A Bat and some Dragonflies!

While looking up as I stopped for a drink of water, I spied an Eastern Red Bat sleeping in a tree above me! They are North America's most abundant "tree bats", found east of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to central Florida. For the most part, Red bats are solitary, gathering only to mate and migrate. In the summer, they are among the earliest evening flyers. Bats are great pollinators. They are nectar drinkers that carry pollen greater distances than bees and other pollinators!

https://www.batcon.org/bat/lasiurus-borealis/

Dragonflies at Hungry Hollow:

On a beautiful weekday morning, we crossed into Middlesex County and explored a bit of the Ausable River channel at Hungry Hollow. We found a few species of dragonflies patrolling the shoreline. They are not classified as pollinators, but can have indirect effects on pollination as they hunt for prey. Dragonflies play a key role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Their predatory nature helps control insect populations, including mosquitoes and flies. 

https://gardeninglord.com/are-dragonflies-pollinators/

Blue-fronted Dancer: We navigated down a rough "trail" to get close to the water's edge for these dragons! 

Dusky Dancer

Powdered Dancer

American Rubyspot, (these were plentiful)

Smoky Rubyspot, an Endangered species!

Variable Dancer - nice purple colour!

Looking back towards Sylvan Road.