Peers Wetland, Oct. 16th:

The swollen abdomen of the Praying Mantis indicates she is probably ready to lay eggs. She will lay a frothy structure containing more than 100 eggs. The froth will harden, protecting the eggs through the winter, and tiny nymph replicas of the adult will emerge next spring. 

https://www.learnaboutnature.com/insects/mantis/praying-mantis-life-cycle/

October 16th was "travel day" for Wooly Bear Caterpillars at Peers Wetland. In a 150 metre stretch of trail, I encountered 18 individuals! They were likely searching for food prior to selecting a sheltered area under leaves or a wood pile to spend the winter. By producing a type of glycerol, the inner cells of the caterpillar will not freeze and they should be alive to make a cocoon the following spring. 

https://www.willyswilderness.org/post/caterpillars-in-winter-woolly-bears-are-built-for-cold#:~

Mute Swans are thriving at Peers. We counted 14 swans during our tour of the property.

An adult Bald Eagle circled overhead.

An unidentified moth nectared on New England Aster.

Orange Sulphur butterflies can fly in Southern Ontario well into November. This individual found nectar on a very late blooming Common Teasel.