Dunes and Swales and Dunes!

We enjoyed a beautiful Mother's Day, walking trails in North Lambton. Some flowers were blooming, including lots of Fringed Polygala.

Northern Starflower

An unexpected find was a Beaverpond Baskettail. Luckily it flew, or we may have overlooked the camouflaged dragonfly.

A few steps further down the trail, we found perfect wetland habitat for both the Baskettail and Marsh Marigold!

Historically the roots of White Rattlesnake Root were applied as a poultice to rattlesnake bites by the Iroquois. The plant will bloom later in the summer.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/130950-Nabalus-albus

I noticed some Eastern Tent Caterpillars "twitching" on the outside of their tent as an Ant walked among them. I wasn't able to find any information specific to these two species but there are many examples of mutualism between ants and caterpillars in nature. Ants are known to "tickle" caterpillars which causes them to secrete food for the ants. In turn, the ants can help to protect the caterpillars from predators. 

A male Eastern Towhee happily sang high in a tree!

When we entered a more open area with lots of sunshine, we started finding butterflies including Brown Elfin. Adults will fly from early May to early June. They overwinter as a chrysalis.

The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario. Peter W. Hall, et al 2014

Clouded Sulphur 

The Hoary Elfin has a frosted patch on the margin of the wing. It is very rare in SW Ontario and overwinters as a chrysalis.

The ROM Field Guide to butterflies of Ontario. Peter W. Hall, et al 2014

A beautiful Olympia Marble, nectaring on its host plant, Lyre-leaved Rockcress.

Festive Tiger Beetle: Adult tiger beetles are voracious predators, giving chase across the ground at speeds of up to 53 body lengths per second, about 10 times faster than a top human sprinter!

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/publications/wild-species-2005/chapter-6.html

Big Sand Tiger Beetle

A young Eastern Garter Snake enjoying the sun's heat in a pile of boards.