September Wild Flowers

Thought some of you might be interested in my September Wild Flower letter to my regular wild flower group. Here is part of the letter:

Just taking a couple of minutes away from art show preparations to write this September, already, wild flower list. As I have said other years, many people stop looking for wild flowers when summer is winding down but the flowers do continue and there are some plants that do not start blooming until September. Presently, I have 314 species listed for September. About 20 of those have not started to bloom yet and then there are the spring flowers that sometimes bloom again in the fall. Violets, Honeysuckles, and Dogwoods are three groups that come to mind as spring flowers that bloom again in the fall sometimes.

Following is a list of wild or naturalized flower species that have been found blooming in the Hamilton, Ontario area in September. As usual the * means that the flowers are NOT native to our area. (I see that I am not up to date with all the Latin name changes for the Asters. Sorry 'bout that.)

ENGLISH NAMES -- Latin Names
Agrimony -- Agrimonia gryposepala
Alfalfa * -- Medicago sativa
Alyssum, Hoary * -- Berteroa incana
Amaranth, Green * -- Amaranthus retroflexus
Amaranth, Slender -- Amaranthus hybridus
Apple-Of-Peru * -- Nicandra physalodes
Arrowhead, Common -- Sagittaria latifolia
Artichoke, Jerusalem * -- Helianthus tuberosus
Aster, Amethyst -- Aster X amethystinus
Aster, Arrow-Leaved -- Symphyotrichum urophyllum
Aster, Azure (Sky Blue) -- Aster oolentangiense
Aster, Calico (Starved) -- Aster lateriflorus var. lateriflorus
Aster, Flat-Topped -- Aster umbellatus
Aster, Frost -- Aster pilosus var. pilosus
Aster, Heart-Leaved -- Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Aster, Heath -- Symphyotrichum ericoides var. pansum
Aster, Large-Leaved -- Eurybia macrophylla
Aster, New England -- Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Aster, Panicled -- Aster lanceolatus
Aster, Purple-Stemmed -- Aster puniceus
Aster, Smooth -- Aster laevis
Avens, Catling's * -- Geum x catlingii
Avens, White -- Geum canadense
Avens, Wood * -- Geum urbanum
Avens, Yellow -- Geum aleppicum
Balsam, Himalayan * -- Impatiens glandulifera
Basil, Wild -- Clinopodium vulgare
Beechdrops -- Epifagus virginiana
Beggar Tick -- Bidens frondosa
Beggar Tick, Swamp -- Bidens tripartita
Beggar Tick, Tall -- Bidens vulgata
Bellflower, Creeping * -- Campanula rapunculoides
Bellflower, Tall -- Campanula americana
Bindweed, Black * -- Polygonum convolvulus
Bindweed, Field * -- Convolvulus arvensis
Bindweed, Fringed -- Polygonum cilinode
Bindweed, Hedge -- Calystegia sepium
Bittercress, Hairy * -- Cardamine hirsuta
Black-Eyed Susan -- Rudbeckia hirta
Bluestem, Big (Grass) -- Andropogon gerardii
Boneset -- Eupatorium perfoliatum
Boneset, Tall -- Eupatorium altissimum
Bouncing Bet * -- Saponaria officinalis
Buckwheat, Climbing False -- Polygonum scandens
Bugleweed, Northern -- Lycopus uniflorus
Bugleweed, Rough -- Lycopus asper
Bugloss, Viper's * -- Echium vulgare
Bunchberry -- Cornus canadensis
Bur Cucumber, One-Seeded -- Sicyos angulatus
Burdock, Common * -- Arctium minus
Burdock, Great * -- Arctium lappa
Bur-Marigold, Nodding -- Bidens cernua
Butter-And-Eggs * -- Linaria vulgaris
Buttercup, Tall * -- Ranuculus acris
Butterfly Weed -- Asclepias tuberosa
Campion, Bladder * -- Silene vulgaris
Campion, Red * -- Silene dioica
Campion, White (Evening Lychis) * -- Silene latifolia
Cancerwort, Roundleaf * -- Kickxia spuria
Cancerwort, Sharpleaf* -- Kickxia elatine
