Sunday, May 31, 2020

Caterpillar & Sit Spot - May 31. 2020





Virginia Ctenucha Moth Caterpillar
On Goldenrod leaf

May 31, 2020 11:50 a.m.
Sit 491 : Brush Pile W : Partly cloudy 
+12° (+10°) nw 15-28 kph  47% humidity 

Black-billed Cuckoo,
Field Sparrow,
Unidentified chirps,
(Traffic noises),
[Lost some information due to 
computer problem.]

Extras:
Along the trails -
[Lost some information due to 
computer problem.]
Brown Thrasher,
Virginia Ctenucha Moth Caterpillar,

Kitchen Window and Bird Feeder -
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Blue Jays,
Cardinals,
Mourning Dove,
Goldfinches,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
White-breasted Nuthatch,
Chipping Sparrow,
Downy Woodpecker,
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Chipmunk,
Black Squirrel,
Grey  Squirrel,
Red Squirrel.


Photo Site #2 - East Willow





Saturday, May 30, 2020

Moth & Sit Spot - May 30, 2020





Grayish Fan-foot Moth

May 30, 2020 10:30 a.m.
Sit 490 : Brush Pile W : Mostly cloudy 
+14° (+12°) W 24-35 kph 90% humidity 

Crows,
Song Sparrow,
Robins,
(Traffic noises),
Unidentified chirps,

Extras:
Along the trails -
Wavy-lined Heterocampa Moth
1st Red Osier Dogwood blooming 
Willow Flycatcher
Yellow Warbler calling 
Common Yellowthroat calling 
1st Herb Robert blooming 
Grayish Fan-foot Moth

Kitchen Window and Bird Feeder -
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Blue Jays,
Cardinals,
Mourning Dove,
Goldfinches,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
White-breasted Nuthatch,
Chipping Sparrow
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Chipmunk,
Black Squirrel,
Grey  Squirrel.



Photo Site #1 - East Pond





Rainbow Colours & Sit Spot for May 29





We had an evening rainbow
and then
15 minutes later
we had this rainbow colour show.


May 29, 2020 10:10 a.m.
Sit 489 : Brush Pile W : Cloudy 
+20° (+22°) sw 17-26 kph 96% humidity 

Cardinal,
Unidentified chirps,
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Mosquitoes 
(Traffic noises)
Crows,

Extras:
Along the trails -
2:30 a.m. Coyotes howling,
1st Sweet Viburnum blooming, 
1st False Solomon Seal blooming, 
1st Black Raspberries blooming, 
1st Cleavers blooming, 
1st Sheep Sorrel blooming,
1st Red Clover blooming, 

Kitchen Window and Bird Feeder -
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Blue Jays,
Cardinals,
Mourning Dove,
Goldfinches,
Grackles,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
Hummingbird,
White-breasted Nuthatch,
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Chipmunk,
Black Squirrel,
Grey  Squirrel.




Photo Site #6
Close up of East Willow





Friday, May 29, 2020

A Story from Fleur-Ange




Dean and I have been walking together with the dog after breakfast.  First we go around the east field.  It is a slow walk as Dean is observant of the buds opening on flowers and trees.  Then we make our way across the north side of the property in the small woods.  Dean has been spending several days in there in the afternoons cleaning up the fallen trees and other debris.  This year, there are an incredible amount of jack-in-the-pulpit sprouting in there!

Then we make our way to the west field.  It is sided by two ravines.  We go down the north ravine which has a base of run-off covered in old cattail reeds.  We can see dog violets blooming and red currant blooms.  The aim is to get to the far side of this trail to see if the white trillium has bloomed.  It is opening slowly.  It is not a great specimen this year.  Then up the hill we go at the west limit of my property.  There is a swath of umbrella-like mayapples growing on the right-hand side.  At one point, since there is no fence standing, there is a bit of a path going onto the neighbour’s property.  We have discovered there is a poison ivy vine growing up a tree.  Dean is not taking it down yet, waiting to photograph some of the buds changing into leaves.  A frost last week froze the reddish leaves away.  This morning, there is a new spot, at the branching of the tree, where new leaves have come out.

