We’ve continued to have overcast skies and rain much of the time.
The skies were clear on the morning of October 23rd. The air was chilly from the first overnight frost we’ve had this fall.
With the promise of sun, we couldn’t resist a trip to check out the migrating waterfowl at the Strathroy settlement ponds.
As is always the case at these ponds, the birds were far away. Migrating birds, even the Canada Geese and Mallards, are extremely cautious and move away from the shore as we approach – no matter how quietly we try to move.
With the aid of the spotting scope and telephoto lens, we were able to identify 20 bird species and to photograph some of them.
Four shorebirds foraged in the mud on a far shore. They were only identifiable using the scope: a Killdeer, two Semi-palmated Sandpipers, and a Solitary Sandpiper. We also spotted a distant Bonaparte’s Gull and a several American Coots.
Overhead, there were a few migrating Red-winged Blackbirds and American Starlings. We also flushed a small flock of American Goldfinch, now in their non-breeding plumage, foraging for seeds along the edge of the ponds.
We are always happy to find butterflies, usually Cabbage Whites and Clouded Sulphurs, still visiting the few remaining fall blossoms. This day, in addition to a Clouded Sulphur, there was an Eastern Comma. The Eastern Comma is one of the angelwing punctuation butterflies, so called because of their wing shape and distinctive underside silver marking. When this butterfly rests upside down on a tree trunk with its wings closed, it resembles a dead leaf.
The lighter hind wings of this Eastern Comma identify it as the overwintering form. It will overwinter as an adult and breed when it emerges in the spring. Its offspring will be of the summer form with darker hind wings. The summer form butterflies will in turn produce the next overwintering generation.
It was a glorious afternoon to be out!
Fall offerings from Wandering Bee and some local colour from our Serviceberry bush:
Halloween Music Videos
Let’s start with Jack Black doing a manic version of “Time Warp” that features several cameos.
This “Monster Mash” cover mocks what happened to horror movies since the 1960’s. If it is too creepy, try the original version of the song as a cartoon.
Nothing can top Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”. Here is the 13-minute version. There is a 4-minute front end as a werewolf movie and a total of 8 minutes to the start of the famous dance sequence.
As a palate cleanser, The Guess Who’s “Clap for the Wolfman” featuring Wolfman Jack on The Midnight Special.
Finally, Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London”. Ah ooh!