A Visit to Henderson C.A. Petrolia:

Virginia Creeper Sphynx Moth caterpillars are pudgy and either green or brown with a thick, fleshy horn at the rear. Virginia Creeper, grapevine and viburnum are all host plants for the larva. https://www.insectidentification.org/insectdescription.php?identification=Virginia-Creeper-Sphynx-Moth. Since I found this one on the bark of a White Pine Tree, I am guessing that it was on its way to transform into a pupa.

Several Aster Treehoppers were clustered together on one leaf and they were at different stages of growth! The light-coloured one close to the top of the photo is emerging from its nymphal stage into an adult. After checking on line, I learned that ants will collect honeydew from this species. I'm very glad I took a closer look at what I initially thought was bird poop, or I would have missed this cool species and ant interaction!

Carrot Seed Moth nectaring on cCommon Teasel.

There are 2 Carrot Seed Moth caterpillars visible, and probably more hiding within the folded flower head of a Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot) plant. The smooth round blobs are frass (insect poop).

The stout and sturdy Leaf-footed Bug will fight with males of its own species, but takes flight at the first sign of any other danger. Their lower legs have a flat, "dried leaf shape" which is used to fight other males in order to win a female during courtship. 

https://www.insectidentification.org/insectdescription.php?identification=Leaf-Footed-Bug

Mating Crane Flies. Can you see them? They caught my attention when they flew and landed on the ground in front of me.

 Things That Will Get Wings!!

Giant Swallowtail Caterpillar, Canatara Park

Carrot Seed Moth Caterpillar, Canatara Park

Marsh Dagger Moth caterpillar, Keith McLean Conservation Lands.

Scallop Moth Caterpillar, Canatara Park. It looks like a twig!

Spotted Tussock Moth caterpillar, Wawanosh Wetlands

Polyphemus Moth caterpillar found on Sugar Maple Tree in our backyard. It was the size of my thumb and despite its size, was so well camouflaged, I was unable to find it the next day.

This Polyphemus Moth adult was in our backyard on May 31st, and it could be a parent of the green caterpillar!

 Urquhart Butterfly Garden

I recently visited the Urquhart Butterfly Garden in Dundas. The gardens were named for pioneering entomologists, Dr. Frederick and Norah Urquhart, who after 40 years of research solved the mystery of the migrating monarchs. The construction of Canada's first municipal butterfly garden began in 1994. It is maintained by volunteers without the use of pesticide. https://urquhartbutterfly.com/about

The dark scent glands on the hind wings of male Monarch butterflies are visible on this individual.

Giant Swallowtail on Butterfly Bush

The garden is also host to many other species including American Goldfinch that find seeds and occasionally tiny larva to eat.

The property adjacent to the gardens is called Canal Park and is the site of the former Veldhuis Greenhouses which specialized in cacti. Once the property was sold to the Hamilton Conservation Authority, the chimney from the family home was saved to continue as a nesting site for Chimney Swifts!

A few educational signs dot the trails to tell the history of the area and restoration process to improve the green space.

Bumble Bees enjoying a flower

 Joanie's Woods

Joanie's Woods is a nature preserve of 367 acres recognized nationally as a Carolinian Canada Site, provincially as an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest, and regionally as an Environmentally Significant Area. The public is encouraged to enjoy the beauty of the site by hiking on the established trails. It is located in NW Middlesex County.

We saw a few butterfly species on our early morning walk. Northern Crescents were the most abundant.

Eastern-tailed Blue basking in the sun.

We saw several very worn Great Spangled Fritillaries.

As the sun began to shine higher in the sky, the Snowberry Clearwing Moths made themselves visible.

Black Saddlebags

Black-tipped Darner

Spider in a web tunnel waiting for prey.

 Recent Yard Things:

Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have been enjoying nectar from the flowers of my Scarlet Runner Beans.

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An Eastern-tailed Blue resting on the Black-eyed Susans.

A Katydid stopped for a visit! I noticed it from a distance because one "leaf'" was pointing in the opposite direction from the others. Katydids get their name from the sound they make. Their repetitive clicks and calls sound like someone saying, "Ka-ty-did". Katydids are related to crickets and grasshoppers, with large back legs for jumping. Katydids often eat the leaves from the tops of trees and bushes, where there may be fewer predators and less competition.

www.insectidentifcation.org/insect-description.php?identification=katydid

Peck's Skipper on Purple Cone Flower

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail on Swamp Milkweed.

We have watched our morning visitor several times this summer, but this week was the first time the Striped Skunk visited during daylight hours. It was eating seeds that had fallen off the bird feeder.

 Elgin County, August 18

We visited a couple of locations in Elgin County today to do some hiking and nature watching. First stop was at Yarmouth Natural Heritage Area where the Catfish Creek meanders through the property.

Black Saddlebags, missing part of a hind wing.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Deryl captured a Green Heron taking time out to scratch an itch.

Green Heron surveying the wetland, looking for the next meal!

There were at least 3 Green Herons around the pond.

Cabbage White Butterflies having a Party!

Edge of the pond at Fingal Wildlife Management Area.

Canatara August 11-14 

I was able to identify this tiny, 1 mm diameter egg because I watched Mom lay it in front of me. I was concerned that she had chosen a White Ash tree to lay her egg, but have since learned that Ash is included on the list of Host/Larval Food plants for the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. It will take 5-10 days for it to hatch and I will continue to keep an eye on it.

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail female who deposited the egg in the top picture.

I found my first Praying Mantis of the year this week. It was incredibly well camouflaged. After overwintering in the egg case, the young typically hatch during the first week of June and look like miniature replicas of the parents. As they grow, they moult several times and by August are large enough that they are easier to find.

I've heard the clear, rising reep call of the Great Crested Flycatcher throughout the summer, but had a close look at one yesterday.

As many as 6 Great Blue Herons have recently been found in the park. Sometimes they fish close together, but often prefer their private roosting and hunting spots.

Another Great Blue Heron appears to be admiring his handsome reflection!

 Backyard Life:

An American Goldfinch became the 5th bird species that we have found playing in the backyard waterfall! It has been a favoured choice for thirsty birds, squirrels, skunks and even raccoons! We have yet to see a raccoon in the water, but the movement of large stones leads us to believe one could be the culprit.

2 male Baltimore Orioles calmly took turns at the bird feeder!

Black-eyed Susans are in full bloom. I look forward to seeing what kinds of life they attract this year!

A member of the Grape Leaffolder Moths had a rest on the flowers last evening.

I was saddened to see a blue squirrel in Canatara Park a few days ago. This morning there was one in our backyard. By scanning the pictures, I can tell they are 2 different squirrels. I wonder how many more are out there? I assume they are part of an elaborate squirrel relocation project by an irate home owner who got carried away.