There is a small woodland park in
my hometown of Saint-Laurent (part of Montreal) which I have been visiting for
over 40 years. Back in the 70s, the
stream that runs through the park was more vigorous and supported a wide variety of
wildlife. I often saw Green Herons and
Muskrats and once had my first (and only) sighting of a Weasel. It was my oasis and I would ride my bike to
it every chance I got.
As time went by, its size diminished in the wake of
development but in the last few years its remaining 15.4 hectares have been
officially protected thanks to our visionary mayor.
I have been exploring it with my camera in hand every chance
that I get and have found it to be a treasure trove of flora and fauna. I thought I would share some of the wonders
that I have found. All the following photographs were taken within the park or on its periphery.
Stinkhorn fungus - Mutinus ravenelii
Nodding Trillium - Trillium cernuum
Lemon Drops - Bisporella citrina
Blue Flag Iris - Iris versicolor
Morel Mushroom
Jewelweed - Impatiens capensis
Meadow Vole - Microtus
pennsylvanicus
Striped Skunk - Mephitis
mephitis
(baby)
Groundhog - Marmota monax
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit - Sylvilagus floridanus
Black-capped Chickadee - Poecile atricapillus
Black-throated Green Warbler - Setophaga virens
Hairy Woodpecker - Picoides
villosus
Ruby-crowned Kinglet - Regulus calendula
European Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus (male)
European Common Blue - Polyommatus icarus (female)
Small Cabbage White - Pieris rapae
Striped Hairstreak - Satyrium liparops
Common Ringlet - Coenonympha tullia
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail - Papilio glaucus
Black Swallowtail - Papilio polyxenes
Question Mark - Polygonia interrogationis
Crab Spider
Jumping Spider
Argiope Spider
Four-spotted Skimmer Dragonfly - Libellula quadrimaculata
Black Saddlebags Dragonfly - Tramea lacerata
Darner Dragonfly
Virginia Ctenucha Moth
- Ctenucha virginica
Voluble Dart Moth - Agrotis volubilis
Sweetheart Underwing Moth - Catocala amatrix
European Yellow Underwing Moth - Noctua pronuba
Oblique-banded Leafroller Moth - Choristoneura rosaceana
Celery Looper Moth - Anagrapha falcifera
Soft-lined Wave Moth - Scopula inductata
Elegant Grass-Veneer Moth - Microcrambus elegans
Snowberry Clearwing Moth Caterpillar - Hemaris diffinis
Goldenrod Hooded Owlet Moth Caterpillar - Cucullia asteroides
Brown-hooded Owlet Moth Caterpillar - Cucullia convexipennis
Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar - Halysidota tessellaris
Praying Mantis
Black-horned Tree Cricket - Oecanthus nigricornis
Steel Blue Cricket Hunter
Ichneumon Wasp
Parent Bug - with babies
Ambush Bug
Cicada in process of metamorphosis
There is one last photograph that I would like to use in closing. This naturally produced symbol was found along one of the trails in the park.
May there continue to be peace in this park and all urban parks ...
Posts