Carpenter's Square (Figwort) -- Scrophularia marilandica
Catchfly, Night Flowering * -- Silene noctiflora
Catnip * -- Nepeta cataria
Celandine * -- Chelidonium majus
Chamomile, Scentless * -- Matricaria maritima
Charlock * -- Sinapis arvensis
Chickweed, Common * -- Stellaria media
Chickweed, Mouse-Ear * -- Cerastium fontanum
Chicory * -- Cichorium intybus
Cinquefoil, Common -- Potentilla simplex
Cinquefoil, Dwarf -- Potentilla canadensis
Cinquefoil, Rough -- Potentilla norvegica ssp.monspeliensis
Cinquefoil, Rough-Fruited * -- Potentilla recta
Cinquefoil, Silvery * -- Potentilla argentea
Clearweed -- Pilea pumila
Cleavers (Bedstraw) -- Galium aparine
Clotbur, Common -- Xanthium strumarium
Clover, Alsike * -- Trifolium hybridum
Clover, Hop * -- Trifolium aureum
Clover, Red * -- Trifolium pratese
Clover, White * -- Trifolium repens
Clover, White Sweet * -- Melilotus alba
Clover, Yellow Sweet * -- Melilotus officinalis
Comfrey, Common * -- Symphytum officinale ssp.officinale
Coneflower, Gray-Headed -- Ratibida pinnata
Coneflower, Purple * -- Echinacea purpurea
Coneflower, Tall -- Rudbeckia laciniata
Coneflower, Thin-Leaved * -- Rudbeckia triloba
Corydalis, Pink -- Corydalis sempervirens
Crabgrass, Large * -- Digitaria sanguinalis
Cress, Marsh Yellow -- Rorippa palustris ssp.fernaldiana
Crowfoot, Bristly * -- Ranunculus pensylvanicus
Crowfoot, Cursed -- Ranunculus sceleratus
Cucumber, Wild -- Echinocystis lobata
Cup Plant -- Silphium perfoliatum var.perfoliatum
Daisy, Oxeye * -- Leucanthemum vulgare
Dandelion, Common * -- Taraxacum officiale
Dandelion, Red-Seeded * -- Taraxacum erythrospermum
Dayflower, Asiatic * -- Commelina communis
Dead-Nettle, Purple * -- Lamium purpureum
Dead-Nettle, Spotted * -- Lamium maculatum
Dodder, Common (Gronovius') -- Cuscuta gronovii
Dogbane, Spreading -- Apocynum androsaemifolium
Dogwood, Red-Osier (Shrub) -- Cornus sericea ssp. sericea
Dogwood, Silky (Shrub) -- Cornus amomum
Elecampane * -- Inula helenium
Evening Primrose, Common -- Oenothera biennis
Everlasting, Pearly -- Anaphalis margaritacea
Feverfew * -- Tanacetum parthenium
Fireweed -- Epilobium angustifolium
Flax, Common * -- Linum usitatissimum
Fleabane, Common -- Erigeron philadelphicus var. philadelphicus
Fleabane, Daisy -- Erigeron annuus
Fleabane, Lesser Daisy -- Erigeron strigosus
Flower-Of-An-Hour * -- Hibiscus trionum
Forget-Me-Not, Smaller -- Myosotis laxa
Forget-Me-Not, True * -- Myosotis scorpioides
Foxtail, Meadow * (Grass) -- Alopecurus pratensis
Galinsoga * -- Galinsoga quadriradiata
Germander, American -- Teucrium canadense
Goatsbeard, Meadow * -- Tragopogon pratensis ssp.pratensis
Goatsbeard, Yellow * -- Tragopogon dubius
Goldenrod, Blue-Stemmed -- Solidago caesia
Goldenrod, Canada -- Solidago canadensis
Goldenrod, Early -- Solidago juncea
Goldenrod, Gray -- Solidago nemoralis
Goldenrod, Hairy -- Solidago hispida
Goldenrod, Lance-Leaved -- Euthamia graminifolia
Goldenrod, Late -- Solidago gigantea
Goldenrod, Rough-Leaved -- Solidago patula
Goldenrod, Stiff (Hard-Leaved) -- Solidago rigida
Goldenrod, Tall -- Solidago altissima
Goldenrod, Zigzag -- Solidago flexicaulis
Ground Cherry, Clammy -- Physalis heterophylla
Ground Ivy * -- Glechoma hederacea
Groundnut -- Apios americana
Groundsel, Common * -- Senecio vulgaris
Groundsel, Sticky -- Senecio viscosus
Harebell -- Campanula rotundifolia
Hawkweed, Field * -- Hieracium caespitosum
Hawkweed, Orange * -- Hieracium aurantiacum
Heal-All -- Prunella vulgaris
Hedge Nettle, Rough -- Stachys tenuifolia v. hispida