Back on my property, we follow the top of the field overlooking the south ravine.  We get a lovely view of it and the opposite side, which once, before my time, all was part of one property.  Dean takes one of his daily photos there.  One day, during this quarantine, I strolled ahead and I notice the panoply of a tree with pinkish white crown. It seemed to be at the neighbours’ side of the property.  Dean planned to look for it as we parted and he headed to his sit spot.  I made my way back to the house. One day, on my own, I saw a Great Blue Heron silently fly over.

Dean did not find the tree!  So again this week, I noticed the tree.  The colour of the large crown had a pinkish look.  I counted my steps on the top so I could figure out where it was on the bottom.  The trail goes down diagonally.  I had noted a red cedar and a dead tree while on the top.  Regardless of all these precautions when I got to the bottom and went right, I also could not spot the tree.

Yesterday evening, walking the west field after supper, I again saw the tree.  It had the most lovely soft white spray.  I suggested to Dean we go down, but Dean was keen on getting the donkey and old angora goat set for the night, so he could do his other evening routines before going to bed.  Besides it was a moist evening.

So this morning, we repeat our walk.  Dean notices before we get from the east field to the west field, that the pear tree has started to bloom.  I remembered that when I got up in the morning and looked out the bedroom window, the serviceberry by the path up to the house,  (that Tony and I planted decades ago),  was blooming beautifully.  It is the downy serviceberry and has a nice blush to it, I have now noticed. I go over to it, diverting slightly from the usual path we take. Dean takes a photo of it, and I stand so that I can be a part of the photo.

Then we return on to our usual way through the west field.  When we get to walking along the top of the ravine looking south, the mystery tree is again visible through the trees.  It has an attractive blushed look to its panoply.  It must be a serviceberry, I say.  Dean agrees.  I decide that I will follow him down the trail to try and find it again.  It must be in full bloom because it is still visible from the top of the trail that goes down the slope.  I say it must be to the left at the bottom trail.  Yes, Dean says, that’s what I’ve said all along. We go down slowly, keeping our eyes on the whitish blooms among the myriad grey branches.  As I am halfway down, I cannot see it, but Dean has the tree in view in his binoculars.  I get down and turn left.  I say to Dean, The tree must be on our property. Yes, he says.  And the tree must be on the left side of the trail, I exclaim.  Yes, says Dean.  But I can’t see the blooms.  I see where the tree is.  There is a large fallen tree, probably a dead elm, leaning into the Serviceberry.  The tree is so tall and the branchlets reaching up towards the sky, that they are not visible to my naked eye. But I know I am standing under the beautiful, blooming tree.










Lady's Slipper - Hawkweed - Sit Spot for May 28, 2020





Yellow Lady's-slipper 
aka Smaller Yellow Lady's Slipper
cypripède jaune
(Cypripedium parviflorum)



Meadow Hawkweed
aka Field Hawkweed
épervière des prés
(Pilosella caespitosa)
(aka Hieracium pratense)
and a friend

May 28, 2020 10:20 a.m 
Sit 488 : Brush Pile W  Cloudy 
+21° (+24°) s 9-14 kph 84% humidity 

Catbird,
Cardinal,
Field Sparrow,
Red-winged Blackbird,
(Traffic noises),
Crows,
A few Mosquitoes,
House Wren,

Extras:
Along the trails -
Black-billed Cuckoo,
Warbling Vireo,
1st Smaller Yellow Lady's Slipper blooming,
Tree Swallows,
Killdeer,
1st Hawkweed blooming,
Tree Frogs calling,
Phoebe,
1st Spiderwort blooming, 

Kitchen Window and Bird Feeder -
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Blue Jays,
Cardinals,
Cowbird,
Mourning Dove,
Goldfinches,
Grackles,
White-breasted Nuthatch,
Robin,
Chipping Sparrow,
Downy Woodpecker,
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
House Wren,
Chipmunk,
Black Squirrel,
Grey  Squirrel,
Red Squirrel.


Photo Site #7
Sunrise time from 2nd floor window





Thursday, May 28, 2020

Income Tax



We did do our mourning walk. 
I did do my sit spot.
And then
the day disappeared
behind my income tax calculations.
Nothing else accomplished.



