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Erin
Nature in Ontario's Banana Belt
The 'banana belt' or Carolinian Canada is a region in Ontario found south of a line which runs approximately from Grand Bend to Toronto. This blog follows my exploration of the area.
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Sunday, November 10, 2013
Monday, October 14, 2013
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.
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.
South cell of Stathroy Sewage Lagoons looking east |
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.
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Face-to-Face with a Black Saddlebags Dragonfly
Black Saddlebags is one of the migratory species of dragonflies found in our area. Yesterday at Hawk Cliff near Port Stanley numerous Saddlebags and Green Darners went through.
It is interesting to note that the face of this species is blue. Something I wound't have know until I zoomed right in.
Wednesday, October 09, 2013
Fall wildflowers - Gentian/Gentiana
The camera can't quite capture the brilliance of fringed and bottle gentian which seem to glow. Many gentians are difficult to grow outside their wild habitat, so they can be relatively rare. It is always a good surprise to find them in a new location.
The are late bloomers. Some of these photos were taken a late as last Saturday. As my last two posts show there is lots of interesting wildlife to see this time of year.
The are late bloomers. Some of these photos were taken a late as last Saturday. As my last two posts show there is lots of interesting wildlife to see this time of year.
Bottle Gentian ( G. clausa) from St. Clair Township |
Fringed Gentian (G. crinita) from St. Thomas area |
Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Amazing Mushrooms
As I brush up on mushrooms, anticipating the fungal foray at the end of this month, I have gone on a few self-guided and one group mushroom walk in the last week. I have seen some pretty interesting mushrooms around, but nothing as spectacular as the grove I found at Clark Wright Conservation Area in Strathroy today.
The rain over the last couple days made for excellent growing conditions. Get out there and see them while you can!
Here is a map to the location, in case you would like to check them out yourself:
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zNgYPr2eoQfI.kOXqHRAHEVls
The rain over the last couple days made for excellent growing conditions. Get out there and see them while you can!
Large (caps up to 20 cm diameter) Amanitas |
This one is for scale... you can see that these Amanitas are enormous. |
Here's another (slightly out of focus) so you can see the scale. |
https://mapsengine.google.com/map/edit?mid=zNgYPr2eoQfI.kOXqHRAHEVls
Sunday, October 06, 2013
Announcing: Fungus Bio-Blitz at Newport Forest
Sunday, October 27, 1:00pm—4:00PM
Rain Date: Sunday, November 3
Newport Forest is at 22130 Fleming Line near Wardsville, ON
Please bring any of the following items to share with the group:
¨ Mushroom field guides
¨ Hand lens
¨ Specimen containers
fun·gus (n. pl. fun·gi or fun·gus·es): Any of numerous eukaryotic organisms of the kingdom Fungi, which lack chlorophyll and vascular tissue and range in form from a single cell to a body mass of branched filamentous hyphae that often produce specialized fruiting bodies. The kingdom includes the yeasts, molds, smuts, and mushrooms.
The Fungus Bio-blitz is all about learning more about this under-appreciated kingdom. Activities will be led by Dr. Greg Thorn, expert mycologist from Western University and three amateur fungophiles: Kee Dewdney, Bruce Parker and Erin Carroll.
If conditions look unfavourable for October 27, an email will be sent Saturday October 26 at about 8pm letting all registrants know about change of date to November 3.
Please register with Erin Carroll: erin.carroll@gmail.com
Registration is limited, please sign-up early to reserve your spot.Directions will be provided with registration confirmation.
Registration is limited, please sign-up early to reserve your spot.Directions will be provided with registration confirmation.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Royal River Cruiser, Petrolia!
Monday, September 09, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Botanizing and other things at Newport Forest, Wardsville ON
It was a blissfully relaxing day at Newport. All who joined in had a enjoyable time investigating the plants and animals. For a full write-up of the day, see Kee's bulletin here: http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~akd/newport-forest/
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This coyote/fox (? tail seems too skinny) frolicked in the hay field near Newport. |
This plant at first a stumper, keyed out to be a Showy Tick-trefoil (Desmodium canadense). Rounded seed pods and dense pubescence on the mid-vein. |
Purple Joe Pye Weed , Eupatorium purpureum |
Wild lettuce? |
This giant fly bit me. OUCH! I caught it and harassed it in return. |
Probably Spotted Pye Weed |
Cup plant, almost done flowering. I have always liked the look of haggard flowers. |
Rainbow Darter from Fleming Creek |
Mayfly of Fleming Creek |
Sunday, July 14, 2013
Some Butterflies and Odes of Clark Wright CA in Strathroy
For two days I scavenged Clark Wright for all the odes and butterflies that I could find. I didn't find anything too rare, but it there was good butterfly diversity.
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Meadowhawk sp. |
Dun Skipper |
Cabbage White |
Small wood frog. Maybe one of the ones I reared and released this year? |
Tuesday, July 09, 2013
Kingfisher Family
Darren Jacobs and Pat Dewdney spotted this family of four Kingfishers upriver of Newport Forest (near Wardsville ON) on the Thames River on Sunday. They also spotted a Bald Eagle, Spotted Sandpipers,
and an Osprey on their trip. Most regrettably, I was home sick, but Darren kindly shared these photos. for me to post.
A full report on the trip, including the butterfly count results, is available at: http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~akd/newport-forest/2013_07_07.pdf
and an Osprey on their trip. Most regrettably, I was home sick, but Darren kindly shared these photos. for me to post.
A full report on the trip, including the butterfly count results, is available at: http://www.csd.uwo.ca/~akd/newport-forest/2013_07_07.pdf
Friday, June 07, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Bye the Bay, Rondeau
Last weekend Jake and I stayed at the recently re-opened "Bye the Bay" B&B in Rondeau. It was a great stay for many reasons: the view from our third floor balcony which overlooked the vast yard, watercourse and bay. Our hosts were welcoming and generous. The homemade breakfast was better than a restaurant. Would strongly recommend the resort to anyone looking to enjoy Rondeau in comfort.
I was able to get to the park early while it was still cool and all the birds were singing loudly. There were many vireos. Below are some pictures of my other finds:
Blackburnian Warbler, Scarlet Tanager, Red-headed Woodpecker |
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