From September 18, 2018

We flew to Victoria, British Columbia on September 18. The "Victoria" airport is actually 25 k from Victoria in Sidney. When we arrived, we had lunch at a local pub and then walked to a local art centre where a display of papier mâché pieces were showing.

Leaves and Bees - OK Wasps

            These are the leaves of the Thicket Creeper / Vigne Vierge Commune / (Parthenocissus vitacea).

Used to be (Parthenocissus inserta).

            So far the Thicket Creepers, some Cherries, and Sumac leaves have turned colour.

            We have had German Yellowjackets, we think, in a gourd on our porch for about half the summer but now we have the more common Easter Yellowjackets in a ground nest in our labyrinth. One needs to be careful where one walks these days. (Two of our running club members got stung on one of the trails in Brantford yesterday as we were out running. Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!)

Katydid?

            I do not know what this is yet. Any ideas?

Purple Crown-Vetch

Coronille Bigarrée

(Securigera varia)

            One of many flowers found last Friday along the Hamilton Waterfront Trail.

        This gourd served as a House Wren nesting spot for two or three summers but this year some Yellowjacket wasps took over. We debated, then left them alone. They have been buzzing in and out all summer and recently started adding on some decorations on the outside. We are hoping they keep minding their own business as Yellowjacket stings can be very painful. They are very close to where we have coffee on our east porch several mornings each week so we have been watching and being careful to not disturb them other than taking a few photos.

            I found a dead one on the table on the porch this morning.