Wednesday, May 27, 2020

Red Squirrel Lookout - Sit Spot - May 27, 2020





Red Squirrel Lookout

May 27, 2020 10:50 a.m.
Sit 487 : Brush Pile W : Cloudy 
+24° (+28°) S 11-17 kph  61% humidity 

Field Sparrow,
Mosquitoes,
Yellow Warbler,
Common Yellowthroat,
Unidentified chirps,
(Traffic noises),
(Chainsaw),
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,

Extras:
Along the trails -
Spittle bugs,
1st Honeysuckle blooming,
1st White Clover blooming, 
1st Columbine blooming

Kitchen Window and Bird Feeder -
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Blue Jays,
Cardinals,
Mourning Dove,
Goldfinches,
Grackles,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
Hummingbird,
White-breasted Nuthatch,
Chipping Sparrow,
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Chipmunk,
Black Squirrel,
Red Squirrel.


Photo Site #4 - North Ridge Trail





Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Tuesday Sit Spot - May 26, 2020



As usual on a Tuesday
I spent a half day at the 
Plan B Organic Farm.
Today I stopped for water
at the Ancaster Springs,
and stopped to shop
at the Ancaster Costco.


May 26, 2020 6:15 p.m.
Sit 486 : Brush Pile W : Sunny 
+30° (+35°) s 15-23 kph 43% humidity 

Cardinal,
Crows,
Flicker,
Unidentified chirps,
(Traffic noises),

Extras:
Along the trails -
3 Rabbits,
Warbling Vireo,  
Red-winged Blackbirds, 
White-tailed Deer, 
1st Autumn Olive blooming,
Bat flying at sunset

Kitchen Window and Bird Feeder -
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Blue Jays,
Chickadees,
Mourning Dove,
Goldfinches,
Grackles,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
White-breasted Nuthatch,
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Chipmunk,
Red Squirrel.



Photo Site 3 - West Meadow Lookout






Monday, May 25, 2020

Fungus - Sit Spot - May 25, 2020




Dryad's Saddle Mushroom
on a dead Elm Tree

May 25, 2020 10:10 a.m 
Sit 485 Brush Pile W : Mostly Sunny 
+24° (+31°)


Cardinal,
Red-winged Blackbirds  
Mourning Doves,
House Wren,
(Traffic noises)
Prop Plane,
Common Yellowthroat,
Unidentified chirps,

Extras:
Along the trails -
1st Lilac flower open 
Warbling Vireo,
Catbird,
1st Common Fleabane blooming,
1st Dames Rocket blooming,
Mosquitoes,
Yellow Warbler,
Common Yellowthroat,
Towhee,
1st Wild Geraniums blooming, 
1st Bleeding Heart blooming, 
1st Blue eyed Grass blooming, 
1st Phlox blooming,
Scarlet Tanager!

Kitchen Window and Bird Feeder -
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Blue Jays,
Cardinals,
Mourning Dove,
Goldfinches,
Grackles,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
White-breasted Nuthatch,
Robin,
Chipping Sparrow,
Downy Woodpecker,
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Chipmunk,
Black Squirrel,
Grey Squirrel,
Red Squirrel,
9:00 p.m. Spring Peepers and Tree Frogs calling.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Sit Spot - May 24, 2020




May 24, 2020 10:05 a.m.
Sit 484 : Brush Pile W : Partly cloudy 
+18° (+18°) e 7-11 kph : 73% humidity 

Great Crested Flycatcher,
Crows, 
Common Yellowthroat,
Flicker  
Baltimore Oriole,
Red-winged Blackbirds,
(Traffic noises)
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
Unidentified chirps,

Extras:
Along the trails -
Black-billed Cuckoo calling,
Phoebe,
Golden-winged Warbler,
Turkey Vulture,
1st Tall Buttercup blooming,
1st Yellow Wood Sorrel blooming, 
Towhee,
2 Mallards in east pond, 
Corn Speedwell blooming 2 days ago?
     ID today,
Catbird,
1st Choke Cherry blooming,
Tree Swallows,
Bluebird.
9:00 p.m. Tree Toads   & Spring Peepers  calling 

Kitchen Window and Bird Feeder -
Red-winged Blackbirds,
Blue Jays,
Cardinals,
Chickadees,
Grackles,
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
White-breasted Nuthatch,
Robin,
Chipping Sparrow,
Downy Woodpecker,
Red-bellied Woodpecker,
Chipmunk,
Black Squirrel,
Grey Squirrel,
Red Squirrel.





Photo Site #1 - East Pond