Pinery November 2nd

Channel view

A moth monitoring station is being built to collect data about the moths that call Pinery home. I look forward to seeing it in operation once complete!

The Pine Tube Moth overwinters as a pupa in a tube that it constructs. The tubes are made from 5-20 eastern white pine needles webbed together to create a tube. Caterpillars build this as a shelter for themselves. Inside the tube, the caterpillars surround themselves with silken webbing. Adult moths are small and emerge by early May.

https://ag.umass.edu/landscape/publications-resources/insect-mite-guide/argyrotaenia-pinatubana

Shadows on the sand.

Praying mantis that came incredibly close to meeting her demise under my shoe.

Black-capped Chickadees were happy to see us, as usual!

American Red Squirrel hanging out where the chickadees feed.

Lake Huron Beach by the Dunes campground.

 A Mild End to October:

With the recent mild weather, there has been lots of activity in Canatara Park. The ever acrobatic Black-capped Chickadee pulled apart some spider webbing to retrieve trapped critters for lunch.

While wandering along a trail in the meadow, I looked up to see a Cooper’s Hawk staring at me from 7 feet away! It remained in place, so I kept snapping pictures. When it finally left to pursue birds, it resembled a jet fighter making a low level pass over the field of Teasel.

Dekay's Brownsnake

When flowers are scarce, sometimes you just need to share! A Common Drone Fly and Fiery Skipper both found space on the flower head of a dandelion.

A Spotted Cucumber Beetle is trying to be inconspicuous at the edge of a dandelion while the Fiery Skipper nectars nearby.

A Raccoon was keeping a close eye on me!

I wasn't expecting to see Evening Primrose in bloom at the end of October!

Autumn Meadowhawk

 Fall Wings and an 

Unexpected Rainbow!

A pair of Golden-crowned Kinglets foraged for food just a few feet in front of me. It was very kind of them to stay close to the ground!

Golden-crowned Kinglet collage.

Tracks from Ring-billed Gulls: The birds hunted for invertebrates in the plant life that had washed up on the Lake Huron shoreline. 

Water patterns in the sand.

A sleepy Eastern Screech Owl enjoyed the afternoon sun. It was nice to see it back in the Wood Duck box, which is a regular winter sheltering location for Screech Owls.

Peek-a-boo! I’m watching you! The large circles on the wings of the Common Buckeye try to trick predators into thinking they are something larger.

A closer view of the Common Buckeye.

Map Turtle stretching in the sun.

Spined Macrathena: These orb weavers are sometimes referred to as 'Castlebacks' because of the spikes on the abdomen.

A 'Pot of Gold' appears to be on that freighter!! Perhaps the Captain of the ship was a leprechaun!

Waterfalls!

Waterfalls were on our list of locations to visit last week. Three of the waterfalls we saw are included below.

Inglis Falls

Inglis Falls Conservation Area is a 209 hectare property featuring an 18 metre high waterfall. It hosts a number of 'shortish' hiking trails, many of which connect with the Bruce Trail.

Along the Bruce Trail, beyond the falls!

Cold Storage Cellar

Fall Colours from the top!

Hiking along the Bruce Trail, starting at Inglis Falls.

Eugenia Falls:

Very little water was flowing over Eugenia Falls. The 30 metre high falls are hiding in the shadows. In 1853 "gold" was discovered embedded in the rocks in the gorge below. This discovery quickly drew hundreds of prospectors but the gold rush lasted only 3 weeks once the nuggets were proven to be fool's gold (iron pyrite).

Hogg's Falls:

Hogg's Falls is situated on the Boyne River in the upper Beaver Valley. The 7 metre high falls is set in a cedar and hardwood forest with many trails that also connect to the Bruce Trail.

Nottawasaga Lookout P.P.

The trail in the Nottawasaga Lookout Provincial Park took us on a 2.1 km loop; half of that distance was on the Bruce trail. There were some nice views looking back towards Collingwood. We only saw 5 bird species and the Downy Woodpecker was the only bird in photographic range. Lots of interesting rock formations and a cave system at the edge of the cliff. We could hear people walking and talking below!

Devil's Glen Provincial Park is only accessibly by foot and is a non-operating Park. The park provides access to the Bruce Trail and a viewing platform provides a scenic view of the Niagara Escarpment. A challenging walk allows hikers to access the gorge where the Mad River flows.

Pretty River Valley Provincial Park is also classed as a "Non Operating" Park. There are no staff, facilities or washrooms but its a beautiful place to take a hike on the Niagara Escarpment. The Bruce Trail runs through the park.

Rainbow Trout lurking by a fallen log.

Roadside views along the Park Boundary.

Artistic patterns on White Cedar beside Pretty River.

Old Homestead.

 Collingwood Waterfront!

Trail Head: We started each morning with a walk along the waterfront. 

Looking towards Nottawasaga Bay.

Red-winged Blackbirds are currently hard to find at home, but we saw a good sized flock of migrating blackbirds at the Collingwood waterfront!

Boardwalk/bridge leading to Hen and Chickens Island - A good spot for shore birds during migration!

Grain Elevators

A rock I admired!

Mallard Drake

Canada Goose silhouettes.

Mute Swan, one of approximately 37. Two Trumpeter Swans were in the area, but were very distant.

High winds the next day prompted the birds to take shelter in an area protected from the elements.

At least 10 Green-winged Teal swam remarkably close to our vantage point. We also saw Redheads, Greater and Lesser Scaup, Bufflehead, all 3 Mergansers, American Coot, and Goldeneye.

Great Blue Heron hunting in a small creek.

Double-crested Cormorants huddled on a rock.

Lesser Yellowlegs on the left and Greater Yellowlegs on the right. Several metres behind the yellowlegs, 4 Wilson's Snipe hunted for food in the mud.

An immature Bonaparte's Gull cruised low over the surface of the water, regularly dunking its head in the pursuit of food.

Morning light on the bay.

A Red Squirrel keeping an eye on us.