I saw this spider on one of our shrubs in the flower garden. I’ve never seen one like this before and wondered if you had? Wayne Stovell, Cavan Note: The spider in question is a Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). It’s a fairly common spider of late summer. It makes Read more…
I took a photo of this spider tonight, June 27, before bed. It’s bigger than a toonie for sure and the biggest spider since my cottage days and dock spiders. Any thoughts? Wayne Stovell, Cavan Note: I believe it’s a species of fishing spider (Dolomedes). D.M. My neighbour who lives Read more…
I came across this native Beetberry plant (Blitum capitatum) on November 14 while hiking in the Jeffrey-Cowan Forest Preserve on Stoney Lake. Bet Curry On November 8, I saw 16 Sandhill Cranes fly over Oakwood, ON. Gavin Hunter On November 9, we had a visit at our feeder from a Read more…
While walking in Burnham Woods this morning, September 3, I came across this striking fungus called Blushing Rosette, abortiporus biennia. The sun was hitting it and the “guttation” drops sparkled like rubies. Sue Paradisis We thought you might like this picture of a cute, baby Eastern Hog-nosed Snake that we Read more…
I discovered this account about foxes with mange in the Beeton/Innisfil area of Ontario. It was written by someone who works at an animal rehab center called Procyon Wildlife. The centre has seen many cases of mange in foxes in 2021. I have provided the link below for your information.https://www.procyonwildlife.com/2022/01/24/incredible-lives-of-foxes/ Read more…
Today we were out walking along the Rotary Trail between Parkhill and the London Street footbridge. Six or seven large nest-like webs were visible, hanging from different trees. There must be many more. I do not ever recall seeing these nests along that trail this time of year. I think Read more…
Three different species of hummingbird moths came to our lilacs on June 4th. They included a Nessus Sphinx, a Snowberry Clearwing, and one species I was unable to photograph and identify. Then, on June 17, a Hummingbird Clearwing, showed up in the lilacs, as well. As of July 3, 2020, Read more…
20th Annual Petroglyphs Butterfly Count: The compiling of the July 21st butterfly count is finally finished and final results have been submitted to the North America Butterfly Association. A total of 55 species were recorded, slightly above the average for the last few years. The Indian Skipper found in the Park Read more…
Motorists need to slow down and watch out for these increasingly rare travelers. I have always had a special fondness for turtles. As a child, I loved nothing more than catching, feeding and then releasing these ancient reptiles. They were no less than my gateway drug to a lifelong love Read more…
This year we’ve had at least four Painted Turtles which all came up late afternoon on June 9th. We covered over three possible nest sites, though one is never sure if eggs have been deposited. One unknown nest excavated in a grassy slope has been raided. And for the first Read more…
I came from the Coe Hill area and we had 2 kinds of large turtles (still do). Both types are very dark, grow to about 16″ – 18″ in diameter, very aggressive. The main difference is one has a smooth shell and one has a spiked shell, 1 row on Read more…
All eight species of Ontario turtles are now designated as at risk With the arrival of June, turtles are once again on the move. Unfortunately, this migration often involves a hazardous trek across busy roads and highways. Clearly, a turtle’s shell is no match for the crushing weight of a Read more…
Myriad threats and declines evident in the Kawarthas, too Living in a country as big and relatively unpopulated as Canada, it might come as a surprise that much of our wildlife is in serious decline. This was made abundantly clear last week when World Wildlife Fund Canada (WWF) released its Read more…
This spring (2017) I had a unique opportunity to photograph a Snapping Turtle that was unaware of my presence and as a result I was able for the first time to capture one with its neck fully extended and travelling at “top speed” (for a turtle). For years in the Read more…
We had a pleasant surprise on Canada Day. A Snapping Turtle laid her eggs in our graveled turning circle in full view of the house windows. We watched her for about 50 minutes starting about 9:30 am though we don’t know how long she had been labouring. Interestingly, once she Read more…
My passion for nature began with turtles. Catching these wary reptiles was one of my favourite pastimes as a child. I was especially proud whenever I managed to bring home a snapping turtle, keep it for a day or two and show it off to my friends and family. I Read more…
This morning, May 17, I spied a tiny Painted Turtle on our paved path, very slowly making its way to the river. This is the first time we’ve had an overwintering hatchling. As I was taking it down to the river on my hand, it remained quite motionless unlike previous Read more…
Thought I would send you these photos of a baby Snapping Turtle. I removed 10 from my river road on Friday, Sept 9th. My friend on Nogies Creek had 6 baby Blanding’s hatch on Labour Day after they had covered up the nest to protect it from predators. Marie Windover, Read more…
This past weekend, I observed the hatch of 8-10 Snapping Turtles on Rathbun Bay, Jack Lake. There is a very small sand beach between my neighbours cottages and the young turtles (1-1.5 inches in size) were all in the shallow water adjacent to the beach. No nesting activity had been Read more…
Ontario is home to eight different species of turtle. Seven turtle species have been designated as Species at Risk. Three species of turtle (in bold) are found in the Jack Lake watershed. Status of Ontario turtles Blandings Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) Threatened Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina) Extirpated Midland Painted Turtle (Chrysemys Read more…
Last evening (May 30th) I saw two good sized Snapping Turtles up from the Otonabee River into our neighbourhood (Hazel Cres., OSM Twp.) First of the season and a bit early, as usually it’s the first week of June before we see them out and about. Rick Stankiewicz, Keene
My son spotted a Snapping Turtle swimming through our beach on day. I grabbed the camera, mask and snorkel and followed it for over 30 minutes. I was also able to make a video. For most of the time I was within arms reach of the turtle. It casually observed Read more…
Earlier this year, on June 17, we witnessed a Snapping Turtle laying her eggs in our gravel turning circle. We protected the area with wire mesh weighted down at the edges. We had first indications of hatching when a small hole appeared 16 weeks later. Between October 8th-14th, we recorded Read more…