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:
Hobomok Skipper (they’re called skippers for a reason…)
A member of the Crescents butterflies; Common Ringlet
Ahead on the path, we spotted a White-tailed Deer that quickly spotted us and disappeared.
As we moved along the path, we heard a male Indigo Bunting. We found it singing high in an Eastern White Pine.
From the high bank of the river, the wooded path leads gradually downhill.
Along the way, we found a variety of woodland ferns and wildflowers.
Red Columbine, Roundleaf Ragwort, Mayapple, Aniseroot, Wild Gernanium, Herb Robert, Christmas Fern, Spinulose Wood Fern
Some other wildflowers grew in the sunnier places: Philadelphia Fleabane, Yellow Salsify (introduced)
In the shade of the woods:
Common Angle moth, Little Wood Satyr butterfly
There were several Eastern Chipmunks on the forest floor. One was, perhaps, lining its nest.
Osprey Update
Our Osprey nest was featured during a broadcast of a local baseball game. This image was shown with no commentary from the announcers…We are always impressed that the Ospreys choose to nest where they must tolerate the noise of the games, the crowds, the announcers and the July 1st fireworks nearby.
The young Ospreys continue to grow, but we are concerned about how they will fare in this week’s prolonged heat. The fish they are fed should provide sufficient hydration and the female will shield them from the sun as much as possible.
Wandering Bee Flowers
My favourite Canadian Band
Of course, the Guess Who.
For fans of Murdoch Mysteries: