Pink Katydid

This is an Oblong-winged Katydid (Amblycorpha oblongifolia) that was brought in to the nature centre last week. Normally katydids are green and bright pink individuals are very rare. This individual is a female as can be determined by the large, scythe-shaped ovipositor.

Katydids are singing insects. Bird song is starting to decrease by mid summer but insect song is just getting underway. Lately I have started hearing the loud rough "Katy Katy-did" song of the Northern True Katydid. Although a common evening sound these large green insects are seldom seen due to their tree-top haunts.

Milkweed Butterflies

The Windsor Butterfly Count was held on July 3, 2010. We had a clear sunny day and over twenty observers went out looking for butterflies. Butterfly Milkweed flowers are favoured by many butterflies and the one shown above especially so, attracting an impressive assemblage of Edward's Hairstreaks and American Copper butterflies.

Rocky Mountain Goat

This goat was one of 15 animals at a mineral lick in the north end of Banff National Park. These were the only goats we saw on the trip this spring and a nice surprise.


Sent by iPad

Peregrine Falcon at the Ambassador Bridge

The Peregrine Falcons that nested under the Ambassador Bridge this year fledged three young. I stopped by the bridge on June 9 and took this picture of one of the adults as it was leaving the nest ledge. Here is the four year-old female named Voltaire (This post is a test of posting by e-mail. I'm practising for being able to post from an iPad while I'm away from home).

Ruffed Grouse

I don't get to see grouse very often as the Windsor area has little forest cover and the nearest grouse habitat that I regularly visit is a couple of hours away in northern Lambton County. We were north of Sault Ste. Marie this past the weekend and had to stop several times while driving along back roads to let Ruffed Grouse strut slowly across the roadway.  Here are images of two birds we encountered.