It’s been cool and grey out, so I thought a swallowtail on a coneflower would brighten the mood.
Tag Archives: Nature
SUMMER’S END -2 (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)
I took these photos on a recent walk. As the days get cooler I linger a little longer and look a bit more closely at my surroundings.
SNOW BIRDS
The Canada Geese are certainly on the move. They begin their migration in September and most will have headed south by next month.
RABBIT RUN
As I was walking along the sidewalk I saw this rabbit bounding across a lawn. I was using a wide angle lens so I had to crop in quite a bit but I think catching it mid hop made the shot!
NOT ALL STING
The wasp found some goldenrod in bloom, most has faded by now. Despite their nasty sting, they are important pollinators and help keep the insect population down. Still though, I’m glad the goldenrod had its full attention.😏.
Summer’s End
At the end of summer the flowers in the fields are looking pretty spent, but there are some like this salsify that aren’t going quietly.
ANIMAL CRACKERS
If the gull could read I wonder if he’d agree? This park is a favourite with picnickers. The gulls must have a ball!
The Heron’s Court
The gulls were there first and then the Heron landed close by. It was as though they were expecting him 😏
ALONG THE PATH
The leaf almost seemed suspended in mid-air. It was only when I got closer that I saw it had been caught in the spider’s web along with an unfortunate insect. Another mini drama playing out right under my nose.
IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
I like wooden fences, they provide some privacy but in a pleasant sort of way. I thought the vine and its shadow dressed it up just a bit more.
The Usual Line Up
There are a lot of geese and gulls on the river right now. They seem to tolerate each other quite well.
Late Bloomer
Despite their name, New England Asters are native to many Canadian provinces. We see them from mid-August through October. These were at the edge of a pond in good company.
WHERE YOU LEAD
Everyone seemed to be enjoying a fine morning in the park 😊
TEST FLIGHT
Although the Canada Geese have not begun to migrate south we’re seeing them flying overhead a lot more lately. There’s still plenty for them to eat so they’ll be here for a while yet.
Late Summer Reflections
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.
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.
SUNDAY SQUIRREL
The red squirrel was sorting through the seeds under a feeder. Another animal I haven’t seen much of this 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.
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 😊
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.
