u/niagara-nature

Swamp Milkweed Beetle, pretending to be an orb of some kind. Photographed today in Short Hills Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.

I was so fortunate to find a bunch of these awesome mantidflies (Climaciella brunnea) today in Short Hills Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada. Every year I go hunting for them on milkweed blossoms and I found more in one day this year than I did in all of last year. I just think everything about them is so cool – their odd life cycle, their mimicry, their cool raptorial forelegs… I could go on.

Anyway, I hope you like the photos I took today! Have you ever seen one of these cool mantidflies?

This is the amazingly cool Brown Wasp Mantidfly, Climaciella brunnea. Every year I go hunting for these amazing insects, and today I got super lucky and found almost 10 of these awesome insects amongst the milkweeds in a bluebird meadow in Short Hills Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.

It was a bit tough amidst the heat, thistles and ticks trying to get video, but I still wanted to share a little of my encounter. I was so stoked to see so many mantidflies – in past years, seeing two or three was my total for the year!

You may ask why I titled this the "improbable" Mantidfly, but the why of that is what makes them so cool. In the larval stage, mantidflies wait for a spider to pass them by. Then they hitch a ride on the spider. If the spider happens to be a female that spins an egg case, the mantidfly larva will sneak into the egg case as the spider is spinning it. Then, safe in the silk enclosure, the mantidfly feasts on spider eggs. There, the mantidfly pupates, and emerges as an adult.

And what cool creatures the adults are! They look a bit like a cross between a praying mantis and a dark paper wasp (or other wasp in the Polistes genus) — they have the raptorial forelimbs of the mantis, and the colouration and general shape of the wasp. But they can't sting and they're totally harmless.

I often find them on milkweed, as they seem drawn to it. Perhaps it's that milkweed often attracts lots of insects, some of whom get stuck on the pollinia that the milkweed produces. Those stuck insects must prove an easy meal for the mantidfly. I've occasionally seen mantiflies with pollinia stuck to their feet — they must be strong enough to free themselves from those sticky pollen globs.

If food is scarce, like some other predators such as the ambush bug, the mantidfly can also eat a little nectar from the milkweed plants. However, that doesn't provide the complete nutrtition they need.

So, why improbable? Well when you think of everything about them — the mimicry (false aposematic colouration), the convergent evolution of the mantis-like forelimbs, their cool dietary options, the fact that to even get to adulthood they need to happen upon a female spider who happens to be about to create an egg case... I think the odds are against this odd but amazing little creature.

Sorry for the novel, but I just had to share cool facts about these awesome insects!

It was very windy, sorry! But I got a nice surprise when I got home from work today. This monarch butterfly discovered the patch of milkweed in my garden and laid and egg! She refueled with some milkweed nectar then flew away for more adventures… and to find more milkweed for eggs I hope!

Now my wife will tolerate the milkweed in our garden and we get to watch a little monarch caterpillar grow up!

Candy-striped leafhoppers… or candy-striped pee flingers?

Next time you're hiking and think it's raining, you might want to take another look. These two leafhoppers are two feeding on a plant stem – and you can see these bugs have evolved some specialized machinery to fling their waste away! I've slowed the video down a bit in one spot so you can see them literally fling their pee away.

I also added some sound effects later on so you can hear how frequently they're doing this. The video is not sped up. Amazing — and kinda gross at the same time.

Photographed in Short Hills Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada

I had a delightful time photographing this Bold Jumper (Phidippus audax) in Short Hills Provincial Park on June 20. I didn't realize it at first but there was another Bold Jumper just out of frame in the first picture – secure in a little woven web between the milkweed leaves. I'm not certain but I'm suspecting that's a female that this male was approaching?

At first I was photographing him under the growing milkweed blossom. He climbed onto my hand while I was trying to position the milkweed to get a photo, which was pretty neat! I left him alone after that and came back later, after a quick thunderstorm rolled through the area, and that's when I found him in the first photo, with his little front legs up in the air.

Look at this little kit’s grabbies

Spotted this evening in short hills provincial park, Canada

I just had an awesome evening encounter with a beaver family in 12 Mile Creek in Short Hills Provincial Park, Ontario, Canada.

I first spotted the kit swimming slowly upstream. It was paddling about and munching on leaves and branches, completely unconcerned with me. After about 45 minutes on its own, one of the adult beavers arrived, and I saw the sweetest little reunion. The kit started chirping and cooing softly, and the kit and adult circled each other, swirling around kind of, and the kit climbed up onto the adult and gave it sort of a hug. Such a beautiful moment to see!

