Benjamin Park, Waterloo, ON

03 August, 2025 

     This park is a mere five minutes from our front door, so we often visit for an hour or two. It is a long narrow park, sandwiched between houses on both sides, but is home to a variety of creatures and vegetation.

       Blue Cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) was looking quite splendid.

     Yellow Archangel (Lamium galeobdolon) covered a lot of ground; the leaves are especially attractive. 

     Flies in the genus Condylostylus are both common and attractive. Three examples follow.

     Riverbank Grape (Vitis riparia) has produced a fine crop of fruit.

     A Cluster Fly in the genus Pollenia.

     Flesh Flies and Satellite Flies (family Sarcophagidae) are impressive insects.

     The common name "flesh fly" derives from several abundant members of the family that develop in cadavers and carrion.

      Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is common and appealing, an opinion tempered somewhat by gardeners!

     Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is loved by all.

     Perennial Sow Thistle (Sonchus arvensis) produces a burst of colour that brightens everyone's day.

    It is often found in derelict areas and alongside roads, lending life to desolate spaces.

     Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) is easily found with a minimum of searching.

     Lesser Burdock (Arctium minus) is not a plant that receives a lot of affection, but it is undeniably beautiful.

     Anyone who has brushed up against it knows the tenacious manner in which the burs stick to clothing - or pets. So effective is it, the plant served as the inspiration for Velcro.

     A Common Eastern Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) evidently found a source of nectar and was quick to exploit it.

     Masked Bees (genus Hylaeus) lack external pollen-carrying structures; instead they transport both nectar and pollen in the crop.

     This Common House Fly (Musca domestica) was perhaps seeking salt from human sweat.

      Common House Fly possibly originated in the Middle East and accompanied humans around the world as a commensal. It is known to spread many diseases; cleanliness is the best defence against them. Stephen Marshall says, ".....is now one of the most widespread and dangerous of all insects because of its association with humans and their associated filth."

     We are our own worst enemy, aren't we?

Addendum

     Recently I led a couple of nature walks for children, and one exceptionally bright and curious participant asked a couple of probing questions about "what makes an insect an insect?"  It occurs to me that others might be interested to - so here are the facts!

     Insects share eight of the ten body systems we have - nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory, excretory, muscular, endocrine, and reproductive. Our remaining two systems, our skeleton and our skin, are replaced in the insect by an exoskeleton, and an open circulatory system that moves hemolymph (the insect equivalent of blood) throughout the body.

     This is a brief summary, but gives you the essentials. There you have it!

Book Review - Europe's Alpine Flowers: A Field Guide - Princeton University Press WILDGuides

 

     As best I can tell, 48 titles have been published in the WildGuides series of books, dating back to 2013; their unifying feature is quality! The topics are wide and varied, the commitment to excellence unique.

     The book I now have next to me on my desk  exemplifies this character in spades. By taking full advantage of improved publishing and printing techniques, by harnessing and consolidating the efforts of all collaborators, by having access to a library of photographs hitherto unrivalled, and by a principled commitment to publishing at the highest level, Europe's Alpine Flowers sets an already high bar even higher. 

     It is a matter of great sadness that Bob Gibson, as enigmatic and obsessive a naturalist as ever searched for a flower, did not live to see the book published. Over-the-top oratory, especially in praise of those no longer with us, comes easy, but in Bob's case every accolade is warranted, and is perhaps not enough. He was a remarkable man and it is not banal to say that we will not soon see his like again.

     Peter Marren and Richard Mabey contribute a moving tribute to their friend and colleague. We learn a great deal about Bob through their sensitive words. To some extent, this book will be a monument to him.

     Now to the book itself!

     It has become standard treatment in WildGuides that each page is embellished with a stunning array of colour photographs. This work is no exception.

      Many pictures are Bob's own, others from dedicated botanists enthralled with the rich variety of alpine flowers they love so much. I would venture to say that few sights in nature are more glorious than an alpine meadow in bloom.

      A section entitled, "Where to see alpine flowers" furnishes a list, country by country, mountain range by mountain range, a veritable inducement to travel to experience the wonder with one's own eyes. I am vividly reminded of time that I have spent in such environments and the pleasure it has brought me. Bob not only studied the flowers, he was very attuned to the inter-relationship between the plants and other organisms whose lives are intertwined with them. 

     There is an exposition of alpine habitats, delineating the characteristics of each type. Knowing habitat is foundational to any study of nature, of course.

     The glossary is first class and follows what seems to be a trend by positioning it at the front of the book rather than at the end, as has traditionally been the case.

     The accounts of individual plants, grouped within families, is exhaustive. The accounts, accompanied by a picture, are brief yet complete, covering details of the plant, its elevation, soil preferences, flowering period, and the countries where it may be found. 

