Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

"If we don't pay attention to nature's smallest creatures.....and to the role of the tiniest living things in providing for the rest of us, we may find ourselves in a truly frightening place."

                                David Suzuki

01 September, 2024

Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) continues to invade Hillside Park like an advancing scourge, beautiful yet destructive. The plant produces abundant nectar and is a magnet for bees and other insects.

     Here you see a Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) poised to enter the corolla, already bearing pollen from visits to other blooms.

     It almost disappears as it probes deep into the flower to drink sweet, energy-rich nectar.

     It was quite wonderful to see whole families of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) feeding on Elderberries (genus Sambucus). 

     The young were no doubt learning from their parents.

    Wild Cucumber (Echinocystis lobata) was prolific.

     Here is what the fruit looks like.

     As far as I know it has no edible value, but was used medicinally by native people.

     A Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) demonstrated anew that Himalayan Balsam is irresistible to insect pollinators.

     This bracket fungus was located high up in a tree. 

     It is probably Dryad's Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus) but it's hard to know for sure when viewed only from the bottom.

     A couple of Eastern Grey Squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), a black morph and a grey morph interestingly enough, seemed especially happy to see each other on a bright, sunny day.

     A young American Robin (Turdus migratorius), freshly launched into the world, was learning all the skills needed for survival.

     Violet-toothed Polypore (Trichaptum biforme) was performing the important function of nutrient recycling on a downed log.

     I am not sure whether American Toads (Anaxyrus americanus) have had a better than usual breeding season, or whether we are just seeing more of them, but they appear to be everywhere, charming us with their anuran appeal.

     Common Aerial Yellowjacket (Dolichovespula arenaria) is frequently seen too, seeming to favour goldenrods above other flowering plants.

     Funnel Weavers (family Agelenidae) are very interesting arachnids. We first spotted this individual inside its funnel den.

     It then came out, as though to pay us a visit.

     Having seen enough of us and finding us decidedly uninteresting, and certainly not a source of lunch, it retreated back inside to wait for better opportunities.

     Jerusalem Artichokes (Helianthus tuberosus) were showy and bold.

     Our final companion for the day was a Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscoma crucifera).

     There is a general recognition that bird populations around the world are significantly reduced, and at the local level we find this to be true. Even now, at the peak of migration they are more difficult to locate, and are present in much smaller numbers. 

     These are worrying times.

 

Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

19 July, 2024

     We decided to go for a stroll in Hillside Park after dinner, specifically hoping to see Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) which should have recently emerged.

     We were not disappointed, although, curiously we saw only females.

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera), invasive yet beautiful, was at its splendid best.

     The flower produces so much nectar it is much favoured by pollinators, and native plants are sometimes thereby neglected.

     A ray of strong evening sunlight rendered the ear of an Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridianus) almost transparent.

     The pods of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) are plump and full of seeds.

     Soon they will burst and their seeds will be dispersed by the wind.

     A Common Carpet Moth (Epirrhoe alternata) flitted and danced ahead of us.

     Typical Flesh Flies (subfamily Sarcophaginae) are robust little characters - and abundant.

     Flies may not rank as your favourite companions, but it's hard to deny this is a very attractive insect.

     Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) is found around the world, having been introduced deliberately or unintentionally in many countries.

     American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) breeds towards the end of summer when thistle seeds are in abundance, and this male is perhaps feeling his hormones surging.

     A female Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), by contrast, may be done with her maternal duties for the year.

     We were happy to spot the curiously-named Obscure Plant Bug (Plagiognathus obscurus), not a species we see often.

     Brown-lipped Snails (Cepaea nemoralis) were ubiquitous.

     We noted that Bird's-foot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) seemed very attractive to a full suite of pollinator insects, witness this Western Honey Bee.

     As we turned to head back to the car an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) suddenly appeared in front of us, as though to bid us farewell.

     

     It was a fitting end to a very pleasant after-dinner perambulation. We must do it again soon. 

Catching up.....Episode 3

 31 March, 2023

A Drive through the Countryside

     Eastern Bluebird (Sialis sialia) is a success story, in stark contrast to so many declines in bird populations; it  verges on common in certain areas.

     This bird is banded and was probably monitored as a nestling. It would be interesting to be able to read the band and know where the bird originated.

     It was a very agreeable circumstance to come upon a Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), an unusual sighting to be sure.

     Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is a much under-appreciated bird in my opinion, especially when the sunlight hits it and its plumage shimmers.

     A Groundhog (Marmota momax) was reluctant to venture out into the open.

     A pair of humans at an Easter Parade, decked out in their finery, would have a hard time looking better than these Mallards (Anas platyrynchos).

     Bald Eagle (Haliaetus leucocephalus) is another avian success story (isn't it amazing what happens when persecution ceases?), and nesting pairs are no longer uncommon.

     An eagle's nest is an impressive structure.

07 April, 2024

Hillside Park, Waterloo, ON

     The creek was full of fish, minnows of one kind or another it seems, but I don't have enough familiarity with them to attempt identification.

     A drake Mallard was content to rest awhile.

     Willows (genus Salix) were displaying the exuberance of spring.

     Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) imparted a real splash of colour to a landscape still dun from winter.

     We saw (and heard) several Northern Flickers (Colaptes auratus) but this was the only one in camera range - and even it was quite distant.

     Someone had deposited bird seed onto a stump and it attracted the attention of many species.

     A female Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) was quick to take advantage of this afternoon snack.

     And seemed quite willing to share with a Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus).

     A Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) was next in line.....

     ..... followed by a White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis).

     A Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) was quite content to watch the world go by.

Bechtel Park, Waterloo, ON

     Wild Leeks (Allium tricoccum) were abundant.

     I have never used them in my culinary adventures, preferring to leave them in the forest, but I know people who have cooked with them and speak highly of the flavour.

     Early Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum giganteum) was emerging here and there.

     Several Mourning Cloaks (Nymphalis antiopa) enjoyed a fine spring afternoon and put on a show for us.

Columbia Lake, Waterloo, ON

     It was barely out of the way to drop by Columbia Lake on the way home - so we did!

     A colourful male Northern Cardinal was there to greet us.

     There were many Common Mergansers (Mergus merganser) on the lake.

     Strangely, these females were all lined up along the far bank.

     We were delighted to see a pair of Gadwall (Mareca strepara), a species not often observed at this location.

     A Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) was on its way to its northerly breeding grounds.

     Several Song Sparrows were probing for food.

     And an American Robin seemed to salute us as we arrived back at the car.

     There's more to come, but that will wait for next time.