Pinery and North Lambton

It was another good day to find Northern Walkingsticks! Prior to this summer, it had been several years since I last saw a Walkingstick, but they seem to be doing well at the Pinery. This pair was the first of several pairs that we found mating!

Definite Tussock Moth - attracted overnight to the building lights.

Lyric Cicada - also attracted to building lights, thus easy to find in the morning.

Orange-humped Mapleworm (probable)

Drexel's Datana Moth caterpillars: Larvae of this genus are gregarious feeders, working in groups to consume leaves of host plants. They are late-season defoliators of hardwood trees. Despite conspicuous damage, they typically cause minimal long-term impact to tree health. Natural enemies such as birds help to control their populations.

https://bugswithmike.com/guide/arthropoda/hexapoda/insecta/lepidoptera/noctuoidea/notodontidae/phalerinae/datana/drexelii

This Pied-billed Grebe swam along the river cut, past the boardwalk of the Riverside Trail. It regularly sunk and surfaced as it hunted for food below the water. They tend to "deflate and sink" rather than dive head first like most diving birds.

Shadow Darner's were performing aerial maneuvers over the water and were very difficult to photograph. This one must have worn itself out and luckily rested in our view!

Closed Bottle Gentian: Growing 1 to 2 feet tall in moist areas, Bottle Gentian blooms from August through October. The closed flower structure creates a fascinating pollination puzzle - only the strongest bumble bees can force their way inside to reach the nectar!

https://plantnative.org/native-plants/bottle-gentian-gentiana-andrewsii-2.htm

Skiff Moth caterpillar: Although I have seen adult Skiff Moths numerous times, this was my first time finding the larva! Skiff Moth larva don't seem to have any venomous defenses. Some experts believe they may rely on their non-caterpillar appearance for evading predation or disturbance.

https://norfolknaturalist.ca/2025/08/23/moth-miscellany-part-3-limacodidae/

Candy Apple Waxy cap - Species name has not yet been confirmed, but it has a very cool name!

Tiny, pin-like mushrooms in the Pinwheels and Parachute family of mushrooms.

Viceroy - overlooking the water

Northern Walkingsticks mating at Ausable River Cut Conservation Area.

Virginia Sphinx Moth - eating the Virginia Creeper vine growing on a tree. The leaves on the vine were almost completely eaten but other vines were nearby.

I found a Monarch near Port Franks that was tagged so its journey to Mexico could be tracked. I submitted the on-line form to Monarch Watch providing the details of the find. Since 1992, a new series of unique codes is generated for each tagging season and printed using permanent inks on all-weather tags with a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing. When applied as directed, the tags do not interfere with flight or otherwise harm the butterflies. If you photograph a Monarch with a tag, upload the information to https://www.monarchwatch.org. In a new project this year, over 100 Monarchs were fitted with tiny Blue Tooth receivers! iPhones or androids with the app, can help to track the movement of monarchs for scientists who are studying them! 

 Shades of Orange!

I realized I had a good collection of critters with orange colouring. "Bursting with energy and warmth, orange is commonly associated with outdoor elements."

https://www.color-meanings.com/orange-color-meaning-the-color-orange/

I was delighted to find a pair of Milbert's Tortoiseshells in Canatara Park this week! They were only my second sightings in Lambton County and the first ever in Canatara! Although the species can be found in Ontario, they are definitely not common in our area. They tend to be found in meadows, fields, and forest clearings.

Monarch Butterflies are on the move and are highly visible along the Lake Huron shoreline. A few of them were on the dunes, getting nectar from Rough Blazing Star. Keep your eyes open for overnight roosting! I have only witnessed a roost once, and it was magical!

The Variegated Fritillary is mainly a tropical butterfly ranging from Argentina to the Southern U.S. It migrates northward through the summer season, often making it into southern Ontario. (60 mm maximum wingspread)

https://www.gardenswithwings.com/butterfly/variegated-fritillary

Pearl Crescent - looks like it's been in a battle. It is much smaller than the Variegated Fritillary, above, and has a different wing pattern and shape. (34 mm maximum wing spread).

Peck's Skipper - (27 mm maximum wing span.)

The larva of the Isabella Tiger Moth, commonly known as a Woolly Bear caterpillar, is recognizable due to the bristly coat of hair, segmented into black bands at both ends and a reddish-brown band in the middle. The colouring serves as a defense mechanism, making them appear unappetizing to predators. There is no scientific evidence to support the idea that woolly bear caterpillars can predict the weather. Their colouration is determined by age, species, and environmental factors such as humidity and diet. Older caterpillars tend to have narrower black bands because they have moulted several times.

https://ownyardlife.com/woolly-bear-caterpillars-everything-you-need-to-know/

I'm not sure who was more startled, the Coyote or me? It noticed me immediately and didn't stick around to pose nicely for the camera. "From figuring out how to cross busy roads to finding food in urban environments, coyotes are incredibly smart. This adaptability is part of what has made them so successful in developed areas. They are naturally shy and will avoid humans as long as they are not fed or encouraged to approach. Their diet includes small mammals, fruits, insects, carrion and sometimes garbage or dog/cat food it it's left outside."

https://www.worldanimalprotection.us/latest/blogs/20-coyote-facts/

Appears to be a member of the Bolete mushrooms: Looking at the gills on the underside of mushrooms is important for identification. In order to get a more accurate species name, I would have had to break off the cap which I chose not to do because of the important role fungus plays in decomposition.

