We like to revisit Sifton Bog throughout the year. Each season brings something new to see in this environmentally significant area (ESA).
In early summer, a variety of ferns, rushes and sedges are growing in the floating acid peat bog.
Very small orchids are in bloom. We both took lots of photos!
Tuberous Grasspink
Another orchid, Rose Pogonia, was blooming as was Horned Bladderwort (a carnivorous plant).
We especially wanted see the tiny, inconspicuous blossoms of the cranberry bushes. The shape of these flowers resembles a crane and is the source of the name cranberry.
Cranberries are the host plant for the Bog Copper butterfly that is found only in wet, boggy habits. Bog Coppers are said to be poor fliers that stay close to the ground and feed almost exclusively on cranberry blossoms. Eggs that are laid on the underside of the tiny cranberry leaves by adult females survive the winter, even if frozen or fully submerged. Larvae develop within the egg and feed on cranberry shoots and leaves when they hatch in the spring. In our area, adults emerge from pupae from mid-June to mid-July. The life cycle continues with only one generation each year. Interesting fact: Bog Coppers spend more than three-quarters of their lives as eggs.
The wings of male Bog Copper butterflies have a purplish sheen and a large black dot in the middle of each wing on the upperside.
We were fortunate to find Bog Coppers in flight, visiting cranberry blossoms and consorting with one another.
Other butterflies were in flight in the bog as well.
Delaware Skipper:
Appalachian Brown, also known as Appalachian Eyed Brown
On the water, some species of yellow pond-lilies and Watershield were in bloom. American Bullfrog tadpoles were swimming below the surface.
Several species of dragonflies hovered and landed on the pond’s vegetation.
Osprey Update
The Osprey chick continues to thrive. Its back is now speckled without the white racing stripe down the middle. It is more often visible in the nest as it moves around.
Here is the latest video of Osprey family life. We laughed until we cried watching the male Osprey trying to work on home improvements. It was interesting to see that the chick seemed to be trying to help with the renovations.
Top 100 Bird Photos from the 2024 Audubon Photography Awards
There is much enjoyment to be had in these outstanding photos and the descriptions of how they were taken.
https://www.audubon.org/magazine/2024-audubon-photo-awards-top-100
Bouquet and Passionflowers
Celebrating July 1, Canada Day
I have attended a wedding on New Years Eve. Here is the music I would like to dance to at a wedding on Canada Day.
Then I remembered a playful Molson Canadian beer commercial – My Name is Joe (and I am Canadian).
After listening, I remembered a rant by a Star Trek captain.