Fall Finds!

While walking at the Strathroy Conservation Area, the sound of loud drumming helped me locate 2 Pileated Woodpeckers! I only got photos of the male. Both genders have short, thick feathers over their 'nostrils' that prevent wood chips from flying up into the “nose”. The nostrils', known as 'nares' on birds, are located on the sides of their beaks and are used for breathing.

https://birdswave.com/do-birds-have-noses/

The non native flower gardens in Canatara Park provided food for a number of late season butterflies, including this Common Checkered Skipper. Unfortunately, the garden plants were removed prior to Thanksgiving weekend.

Fiery Skipper on Globe Amaranth

Wild Indigo Duskywing

This female Monarch was found lying on the dewy grass in the shade on October 8th. A passerby picked her up and placed her on a branch in the sun. Hopefully she was able to continue her Mexico bound journey once she warmed up!

It has been awhile since I have walked past the Sarnia Lighthouse. Despite the current drought conditions, I was surprised to see the water level so low. I don't recall seeing a "beach" at that location before. The St. Clair River is flowing at the top left of the photo, and Michigan is in the background.

Ring-billed Gulls were taking advantage of the unexpected water access to search for food. The bird in the photo caught a tiny minnow swept up in the waves.

The other gulls were watching and rapidly moved in to steal the fish but it had already been swallowed!

Dredging equipment can be seen from shore in lower Lake Huron. It appears that the shipping lanes are being dredged because of the low water levels.

Sunrise over Lake Huron