May 2018
A little Northern Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans melanota) peeking out from a vernal pool
Early morning reflections on the lake!
Water droplets on a Woodland strawberry (Fragaria vesca) out on the forest floor
Spring ephemerals, like this Round-loved Hepatica (Anemone americana), scattered along the forest floor
Fresh leaves emerging from a Manitoba Maple (Acer niger)
Apple (Malus sp.) blossoms emerging after a long winter
Red blossoms against the blue of the lake
Usually one of the first warblers back! Say hello to the little Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronata)
A male Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) preening his tail feathers while still protecting his small patch of swampland
A carpet of Common Haircap Moss (Polytrichum commune) covering the granite amid the forests of the Canadian Shield
An Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis) swimming around in the wetlands looking for food!
Trilliums (Trillium grandiflorum) blooming for spring!
A Norway Maple (Acer platanoides) soaking up the sun
Staring into the eyes of a Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) as she basks
Wild Comubine (Aquilegia canadensis) carpeting the forest floor
More spring ephemerals, Virginia Saxifrage (Micranthes virginiensis)
A little male Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) singing away! You can tell this is a male because of his red streaking along the breast
One of the Blandings Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii) that we are tracking through the swamps, bogs, and thickets! This little guy is the smallest one we track at just over 8cm long!
Apple (Malus sp) blossoms after the rain
A small Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) perched above a nestbox. These little guys are easier to photograph when they’re perched! Swipe to see one in flight
Pink Apple (Malus sp) blossoms against a backdrop of leafy green
Lines criss cross this Fragrant Water-lily (Nymphea odorata), from rips and something like a snail that may have been feeding on it
A bright male Five-lined Skink (Plestiodon fasciatus) peeking out from behind a rock. These skinks are the only lizard species found in Ontario and they are a species of special concern in the Southern Shield population and endangered in the Carolinian population.
Here is a case of mimicry in evolution, this Hummingbird Clearwing Moth (Hemaris thysbe) has evolved to look very similar to a bee and also occupies a similar niche in the ecosystem!
Wild Columbine (Aquilegia canadensis) scattered along the forest floor
Lilacs (Syringa vulgaris) blooming before summer hits
Tatarian Honeysuckle (Lonicera tatarica) flowers, an introduced species from Siberia that has made itself at home since being brought to North America back in the 1750’s
A North American beaver (Castor canadensis) peering through the Sweet Gale shrubs just before slipping off into the water
The Simba of the Eastern Tent Caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum) looking out from Pride Rock!
A Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) lit up by the afternoon sunlight along the edge of the lake
A Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) emerging from the swamp. Swipe across to photos and a video of her eating a frog!