Hedge-Parsley, Upright * -- Torilis japonica
Henbit * -- Lamium amplexicaule
Herb Robert * -- Geranium robertiaum
Hog Peanut -- Amphicarpa bracteata
Honeysuckle, Amur * (Shrub) -- Lonicera maackii
Honeysuckle, Northern Bush (Shrub) -- Diervilla lonicera
Horehound, Black -- Ballota nigra
Horehound, Water -- Lycopus americanus
Horse Balm -- Collinsonia canadensis
Horseweed -- Conyza canadensis
Hyssop, Yellow Giant (Catnip, G.H.) -- Agastache nepetoides
Indian Tobacco -- Lobelia inflata
Indian-Pipe -- Monotropa uniflora
Jimsonweed * -- Datura stramonium
Joe-Pye Weed, Spotted -- Eupatorium maculatum
Knapweed, Black * -- Centaurea nigra
Knapweed, Brown * -- Centaurea jacea
Knapweed, Spotted * -- Centaurea maculosa
Knotgrass, Common * -- Polygonum aviculare
Knotweed, Japanese * -- Polygonum cuspidatum
Knotweed, Pink -- Polygonum pensylvanicum
Knotweed, Virginia (Jumpseed) -- Polygonum virginianum
Lady's Thumb * -- Polygonum persicaria
Leafcup, Small-Flowered -- Polymnia canadensis
Lettuce, Tall White -- Prenanthes altissima
Lettuce, White -- Prenanthes alba
Lettuce, Wild -- Lactuca canadensis
Live-Forever * -- Hylotelephium telephium ssp.fabaria
Lobelia, Great -- Lobelia siphilitica
Loosestrife, Purple * -- Lythrum salicaria
Loosestrife, Swamp -- Decodon verticillatus
Loosestrife, Yellow (Swamp Candles) -- Lysimachia thyrsiflora
Madder, Wild (Bedstraw) * -- Galium mollugo
Mallow, Common(Cheeses) * -- Malva neglecta
Mallow, Indian * (Velvetleaf) * -- Abutilon theophrasti
Mallow, Musk * -- Malva moschata
Marjoram, Wild * -- Origanum vulgare
Mayweed * -- Anthemis cotula
Medick, Black * -- Medicago lupulina
Medick, Hyrid *(Yellow Alfalfa) -- Medicago X varia
Mercury, Three-Seeded -- Acalypha rhomboidea
Milkweed, Common -- Asclepias syriaca
Mint, Wild -- Mentha arvensis
Motherwort * -- Leonurus cardiaca ssp. Cardiaca
Mountain Mint, Virginia -- Pycnanthemum virginianum
Mullein, Clasping-Leaved -- Verbascum phlomoides
Mullein, Common * -- Verbascum thapsus
Mullein, Moth * -- Verbascum blattaria
Mustard, Black * -- Brassica nigra
Mustard, Dog * -- Erucastrum gallicum
Mustard, Field * -- Brassica rapa
Mustard, Hedge * -- Sisymbrium officinale
Mustard, Indian * -- Brassica juncea
Mustard, Tumble * -- Sisymbrium altissimum
Mustard, Wormseed * -- Erysimum cheiranthoides ssp. cheiranthoides
Nettle, Hemp * -- Galeopsis tetrahit
Nettle, Stinging * -- Urtica dioica ssp dioica
Nettle, Tall -- Urtica dioica ssp.gracilis
Nightshade, Bittersweet * -- Solanum dulcamara
Nightshade, Eastern Black -- Solanum ptychanthum
Nightshade, Enchanter's -- Circaea lutetiana ssp.canadensis
Nipplewort * -- Lapsana communis
Obedient Plant -- Physostegia virginiana
Orach -- Atriplex patula
Ox-Tongue * -- Picris hieracioides
Parsnip, Water -- Sium suave
Parsnip, Wild * -- Pastinaca sativa
Pea, Everlasting * -- Lathyrus latifolius
Pennycress, Field * -- Thlaspi arvense
Peppergrass, Field * -- Lepidium campestre
Peppermint * -- Mentha X piperita
Periwinkle * -- Vinca minor
Phlox, Garden * -- Phlox paniculata
Phragmites (Grass) -- Phragmites australis
Pickerelweed -- Pontederia cordata
Pigweed * -- Chenopodium album var. album
Pilewort (American Burnweed) -- Erechtites hieracifolia
Pimperel, Scarlet * -- Anagallis arvensis
Pineapple Weed * -- Matricaria discoidea
Pink, Deptford * -- Dianthus armeria
Pitcher-Plant -- Sarracenia purpurea
Plantain, Common * -- Plantago major
Plantain, English * -- Plantago lanceolata
Plantain, Red-Stemmed (Pale) -- Plantago rugelii
Pokeweed -- Phytolacca americana
Purslane * -- Portulaca oleracea
