AstroGypsies

Sometimes it’s nice to go somewhere new, completely different! I am spoiled with our wonderful winding cottage road, a nightmare for some, a delight for others! This was a chance to see something different. Our friend Bruce suggested it in a group email and hey, let’s do it! I most often write about nature but sometimes forget it’s about our interactions with others that are so meaningful as well! I guess we are all nature;)

It was a 35 minute drive to Franktown, we had a good breeze to keep the black flies down always a concern this time of year! I had my hat and netting on at the lake, swatting at them, wicked already! Beckwith Trail-McLellan Wright Branch is at the end of a concession road, quiet, except for the ATV’s and 4 wheelers:( Doesn’t anyone walk anywhere? Ha!

We could see the wild flowers as soon as we pulled up! Way further ahead than along our little cottage road. After Jim and Bruce arrived, we started our slow photographer saunter down the trail, maybe a few steps off trail as well, but all in the name of science! I should have taken shots of the other two immersed in their craft! Next time! My first time seeing Blood Root blooms! The leaves have always fascinated me! Not something we have along the road.

So many Hepaticas, I now know the difference between sharp and rounded…it’s the leaves, not anything to do with the flowers! The Marsh Marigolds were beautiful, something else our little road lacks!

..and Trilliums, white and RED! and what can be cooler than a beautiful flower, than a beautiful flower with a bug on it! Great to have a sherpa for a helper;) Hold that leaf back and what do we have here? Pale Green Assassin Bug (Zelus luridus) (?) the 007 of bugs;) Like many other assassin bugs, Zelus luridus preys on other insects. It will often wait on leaves to ambush passing insects, but occasionally it also actively hunts. For this, it uses sticky traps, a common predation strategy to species within the genus Zelus. The sticky material is produced by a gland on the leg...Thanks iNaturalist! Their bite is extremely painful it said as well! Don’t touch! Bruce kindly filled us in on all these guys’ names and habits 😉

Along with the assassin bugs were lots of Red-necked False Blister Beetles (Ischnomera ruficollis). They do have a red neck and it’s not a Lanark thing;) “Get a room, er, I guess get a flower?”

The Spring Beauties varied in colouration. So many flowers! New to me was also the Colt’s Foot. The common name comes from the leaf’s supposed resemblance in shape to a colt’s foot. It is a 16th-century translation of the medieval Latin name pes pulli , meaning “foal’s foot”. Resembling a dandelion, Bruce said they were related. It had a visitor as well! A Pure Green Sweat Bee I think. There are several that look very similar! That green!

What we thought was a lilac may be a Red-berried Elder(Sambucus racemosa)! May have to go back and see how things progress one day! We had to stop multiple times and let ATV’s and 4 wheelers past us. Popular road:)

On the way back we found an injured Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata), front right leg maybe, in the middle of the trail? As well as a Northern Azure Butterfly, they have a beautiful blue inside the wings. I also found a Horn-faced Mason Bee Osmia cornifrons (?) I think!

Overall, an excellent walk with a great group! Mike’s payment…Butter Tarts from the Franktown General Store! I was going to take a picture but they disappeared all too quickly! I think he’ll make excuses to go back there…for walking? No, for the butter tarts! I think I may want to try a few other dishes after looking at their menu!

On the way back, on our small gravel road, we came across a small snake sunning itself. I got out to shoo it off and grabbed my camera when I realized it was a ribbon snake! They are beautiful! It raised its head to look at me and then scurried into the swamp as I walked behind it slowly:) Spring glorious Spring!

Hopefully all those shots covered most of what we had the chance to see. A flock of Rusty Blackbirds was busy in the swampy area but kept their distance, very quiet bird-wise. Not back at the house! Our little male Ruby-throated was back, the light wasn’t good but I had to try anyway! I’ll leave you with him for now! Hoping for some clearing to watch for this flying jewel and hopefully an oriole or two! Oh, and a bit more warmth PLEASE! Saludos, amigos!