     Perhaps I may be permitted the liberty of ending with a personal anecdote. Many years ago, on a visit to northern California, I had the pleasure of meeting Rich Stallcup, a bit of a legend in the birding community there. Upon inquiring of people what they had seen, and receiving a dismissive reply, such as, "Just a few robins," Stallcup would say, "Sure, you've seen lots of robins, but have you ever seen THAT robin."

     I think that Bob Gibbons might have replied in similar fashion about an Edelweiss. "Have you ever seen THAT Edelweiss." 

     It's a great lesson for us all.

Europe's Alpine Wildflowers: A Field Guide - Princeton University Press WILDGuides

Paperback - US$29.95, £25.00 - ISBN 9780691230788

496 pages - 5.88 x 8.25 inches (14.69 x 20.625 cm)

Publishing date: U.S.A - 02 September, 2025

                            UK - 24 June, 2025

Bridgeport Community Trail/Schaeffer Park, Kitchener, ON

 30 July, 2025

     A Summer Azure (Celestrina neglecta) came to meet us, and we appreciated the gesture very much.

     Not to be outdone a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) posed very nicely.

     He then burst into song to make his welcome even more special.

     Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) is undeniably attractive, yet causes great problems for our native species.

     Once established, it spreads rapidly, and is very difficult (and expensive) to eradicate.

     Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) is a widespread resident, very wary and with good reason.

     It is preyed upon by foxes, coyotes, humans, hawks, owls, weasels, mink - by predators both day and night - and is lucky to make it to six months of age. Fortunately is is very fecund so high numbers are maintained. They can drive a gardener to distraction, but they remain a firm favourite of mine. 

     A Common Angle (Macaria aemulataria) rested quietly in the grass.

     Powdered Dancers (Argia moesta) zipped around at high speed as only odenates can, occasionally landing briefly.

     We were very fortunate to observe the goings-on of a female Ammophila pictipennis as she prepared her burrow.

     As best we could tell she was excavating soil and carrying it quite far from the hole.

      The vertical burrow barely exceeds the length of the wasp, but at the bottom a nearly perpendicular cell is spacious enough to accommodate the wasp and a caterpillar. 

     The preferred host for the egg of the wasp is a cutworm which the wasp paralyzes. Actually cutworm is a bit of a misnomer; they are more correctly described as caterpillars. They are the larvae of night-flying moths.

     Perhaps the burrow is now completed to the satisfaction of the wasp and she is searching for a cutworm to provision the larva of her yet-to-be laid egg.

     It was a remarkable sequence to observe and Miriam deserves much credit for this photographic record, taken from a respectful distance to minimize the possibility of being stung.

     Grape Colaspis (Colaspis brunnea) is a tiny little beetle (around 5mm). 

     Despite its name it is primarily a pest of corn and soybeans, but is not known to cause serious economic damage.

     Here is an Alder Spittlebug (Clastoptera obtusa).

     These slime trails indicate that a slug or snail has been wandering over these leaves.

     We have not seen large numbers of Monarchs (Danaus plexippus) this year, but a few were present close to the river where Milkweed (genus Asclepias) was a suitable host for their eggs.

     A Narrow-waited Wasp (suborder Apocrita) in flight always seems especially threatening.

     A Brown-legged Grass-carrying Wasp (Isodontia auripes) seems benign by comparison.

     It's the time of peak abundance for grasshoppers and Carolina Grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina) was constantly leaping up from beneath our feet.

     A member of Cuckoo Wasps (genus Hedychrum) is a true vision of beauty.

     It's little wonder that jewelry has been fashioned after insects throughout the ages. 

     We didn't see many Mourning Cloaks (Nymphalis antiopa) in the spring so we were exceptionally pleased to see a couple going about their business.

     How different they look with wings folded.

     This stroll lasted no more than two hours and look at what we saw. There was more too. Sometimes our pictures were inadequate and many times we found it impossible to photograph fast moving or cryptically hidden insects.

     You too can do this. Eyes and ears wide open. A whole world of wonder awaits.

Book Review - The Florida Scrub Jay: Demography of a Cooperative-Breeding Bird - Princeton University Press

      This book was published in 1984, and forty-one years later, it remains the gold standard for works of this nature. It is the twentieth work in the "Monographs in Population Biology" series, universally renowned for their excellence. Ernst Mayr called the book an "instant classic." I am deeply indebted to PUP for providing me with a copy. 

     I must backtrack a little at this juncture, and reflect on the impact Alexander Skutch's revelations about helpers at the nest had on me. It was at the time an extraordinary assertion, revolutionary in nature, verging on heretical, and scarcely believed by some. Any allusion, real or perceived, to altruism was terra interdicta. Scrub Jay, a common bird in appropriate western landscapes, with a disjunct population in Florida, was not recognized as anything but a conventional breeder. In an elegant study of the most meticulous kind, spanning many years, with thousands of hours of observation, it was proven beyond doubt by Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick that non-breeding helpers assisted breeding pairs at the nest.

