Recent Highlights

22 October, 2026 

Huron Natural Area, Kitchener, ON

      Given the unusually warm fall, asters are blooming in profusion even in late October.

      This stand of Frost Aster (Symphyotrichum pilosum) caught my attention and admiration.

     American Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) is surely as adorable a little rodent as one might imagine.

     If rats looked as cute we would love them all!

    Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocpous pileatus) is not a bird I see often, so any encounter is exciting. This is not an especially good picture, but it is all I was able to manage.

24 October, 2026

Huron Natural Area, Kitchener, ON

    Huron Natural Area is an park I do not know well, and I am trying to become familiar with it. Hence my reason for visiting again just two days later.

     Autumn Meadowhawks (Sympetrum vicinum) were present in large numbers. I don't know how many I saw but it was certainly scores.

     Everywhere I looked Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) was dispersing its seeds on the wind.

     Is there anything quite as peaceful as a pair of Mallards (Anas platyrynchos) dabbling in a pool?

     I have seen remarkably few fungi this fall, so a couple of Shaggy Manes (Coprinus comatus) was very agreeable.

25 October, 2026

RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

     A noisy flock of Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were feasting on a bumper crop of Common Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica).

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) was happy to join them.

     We were immensely excited to discover a new species for us. May I present the bewitching Narrow-winged Tree Cricket (Oecanthus niveus)?

     No family of trees is more associated with Canada  than maples, and they are very dear to my heart. In the fall the colour of their leaves is legendary, and it was uplifting to see this gorgeous Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) at the end of our walk.

     Long live Canada. Vive le Canada.

     The true north strong and free. 

RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

19 September, 2025 

     The very first agreeable fellow to welcome us was this charming Bold Jumping Spider (Phidippus audax).

     The old silo is no longer a functioning grain storage location. It is the signature landmark of the adjacent Grey Silo Golf Course.

     The apples in the farmer's orchard are ready for picking; they look delicious.

     Viceroy (Limentis archippus) enjoys a life largely free from predators by closely resembling a Monarch (Danaus plexippus), which is toxic and avoided by birds and others who might wish to eat it.

     This seemed to be the day of the jumping spider. Here is another Bold Jumping Spider.

     It is always a joy to come upon a Great Spangled Fritillary (Argynnis cybele).

     New England Aster (Symphytrichum novae-angliae) never fails to charm me.

     As has often been the case this year, birds were sparse, so this Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens) was especially welcome.

     Shaggy Mane (Coprinus comatus) is both attractive and edible; better get it while it's fresh if you have culinary aspirations.

     We are happy to admire it and let it be.

     I am fairly sure the ant depicted here is a species of Furrowed Ant (genus Myrmica).

     The Aphids (family Aphididae) are afforded protection by the ants who seek their sugary secretions, and will attack other insects intent on predating the aphids.

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) was its usual beautiful yet pestiferous self.

     An Eastern Black Carpenter Ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) is a formidable creature.

     No doubt, like the Furrowed Ant above, it will exploit and defend these aphids.

     This rock in the Grand River is nearly always occupied by a bird, often a Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) as is the case here.

     A Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) is probably the most common spider on our walks. If I were tasked with finding one for a visitor it would be relatively easy to do so.

     This individual was hauling up prey it had captured, wrapped in silk and prepared for consumption.

Small White (Pieris rapae)

     An Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons) was probing deep into Goldenrod (genus Solidago).

     Like so many introduced species Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) is very attractive, but no less disruptive to native ecosystems.

     It's probably safe to say that even those who profess to harbour intense dislike of insects, reserve a soft spot for lady beetles. 

     This DeKay's Brown Snake (Storeria dekayi) was probably basking on warm pavement when a cyclist or other human, ran over it. It was still responsive, but I doubt that it could survive.

     A Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus) is a Jim Dandy in the world of invertebrates.

     Fall is glorious, isn't it?

     An American Robin (Turdus migratorius) made us happy.

     Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) is a captivating butterfly.

     It is generally the first butterfly we see in the spring, so we were happy to observe them in September, too.

     Another Viceroy was close by.

     These fungi are members of the family known as Artist's Brackets, Reishi and Allies (genus Ganoderma).

     Our walk begins and ends at a Mennonite farm, still active and farming in traditional ways, a sort of living museum, in fact.

     

     This old barn door seems to represent a parable for life itself - always be careful where you step!

A Visit to RIM Park, Waterloo, ON

 14 April, 2025

     We were joined by Lisa for a morning's birding at RIM Park.

     Migrants are flooding the area almost daily and we were delighted to see our first Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) of the spring.

     No doubt with a surge of "if you've got it flaunt it" sentiment, he showed off the yellow belly from whence derives his name.

     As a consequence of the death of Pope Francis we have been seeing a great deal of cardinals in Rome in their red robes. They fade into irrelevance when compared with the bird!

     And he's doing everything possible not to remain celibate!

     Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) never fail to accentuate my already good spirits as they sing from a high perch, spilling forth their ardour with every fibre of their body.

     This individual is buffeted by the wind but remains an unapologetic, enthusiastic minstrel.

     Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) were spotted in the upper third of the trees but never 

favoured us with a clear view.

      A Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) was busy gathering nesting material; it looks like a comfortable feather bed is in the offing.

     A pair of Canada Geese (Branta canadensis) and a sleepy Mallard (Anas platyrynchos) shared the Grand River together.

     This flotilla of Buffleheads (Bucephala albeola) looked quite grand as it mastered the flow of the water, all the while diving for food.

     This nest looked quite new, and well constructed, but we were unable to figure out the identity of the architect.

     There is latent joy in an American Robin (Turdus migratorius) from its jaunty, cheerful song to its splendid appearance.

     It is a source of consternation for every birder that one can always find evidence of Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) excavations, but seldom the bird itself.

     The Swiss Guards at the funeral in Vatican City would hardly rival a robin for an upright stance!

     A Downy Woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens), in sharp contrast to its pileated cousin, is always willing to bring greetings.

     There's never a bad time for a snack.

     When we left RIM Park, Lisa said, "We're close to Millennium Pond, let's take a quick look."

     Our reward was a very cooperative American Coot (Fulica americana).

     We saw much more, but those pictures are locked in our mind.  It had been a great morning and, as always, spending time with Lisa only added to the pleasure.