We visited a local wildlife garden recently and saw more that morning than we had in several recent visits. Among the sightings was this American Goldfinch. He was moulting now that breeding season is over and will soon migrate further south.
Japanese Beetle
The Japanese Beetle has no natural predators in North America so it’s very destructive to a large variety of plants. They are attractive though and I enjoyed watching this one lounge on some spotted jewelweed.
CAT AND MICE
This person’s yard was a tangle of vines, flowers and imaginative artwork.
SUNNY TUESDAY
Sunflowers always have a nice long run. Some are beginning to fade but this bunch is still looking bright.
No Time to Waste
It’s nice to see the bees still gathering pollen in early September. Many flowers look like they’ve been picked over by now but it seems they still have a little more to give.
HAPPY GO LUCKY
At least it looks that way to me 😊
Curious Cat
I believe this is a tortoiseshell cat, a cat I’ve never seen before. It was watching me as closely as I was watching it!
YOUNG MALE WOOD DUCK
Wood ducks really don’t have a bad side 😊 .
Ravens
I like Ravens in silhouette.
MATING DAMSELFLIES
Adult damselflies have a very short lifespan, measured in weeks. In their larval stage, development usually takes one to two years. It’s not a long courtship period 😏.
EASTERN PAINTED TURTLE
These are the most common turtles we see around here. They have an anti freeze-like substance in their blood that keeps their cells from freezing when the temperature drops. They hibernate in the mud at the bottom of ponds and lakes and emerge again in the spring. As long as the sun is warm we still get to enjoy them.
CANADA GOOSE
Canada Geese migrate south when the temperature turns cold. Not everyone’s favourite waterbird but I enjoy them especially like this, taking a quiet swim.
CLOSE CALL
We had noticed a snapping turtle close by and hoped the young wood duck would veer off before the turtle got too close. Fortunately she did.
A SLIGHT SHIFT – 2
Still sunny and bright but these sunflowers are slowly starting to fade.
Great Blue Heron
The few Great Blue Herons I’ve seen this summer have been at quite a distance. I usually see them fishing in the reeds close to shore. This pond is large and not very deep. I guess the heron was trying his luck a little further afield.
DOUBLE TAKE
I noticed this dog watching as another chased its ball. I was at quite a distance so at first t I thought I was looking at a real dog (a very composed one 😏 ). I think the sculptor must be a true dog lover .
BUDDIES
A lot of old trees have fallen into the lake making nice perches for birds and turtles. These ducks were sharing this one in amiable silence.
A SLIGHT SHIFT
For a few weeks now, I’ve noticed that some plants and trees are beginning to show a change of colour. This small plant was a typical example. It’s still in the mid-30’s C but time marches on.
BY THE RIVER
As summer winds down I especially enjoy walks by the river. The local flowers are beginning to fade but the sunflowers are still bright and dance in the wind alongside the grasses.
Late Afternoon Swim
I caught these geese in a quiet moment. Canada Geese can be very elegant birds, especially when they’re not acting up or messing up. 😏
SLEEPY WOOD DUCK
In the heat of the day, this female wood duck found a quiet spot for a nap.
ROBIN
You know what they say about the early bird…
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
It’s been so hot and muggy lately but this dog doesn’t seem to mind a bit 😊
CLOUDED SULPHUR
This was my first sighting of a clouded sulphur this summer although they are among the most common and widespread of North American butterflies. At their brightest they’re as yellow as sulphur which is how they got their name.
SWALLOWTAIL BUTTERFLY
I’ve seen several swallowtail butterflies this summer. This one was the first to stay still long enough for me to photograph.
OVER THE FENCE
This caught my eye as I was walking along. I was hoping to see some butterflies in the neighbouring gardens but caught sight of this rooster instead.
EASTERN PHOEBE
We’re not the only ones who seek the shade on these hot summer days. It can make for some challenging photography.
BEE GYMNASTICS
You have to marvel at their technique 😊
FEMALE WOOD DUCK
I tend to see wood ducks in small groups or swimming off on their own. They do mingle with other ducks but tend to be quieter types.
FROG ON FRIDAY
Frogs seem to wear a world-weary expression. Despite that they always make me smile 😊
HALLOWEEN PENNANT
It’s easy to see how this dragonfly got its name. It’s colours are festive and it has the habit of perching on tall grass where its wings catch the breeze like a flag or pennant would.
CORMORANT
We had driven to a spot outside the city hoping to photograph some birds. It was a quiet day with little around but we did see this cormorant. We watched him fish for a while (with no luck) but he did put on a nice display as he dried his feathers.
ONE COOL FROG
I had heard some frogs in the water so I was surprised to see this one sitting in the shade of some trees. It seems they are quite happy to forage on land and shelter there as well. It was such a hot day, this one might have just wanted to get out of the sun.
COOLING OFF
The sparrow looked like it just had a dip in the nearby pond and found a place to dry off. The temperature has gotten very hot again so I imagine it was enjoying the coolness.
FINALLY, A MONARCH
Butterflies have been pretty scarce this summer, so I was very pleased to see a monarch. It flew between the clover and made itself visible for quite a while.
HERE COMES THE SUN (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Sunflowers are such cheerful looking flowers. These flowers were practically beaming at me as I walked up to them.
Silver-spotted Skipper
This is the second silver-spotted skipper I’ve seen recently. When I did get a clear shot, it was flying off but did display some of the silver that it’s known for.
HEADLINERS
I came across these attractive flowers in the garden of a small theatre. They occupied their own flower bed, no need for a supporting cast 😏
WOOD DUCK
The temperature has cooled off somewhat so it’s more pleasant to get out with our cameras. Although I’m not seeing the number of birds I usually do, I have seen quite a few young wood ducks. This female was going for a quiet swim when I caught up with her.
ALONG THE PATH
This field borders an entrance to a reserve we visit from time to time. On a hot day this area has the most wonderful scent as the sun works its magic. It’s a favourite spot for rabbits and bees as well.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 