We Saw The Sun!!

The sun was shining on Saturday morning and we made good use of the weather during a walk at the Brights Grove Lagoons. A minimum of 2,000 Canada Geese were on site.

By the time we had walked around the cells, the birds were almost entirely gone, probably to find food in nearby fields. At least 11 subspecies of Canada Geese have been recognized, although only a couple are distinctive. In general, the geese get smaller as you move northward, and darker as you go westward.

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Canada_Goose/id

A south wind was blowing and we had to dodge "flying chunks of fecal foam".

Two dozen American Goldfinch were scattered through the lagoons.

Woodpecker condominium! During the winter months, Downy, Red-bellied and even Pileated Woodpeckers can be found in this area.

We saw 22 species of birds but many were too far for photos. Good habitat for forest and field birds provided lots of shelter.

Back home in the afternoon, several insects could be found, thanks to the 12 degree Celsius temperatures. To survive the winter months, many insects go into diapause, which is a kind of hibernation. On sunny days in sheltered areas, some of the hardier species can be found moving around. An Asian Lady Beetle slowly opened and closed her wings on our Maple Tree.

False Milkweed Bug on the shed.

This may be a new species for me. My submission to iNaturalist suggests it could be a North American Tarnished Plant Bug.

American Winter Ant - also new to me.

Common Bagworm Moth: While scouring the backyard for insects, I found a few "Bagworm cases" on the brick wall. Larvae spin their own cocoon nest where they spend most of their life. The nest can be made of silk, twigs and bits of leaves. They are native to Canada.

https://leafyplace.com/bagworms/

Winter Crane Flies: This individual cannot be identified to the species level because the abdomen is not visible. I'll have to try for a belly photo another time! 😊😊