Queen Anne's Lace * -- Daucus carota
Ragweed, Common -- Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Ragweed, Great -- Ambrosia trifida
Raspberry, Purple-Flowering (Shrub) -- Rubus odoratus
Raspberry, Wild Red (Shrub) -- Rubus idaeus
Rocket, Dame's * -- Hesperis matroalis
Rocket, Sea -- Cakile edentula
Rose, Rugosa * -- Rosa rugosa
Saint Johnswort, Common * -- Hypericum perforatum
Saint Johnswort, Dwarf -- Hypericum mutilum
Scorpion-Grass, Blue * -- Myosotis stricta
Shepherd's Purse * -- Capsella bursa-pastoris
Silverrod -- Solidago bicolor
Silverweed -- Potentilla anserina
Skullcap, Mad-dog -- Scutellaria lateriflora
Skullcap, Marsh -- Scutellaria galericulata
Smartweed, Nodding -- Polygonum lapathifolium
Smartweed, Water (P.Amphibium) -- Polygonum amphibium
Smartweed, Water (P.Punctatum) -- Polygonum punctatum
Snakeroot, White -- Ageratina altissima
Snapdragon, Dwarf * -- Chaenorrhinum minus
Snowberry -- Symporicarpos albus
Snow-On-The-Mountain * -- Euphorbia marginata
Sow Thistle, Common * -- Sonchus oleraceus
Sow Thistle, Field * -- Sonchus arvensis
Sow Thistle, Spiny-Leaved * -- Sonchus asper
Spearment * -- Mentha spicata
Speedwell, Water * -- Veronica anagallis-aquatica
Spurge, Cypress * -- Euphorbia cyparissias
Spurge, Leafy * -- Euphorbia esula
Spurge, Petty * -- Euphorbia peplus
Spurge, Spotted* -- Chamaesyce maculata
Stickseed, Virginia -- Hackelia virginiana
Stitchwort, Lesser * -- Stellaria graminea
Stonecrop, Ditch -- Penthorum sedoides
Storksbill * -- Erodium cicutarium
Strawberry, Field -- Fragaria virginiana ssp.glauca
Strawberry, Woodland -- Fragaria vesca ssp. americana
Summer-Cypress * -- Kochia scoparia
Sunflower, Common * -- Helianthus annuus
Sunflower, Pale Leaved -- Helianthus strumosus
Sunflower, Thin-Leaved -- Helianthus decapetalus
Sunflower, Woodland -- Helianthus divaricatus
Swallowwort, White * -- Cynanchum vincetoxicum
Tansey * -- Tanacetum vulgare
Tea, Oswego -- Monarda didyma
Tearthumb, Arrow-Leaved -- Polygonum sagittatum
Teasel * -- Dipsacus fullonum ssp.sylvestris
Thistle, Bull * -- Cirsium vulgare
Thistle, Canada * -- Cirsium arvense
Thistle, Globe * -- Echinops sphaerocephalus
Thistle, Nodding * -- Carduus nutans
Thistle, Scotch * -- Onopordum acanthium
Tick-Trefoil, Large-Bracted -- Desmodium cuspidatum
Tick-Trefoil, Pointed-Leaved -- Desmodium glutinosum
Tick-Trefoil, Showy -- Desmodium canadense
Touch-Me-Not, Pale -- Impatiens pallida
Touch-Me-Not, Spotted -- Impatiens capensis
Trefoil, Birdsfoot * -- Lotus corniculatus
Trumpet Creeper -- Campsis radicans
Turtlehead -- Chelone glabra
Valerian, Garden * -- Valeriana officinalis
Vervain, Blue -- Verbena hastata
Vervain, Purpletop -- Berbena bonariensis
Vervain, White -- Verbena urticifolia
Vetch, Cow * -- Vicia cracca
Vetch, Crown * -- Coronilla varia
Vetch, Hairy * -- Vicia villosa
Vetch, Slender * -- Vicia tetrasperma
Violet, Canada -- Viola canadensis
Violet, Downy Yellow -- Viola pubescens
Virgin's Bower -- Clematis virginiana
Wallrocket * -- Diplotaxis muralis
Wall-Rocket, Narrow-Leaved * -- Diplotaxis tenuifolia
Water Lily, Sweet Scented -- Nymphaea odorata
Water Pepper -- Polygonum hydropiper
Water Plantain, Large -- Alisma plantago-aquatica
Willow Herb, Hairy * -- Epilobium hirsutum
Willow Herb, Purple-Leaved -- Epilobium coloratum
Willow Herb, Sparse-Flowered * -- Epilobium parviflorum
Wintergreen -- Gaultheria procumbens
Witch Hazel (Shrub) -- Hamamelis virginiana
Wood Sorrel, Yellow -- Oxalis stricta
Wormwood, Sweet * -- Artemisia annua
Yarrow * -- Achillea millefolium ssp.millefolium

