Canatara Wildlife!

The nervous chattering of birds made me pause long enough to notice an American Mink running along the shoreline of an island in Lake Chipican.

First time I recall ever seeing a Red Squirrel in Sarnia.

A Great Blue Heron picked up and dropped a stick several times. Perhaps it was using the stick as a tool to stir up the muddy bottom and catch its next meal. Green Herons are known to use tools for “fishing” and maybe it learned from one of its cousins??

This large Grapevine Beetle caught my attention when it flew erratically towards me down a trail. Luckily it landed nearby so I could identify it. I've seen them before, but never in flight!

Hummingbird Clearwing and a Bumblebee on the left.

Common Checkered Skipper on Canada Thistle

Common Buckeye on Canada Thistle

Four-toothed Mason Wasp, on Canada Thistle

Leconte's Haploa Moth, hiding in the shadows.

Giant Swallowtail on Swamp Milkweed.

I watched the final stages of a Praying Mantis shedding its skin! After the exoskeleton dropped, I was able to put it on a leaf for a photo.

Praying Mantis Exoskeleton