York Region experts warn of growing invasive species threats in local forests. A Porritt Tract forest walk aims to educate the public on how to identify and manage them.
stouffville.bulletpointnews.ca/local-news/n...
#YorkRegion #YorkRegionalForest #InvasiveSpecies
A plump fly sits on a human hand. Seen from the left side, the large red eye shows well against the dense patch of short white hairs on the side of the face. The dark abdomen bears an array of long stout black bristles. The fly measure about 15 mm in total length.
The same fly is seen from the front. Short antennae diverge forwards from between the large red eyes. The "beard" of dense white hairs covers the lower portion of the face, flanked by pairs of stout incurving black bristles. Sparse short bristles are present on the top of the head and thorax -- the longer stouter bristles of the abdomen can be seen behind.
Viewed from the left rear, the abdominal bristles are well displayed, with a bare white patch on the "rump".
A hitchhiker on our #spring ephemeral walk: Early Tachinid #Fly (Epalpus signifer). Easy to see why the Tachinidae (Parasitic Flies) are also called "bristle flies"! Larvae of E. signifer are parasites of noctuid moth caterpillars. #YorkRegionalForest, North Tract, Whitchurch-Stouffville, #Ontario
A group of six Bloodroot plants (Sanguinaria canadensis) in flower. In each, a single large leaf clutches the stem beneath an array of 8 to 10 brilliant white petals surrounding a cluster of yellow stamens.
Carolina Springbeauty (Claytonia caroliniana) growing on a forest floor. The tight grouping of small pale pink 5-petaled flowers with darker pink stripes sits above ovate green leaves.
A small group of Sharp-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica acutiloba) flowers rise on slender stalks above a dapple shaded, fern-covered forest floor. Each bright white flower has 8 rounded petals surrounding short white stamens.
The oddly shaped flowers of Dicentra cucullaria resemble inverted pairs of old-fashioned pantaloons, giving rise to their common name of Dutchman's Breeches. The pale yellow flowers are set off against the delicate, finely-divided green leaflets.
An eyeful of #ephemerals -- early #Spring #wildflowers. #YorkRegionalForest - North Tract, Whitchurch-Stouffville, #Ontario ID's in Alt text.
A deep blue bird sitting in the top branches of a Pine tree. This is an Indigo Bunting.
This male Indigo Bunting is a fave from last spring and one I am most excited about seeing again this year. I had the pleasure of watching a mating pair raise the cutest little fluffball offspring last year.
#birds #ontariobirds #bendorandgravestract #yorkregionalforest #indigobunting
When you feel surrounded by uncertainty and chaos, take yourself outside for a walk. This little creek was on the trail during my forest walk today! Cold, but sunny and beautifully quiet!
#hollidgetract #getoutside #ontariooutdoors #calm #naturerocks #yorkregionalforest
a snowy trail winds through a forest of tall trees.
Since I'm new to bsky I figure I can post some of my older images. Just for the hell of it.
This one from 2020. "Blue Cathedral."
#blue #cathedral #photography #nemophilist #forest #trees #snow #landscapephotography #photographer #yorkregionalforest #canada #winter #spring