Bio Blitz So Far

We are about half way through our Bio Blitz activity and have made several important discoveries. Well, OK, it was not a real discovery but an acknowledgment of what we knew already. We still have lots to learn about life all around us. We are fairly good at identifying plants and not too bad at birds, but then we start to be less and less knowledgeable. The frogs are not too numerous and I can identify them mostly by sound as we rarely see them. There are not many snakes on our property and mammals are in fairly short supply too. It is in the insect and spider area that we are overwhelmed. Even with the guidebooks that we have picked up in the last year, we still come away with more puzzles than answers. Perhaps this blitz will spark more study. ID's are very shaky there and just because they are listed below does not mean that we know for sure yet.

Oh yes, one more thing! I want to continue for the year. It will not be as intensive as this week but I have been wanting to find out more about what is on the property for a while and this is a wonderful opportunity to start and continue that activity so the listing will continue after this week for the rest of the year. Also, our activity has sparked our 2 year old neighbour even more along the way to becoming a naturalist. With the help of her parents she already knows more birds than I knew at 4 times her age and her interest in bugs is increasing too. We shall all learn together.

Meanwhile, here is our list so far. There are over 190 entries, including the category titles. I just added the dates recorded as Églantine thought that would be of interest too. It is of interest already and we realized on day two that we forgot to include our dog, cat, and ourselves in the list at first. Our self imposed limits are that we must be able to make at least some kind of ID from what we see or hear so we are not putting down plants that are not up yet even though we know they will come up again as they have in the past.
OK, enough chatter. I wonder how many readers made it this far and can actually make it through the list. It's up to you as to how much you want to read and/or comment. Onward:


