Recent Canatara Finds!

Great Egrets having been gathering and roosting in Canatara in recent weeks. I finally found some sitting in the sunshine! 2 more Egrets were also resting in this tree.

This Egret landed with a stick in its beak. Several times it dropped the stick in the water and then retrieved it. The action can attract curious fish who may be hoping to find a juicy insect to eat. If they aren't careful, the Egret will make a meal of the fish. As the saying goes, "Eat or be eaten"!

The Lake Huron shoreline was a good spot for a family of American Crows to search for food. They spent time digging between the stones for invertebrates.

Chicken of the Woods is considered to be an edible mushroom. (I will not be tasting it.) It is growing on a dead tree that several years ago was used by a grey Eastern Screech Owl. When allowed to grow, the mushroom will continue to break down the wood fibre, eventually turning the tree into soil. The nutrients in the tree provide excellent growing conditions for more plants to grow...all a part of the circle of life!

The "famous" Owl tree in Canatara (source of many photos) came down in last week's storm. The yellow circle shows where the owl would sit. I found it interesting to look at the space below the hole where the owls would shelter from the weather and predators. Luckily there are a few other cavities in nearby trees for the Owls to use providing they get to them before the squirrels.

In the warmer months, Eastern Screech Owls often roost on branches and can still be well hidden!

Virginia Creeper is one of the first plants to show signs of fall colour. The plant provides shelter for many songbirds and warblers. Insects hiding on the stems provide food for the birds and other animals.