The adult and kit moved back downstream; the kit disappeared into the bank while the adult started gathering food from the riverbank, actually climbing up out of the water. The other parent also made an appearance, adding a branch to the dam (of sorts) in the creek, and then swimming further downstream for destinations unknown.

I got to enjoy this for over an hour, and then the fireflies started coming out, and i went home.

I just had an awesome evening encounter with a beaver family in 12 Mile Creek in Short Hills Provincial Park!

I first spotted the kit swimming slowly upstream. It was paddling about and munching on leaves and branches, completely unconcerned with me. After about 45 minutes on its own, one of the adult beavers arrived, and I saw the sweetest little reunion. The kit started chirping and cooing softly, and the kit and adult circled each other, swirling around kind of, and the kit climbed up onto the adult and gave it sort of a hug. Such a beautiful moment to see!

The adult and kit moved back downstream; the kit disappeared into the bank while the adult started gathering food from the riverbank, actually climbing up out of the water. The other parent also made an appearance, adding a branch to the dam (of sorts) in the creek, and then swimming further downstream for destinations unknown.

I got to enjoy this for over an hour, and then the fireflies started coming out, and i went home.

I’ve had a few people pass me on the right using an exit ramp lane but this was a first … passing on the shoulder.

Just ahead were maintenance vehicles blocking the right lane as well. This could have been a very different outcome. Couldn’t believe it.

For the record, I was at or slightly above the posted 110 km/h limit.

Gave me a bit of a frightful adrenaline rush. I’d imagine there’s no point in reporting this to the police, but the plate is readable.

Hey Welland! I'm leading firefly walks at Short Hills Provincial Park again, through my involvement with the Friends of Short Hills Park -- this is something I have done for the last five years or so, and it's a highlight of my summer. Although I've never seen a lot of fireflies in Welland, even though I've lived here for about 46 years, we do have a fairly strong population of them just a short ways away in Short Hills Provincial Park!

You can register at https://firefly-walk.eventbrite.ca
Tentative dates: June 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28. Walks start at 8:30pm each night and go until 10pm. Walks start from the Pelham Road parking lot and proceed northeast along the Black Walnut trail.

Registration is FREE but I cap attendance on each date to keep the groups manageable. On the walk we'll cover a few things, like:

• what fireflies are -- they're not flies!
• what kind of fireflies are in the park
• why & how fireflies light up
• cool facts about fireflies, like... a surprising way females of one species hunt!

What do you need to bring on a firefly walk?

• A sense of fun and wonder
• Waterproof shoes or hiking boots -- sometimes the trail is quite muddy, with standing water possible after rainfall
• A flashlight for the walk back

If you have any questions or plan to attend, please let me know! And if you've seen fireflies in Welland, I'd love to hear about it. Maybe over at St George Park?

The firefly walks are suitable for most ages, although the walk does require modest physical activity with some uphill walking.

Some safety notes: ticks are present in the park, and all attendees should do a tick check after the event. The walk does not require going off-trail, so it is unlikely that ticks will be a problem, but it's still best to check.

Poison ivy is also present along the trail; as part of the trail, I will point it out so everyone can identify and avoid it.

You can find out more about Short Hills on the Friends of Short Hills Park website: https://friendsofshorthillspark.ca/

Hey Niagara! I'm leading firefly walks at Short Hills Provincial Park again, through my involvement with the Friends of Short Hills Park -- this is something I have done for the last five years or so, and it's a highlight of my summer. Experience an enchanting, magical evening walk with hundreds of fireflies, right here in Niagara.

You can register at https://firefly-walk.eventbrite.ca
Tentative dates: June 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28. Walks start at 8:30pm each night and go until 10pm. Walks start from the Pelham Road parking lot and proceed northeast along the Black Walnut trail.

Registration is FREE but I cap attendance on each date to keep the groups manageable. On the walk we'll cover a few things, like:

• what fireflies are -- they're not flies!
• what kind of fireflies are in the park
• why & how fireflies light up
• cool facts about fireflies, like... a surprising way females of one species hunt!

What do you need to bring on a firefly walk?

• A sense of fun and wonder
• Waterproof shoes or hiking boots -- sometimes the trail is quite muddy, with standing water possible after rainfall
• A flashlight for the walk back

If you have any questions or plan to attend, please let me know! The firefly walks are suitable for most ages, although the walk does require modest physical activity with some uphill walking.

Some safety notes: ticks are present in the park, and all attendees should do a tick check after the event. The walk does not require going off-trail, so it is unlikely that ticks will be a problem, but it's still best to check.

Poison ivy is also present along the trail; as part of the trail, I will point it out so everyone can identify and avoid it.

You can find out more about Short Hills on the Friends of Short Hills Park website: https://friendsofshorthillspark.ca/

Hey St. Catharines! I'm leading firefly walks at Short Hills Provincial Park again, through my involvement with the Friends of Short Hills Park -- this is something I have done for the last five years or so, and it's a highlight of my summer. Experience an enchanting, magical evening walk with hundreds of fireflies, right here in Niagara.

You can register at https://firefly-walk.eventbrite.ca
Tentative dates: June 14, 18, 20, 21, 23, 25, 28. Walks start at 8:30pm each night and go until 10pm. Walks start from the Pelham Road parking lot and proceed northeast along the Black Walnut trail.

Registration is FREE but I cap attendance on each date to keep the groups manageable. On the walk we'll cover a few things, like:

• what fireflies are -- they're not flies!
• what kind of fireflies are in the park
• why & how fireflies light up
• cool facts about fireflies, like... a surprising way females of one species hunt!

What do you need to bring on a firefly walk?

• A sense of fun and wonder
• Waterproof shoes or hiking boots -- sometimes the trail is quite muddy, with standing water possible after rainfall
• A flashlight for the walk back

If you have any questions or plan to attend, please let me know! The firefly walks are suitable for most ages, although the walk does require modest physical activity with some uphill walking.

Some safety notes: ticks are present in the park, and all attendees should do a tick check after the event. The walk does not require going off-trail, so it is unlikely that ticks will be a problem, but it's still best to check.

Poison ivy is also present along the trail; as part of the trail, I will point it out so everyone can identify and avoid it.

You can find out more about Short Hills on the Friends of Short Hills Park website: https://friendsofshorthillspark.ca/

I had about 10 people join me for today's guided bird hike in Short Hills! It was aimed at warblers but I think the Baltimore Orioles really stole the show today. My favourite encounter, though, was probably the Blue-grey Gnatcatcher nest we found! Gnatcatchers are active, agile birds and photographing them can be tricky at times because they're so quick and they tend to stick to the undergrowth. Finding the nest was a rare opportunity to get to see them stick around one spot for a while! We got to see both parents hunting and bringing food back to the nest.

We also got to see an active oriole nest, plus some rare sightings like an Orchard Oriole. Grey Catbirds were everywhere, calling constantly. We also got an excellent look at a Rose-breasted Grosbeak. Plus a few other fun critters like a big green frog, a Common Watersnake, and a chorus of Grey Tree Frogs.

My next guided hike is May 24 starting at the Wiley Road Entrance at 6:30 & 8:30am if anyone would like to sign up! My walks are always free!

Here's today's species list, either visually verified or a song/call I'm comfortable using as ID:

• Canada Goose
• Mourning Dove
• Killdeer
• Ring-billed Gull
• Great Blue Heron
• Turkey Vulture
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Belted Kingfisher
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• Eastern Phoebe
• Great Crested Flycatcher
• Blue Jay
• American Crow
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Tree Swallow
• Northern Rough-winged Swallow
• Barn Swallow
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Blue-gray Gnatcatcher
• Northern House Wren
• Carolina Wren
• Gray Catbird
• Eastern Bluebird
• American Robin
• Cedar Waxwing
• Chipping Sparrow
• Field Sparrow
• Song Sparrow
• Swamp Sparrow
• Eastern Towhee
• Orchard Oriole
• Baltimore Oriole
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Blue-winged Warbler
• Common Yellowthroat
• Northern Yellow Warbler
• Rose-breasted Grosbeak
• Indigo Bunting

Hi everyone! I'll be leading more guided bird hikes throughout summer on Merritt Island! These walks are aimed more at beginners (but anyone is welcome to attend either).

The walks are free! You only need good footwear; binoculars or a camera are great tools to have as well, but they're not necessary. I also highly recommend getting the iNaturalist and/or Merlin apps for your phone.

If anyone has any questions or would like to find out more, please let me know!

Free registration is available for these walks:

• May 31 | 7am
• June 28 | 7am
• July 26 | 7am
• August 30 | 7am

I also lead walks aimed more for experienced birders in Short Hills Provincial Park (but again, anyone is welcome to attend) - you can sign up for those too if you like, on my Eventbrite page! https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/52531050223

It's a bit late but I've finally got around to scheduling the next batch of guided bird hikes at Short Hills! Also, the ones in the summer will also be a bit more geared to nature in general, not just birds. With the spring warbler migration in full swing now, I'll be leading two hikes from different starting points in Short Hills.

