this very pleasant activity.

     I am quite sure that this newly fledged Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) was very happy to see us.

      Better it get up off the ground and into the dense bushes where it will be appreciably safer.

     A Red-spotted Purple (Limenthis arthemis astyanax) went about its business unconcerned, although it too would be wise to be vigilant. We saw both Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) and Eastern Wood Pewee (Contopus virens), both of whom would find a large butterfly a very tasty treat.

      Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa) was quite common, and this is a male in prime condition.

     Much of the Canada Goldenrod (Solidago canadensis) was brown and withered and has been subjected to a full frontal attack by a beetle of some kind. I am unable to identify the larvae. (See YAM's comment below).

      The cheery song of the House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) was seldom out of earshot, and it was a delight to be in the company of this ebullient musician.

26 June 2021

A drive through the country, Region of Waterloo, ON

     It was hot and sticky, not the kind of weather to go for a walk, so we decided on a drive through the country.

     And what could be more pleasant than this?

     This foal was sticking close to mom, but when the mare approached Miriam at the fence, obviously hoping for a carrot or an apple, the foal was not reluctant to make friends too.

     Scenes such as this are the stuff of pure delight.

     A Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) signified its approval.

     As might be expected in late June, young birds are popping up everywhere.

     This recently fledged Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) was waiting patiently for devoted parents to fly by and stuff an insect into its waiting bill.

     Looks like mom is coming right now!

     And young Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica) were no less anxious to be fed.

     This Common Starling, bashing a Gypsy Moth caterpillar into submission, no doubt had hungry mouths back at the nest to take care of.

     Until the next time, be sure to get out and enjoy nature. There is nothing quite like it!   

     

Nature During COVID Lockdown

      As the seemingly interminable restrictions on free movement continue, we find ways to enjoy nature, and content ourselves with what we can do rather than bemoaning what we can't. 

     

13 May 2021

Our backyard, Waterloo, ON

     There is habitat, food, water and shelter in our yard and the variety of birds that visit us is adequate testament to this fact.

      White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) generally put in an appearance spring and fall and this year has been no exception.

     Its kissing cousin, White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) can also be counted on to entertain us, and recently there have been as many as five individuals at a time feeding on the ground.

13 May 2021

Lakeside Park, Kitchener, ON

     This location has become a bit of a favourite for us. It is close by and on a good day when there is an extensive parade of migrants it is a great place to see birds.

     And the variety of plants should not be ignored either. 

     American Black Currant (Ribes americanum) is quite beautiful and is in the full flush of its inflorescence.

     Bitter Wintercress (Barbarea vulgaris) is in the same family (Brassicaceae) as the watercress one buys at the greengrocer, but as far as I know is not widely consumed in the same way, its leaves having a bitter taste.

     Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata) is a plant that can cause the mildest of people to curse, swear, hiss and spit! It was introduced by early European settlers and is highly invasive. It often dominates the understory of native forests, seriously reducing biodiversity.

     Attempts to eradicate it have all failed; the best one can hope for is to keep it at bay.

     Birds are not the only animals with breeding on their agenda and we found this family of Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) beyond delightful.

     Soon these youngsters will acquire independence from their parents and will be causing mayhem and mischief in the forest as only squirrels can.

    Eastern Kingbirds (Tyrannus tyrannus) find exposed perches from which to scan for passing insects.....

     ..... and sally forth to snag each morsel that comes in range.

     A small party of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) moved through and many cameras were aimed in their direction as this photogenic favourite posed obligingly.

     The black bib on a male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is prima facie evidence of fitness, so it would be a reasonable conclusion that this bachelor should have no difficulty attracting female companions.

     A male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) .....

     ..... is quite different from the female of the species.

     We always derive great pleasure from seeing a Grey Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) and this was Miriam's fist sighting this spring.

14 May 2021

Mill Race Trail, St. Jacobs, ON

     A male Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) seemed to be finding juicy grubs of one kind or another on this stump.

     American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is a diminutive rodent that punches far above its weight, not hesitating to rout the considerably larger American Grey Squirrel if they are disputing over food resources.

     In fact, one could be forgiven for concluding that they just don't like each other, for rarely do their paths cross for even a minute or two before a chase breaks out.

     It is difficult to tell from this picture, but the Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta marginata) in the picture below was quite tiny, barely attaining 10 cm I would estimate.

     Does one ever tire of a male Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)? 

     I think not!

     Wet swamps and marshes are glowing with Marsh Marigolds (Caltha palustris).

     It evokes memories from childhood when I would pick them and put them in a jam jar of water on the window sill. And in those same wetlands I would catch newts (Family: Salamandridae) which I used to keep in an old ceramic baby bath, into which I had added mud and swamp water, with a few plants from the pond too. That was a long time ago!

     White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) is Ontario's floral emblem and I confess to being a huge fan of this flower, which blooms for such a short period each spring.

     Part way along the trail we began to hear the persistent (and loud) noise made by amorous American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus americanus) and it was not long before we came upon the orgy that was underway.

     Males fought vigorously for the chance to mount a female and hang on at all costs. The rites of spring were the driving biological force;  nothing else mattered, the urge to mate and perpetuate the species trumped all else.

     American Toads come in a variety of colours and every variation seemed to be on display.

     Soon it will be quiet again and the toads will have returned to dry land. The brief interlude of unrestrained lust will be over for another year.

15 May 2021

Two Storm-water Management Ponds, Waterloo, ON

     I could hear the liquid notes of a Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) piercing the morning air, as this ardent male sang from a lofty perch.

     To claim that a Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) possesses a song would be to stretch the limits of how one defines song. This male quietly probed the banks of the pond.

     There will be more local news in the next post. A couple of observations yesterday were quite exciting and I will look forward to bringing those to you. Lockdown continues for humans, but for nature the world proceeds as it should. I hope to share it with you.