2012/05/08

May days so far

May days so far have been pretty hectic (as expected).  I need to finalize what I will be doing this summer with my supervisors, pack everything, and figure out where I am going to be living next September.

2012-05-04

I handed in my post-dated cheques to the housing unit today at school.  After that, I walked along the river towards my building.  And as expected, when I don't bring my DSLR, I ended up seeing some pretty cool wildlife.

2012-05-04-DSCN1037
For example, this Osprey about 20 metres away from me looking at the river.

2012-05-04-DSCN1070
Then I heard this knocking sound.  Looking around, it was a Pileated Woodpecker.  I have seen this species a couple of times, but no good photos to show for it.  This one is pretty decent when resized.
A video of the woodpecker hammering into the fallen trunk looking for insects.

2012-05-04-DSCN1073
I thought I was going to miss all the blossoms in Ontario when I leave for St. Louis.  Apparently not.

2012-05-05

I arranged to go see someone's house tomorrow for September housing.  I went today just so I know the location.

Blossoms in Ontario

Blossoms in Ontario
These trees were outside several apartment buildings with many bees, flies, and butterflies flying around it.

2012-05-05-P5051229
Then I biked to Jackson Park and saw these Marsh Marigold (Caltha palustris) blanketing the field.

2012-05-05-P5051242
They attract all kinds of insects as well, including this ant.

2012-05-05-P5051259
Then I saw a different butterfly from all the admirals, sulphurs, and whites.  I believe this is an Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma) but it is difficult to tell for certain through all the vegetation.

2012-05-05-P5051273
Then I saw the coolest fly ever - a Bee Fly (Family Bombyliidae)!  Look how it resembles a bumble bee with the hairy yellow and black body, and that proboscis! Wow!  If I have some free time, I might try to key it out using this

2012-05-05-P5061317
This is the real (bumble) bee.

2012-05-06

Went to check out the room today.  It was okay, a bit far from school and everything, plus I will need to share the house with three other people.  I will have to think about it.  Anyways, afterwards, I went back to Jackson Park again.

2012-05-06-DSCN1078
The water level still really low.

Bee Fly (Family Bombyliidae)
Saw more bee flies today.

Supermoon on May 06, 2012
Supermoon!

2012-05-07

2012-05-07-DSCN1081


2012-05-07-DSCN1082
This is what the blossoms look like at Trent.  Pretty beautiful, no?

I am heading back to BC for a short break next Tuesday.  After one week, I will fly to Edmonton and up north to NWT (and Yukon) once again.

No comments:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...