A Bat in the Water!

From a distance, I thought the Ring-billed Gull was picking up and dropping a catfish into the water. I later realized the gull had found a Bat! The bat was likely migrating across Lake Huron and didn’t have the strength to make it to Canatara Beach. In the photo, it appears to be reaching out to the Gull for help. (Which it did not receive.)

After catching a meal of several tiny fish, this Great Egret found a spot to do some feather maintenance. The Egret's legs blend in well with the dead branches giving the illusion that it has more than 2 legs!

Yellow-bellied Flycatcher at rest between short flights to catch flying food.

A pocket of Warblers flitted along the Canatara Trails recently. This Black-throated Green warbler was still sporting mostly spring colours.

Several Magnolia Warblers were also very brightly coloured.

A Red-eyed Vireo ate lots of bugs that were hiding in the trees.

A House Wren was hanging around with the warblers.

The larva of either a Viceroy or Red-spotted Purple Butterfly was busily chewing on a Poplar leaf. The larvae and chrysalis' of the 2 species are so similar that experts won't identify to species from just a photo. I will keep an eye on the chrysalis which I found 2 days later in hopes of discovering which butterfly species will emerge.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird resting on Phragmites, while defending his territory!

Ruby-throated Hummingbird nectaring on Evening Primrose.

Black Swallowtail on Cylindrical Blazing Star.

Great Blue Heron and Great Egret - Keeping an eye on each other.

Great Blue Heron strolling along the water's edge.

Migrating Monarchs have been found in small groups. I have only seen a few Monarchs at a time, but they are definitely roosting in larger numbers if you're in the right spot at the right time!!