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Last week, smoke from the far north wildfires decended on London and much of Southern Ontario. We spent time away from London, but not far enough to avoid the smoke. With the air quality in the extremely high risk range (10+), we stayed indoors in air conditioned comfort for the duration. After two heavy downpours earlier this week, the air is now clear. In the neighbourhood Here are a few photos from our neighbourhood walks in June and July. We saw this Northern Map Turtle just off the path in Harris Park. Its size suggested it was a female, possibly…

We’ve had sun and rain, but now we are suffering through an extended heat wave. Our air conditioning is struggling to keep up… Komoka Provincial Park – June 4, 2026 At the beginning of the month, when the weather was decidedly cooler, we made it most of the way down the to river along a forested path at Komoka Provinal Park. The path from the parking lot moves through a grassy meadow and pine plantation until it meets a wooded path overlooking the Thames River below. The meadow was alive with butterflies that rarely landed long enough for a photo:…

A Neighbourhood Walk – May 24, 2026 During our time at Rondeau, Glenn developed lens envy. Once a new lens was acquired , we had to test it out on the neighbourhood flora and fauna. So far, we are pleased with the results! Northern Cardinal, American Robin, Red-winged Blackbird Kildeer, Canada Geese with goslings Great Blue Heron Black Locust, Willow, American Sycamore Introduced/invasives: Common Star-of-Bethlehem and Dame’s Rocket Solitude Nature Reserve – May 28, 2026 We visited Solitude Nature Reserve briefly one afternoon. It is a very different place once the trees are in leaf. The White Trilliums were fading…

We’ve had sun and rain. Although there have been some very hot days, we are now enjoying cool temperatures in the low 20s Celcius. On clear nights, we have been following the conjunction of Venus and Jupiter in the western sky. Jupiter passed by Venus, moving from above to below its sister planet through early June. Venus is said to be 7.5 times brighter than Jupiter. In the photo on the left below, the moon, Jupiter and Venus are visible. The photo on the right was taken with a telescope and shows two of the moons of Jupiter. Hawk Cliff…

Summer heat and humidity have descended on us. We needed the rain that arrived on Wednesday night and last night’s thunderstorm. We’re happy to revisit the cooler weather of May and our last few hours at Rondeau. South Point West Trail There were Bloodroot leaves as big as hands, but the blossoms were over. Round-lobed Hepatica was barely visible, nestled in the leaf litter. Smooth Yellow Violets and Long-spurred Violets You have to look closely for the blossoms on Early Meadow-Rue Illinois Carrionflower/Greenbrier Spicebush Trail The trail has a variety of habitats and plantlife. Large-flowered Bellwort with bumble bee pollinator…