I Found Slug Eggs!

While checking out a rotting log during my lunch break, I found some unknown eggs. I haven't seen eggs like these before, but I had watched a Slug on the same log the day before. When I checked some identification sites, I learned they were Leopard Slug Eggs!

The slug on the left is possibly the Mother Slug! The photo on the right I took last year of a Leopard Slug which gives some size comparison with the ring.

In the second week of September, I found a young swallowtail

 larva on a Tulip Tree leaf. I was able to check on it almost daily.

I was intrigued by the silk mattress that I often found it resting on. I learned 

that the silk probably assists the caterpillar by helping it cling to the leaf on 

windy days. It would be a long climb back up if he was blown to the ground!

One day, I saw the shed skin at the base of the silk mattress.

I soon found it sporting its new skin and nibbling on a branch. It was at this instar stage when I knew it was an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail, rather than a Giant Swallowtail. I love the false eyes that give the illusion of a much larger caterpillar and thus helps to protect it from predators!

Its false eyes became "wrinkly" when the red head emerged to have a leaf snack.

This was the last time I saw it. I assume it has gone to spin a chrysalis.

This photo was taken earlier in the summer. Next year, if it survives 

the winter, the caterpillar will transform into this beautiful creature! 

 Some of My Favourite Invertebrates!

Finding brightly coloured insects such as this Red-banded (or Candy Striped) Leaf Hopper in my backyard just helps to fuel my interest in the natural world!

One of my most commonly found caterpillars this year is the Hickory Tussock Moth. This caterpillar is considered to be venomous. Touching the caterpillar can cause some people to get a rash similar to poison ivy or nettles. It feeds on hickory, walnut, ash, and elm trees.

Here is a member of the Bristle Fly Family, very well 

named when you notice all the bristles visible on its body! 

There are so many bee mimics in the meadow right now. Looking carefully at the suggestions in iNaturalist, I believe this is a Narrow-headed Marsh Fly.

This little Orb Weaver caught my attention when he popped out of his folded leaf shelter. I only had time for a few shots before he climbed back up and was out of sight.

Although I often see snails at surprisingly high heights, I don't believe I have ever seen one on a flower head before!

This active and rapid flying Fiery Skipper paused to nectare in the sunshine on some Aster in Canatara Park this morning. Nice to still be able to find some butterflies!

 6-Legged Things With Wings!

Butterflies are still active on the warmer days, 

such as this Viceroy sunning in the meadow.

A Red Admiral nectars on Goldenrod by the pond.

A Green Stink Bug! - Stink bugs get their name from 

an unpleasant odour they produce when threatened.

A different view of a Green Stink Bug - keeping an eye on me!

A midge with very feathery antennae. They look like tiny dust mops!

Hundreds of yellow aphids can be found on plants at this time of year, including Common Milkweed. Monarch Moms rarely lay eggs on Milkweed infested with aphids. The Oleander Aphid is an amazing creature. There is NO MALE OR EGG STAGE! Females produce only nymphs that moult 5 times as they grow. They in turn will only produce female nymphs. Predators include parasitic wasps, lady beetles, fly maggots, and lace wings.(source NC State Extension Publications Fact Sheet.)

Ants go through complete metamorphosis. A few stages of growth are evident on the Burr Oak Tree. Many winged ants in the photo probably represent the males wanting to mate with the Queen. Some wingless workers are also busy on the tree bark.

Happy Fall! Autumn has arrived!

Things With and Without Wings!

While enjoying the view on the Riverside Trail at the Pinery, a 

Great Blue Heron landed on a log and walk to his fishing post.

Its the time of year for Grasshoppers to lay eggs. A female will deposit up to 300 eggs in the ground during the late summer/fall. They will lie dormant, waiting for warm weather to return in the spring before hatching as tiny replicas of their parents.

While walking along a trail at Henderson Conservation Area, I noticed the dried flower head of a Queen Anne's Lace appeared to have an extra lump.

Upon closer inspection, a hairy orb weaver spider was visible. 

As I was watching it, a white bead grew at the end of the abdomen and was then expelled. The white bead shot out about 6 inches before gravity took it to the ground. I believe I had just watched a spider poop!

When I drove past the zebra farm earlier this week, I was happy to see them sunning in the field. This photo can almost make me believe I had travelled to the African savannah!

Two more were in a shelter for a total of 5!

 Still Lots to see As Summer Winds Down!

My best butterfly find of the week was a Bronze Copper, found along the South Shore Trail at Mitchell's Bay. Probably only the 3rd that I have ever seen. Their populations are said to be declining due to wetland drainage.

This view shows the underwing pattern.

More worn than the one I saw in early August, finding a Compton Tortoiseshell sunning at Henderson Conservation Area was a real treat! Only the second time I have ever seen this species!

Black Swallowtails over winter as a chrysalis. It is late enough in the season that this individual will likely spend the winter in its chrysalis.

All a part of the great food web, this Skipper was eaten by a member 

of the bee family. The bad tasting and nutrient poor wings were tossed aside.

Warblers are continuing to migrate through the area. We found a Pine Warbler devouring berries in Canatara Park.

I noticed a tail wagging bird in a dense bush. Surprisingly, the Northern Waterthrush came out of hiding and we watched him take a jaunt along a small log. They are most often found near shallow or stagnant water.

I have encountered a few of these tiny flutter flies this year - Toxonevra superba! Although I tend to prefer common names, I love the Scientific name for this species. How SUPERB to have wings that look like antlers! This fellow was dining on some bird droppings.

 Monarch Migration is Underway!

This morning, a few hundred Monarchs fluttered individually through the meadow. The most I saw for a photo opportunity were these 3 who decided to rest on some Teasel. I'm surprised they didn't choose a softer resting stop!

Last year was spectacular! September 14, 2019 was a very magical day in Sarnia! Thousands roosted overnight in the park. These photos were taken early in the morning before they continued their journey south. Many of us in Sarnia are hopeful they will roost again at the south-west corner of Canatara Park.

Hanging out in the meadow has provided the opportunity to find lots of other fluttery creatures including this Eastern-tailed Blue that decided to pose for me. Capturing the beautiful blue colour with the camera can be very difficult as they tend to rest with their wings closed!

I have also been watching for Praying Mantids. This one is quite well camouflaged in the Canatara Meadow.  I pointed it out to a couple who had a difficult time seeing it.

Another Mantid tried to camouflage in a White Pine Tree at Henderson Conservation Area.

He wasn't doing a very good job of hiding as I played Peek-a-boo with him!

A group of 6 young Wood Ducks have been parading around Lake Chipican together. This morning they took a break on a floating log.

A Great Egret perched just above the water in his quest for a fishy meal.

Also stopping by for a quick drink was an American Redstart.

We will continue to keep our eyes to the sky as we watch for more migrators.