Bird’s ID – Red and Green Macaw — H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

Red and Green Macaw The Red-and-Green Macaw (Ara chloropterus), is a large, mostly-red macaw of the genus Ara. This is the largest of the genus Ara, widespread in the forests and woodlands of northern and central South America. However, in common with other macaws, in recent years there has been a marked decline in its […]

via Bird’s ID – Red and Green Macaw — H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

Early Autumn, a time for contemplation

The leaves are gradually changing colour, lighting up the early Autumn landscape with splashes and swaths of glorious orange, gold, yellow, red, burgundy, crimson, brown and maroon splendour.  In a week or so, the forests, roadsides and countryside will be at their peak, on fire with intense colour.  Mother Nature’s fashion show: my favourite time of year is here again.  I am grateful for the opportunity to enjoy another Autumn in central Ontario.

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Around every corner is yet another inspirational scene.

Yellow daisy-like flowers spring up every Fall along this section of our backroad.  I couldn’t resist taking a video of them as they were gently swaying in the early afternoon autumn breeze.

They are bewitching in the sunlight, so bright and cheery.  Maybe the flowers are nature’s way of reminding those who pass by to slow down and enjoy them for a moment for winter is on it’s way soon.

Marshland, grasses and ground cover is equally stunning this time of year.

Soon winter will be here and the landscape will be blanketed in snow. But, I’ll be content to revive these memories of this Fall’s colour show.

Such reflection will see me through the cold winter, through the new, bright greens of spring and, God willing, eventually to the enjoyment of the splendour of another Autumn.

Of all the coneflowers, in all the gardens, you fly onto mine

I haven’t seen many butterflies thus far this year, so a few days ago I was excited to be  treated to a wonderful scene on my garden coneflower.  This beauty alighted and fed for a long time, but she wasn’t alone as another little flying beauty was also admiring the echinacea.

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Photo Credit: Linda Sullivan 

The monarch and the bee had a bit of an aerial scuffle, but soon the bee moved onto some other tasty wildflowers and the butterfly was left to alight and feed for an extended period of time.


If you stop, look and feel nature for even just a short amount of time, you’ll experience a little, glorious heavenly shudder in your very soul.

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Jewel in the Jungle – Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs — Incidental Naturalist

I picked my way through the soupy jungle air, flinching at the tinnitus whine of mosquitos. A guide from the Salt Creek indigenous community squelched a couple of steps ahead of me. We had just spent time watching the murderous eyes of a Caiman glide across the surface of a forest lake. The guide turned […]

via Jewel in the Jungle – Strawberry Poison Dart Frogs — Incidental Naturalist