Favourite Finds of the Week!

Good to the last bite! This Monarch caterpillar has all but devoured the Swamp Milkweed leaf on which it is hanging. Many legs appear to be gripping the leaf stem. However caterpillars have only 6 true legs (3 pairs). Insect bodies are divided into 3 parts: the Head, Thorax and Abdomen. All six 'true' legs are attached to the thorax. The Thoracic legs near the head (bottom of photo) are difficult to see and look like tiny claws. The 10 Prolegs, which are visible in the photo, are the soft, hook-bearing legs of the abdomen that help the caterpillar hold onto plant material while walking. 

Caterpillars of Eastern North America, David L.Wagner, Princeton University press 2005 

An Eastern Comma doing a leaf impersonation!! The small white "comma" for which it is named, is visible on the hind wing.

When the Eastern Comma flew, it landed nearby, spreading its wings and showing the contrasting upper wings.

Role Reversal!! Usually I'm peering at the wildlife outside. But this Eastern Comma decided to have a look at me through my living room window!

4 Cabbage Whites "puddling" for minerals in a dried up puddle.

Common Ringlet

Great Spangled Fritillary: I haven't seen many fritillaries this year.

Slender Spreadwing: Beautiful blue eyes!

A new yard species; Trichopoda lanipes. It doesn't have a common name but it is in the "feather-legged Fly" group. The "feathers" are visible on the hind legs. When looking at distribution of the species on iNaturalist, this is the first record in Lambton County outside of North Lambton!

Giant Swallowtail caterpillar resting on its own Canopy Bed!

Tiny Giant Swallowtail Egg on Hoptree Leaf.

Great Blue Heron doing its best statue imitation as he waits and watches for his next meal to swim by. Despite their impressive size, Great Blue Herons weigh only 5 to 6 pounds thanks in part to their hollow bones.

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