Red Admiral - another migrator, that doesn't travel as far as Monarchs.

American Redstart, female. This species nests locally.

A small Bumble bee completely emerged it's body into the Jewelweed flower looking for pollen and nectar. It's back legs are barely visible in the top photo and it looks like it fell asleep. It wasn't long before it backed out and headed to the next flower.

More orange in nature is just around the corner once the leaves begin to change colour!

 Baby Turtle Rescue & other Pond Life!

As I was walking along a paved trail in Canatara Park, I noticed bubbles coming up from a puddle. I took a closer look and found a baby Snapping Turtle hiding underneath a leaf. It was approximately 3 cm in diameter.

It still had a long walk to get to water and I was worried it would be run over by a cyclist in the puddle, or car once it came to the road. I carried it to the nearby lake which is where it was headed. Still lots of dangers in the water, but it has had a good start to life so far! 

Smeared Dagger caterpillar. 8 of them were on the Lilypads.

Video: Smeared Dagger on the move!

Pond Snail

Belostoma flumineum is a member of  the Giant Water Bugs, commonly known as Toe Biters. This particular species grows to a maximum of 2.5 cm. They live in freshwater wetlands, marshes and ponds with muddy bottoms. Backswimmers, Dragonfly nymphs and Pond snails are their favourite foods. They inject digestive saliva to liquefy prey tissue before dining. Humans being bitten by this bug will feel pain, but otherwise not suffer.

https://bugswithmike.com/guide/arthropoda/hexapoda/insecta/hemiptera/heteroptera/nepomorpha/nepoidea/belostomatidae/belostomatinae/belostoma/flumineum.

Rathke's Woodlouse -Lots of life was on the Lilypads!

Meadowhawks. Dragonflies start their lives in the water. Pond water is incredibly important to their survival, as are cattails and other plants associated with healthy ponds.

Adult American Toads spend most of their time in the shade of forests. At mating time, eggs are laid in the water and tiny tadpoles emerge before they start to grow legs.

Cattails are impressive wetland plants. At various stages of growth, all parts (stem, root, seed head) are edible. They provide shelter and food for many wetland critters and also help to clean water by absorbing phosphates.

Spotted Jewelweed - grows in wet soil, often at the edge of ponds. Mashed juice from the stems can be used to treat skin irritations including poison ivy rash, nettle stings, and bug bites.

https://practicalselfreliance.com/jewelweed/

This young Ruby-throated Hummingbird was waiting for its turn to fly down to the Spotted Jewelweed nectar source, a definite favourite of the little hummers! Their beaks make it easy to get nectar from the long flower tubes.

Painted Turtle climbing onto a floating log.

 End of August Things With Wings!

I walk by this location in Canatara Park almost every day, but one day last week I noticed a Monarch Chrysalis that was almost ready to eclose (emerge from the chrysalis). Since the black and orange wings were visible, I knew it wouldn't take too long so I sat down on a nearby rock and waited.

It took about 90 minutes before the butterfly emerged. Since it was a windy day, the Monarch was blown to the ground. I convinced it to climb onto my finger so I could place it on a slightly more sheltered leaf. It needed space to spread its wings while pumping fluid into them. Monarchs have begun their migration to Mexico! Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners are putting tiny Bluetooth tags on >100 Monarchs in Ontario over the next few weeks to help understand migration routes and migration success. Smartphones can help track these butterflies with the Project Monarch App.

Monarchs are always associated with Milkweed at the larva stage. However as adults, Monarchs can find nectar in many flowering plant species including some zinnias.

At a quick glance, it appears that this Eastern Giant Swallowtail caterpillar is sticking its tongue out at us. The red bit is an Osmeterium which is a unique defensive organ found in swallowtail caterpillars. It's a forked, fleshy structure located just behind the head. When threatened, the caterpillar everts the osmeterium. The bright colour and sudden appearance of the osmeterium can startle predators. (It certainly startled me while using my macro lens!) The osmeterium can also emit a strong, unpleasant smell that can deter predators.

https://butterflyask.com/species-identification/swallowtail-butterfly/swallowtail-butterfly-defense-mechanisms/

Several Zabulon Skippers have been found in Lambton County this summer. It is a southern species that has been visiting Ontario in recent years.

This busy Bumble bee has large, yellow, pollen baskets on its legs.

Another Bumble bee was drenched in pollen, from head to toe!

In an attempt to determine the health of Lake Chipican, catch and release traps were placed a few weeks ago to learn the fish species that live in the lake.

Migrating Warblers: Nashville Warbler finding food in the meadow.

Migrating Warblers: Wilson's Warbler

Migrating Warblers: Chestnut-sided Warbler

Migrating Warblers: Blackburnian Warbler, still sporting his spring colours.

Food Chain on the Goldenrod plant! A type of Stink Bug has captured a Bumble Bee. Above them both is a Northern Crab Spider, waiting patiently for his turn at a snack!