Thursday, September 19, 2013

First Monarch of the Year

First Monarch Danaus plexippus
of the Year
Laurel Creek C.A.
Waterloo, ON
18 September 2013

    On a walk through Laurel Creek C.A. Miriam and I were delighted, nay thrilled even, to see our first Monarch of the year. Much has been written about the absence of this species in central and eastern North America this year, and this is our only sighting.




    A couple of Wild Turkeys Meleagris gallopavo scurried off as soon as we spotted them, or more likely as soon as they spotted us!


    Five Turkey Vultures Cathartes aura effortlessly rode a thermal overhead, although we could never capture more than four of them in the same picture.



    The Pied-billed Grebe  Podilymbus podiceps chicks are now as big as their parents, but are still willing to accept a food delivery.


    This male Mallard Anas platyrynchos in eclipse plumage revealed his diagnostic speculum.



David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

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We acknowledge that the land on which we are situated are the lands traditionally used by the Haudenosaunee, Anishinaabe, and Neutral People. We also acknowledge the enduring presence and deep traditional knowledge, laws, and philosophies of the Indigenous Peoples with whom we share this land today. We are all treaty people with a responsibility to honour all our relations.

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