Bog Walk

Sifton Bog - Thursday, June 27, 2019

I went for a walk this morning to see what was around in the bog.  The birds I saw were Song Sparrows singing, Red-winged Blackbirds, Blue Jays, American Goldfinches, American Robins, a Mallard, a Turkey Vulture flew over, a Baltimore Oriole, Downy Woodpecker, Mourning Doves, Common Grackles, Northern Cardinals, and some House Sparrows.

I was concentrating more on looking for dragonflies and butterflies.  I saw a few Dot-tailed Whitefaces around.  I didn't see any butterflies. 

Dot-tailed Whiteface

Lots of the Pond Lilies are up and some are blooming. 

I found a little group of Painted turtles. 

Painted Turtles

Leatherleaf

The Green Frogs were croaking away. 

Green Frog

I found some lovely orchids.

Rose Pogonia

Tuberous Grass-Pink

Yellow Pond Lily

On my way back, I went down a little trail to the swamp area. I was looking at a Mallard when I saw movement behind the tree trunks.  I didn't have my camera ready and I couldn't believe it....a Red Fox came out in the open...my lovely blurry photo below.

Then he sauntered away into the low shrubbery.  I managed a couple more photos.

Sightings in Thames River

I have been walking along the Thames River recently and found some turtles basking on rocks at the middle of the river.  Where I was standing they were far away so I tried taking photos of them the best I can.  The photos are blurry.

I first saw two turtles on the rocks.  The Northern Map Turtle. 

With my camera, I zoomed out and saw another turtle to the left.  It was a huge turtle. 

I zoomed in on the turtle and it was quite relaxed basking in the sun. 

I zoomed in more and I was surprised to see a Spiny Softshell Turtle.  It must be a female because of the size.  I've  never seen one so big!
Federally they are Endangered, Provincially they are Threatened. 

I walked on the walkway to try to get closer but it was difficult because of the trees, bushes and thick leaves.  I managed to get a photo with the turtle facing me.

Further along the river, I found more Northern Map Turtles.

Strolling Hyde Park for Butterflies

Hyde Park Drainage Pond and Trail - London, Ontario

Nice warm day with a slight breeze.  I went to Hyde Park late this morning to look for butterflies.  I saw one Monarch but couldn't get a photo. I also saw 4 other butterfly species and some damselflies.

Eastern Forktail  (female)

Bluet sp

Eastern Forktail  (male)

Virginia Ctenucha Moth

Black Swallowtail

Black Swallowtail

Northern Crescent

Painted Lady

Common Ringlet

American Toad

The American Toad is one of only two toad species in Ontario.  The other one is the endangered Fowler's Toad.

On my afternoon walk today, I found this American Toad.  If it didn't move I would not have noticed it.  It's blended well in its surroundings. This one was an olive colour and a good size. The status and protection of the American Toad is Least Concern.

I also found this toad.  It was smaller with a brown tone colour blended in with the dead leaves.

Recent Outing

Northern Map Turtles

I found some Northern Map Turtles recently on one of my outings.  They were out on the rocks sunning themselves.  

The Northern Map Turtle was already assessed as a species of special concern when the Endangered Species Act took effect in 2008 and was re-assessed as special concern in 2013. 

Northern Map Turtle

Northern Map Turtle

Pleasant Day in Hyde Park

I went to the Hyde Park Drainage Pond this morning to look for butterflies...a nice pleasant day 20c, sunny. 
At the pond, this Mallard had a number of ducklings swimming with her.  There seems to be about 12-14 of them.

I saw 2 Cabbage Whites and about a dozen Northern Crescents flying around.  That's all the butterflies I saw.

Northern Crescent

Spotted Sandpiper

Wild Geranium

Northern Flicker

I watched a little rabbit munching away on grass.

Some Weekend Sightings

It's getting more difficult to get photos of birds so I'm taking more of flowers, dragonflies and butterflies.  I've seen many butterflies but they are not landing for me to take photos. 

 I'm seeing more dragonflies and a few damselflies (bluets).

Meadow Anemone

Killdeer

Robin's-Plantain

Clover

Bird's Foot Trefoil

Clover

Tufted Vetch

This dragonfly was flying around so I tried to get a photo of it.....it's a large  dragonfly.  This is the best photo I can get.