Nature Nuggets: White Admiral

Showing posts with label White Admiral. Show all posts

Monday, 6 August 2018

Around a big lake

To a southern Ontario resident, the most interesting part of our western trip was out through the prairie provinces. Nonetheless, the northwestern part of Ontario is intriguing as well, especially to someone who lives in the extreme flatlands of the southwest.

We didn't spend much time stopping and exploring, but due to the distance did spend a lot of time travelling through! Add to the fact that because of some tire troubles we spent more time than expected.

The north shore of Lake Superior is rugged. It is not surprising that parts of it were of great interest to the Group of Seven artists of a few decades ago.

At a few brief stops along the way I noted some butterflies.

Tawny-edged Skipper

White Admirals were widely scattered. We don't get them in the southwest, as they are 'replaced' by Red-spotted Purple.

There were lots of fritillaries, especially Atlantis, as shown next.

Fireweed was a common sight. It is most plentiful in areas of disturbance, including after forest fires. With the numerous fires taking place in various parts of Ontario right now, there should be no shortage of habitat for them in the next few years!

We ended up spending a weekend at Terrace Bay, about a third of the way between Thunder Bay and Sault Ste. Marie, due to some tire issues and the fact that nothing was going to be open until the following Monday. So we made the best of it, checking out the well-known beach area. Those are the Slate Islands in the distance, which are believed to have formed as the result of a meteorite strike a very long time ago. It is now a day use provincial park, with no access except by boat. Lake Superior doesn't always look this docile.

In the town of Terrace Bay is a lighthouse replica of the one that is on the Slate Islands.

It is open to visitors who want to climb up and see the lake. It is a nice view when it isn't foggy. This next photo shows the view of the lake from the top, with the Slate Islands off in the distance.

The Aquasabon River empties into Lake Superior near the beach. Just a short distance upstream is this accessible gorge and waterfall.

This next photo shows where it empties into the lake.

Birds weren't terribly plentiful while we were there. I did see a few right outside our motel, including Chipping Sparrow.....

fledgling Chippie

....and a pair of Eastern Bluebirds, which was a little surprising since most range maps do not show that species as occurring along the north shore of Superior. However the eBird listing does not have it as rare.

The only bird I saw of real note in Ontario was a Northern Hawk Owl which flew across the road in front of me at one point.

The Serpent River was a pleasant opportunity for a break from driving. Most northern waterfalls are not the plunge type, but more of the cascade type which can be rather gentle, but still attractive.

All in all, it was a wonderful trip to experience some fantastic landscapes! It would definitely be worth a return to do some more serious photography.

Friday, 4 August 2017

A Northern Trek

A few weeks ago we took a trip to North Bay to visit our daughter and son-in-law. It is always a highlight, not just to see them, but also the landscape which is substantially different and, in many ways more attractive, than the flat lands of the southwestern Ontario agricultural dominated one.

On the way, we often stop at a place just outside of Fergus, where Osprey nest on top of a pole right beside the road.

Another stop, partly to take a break from the ~8 hour drive, is Brooks Falls, a bit north of Huntsville and east of Hwy 11.

The Main Falls

The Lower Falls

We didn't stay too long here, as due to the timing and the presence of the highly oxygenated water, the blackflies were out in full force.

At North Bay, I almost always include a trip on the trails of Laurier Woods Conservation Area, a natural area of more than 100 ha within the city limits, comprised of rocks, hills, trees, beaver ponds and the like. It is always a pleasant walk, with a varied network of trails.

(Note: I am not nearly as well acquainted with the northern leps and odes, so if anyone notices something misidentified here, please let me know.)

Bunchberry

Common Whitetail (f)

There were several Veery squawking about my presence along the trail. This one was feeding young....

...as was this White-throated Sparrow.

The bright green eyes of this dragonfly led me to believe it is a Racquet-tailed Emerald.

At the south end of North Bay is the La Vase River, which empties into Lake Nipissing, and was one of the main access points to places farther west for early explorers and courier de bois during the early days of the fur trade. A little while spent at this municipal park with water access always turns up something of interest.

The river edge was dotted with Blue Flag.

Chalk-fronted Corporal was the most abundant dragonfly.

A Four-spotted Skimmer was uncommon.

A Clubtail of some sort, I think

It seems that Double-crested Cormorants are in every large body of water. This one had successfully caught a large fish of some type. Given the size, I wasn't certain it would be as successful swallowing it as it was in catching it.

After a bit of a wrestling match, the cormorant won.

Not too far away from our northern most destination is a property owned by some friends. It is along a quiet gravel road several kilometres from the nearest settlement. The cabin itself is half a kilometre from the road, so it is really quite isolated and definitely off the grid. We stopped in to enjoy the surroundings and had lots of stuff to see.

Orange Hawkweed was in its prime. Even though it is not a native species, it plays an important role for butterflies and other flying critters.