Spring continues to unfold accompanied by wide swings in temperature and frequent rain. The canopy is gradually being painted with various shades of chartreuse and spring green.
This week also brought destructive winds and a lashing rain that caused power outages across the city. We were spared as the downtown core’s services are largely underground. The strong winds temporarily replaced the clouds with blue sky.
Coldstream Conservation Area
Coldstream is noted for its trail through a rare cedar swamp.
We counted 10 species of birds. Most were residents or very early migrants that we had seen already this year with the exception of these two that were high on the trunks of tall trees.
Other wildlife was emerging in the increasing warmth of the spring weather.
Common Garter Snake
We came across a variety of insects and a spider, a Multicoloured Bark Crab Spider, not pictured here.
The main attraction of the conservation area that day was the variety of native wildflowers.
Marsh Marigolds and Skunk Cabbage grew in abundance in the wet, marshy areas.
We are learning to distinguish Marsh Marigolds from Lesser Celandine. Although both are in the buttercup family, Marsh Marigold is a native plant whereas Lesser Celandine is an introduced species that has become invasive.
Marsh Marigold is found only in wet locations such as swamps or the banks of streams. Marsh Marigolds have five to nine rounded petals and finely toothed leaves. Lesser Celandine usually has eight petals that are more pointed and leaves that are generally smooth or slightly lobed. Lesser Celandine can tolerate drier conditions and tends to form dense mats wherever it grows.
Mayapples covered the forest floor but were not yet in bloom.
Yellow Trout Lilies dappled the the ground and white Fawn Lilies sparkled like stars.
Narrow-leaved/Virginia Spring Beauty was also abundant.
And even more…
Red Trillium
Early Meadow-Rue
Common Blue Violet
Cut-leaved Toothwort
Virginia Strawberry and, probably, cherry blossom.
Ospry Update
There is nothing very new to report. The female Osprey has stayed steadfastly on the nest through high winds and rain. We often see the male on the low platform preening. Although we haven’t captured any more fish deliveries on video, we imagine that he is grooming after catching and eating fish. We are counting the days until we expect new life on the nest.
As we read more about the lives of birds, we are becoming aware that there are individual differences in within each species that can account for differences in behaviour. Birds are not just driven by instinct, but actively learn and adapt in response their experiences. Just like us!
More Tulips!
This week’s tulips had happy colours and a delicate, sweet fragance.
Singles from 1965
I remember hearing most of these songs on radios in my friend’s cars when there were no adults around to hush my singing or to turn the radio to a different station. This will the last year that is about singles. Starting with the year 1966, I will feature songs from the year’s top albums. Click on the image below to access the playlist on YouTube.
