Butterflies plus a Lifer

I've had some better luck with butterflies at Komoka July 2024.  Here are some photos plus a Lifer.

Viceroy

Red Admiral

The Eastern Comma. This is the 2nd one I've ever seen.  The other was in June 2022.

Eastern Comma

The Tawny Emperor is a Lifer.

Tawny Emperor

Monarch

Widow Skimmer

Halloween Pennant

I was so pleased to see my 2nd Snowberry Clearwing this summer. I got better shots this time.

Painted Turtles

Wet Week of July 14, 2024

Hyde Park - We've had some very hot, humid days lately.  I try to get out earlier before it gets too hot.  I'm enjoying watching the Osprey nest in Hyde Park.  It looks like only one chick.  The first couple of photos are the female and the third with her chick.  The male Osprey is fishing or perched at a huge tree behind the nest.  

Baby Painted Turtle

Barn Swallow

Northern Rough-winged Swallow

We had a very wet week.  Monday, London broke a century-old weather record, with a total of 59.3 millimeters of rain within a day.  The previous record 1923 was 45.2 mm.  After the record-breaking rain, London got hit with more heavy rain on Tuesday, bringing a total of 104 mm of rain 

A lot of flooding in the past few days. Some parks near the Thames River have closed such as Gibbons Park as most of the park is under water.

Hyde Park Area

Eastern Kingbird

Eastern Kingbird

Question Mark

Baltimore Oriole (immature or female)

Insects - Week of July 8, 2024

Looking for insects

Widow Skimmer  (female)

This is the 2nd time I've seen a Snowberry Clearwing.  First time was in July 2018.  It has been awhile.  I was so pleased to see it.  They are sometimes called "Hummingbird Moth".  They hover in front of a flower and sip nectar, just like a hummingbird.  

Snowberry Clearwing

Blue Dasher

Widow Skimmer  (female)

Viceroy

Halloween Pennant

Eastern Pondhawk

This is the 3rd Monarch I've seen so fair this year.

Monarch

Komoka Park

Blue-fronted Dancer

Red-eyed Vireo

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Some Birding First Week of July 2024

Here are some birds I saw through the first week of July 2024

Black-crowned Night Heron (immature)

I was watching the Osprey's nest...see one chick might be another one behind it.  

Barn Swallow

Spotted Sanpiper

I went to the airport to find the Northern Mockingbird.  The first bird I saw was the Mockingbird on a wire.  Also saw, Savannah Sparrows, a Grasshopper Sparrow, Eastern Meadowlarks, Barn Swallows, 2 Ospreys at their nest on one of the high towers, Eastern Kingbird, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Goldfinches, Killdeers,  Song Sparrows, Mourning Doves, and many Starlings.

Northern Mockingbird

Eastern Meadowlark

Northern Uplands Wetland

Least Sandpiper

Solitary Sandpiper