The rain and hot, humid weather continued throughout the week, but started to clear on Tuesday evening.
On holiday Monday, August 5th, we headed to Western University in the morning to walk before the heat and humidity became unbearable. It was already too late for that, but we persevered.
First we tried a shady wooded trail along the river, but were quickly driven back to the car by the mosquitoes that were out in force after the rain. We then tried the more open trail near the stadium. There, the mosquitoes were also voracious, except on the open lawn.
Late-blooming wildflowers grow along the riverbank.
The advantage of the stadium trail is the chance to check the Osprey nest there. When the stadium was renovated, the university installed a nesting platform above the set of lights where Ospreys had nested in prior years. As soon as the platform was completed, Ospreys returned and, since 2022, have filled it with sticks and young Ospreys.
This year, there are two young on the nest at the Western stadium. We saw the older juvenile take a short flight over the football field before returning to the nest. The younger juvenile was not yet flying. After an adult delivered a fish, the younger juvenile cried when its older sibling took possession of the fish. The bottom photos show the older juvenile mantling over the fish and the nesting platform high above the lights.
Just for Fun
On a neighbourhood walk recently we came across this impressive orange tabby. The house has a plaque that describes its date of construction and original owner.
Also in the neighbourhood, we checked on the Barn Swallows nesting under the bridge and found an adult feeding four young.
Osprey Update
The Labatt Ospreys are not around much of the time. Both adults are still present from time to time. Until recently, the juvenile has stayed in the vicinity of the stadium where the male continues to deliver fish. More often now, the juvenile is absent from view for longer periods of time. We hope that it is learning to catch fish!
This may be one of the last videos of the Labatt nest for this year.
This week’s flowers
Music Suggestions
Hank Williams wrote and recorded several classic country songs. I prefer newer versions of his songs sung by better singers who show reverence for the intended styles and messages. I liked all of these songs before I knew they were all by the same composer.
I should clarify that Hank never expect someone like Tony Bennet to record any of his songs. But he was very happy with the resulting royalties.