Bio Blitz 2007
Wild Flowers – Vines
Aster, Arrow-leaved..0422
Avens, White..0422
Bitter-cress, Hairy..0422
Celendine..0422
Chickweed, Mouse-eared (B)..0422
Cinquefoil, Common..0422
Cinquefoil, Rough..0422
Cleavers..0422
Clover, White..0422
Coltsfoot (F)..0422
Current, Garden..0422
Dame’s Rocket..0422
Dandelion, Common..0422
Dandelion, Red Seeded..0422
Fleabane, Daisy..0422
Gill over the Ground..0422
Goldenrod, Early?..0422
Grapevine, Riverbank?..0422
Herb Robert..0422
Horsetail *..0423
Jack-in-the-Pulpit..0423
Live Forever..0422
May Apple 0423
Meadow-rue, Early..0422
Moss ?..0422
Motherwort..0422
Mullein, Common..0422
Mustard, Garlic..0422
Nettle, Tall 0423
Parsnip, Cow..0422
Soapwort..0422
Solomon Seal, False 0423
Solomon Seal, Star-Flowered False .0423
Spring Beauty..0422
Strawberry, Field..0422
Strawberry, Wood..0422
Teasel..0422
Thimbleweed..0422
Thistle, Bull..0422
Trout Lily..0422
Violet, Blue..0422
Yarrow..0422
Plants in Garden
Aconite, Winter..0422
Barberry ..0422
Bee Balm..0422
Black-eyed Susans ..0422
Bleeding Heart ..0422
Bugleweed ..0422
Chives..0422
Comfrey..0422
Daffodil, Rip Van Winkle..0422
Daffodils..0422
Daisy..0422
Everlasting ..0422
Feverfew..0422
Foxglove 0424
Hyacinth..0422
Iris..0422
Jacob’s Ladder..0422
Ladies Mantle..0422
Lamb’s Ears..0422
Lavender 0424
Lily, Day..0422
Lungwort..0422
Ninebark, Diablo..0422
Ninebark, Golden..0422
Onion..0422
Pansy 0424
Peony..0422
Periwinkle..0422
Purple flower?)..0422
Rhubarb..0422
Rosebush..0422
Rue..0422
Sedum..0422
Snowdrops..0422
Spiderwort..0422
Wild Ginger 0424
Yucca..0422
Birds
Blackbird, Red-winged 0422
Cardinal 0422
Chickadee 0422
Cowbird 0422
Crow 0422
Dove, Mourning 0422
Finch, House 0423
Flicker, Yellow-shafted 0422
Goldfinch, American 0422
Goose, Canada 0422
Gull, Ring-billed? 0422
Hawk, Red-tailed 0422
Heron, Great Blue 0423
Jay, Blue 0422
Kinglet, Golden-crowned 0422
Meadowlark, Eastern 0423
Nuthatch, Red-breasted 0422
Nuthatch, White-breasted 0422
Robin 0422
Sparrow, Field 0422
Sparrow, Song 0422
Towhee 0425
Turkey, Wild 0422
Woodcock, American 0422
Woodpecker, Downy 0422
Woodpecker, Red-bellied 0422
Trees & Shrubs – Wild & Planted
Apple 0422
Ash, White 0422
Aspen, Trembling 0422
Box Elder (Maple, Ash-leaf) 0422
Cedar, Northern Juniper? 0422
Cedar, Northern White 0422
Cherry, Black 0422
Cherry, Choke 0422
Cottonwood 0422
Current ? 0422
Dogwood, Alternate-Leaved 0422
Dogwood, Gray 0422
Dogwood, Red-osier 0422
Dogwood, Silky 0422
Elm 0422
Forsythia (B) 0422
Hawthorn sp? 0422
Honeysuckle, Tartarian 0422
Larch, European? 0422
Lilac 0422
Locust, Black 0423
Maple, Norway 0422
Maple, Silver 0422
Maple, Sugar 0422
Olive, Autumn 0422
Pear 0422
Pine, Red 0422
Pine, White 0422
Quince 0422
Raspberry 0422
Rose, Multiflora 0422
Serviceberry 0424
Spindle Tree 0422
Spruce, White ? 0422
Sumac, Staghorn 0422
Tree, Tulip 0422
Virbunum, Sweet 0423
Walnut, Black 0422
Walnut, White 0422
Willow ? 0422
Willow, Flame 0423
Amphibians & Reptiles
Frog, Chorus 0422
Frog, Wood 0422
Peeper, Spring 0422
Snake, Garter 0423
Toad, American 0422
Mammals
Bat, Little Brown? 0422
Cat 0423
Cottontail, Eastern 0422
Coyote 0422
Deer, White-tailed 0422
Dog 0423
Fox, Red 0422
Humans 0423
Raccoon 0422
Squirrel, Gray 0422
Ferns
Fern, Intermediate Wood
Lichens
To be identified . . .
Insects & Spiders
Ant (sp?) 0423
Bugs, Box Elder? 0422
Caddisfly larvae 0424
Caterpillar, Virginia Ctenucha 0422
Centipede 0422
Fly (sp?) 0422
House Fly 0424
insects, Goldenrod Gall 0422
Lady Bug (sp?) 0422
Midge, C 0422
Mosquito 0422
moths, micro? (sp?) 0422
Sow Bug 0422
Spider (sp?) 0422
Thrip ? 0422
Velvet Mite 0424
wasp (sp?) 0422
Web Worm 0424

Home Again

Églantine and I have just returned from an art inquiry holiday in Malta. Temperatures there were between 14 and 19 degrees Celsius most days so it was a bit of a shock when we returned to Ontario just in time for the temperatures to drop below freezing again with wind chills of -14 degrees Celsius along with snow flurries. Nevertheless, it is great to be back home again sitting with morning coffee, a new art magazine, our familiar books and sculptures, and a warming fire in the fireplace.


We had expected to see spring flowers on our return, and there are a few around but under a dusting of snow right now except for the tree flowers.

Here is our first tree flower of the season which even beat the willows this year. It is the Silver Maple or Acer saccharinum.

This Brevipetala Witchhazel (Hamamelis mollis) is a winter blooming shrub, but the earliest I have seen it, before today, was in early February and that was last year. Other years, it's been March before it bloomed. I also saw Snowdrops in bloom today and saw new leaves on Honeysuckle shrubs in our plus eleven Celsius temperatures. There were also a variety of wild flowers in bloom here and there.