Roseate Spoonbill!

 And a Very Cool Caterpillar!

Roseate Spoonbill! A mega rarity for Ontario! Found near Alymer. It was a lifer for us!

The Roseate Spoonbill is 1 of 6 species of Spoonbills in the world, and the only one found in the Americas. It was sleeping when we first arrived but later flew to the water hole in search of food with that huge spoonbill.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/overview

Roseate Spoonbill chicks don't have a spoon-shaped bill immediately after hatching. When they are 9 days old the bill starts to flatten. By 16 days it starts to look more spoon-like and by 39 day it is nearly full size!

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/overview

Crowned Slug Moths are pale-green with a flattened, oval shape. Both sides of the body are covered with pastel green hairs. The tops have less conspicuous hairs which sting when touched. Female moths lay their eggs at the base of host plants which include Cherry, Elm, Hickory, Linden, Maple, and Oak. Adults are predominately brown and would easily go unnoticed in comparison to the well decorated larva. This individual was found near the Grand River in Cambridge and was a first for me!

https://www.mothidentification.com/crowned-slug-moth.htm