As I mentioned in a recent post, there’s still a lot of greenery about. I was pleased to catch this scene on a recent walk.
Tag Archives: Landscape
WHAT’S IN A NAME
I had wondered how sneezeweed, this attractive wildflower got its common name. Indigenous people and early settlers ground it up for medicinal use as well as to make snuff, It certainly brightens up the landscape in late summer and has never once made me sneeze 😏
A SLIGHT SHIFT – 3
Fall is certainly putting in an appearance. There’s still a lot of green about but the curtain is drawing on summer.
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH
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.
HAPPY GO LUCKY
At least it looks that way to me 😊
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY
These American Black Ducks turn it into that kind of day!
Canada Geese
I liked this family scene with the gosling following closely behind its parents.
ANOTHER SUMMER TREAT
Echinacea or coneflowers are native to eastern and central North America. I started seeing them a few weeks ago, another sign of the hotter summer months.
FRAZZLED
It’s shaping up to be a very hot summer. What remains of this seed head sums it up nicely.
COLD SHOULDER
I’ve seen fewer butterflies this summer, as other bloggers have mentioned. So I was happy to see this one even though it was turned away from the camera 😏 . I believe it’s a silver spotted skipper.
Eat Your Greens
It could have been Groundhog Day at the park. We spotted at least four. They tend to be solitary but it’s a big park with enough grass for all 😊
CATCH THE LIGHT
Our favourite reserve has become very popular so we took a quiet path to avoid the crush. Looking around I saw this scene. My spouse calls these intimate landscapes, I like that!
TWIRLS AND SWIRLS
A wildflower I saw growing alongside a small pond.
SOFT LANDING
I enjoy seeing a dragonfly on a lily pad. I associate both with summer by the lake.
Happy Canada Day to all those celebrating!
WOOD DUCK
We hadn’t seen much on our walk but as often happens, we had better luck as we were heading back. I’ve only seen wood ducks once before this year so I was very happy to come across this female duck and one of her young.
GLOW
Walking through a public garden I spotted this flowering bush. Among all the plants, it attracted my attention. Its flowers reminded me of candle flames.
BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON
The only sightings I’ve had this year of night herons have been in the same suburban park. He’s a handsome bird showing of his breeding plumage and those yellow feet 😊
IN THE WILD (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
We had planned to go to a park by the river but there was an event going on so we went to a nearby trail instead. There weren’t many birds but there was a nice variety of wildflowers. The bladder campion, though not native to North America, has been naturalized and insects are attracted to its nectar.
THE PLACE WAS JUMPING
There must have been several bullfrogs in the pond, given the racket as we approached the water. I watched and waited as the frog inflated his throat. He was likely trying to call a mate or guard his territory.
CHIPMUNK CAPER (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
Where did I hide that nut?
Maybe it’s over here.
ALLSORTS
From the brilliant to the more subtle, each flower has its own beauty and uniqueness.
GOSLING
It’s fun to watch a gosling explore a bit on its own. The parent birds were close enough if it ran into trouble.
BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY 