Dead Slow Speed Limit Being Observed

A very windy November day near the North Bay Marina. This ring billed seagull is obeying the Dead Slow sign though not by it's own decision but rather the fact it's facing a 40-50mph westerly wind.

Cranberry Trail (4) - Birds of the Area

A sign along the newly opened Cranberry Trail in Callander informing walkers of the various birds that visit the area.

Sphinx drupiferarum (wild cherry sphinx) - Monster for Short

This interesting monster will eventually turn into a large moth. Here's a link that shows what this little monster will turn into - Wild Cherry Sphinx.

The reason I said monster, was this cute and what appeared to be slow moving caterpillar actually lunged and tried to strike my hand with its sharp horn. YES, I said HORN (more like a large SPIKE though). I was trying to place my hand near the sphinx in order to give a reference for its size but alas I learned my lesson and will just have to describe its length instead (between 5- 6 inches).

The wild cherry sphinx has a range from Nova Scotia to BC (British Columbia) and as far south as Georgia. It is not that common in its range though.

The neighbours (including an octogenarian) had never seen anything like this before. After taking the photos and moving the caterpillar away from the house (so it wouldn’t get stepped on – more for our protection than its), we have not seen the sphinx again. Maybe will we see the moth next year as the caterpillar is supposed to overwinter in underground burrows.

Yellow Fish Road

Sorry about the lack of daily updates but I had been out of contact with the "real world" for the past week. It's very nice and relaxing being away from telephones and other "instant" communications.

Since I had spent sometime in nature, I thought today's photo is appropriate about the effect we can have upon the environment.

At first I didn't know what these yellow fish painted on the various roads in the West Ferris subdivision meant. I later learned that it is an initiative of Trout Unlimited Canada’s educational storm drain marking program. It is way to bring attention to the public that everything that goes down our storm drains (and sewers) ultimately finds it way into our rivers, streams, lakes and oceans and into our fish and food supplies.

They painted the fish on the streets near storm drains. We need to remember that even a simple thing as washing one's car can contribute to water quality problems as the runoff can directly enter our watersheds.

Deer at Birch's Road & Booth Road

This photo of 3 deer was taken the day after snapping the horse riders (yesterday's daily photo).

It is in the same spot as yesterday's photo (by the water tower at the corner Booth Rd by Birch's Road). Both photos were taken while biking along the Kate Pace Trail.

Horse Ride on Booth Rd by Birch's Rd

Just a quiet Sunday ride along Booth Rd by the Birch's Road water tower.

Sorry for the lack of updates for the past week but living in Northern Ontario means that you can go out into the woods and don't have any electricity or annoying phones for a some peace and quiet.

I hope all of our friends from France had an enjoyable Bastille Day (Fête Nationale) on Saturday!!

Shads Hanging Around

Here’s a photo of some shads hugging the back of École publique Héritage on Lakeshore Drive. And this is a light grouping of shads!!

Well, the shadflies are back in the Bay. It’s one of those things that on the surface appears to be a “bad” thing. Millions upon millions of flying insects covering cars, buildings and people, isn’t a fun thing!! But it’s not all bad.

Some mornings you may have to use a snow brush to get them off your car windows! The good thing is that the shads don’t bite, in fact they don’t have any functional mouth parts.

Most of the time, the shads live in the bottom of Lake Nipissing in naiad form (sometimes up to 3 years). All growth occurs in the nymph stage. When the shads leave the naiad stage their sole purpose is procreation and then death. The shads usually emerge during the end of June when the lake’s temperature rises. During flight, the female deposits her fertilized eggs as she drags her abdomen across the surface of the water.

But you’re saying why is this such a good thing. Well, the shadflies are a pollution–sensitive animal. This means that the water should be good quality, perhaps even good enough to drink without distilling or boiling. It also means the oxygen levels in the lake need to be high for a large population of shads. They are an important food source for fish, birds, bats and other insects. It has been noted, that in years when there has not been a large infestation of shads, the lake’s walleye population suffers the following year.

Oh another thing, the shads do smell when they die (it’s like a bad fish smell) and they litter the ground so you have to be careful when crunching them as you walk since they are so numerous it is actually like walking on ice at times. There have been instances where motor vehicles accidents have occurred since cars have not been able to stop or negotiate corners because it is so slick.

To answer Fénix from Boston, the Shads are a type of Mayfly but unlike the British insect these guys arrive June/July.

Before I have scared everyone off about visiting the Bay, the Shads are normally not active during the day (that's why they are hugging the building). So as long as you don't disturb them they won't be flying. But watch out at night, especially in areas that are lit (most of the business along Lakeshore Drive - including the mall and the A&P grocery store, turn off their external lights and parking lot lights during this time so as to not attract the Shads).

It's a small price to pay to have super fishing on your doorstep and wonderful clean clear lakes!!

The SHADS are Back!!

More info about these unique visitors to our city in tomorrow's blog.

How Much Wood Can A WoodChuck Chuck?

I don't know how much wood a woodchuck can chuck but this neighourhood groundhog certainly likes the flowers in the area. If he keeps picking on the nicest flower beds in the neighourhood, Marmota monax may find that some homeowners might offer him a free move outside of his current postal code!!