While many naturalists are out getting a start to their 2019 bird year list, I have been focusing on other things. Admittedly, I think last weekend when I went to Rondeau was my only time "properly" birding so far this year, and even then I quickly got distracted by other things! (cue moss)
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| Hedwigia ciliata |
I guess I am in a way doing a year list of sorts, but not just birds...
click here
Anyways, I''ll detail some highlights from the last couple weeks. I have seen some cool stuff, if I do say so myself! (note: I'll be using common names for a lot of stuff, however some common names change depending on who you ask!)
On January 1st I found a couple things just after midnight, starting the year off right!
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| Common Earthworm |
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| Common Sac Spider |
That morning I went on a bird hike, however I quickly got off track.
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| Biting Stonecrop |
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| Maritime Sunburst Lichen |
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| Silvery Bryum |
Later that day I went to find some fish (and other things).
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| Smallmouth Bass |
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| Johnny Darter |
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| Spotfin Shiner |
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| Striped Shiner |
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| Black Sooty Mold |
A couple days later I went out again in search of fish. I dipnetted a little stream near me and caught a bunch of Brook Sticklebacks. I caught this species up on James Bay so it seemed strange to be seeing them down here!
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| Brook Stickleback |
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| Creek Chub |
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| Central Stoneroller |
Despite it being January, I have actually come across two amphibians, and adult and a tadpole Green Frog, both caught accidentally with my dipnet.
Fish and frogs are not the only thing caught with my net, sometimes I pull up some aquatic plants.
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| Crisp-leaved Pondweed |
I have also crossed paths with two species of moths, although they weren't adults.
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| Virginia Ctenucha |
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| Gypsy Moth (eggs) |
Finally, as of late I have been attempting to look at lichens. Lichens may just be one of the hardest groups to identify in Ontario! I'll try to keep from being discouraged.
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| Candleflame Lichen |
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| Illosporiopsis christiasenii |
I have found it very rewarding to stop and take time to seek out and appreciate all the little things around us.
I came across this short article on being a "100% Naturalist" a few months ago, and found it very interesting. You may have seen it, but if you haven't, I strongly urge that you read it. I think we should all try and be as much as a 100% Naturalist as we can be! You can read it
here.
