Small Wonders Walk

It took me a while to slow myself down and pay attention this morning. But, when I did, what I saw was just beautiful.

The Northumberland Land Trust's Small Wonders Walk took place just beyond this fence in the Lone Pine Marsh Braham Nature Reserve. We were welcomed by a cute little sparrow.

Even before going through the gate to the meadow, small wonders were presenting themselves to us. Butterfly weed and some kind of ant.

Our leader, Leslie, warned us at the beginning of the walk that we might not find out the name of every bug or frog we see, but maybe if we collaborate, we would learn their names.

It was great to have a mown pathway to walk on. I wonder what those folks are looking at?

Aha! Soldier ants. And a ...... whatever on a Queen Anne's Lace flower.

At first, I didn't see that there are two insects in the image below. When viewing straight on, I saw the ant that I was trying to photograph. Only when I went to edit the photos, did I see the other one perched on the flower bud. You would see it first because you are scrolling downward.

It's looks like it is trying to getting the better view.

I think this is a Blue Dasher dragonfly below. It posed for a long time until I got a good shot. It's hard to focus on its gossamer wings. But, aren't they amazing?

There were around 18 people signed up for today's 30°C walk, ranging from a one year old birthday baby being carried on her dad's back and some folks in their eighties. Every single one of them was intently looking for small wonders. The baby seemed to be enjoying herself too and half way through this section of the walk fell fast asleep. Her dad said that he wanted to expose his kids to the wonders of nature early. Good dad.

We saw quite a few tiny frogs.

There was even some gold in the wings of this dragonfly which glimmered in the morning sunshine.

And, isn't it interesting how the patterns on its wings mimic the veining patterns on the leaf that it is sitting on?

Patterns on leaves. Evidence of another small wonder: leaf miners. They never seem to criss-cross their paths.

I love it when people wear colourful clothes on a hike.

This one looks like it is trying to be a helicopter.

What do you do on a 30°C day when you are a small wonder? You could find a leaf that feels like a hammock and just enjoy the view.....

.... or you could find the highest point in the neighbourhood and look for your cousin.....

.... or check out what's happening in the pond.

Our walk was in two parts. The first part was a slow meander to the north. The second part was a quicker walk to the south. You could choose one or both. We started on the second half and came across one of Ted's wood duck boxes. It was getting pretty hot and Ted has not been feeling 100% lately, so shortly into that segment we turned around and went home. I love it when there are options.

I also love the concept of land trusts. I love that they "preserve natural spaces for future generations and to provide habitat for wildlife and species at risk."

As we walked back to the car, we spotted a future generation of whatever this insect is beginning.....

.... and we spotted potentially the end of this Monarch butterfly's life. Life beginning and life ending. It was caught in a spider's web. I freed it, cleaned off what web I could see and let it fly away. Sorry, spider. Better luck next time.

Not the best picture, but fitting with the theme of the day. Another small wonder.

There are some more great outings scheduled for the next five months. Mark your calendars! Who knows what wonders you will see?

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,

committed, citizens can change the world.

Indeed,

it is the only thing that ever has.”

Margaret Mead