In the morning, we asked the students (those that felt comfortable with their presentation) if they would like to go for a walk at the Beaver Pond Trail.
Towards the middle section of the trail, we actually stumbled upon a beaver (Castor canadensis) on the trail gnawing on a low branch. Just a few moments ago before seeing the beaver, the students were talking about a man-killing beaver (news here), and so the students were startled (to say the least) when they saw the actual animal. Long story short, the beaver paid no attention to the shrieking students and left, while the only photo I could get was above.
Meanwhile, aside from seeing the beaver, the trail was definitely worth the trip because we also saw several plant species that we haven't seen yet during the field course.
Water-arum (Calla palustris) in the Araceae family, same as the Jack-in-the-pulpit. And similar to Jack-in-the-pulpit, it has a spathe (the white showy bract) and spadix (the green spike with not-yet mature flowers, and the male flowers will be on upper portion on the spadix and female flowers on the bottom portion).
Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) in the Iridaceae family. We saw these in Carden Plains, but this was my first photographed one.
Saw my first male Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) during the walk. It is the only black-winged damselfly, so it was very exciting to see. I wish I got better photos of it though.
Another new plant is the Fragrant water-lily (Nymphaea odorata) in the Water-lily (Nymphaeaceae) family. I like the above image a lot, with the glossy leaf and smooth water surface, and the contrasting colours between the water and the flower.
Close-up on the beautiful flower.
Blue Flag Iris (Iris versicolor) in the Iridaceae family. We saw these in Carden Plains, but this was my first photographed one.
Saw my first male Ebony Jewelwing (Calopteryx maculata) during the walk. It is the only black-winged damselfly, so it was very exciting to see. I wish I got better photos of it though.
Another new plant is the Fragrant water-lily (Nymphaea odorata) in the Water-lily (Nymphaeaceae) family. I like the above image a lot, with the glossy leaf and smooth water surface, and the contrasting colours between the water and the flower.
Close-up on the beautiful flower.
True wood-sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) in the Wood-sorrel (Oxalidaceae) family. The leaves of this plant contain oxalic acid, which is sour-tasting.
Another new plant for the course - Sweet White Violet (Viola blanda) in the Violet (Violaceae) family.
View from the top of the trail.
After the trail, we went to the Visitor Centre to buy souvenirs and/or use the free Wifi.
View from the top of the trail.
After the trail, we went to the Visitor Centre to buy souvenirs and/or use the free Wifi.
In the afternoon, I was sort of helping out with a broad-scale Fragaria virginana project. I measured a couple of soil variables and then sat around photographing things while the others doing the actual fieldwork.
Here were some of the insects I photographed, which I don't think I have the time to identify at the moment (but if you know, I am more than happy to know about it).
Some of mason bee, I believe.
Syrphid fly on hawkweed
Skipper on vetch
Another skipper
Unknown darner dragonfly
Some kind of Hemiptera
And that's all the photos and information that I took and learned during the two-week field course. I love it when new knowledge is absorbed into my brain.
Back to thesis-writing.
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