Such a variety of things to enjoy even fairly late in the season

 The last couple of posts have featured some of my regular 'go to' places along Lake St. Clair. But, not surprisingly, I have spent quite a bit of time at Rondeau making use of the sunny, summer-like weather, although I try to choose times when the heat and humidity aren't too mid-summer like. And there are always things to see and photograph, so here we go!

Plants are declining in diversity of flowering, but there are some highlights that I look forward to. Winterberry is scattered throughout some of the damper, shrubby habitats, and their bright red berries are nice to see.

 Other colourful ones quite visible and in good flower include:

Broad-leaved Goldenrod

Closed Bottle Gentian, next, is always a highlight, although the abundance this season has been quite poor.

Cylindrical Blazing-star

If you look closely at the Broad-leaved Goldenrod, above, you should see this Pale Green Assasin Bug, presumably waiting for something to assassinate.

Hairy Goldenrod

The leaves of Hairy Goldenrod are not nearly as broad as the Broad-leaved species

Spotted Jewelweed

White Heath Aster

White Rattlesnake Root

  There were still some of this hardwood forest species lingering:

Richweed

As shown above, plants can have various insects making use of them. 

Four-toothed Mason Wasp

Green Stink Bug

Dimorphic Snout

Ambush Bug

I haven't been out with the black light, but I still keep an eye out for moths, as in the Dimorphic Snout shown above. Some, along with other insects, may be spending the daylight hours on the side of a building.

Bent-lined Dart

Common Tan Wave

Maple Spanworm

Northern Walkingstick

At other times, while walking along a trail, there are insects conveniently found on the railings.

Yellow-necked Caterpillar Moth

White-eyed Borer

Spurred Darkling Beetle

Spined Soldier Bug

Maple Zale Moth caterpillar

Caterpillars even of the same species can show quite a bit of variation in their appearance. These next two are both Banded Tussock Moth larvae.

This next one, showing two angles, does not have a common name. It's scientific name is Acanthocephala terminalis.

Other creatures I've encountered include an Arrowhead Orbweaver nicely suspended in its web, with a uncluttered background.....

...a Chinese Mantis. It is interesting that amongst most insects, this species can turn its head and keep an eye on you.

Cross Orbweaver

Unfortunately sometimes with all the traffic of vehicles and bicycles, small snakes such as this Northern Brown Snake can be a victim

Hump-backed Beewolf

Mourning Cloak

Red Admiral

Rubbed Dart

I've spent a bit of time roaming the sandy beach areas, thinking of Marie as it was her favourite part of the park. I came across a few Seaside Grasshoppers, which when they aren't in flight can blend in very well...

 ...and I came across this White-footed Mouse hiding under a piece of wood.

Not in the park, but hanging out for a few days at the Keith McLean Conservation Lands nearby, was this Hudsonian Godwit.

 Whew! That's it for this post! If you have managed to get to the end, good for you!

 

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Some new insect species for Rondeau, and some regulars

 I've been spending a bit more time than usual, on the search for insects visiting things like goldenrods or sunflowers, and that are not well represented at Rondeau. In the process, I have come across some species new to the park, and some that are even endangered! Certainly one of the highlights is this Zabulon Skipper, a new butterfly species for the park.

In no particular order are some of the others, both common and rare to endangered.

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Common Aerial Yellowjacket

Banded Tussock Moth

Bald Faced Hornet

This next one isn't an insect, obviously, but it is a first for the park. It is Conifer Chicken of the Woods, which is found predominantly on coniferous trees. This was on a fallen White Pine trunk.

Decorated Mop (second record)

Next is a quite attractive fungus called Golden Oyster Mushroom. It is not native however.

Another fungus is this one called Wolf's Milk.

Eastern Yellowjacket

Next is a large caterpillar, of the Elm Sphinx moth. While Elm trees are almost non-existent in Rondeau, it is also associated with Basswood so there are lots of them.

Fall Webworm caterpillar

Hickory Tussock Moth caterpillar

Lemon Cuckoo Bumble Bee

Spiders are of interest, although I don't seek them out all that much. When I wander the trails, or just through the woods, I frequently run into their webs! This one is a Marbled Orbweaver, sometimes found tucked into a rolled up leaf at the edge of their web...

...or sometimes quite obviously out roaming around their web.

This next one is an endangered species, known as a Metric Paper Wasp

Much more common is this Northern Paper Wasp.....

...and a Silver-spotted Skipper sipping on the nectar of this American Hog-peanut.

This next one is fairly distinctive, although small. It is a type of Tachinid fly, with no common name but a long Latin name known as Xanthomelanodes arcuatus. It is the first record for Rondeau. It doesn't have any formal status, although there are very few records across southern Ontario.

Next is a Tufted Cluster Fly, another first for Rondeau.

I'll wrap up this post with a couple of bird species. First is a Hudsonian Godwit that has been hanging around the Keith McLean Conservation Lands fairly reliably over the last few days. It is well away from the closest vantage point, so only distant photos are possible.

The muddy island in the middle of the wetland is popular for shorebirds, including the godwit, but it is also a popular hunting ground for a Peregrine Falcon. It swoops and dives at high speed and makes getting a good photo challenging. These next two are the best I could get so far.

 

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