The walks are free! You only need good footwear; binoculars or a camera are great tools to have as well, but they're not necessary. I also highly recommend getting the iNaturalist and/or Merlin apps for your phone.

If anyone has any questions or would like to find out more, please let me know!

Free registration is available for these walks:

• May 17: Short Hills – Pelham Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am
• May 24: Short Hills – Wiley Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am
• June 7: Short HIlls – Pelham Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am
• July 5: Short Hills – Pelham Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am
• August 16: Short Hills – Pelham Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am

I will also be leading firefly walks on evenings in June (dates to be announced) so keep an eye out for those!

I also lead walks aimed more for beginners in Merritt Island in Welland - you can sign up for those too if you like, on my Eventbrite page! https://www.eventbrite.ca/o/52531050223

Hi everyone! I'll be leading more guided bird hikes (plus nature hikes!) throughout the summer. We've got the spring warbler migration in full swing now, so I'll be leading two hikes from different starting points in Short Hills Provincial Park. As well, I'm holding walks aimed more at beginners at Merritt Island in Welland (but anyone is welcome to attend either).

The walks are free! You only need good footwear; binoculars or a camera are great tools to have as well, but they're not necessary. I also highly recommend getting the iNaturalist and/or Merlin apps for your phone.

If anyone has any questions or would like to find out more, please let me know!

Free registration is available for these walks:

• May 17: Short Hills – Pelham Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am
• May 24: Short Hills – Wiley Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am
• May 31: Merritt Island | 7am
• June 7: Short HIlls – Pelham Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am
• June 28: Merritt Island | 7am
• July 5: Short Hills – Pelham Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am
• July 26: Merritt Island | 7am
• August 16: Short Hills – Pelham Road Entrance | 6:30 & 8:30am
• August 30: Merritt Island | 7am

I will also be leading firefly walks on evenings in June (dates to be announced) in Short Hills so keep an eye out for those!

I was just wondering which other fans have nice displays of classic jerseys, game worn or autographed, etc.

The one I posted has been hanging on my wall for over 20 years. It’s the sweater I wore in 6th grade; Maurice Richard was in town in the mid 80s to referee a celebrity hockey game. After the game, he was signing autographs. I wore my #9 Richard sweater to the game, then afterwards I took it off when I got to the autographing desk and he signed it for me. One of my happiest memories.

Richard also doled out a penalty to Richard Dean Anderson during the game — 2 minutes for “looking so good”

My dad and my uncle put it in a shadow box in 2002 as a Christmas present. One of my favourite gifts ever.

(I’m not sure why it’s askew — it was like that Christmas morning)

I had 10 people join me for this morning's guided bird walk on Merritt Island, and the birds didn't disappoint! We saw 37 different species including a standout encounter with a Red-tailed Hawk, some uncommonly early warblers (Northern Yellow Warbler and Cape May Warbler) and returning favourites like the Yellow-Rumped Warbler. The morning started off cool and foggy but we had a lovely serenade from a chorus of White-throated Sparrows.

As usual, there were a few other fun animals to spot, like some Red Squirrels, Eastern Grey Squirrels, and even a few Painted Turtles sunning themselves on the edge of the river.

My thanks to everyone who attended! I'll post May & Summer bird hikes soon, keep an eye out!

Species count: (seen or distinctly heard)

• Canada Goose
• Mallard
• Rock Pigeon (Feral Pigeon)
• Mourning Dove
• Ring-billed Gull
• Double-crested Cormorant
• Turkey Vulture
• Red-tailed Hawk
• Red-bellied Woodpecker
• Downy Woodpecker
• Hairy Woodpecker
• Northern Flicker
• Blue Jay
• American Crow
• Common Raven
• Black-capped Chickadee
• Tree Swallow
• Ruby-crowned Kinglet
• White-breasted Nuthatch
• Red-breasted Nuthatch
• Northern House Wren
• Carolina Wren
• European Starling
• Hermit Thrush
• American Robin
• House Sparrow
• American Goldfinch
• Dark-eyed Junco
• White-throated Sparrow
• Song Sparrow
• Red-winged Blackbird
• Brown-headed Cowbird
• Common Grackle
• Cape May Warbler
• Northern Yellow Warbler
• Yellow-rumped Warbler
• Northern Cardinal