     In fact, as early as page 25 the bold statement is made, "In view of numerous morphological, behavioral and social differences between the Florida form and its western relatives, a strong case can be made for elevating the Florida population to full species status."  The American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) formalized the split in 1995, based largely on Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick's work. In the meantime, in 1985, the AOU awarded  the Brewster Medal to Woolfenden and Fitzpatrick for their long-term study of the Florida Scrub Jay.

     In turns out that those alarmed at the prospect of altruism as a force in avian behaviour had little to worry about. A study of population biology and behaviour indicated that restrictions imposed by scarce habitat are the driving force behind Florida Scrub Jay behaviour. Kin selection (hence altruistic motivation or intent) had little to do with it. The goal of increasing the number of close relatives was of minor importance, if important at all, in co-operative breeding behaviour.

     Florida Scrub Jay expansion is limited by scarce habitat with no chance of dispersal to unused or less-than-optimally used habitat.

     The Florida Scrub Jay is an obligate resident of Florida oak scrub. All acceptable habitat is constantly occupied by breeders, assisted each year by several nonbreeding helpers, some of whom are not related.

     This unique habitat, little more than a mere scrap of land, is under constant threat due to habitat loss, urbanization, agriculture and fire suppression. The Florida Scrub Jay is a threatened species on the Federal Endangered Species list. This study reveals, and present day reality confirms, that there is little hope that its status will improve, and could easily spill over to endangered, or even critically endangered.  There seems to be no end to the expropriation of land for human activity in Florida.

     Due to their long association with humans Florida Scrub Jays have become very tame, associating two-legged mammals with food. Young birds quickly learn to land on human heads and shoulders in anticipation of receiving a peanut or other treat. This confiding behaviour has often worked to their detriment. Well-meaning tourists feed the birds from the roadside and birds are struck by cars.

    Paradoxically, their confiding nature has been vital in carrying out long term observations, culminating with the data presented in this book, on fecundity, relatedness, survivorship and dispersal.

     Wolfenden, Fitzpatrick and their numerous helpers and graduate students literally knew every bird!

     Let me end this review of a thoroughly remarkable monograph with an endearing anecdote. Lead authorship in academia is highly valued and is pursued with vigour, sometimes bordering on aggression. Wolfenden and Fitzpatrick determined the order of authorship with a coin toss.

     Perhaps that level of friendship, collegiality, and mutual respect factored in no small way to producing this truly remarkable work - an ornithological gem if ever there was one. May it be cherished forever!

The Florida Scrub Jay: Demography of a Cooperative-breeding Bird - Princeton University Press (Monographs in Population Biology)

Glen E. Woolfenden and John. W. Fitzpatrick

Paperback - US$88.00 - ISBN:  9780691083674

426 pages - 5.5 x 8.5 inches (13.75 x 21.25 cm)

Publishing date: 21 January, 1985

Book Review - A Guide to the Anolis Lizards (Anoles) of Mainland Central and South America - Princeton University Press

      I was amused when I saw that Steven Poe had used as the epigraph to Chapter 3, the wise words of David Hillis, who defined anoles as, "A group of small brown lizards that all look the same." Based on the sheer number of  pictures of unidentified lizards from my travels in Central and South America, I second that statement! I will be using this book to see if I can improve on my past dismal record.

     If one may hope for a reference work to help in this quest, Poe has just written it. Not only will identification become easier, the often slippery floor of taxonomy has become much more stable. In fact, this book may justifiably lay claim to the title of THE stable taxonomy of these enchanting little reptiles.

     An array of exciting colour photographs showing anoles with dewlap extended provides a glorious visual assist to identification, not only as to species but also to illustrate sexual dimorphism.

     It is a visual feast to see a catalogue of species featuring this key feature, with each species labelled and providing a link to the page where detailed coverage awaits the curious reader.

     Even with Poe's own commitment and dedication, with graduate students to help, and with the contribution of other photographers, blanks still remain. There is an opportunity for all of us to fill in the gaps.

     A chapter is devoted to the fine art of collecting anoles, with myriad practical tips, and the admonition  that the best collecting takes place at night. If you are bent on studying anoles and seek specimens to elucidate your quest, be prepared to turn your circadian rhythm upside down!

     Poe mentions the value of various internet platforms and the contribution they make to advancing scientific knowledge, but adds a wise caveat. He states, "I accept iNaturalist observations if I was able to confirm species identification based on the photographic evidence accompanying the observation." (Bold type mine). To accept anything less is to dilute the value of the platform.

     The information provided in the species accounts is top notch, and the range maps are very useful indeed.

     This is altogether a terrific book. It is a field guide, a "how-to" manual, and a cornucopia of knowledge from the world's premier expert in the taxa. I am truly delighted to have it. 

A Guide to the Anolis Lizards (Anoles) of Mainland Central and South America - Princeton University Press

Steven Poe

Paperback - US$39.95 - ISBN: 9780691192871

432 pages - 5.875 x 8.25 inches (14.69 x 20.625 cm)

445 colour plates - 240 maps

Publication date: 09 September, 2025