A Bat and some Dragonflies!

While looking up as I stopped for a drink of water, I spied an Eastern Red Bat sleeping in a tree above me! They are North America's most abundant "tree bats", found east of the Rocky Mountains from Canada to central Florida. For the most part, Red bats are solitary, gathering only to mate and migrate. In the summer, they are among the earliest evening flyers. Bats are great pollinators. They are nectar drinkers that carry pollen greater distances than bees and other pollinators!

https://www.batcon.org/bat/lasiurus-borealis/

Dragonflies at Hungry Hollow:

On a beautiful weekday morning, we crossed into Middlesex County and explored a bit of the Ausable River channel at Hungry Hollow. We found a few species of dragonflies patrolling the shoreline. They are not classified as pollinators, but can have indirect effects on pollination as they hunt for prey. Dragonflies play a key role in maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Their predatory nature helps control insect populations, including mosquitoes and flies. 

https://gardeninglord.com/are-dragonflies-pollinators/

Blue-fronted Dancer: We navigated down a rough "trail" to get close to the water's edge for these dragons! 

Dusky Dancer

Powdered Dancer

American Rubyspot, (these were plentiful)

Smoky Rubyspot, an Endangered species!

Variable Dancer - nice purple colour!

Looking back towards Sylvan Road. 

 Henderson C.A., September 8th

After an event at L.C. Henderson Conservation Area near Petrolia, I walked the 3km trail loop a second time and found lots of insects to photograph. I scanned for migrating Monarchs and saw very few, but was happy to find a pair of mating Viceroy butterflies! (Notice the black line that crosses the hind wing. The line is missing on Monarchs.)

One of only 2 Monarchs I saw that day. 

American Painted Lady: Now you see it...

...now you don't! The butterfly is in the exact same location, but closed its wings and seems to have disappeared!!

Eastern Comma

Orange Sulphur

Shadow Darner

Smoky Rubyspot! A "lifer" species for me. I believe it is unexpected at this location and the population is listed as imperiled in Canada.

 Mystery Falls!

It was a beautiful day on Thursday to walk the Mystery Falls, 4km loop. 

Low level section of trail.

Yellow-necked Caterpillar Moth: Occasionally, a caterpillar crawled across the path. 

Banded Tussock Moth, caterpillar

Solitary Sandpiper viewed from a side trail that led to the Ausable River.

I noticed moving white specks on a few trees. A short search found larger gatherings of aphids: Beech Blight Aphid.

Some branches were so thickly covered in the aphids, that it gave the appearance of a fresh snowfall!

Great Blue Lobelia

Butterflies were few and far between in the wooded area, but once we reached the farm edge on the return to our car, a few made an appearance including a couple of Orange Sulphurs.

 Wings for Lunch!

Spiders of all shapes and sizes are making regular appearances along the trails I walk. The dark colour of this bumblebee caught my attention. It wasn't until I got closer that I noticed the incredibly well camouflaged Goldenrod Crab Spider that had grabbed the bumblebee.

Spotted Orbweaver dining on a Stink Bug

During a recent backyard moth night, I found a Spotted Orbweaver preparing a Katydid (sp) for its next meal. 

Video: Spotted Orbweaver encircling katydid with silk.

Yellow Garden Spider and Lady Beetle

Yellow Garden Spider with Stink Bug and Japanese Beetle

Birds also rely on insects for energy. A Philadelphia Vireo captured lunch and trapped it under his left foot.

 Garden Creatures in the Dark!

On a recent Moth Night, we wandered around the yard looking for life hiding in the garden. Above, a Red-banded Leafhopper sat quietly. It didn't seem worried about the lack of camouflage!

Ailanthus Webworm

Peck's Skipper

Clover Looper Moth

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Masters Dart

Katydid sp, possibly Greater Anglewing

Plume Moth, sp.

Spotted Orbweaver, wearing a smile!

Another Spotted Orbweaver high between tree branches.

 August Favourites!

I found a few "lifer" species during August. A beautiful and very fluffy, Large Tolype Moth was sleeping in a stubby White Pine Tree in Canatara Park this week. I didn't realize it was a moth until I noticed the patterning on the wing!

There have been only 9 records of Zabulon Skippers posted on iNaturalist in Lambton County. August 31st was our turn to find this rare species in Canatara Park!

In addition to wandering Skippers, the Wandering Glider also wandered into Canatara Park on the last day of August. They are considered to be the most widespread dragonfly on the planet, with good populations on every continent except Antarctica!

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/108344-Pantala-flavescens

It looks like a young Rose-breasted Grosbeak spent a little too much time in the berry patch. However, the red on the breast is natural colouring for the species!

The "orange, creamsicle" colour of this freshly emerged Large Milkweed Bug caught my eye. Then I noticed its exuviae! I find it amazing that the skinny legs of the exuviae can be left behind in such excellent condition! Shortly after emerging from the exoskeleton, the bug will get its adult colours.

Sparganosis Fruitworm Moth at Henderson C.A. This was my first discovery of the species during daylight hours.

A beautiful Eastern Tiger Swallowtail caterpillar at Henderson Conservation Area. - so well camouflaged!!

A pair of Sanderlings led me down the Canatara beach recently. The Ring-billed Gull in the background gives some perspective as to their size.