Henderson C.A., end of August.

I made a visit to L.C. Henderson C.A. near Petrolia for the first time in several months. On the drive I found a family of Muscovy Ducks (domesticated). The 11 ducklings are very young for this late in the season!

First view of Canada Geese gathering prior to migration. They were headed for one of the ponds at Henderson C.A.

Before I had a chance get the birds fully into the camera frame, 15 Double-crested Cormorants took flight.

The Great Blue Heron that was beside them quickly followed the cormorants.

The heron found a tree nearby on which to land. I saw 6 "pairs" of Great Blue Herons. None of the birds were getting along with the others. Lots of squawking could be heard as they chased one another away from prime fishing spots!

The wind was picking up a bit by the end of the morning, but these turtles had found a sheltered area in the sun.

A Crescent is perched at the top of the Goldenrod while a bumblebee nectars below. I didn't keep track of numbers, but crescents were by far the most populous butterfly species. I possibly saw 75-100 between the Pearl and Northern Crescents.

Great Spangled Fritillary - always a treat to see!

Large Maple Spanworm: I looked twice at this moth as I initially believed it was a dried leaf.

A few Monarchs were passing through, in a southerly direction. I wished them all a safe journey!

Peck's Skippers

Silver-spotted Skipper on Missouri Ironweed.

Lots of spiderwebs lined the trail edges.

When I passed through the camping area at the end of the walk, I spied huge spiderwebs and other decorations. The campers were having an early Halloween Celebration.

 Birdy Days!

Fall Migration has begun. Many shorebirds are already heading south, including this Semi-palmated Plover that stopped for a rest on Canatara beach.

Semi-palmated Plovers look like miniature Killdeer, but with only one black band across the breast. They stop and start quickly as they run along searching for food. and tend to stick to mudflats, sandbars and fields, rather than steep or rocky beaches.

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

Baird's Sandpipers are often nicknamed "grass pipers" because of their tendency to forage in drier, more vegetated habitats than many shorebirds.

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

Greater Yellowlegs

The Sanderling is one of the world's most widespread shorebirds. Though they nest only in the High Arctic, in fall and winter they can be found on nearly all temperate and tropical beaches through the world!

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

The Caspian Tern is found around the globe and is the largest Tern in the world. Caspian Terns got their name because early ornithologists associated them with the Caspian Sea where the species is fairly common. This individual hovered over Lake Chipican in Canatara Park recently.

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

Mallard Duckling stretch, earlier in the summer. These birds may or may not migrate, depending upon available food supplies.

Indigo Buntings migrate at night, using the stars for guidance. Researchers demonstrated this process in the late 1960's by studying captive Indigo Buntings in a planetarium and then the the natural night sky. The birds possess an internal clock that enables them to continually adjust their angle of orientation to a star, even as the star moves through the night sky!!

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

A male Northern Cardinal blends in perfectly with the Staghorn Sumac! They can be found year round in their breeding area.

At least one Great Egret has been spending time in Canatara. We usually don't see them hunting for food in the park until late summer. This individual took a rest in a tree top after having some food.

 Rainy Day Walk!

By looking under and around leaves, lots of life can be found, even when the sky is dripping!

A Fall Webworm Moth caterpillar found the perfect umbrella!

Water drops cling to Dogwood berries.

Flowers on Swamp Rose Mallow can grow to a diameter of 6-10 inches.

A Margined Calligrapher stayed dry inside the flower of the Swamp rose Mallow.

Red-banded Leafhopper on Jewelweed. It is sometimes called the Candy-striped Leafhopper and is one of 2,500 species of Leaf Hoppers found in North America.

https://extension.umaine.edu/home-and-garden-ipm/fact-sheets/common-name-listing/graphocephala-coccinea/

The only Monarch I found when the rain was falling. It was nectaring on Missouri Ironweed.

Willow Sawfly larva - They resemble wasps as adults and are neither moths nor butterflies.

Bee sheltering in Rose of Sharon

Clavate Tortoise Beetle: Tortoise Beetles almost look like they are running around with a turtle shell on their back. Clavate tortoise beetles have shells that are clear at the edges with a design that looks like either a turtle or a teddy bear in the centre. They are members of the leaf beetle family.

https://www.willyswilderness.org/post/bugs-that-look-like-turtles

Hickory Tussock Moth

White-marked Tussock Moth

Pale Beauty Moth and tiny snail "friend" below on the same leaf.

Crocus Geometer trying to hide from me!

Tiny Mint Moth surrounded by rain drops.

 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