Splendid Weather for Thanksgiving Weekend

On first appearance the Strathroy sewage lagoons looked almost empty.  All I could see was a few geese and mallards.  With the sun shining and magnificent clouds, I decided to walk the circumference of the north cell, anyways.   Waterfowl appeared in groups: 40 or so ruddy ducks, pied-billed grebes, northern shovelers, american coot, ring-billed, horned grebes, and scaups.

South cell of Stathroy Sewage Lagoons looking east

Strathroy Sewage Lagoons, south cell looking south

With purple knapweed, goldenrod, new england aster still in bloom there were still active pollinators.  Most prevalent were bee mimic flies, followed by asian lady beetles, bombus, sulphurs and cabbage white butterflies.  As well, I spied a single darner dragonfly, a crescent (?) butterfly and a solitary ambush bug. 

The Strathroy wetlands were quite. Good weather made for an enjoyable walk, but there wasn't any visible/audible wildlife to investigate, so my time spent there was brief.

Strathroy Wetlands (Victoria Ave. and Metcalfe Street). 

I also made a kayak trip up the Thames River, starting at the boat launch at Fanshawe and paddling up to the Thorndale Bridge.  It was a spectacular paddle which reminded me of much more remote areas.  The water in the lake was glassy.  Up river the current was strong, making for great exercise.

Eagles carrying branches, basking cormorants, and egrets shared the river with us.  The warmth encouraged peepers to call. And flocks of vocal red-winged blackbirds flew along reedy banks. 

Ever since the trip I have been thinking about how awesome if was. I can't wait to go again.

Thames River, north of  Fanshawe CA - photo taken from my kayak.