Rondeau Provincial Park, Morpeth, Ont - July 25, 2008

Five-lined Skink (Eumeces fasciatus).
!!!
One of only five species of lizards in Canada (all but one of them skinks), and the only one East of Manitoba. Saw several during the early afternoon, which totally surprised and thrilled me. I explored after, quietly observed (for 10 or 15 minutes), and chased various individuals, and they were always good sports to play and put up with me. Very cool little guys and fast. Twice I was very close to an individual, though resisted catching them as I didn't want them to drop their tail (defense mechanism). Watching the one for 10 minutes or so (who produced these, the best, photos) as he worked in the leaf litter, exploring for bugs, was so cool and very special. A very unique creature for our Canadian climate.

This is the same guy as before. After disappearing underneath some logs (in search of something no doubt) he reappeared beneath some fern in a sun beam. Sat still for a while (I was making a bit of noise with my camera) and these pictures turned out surprisingly well. Didn't think he'd be in the frame at all!

Eastern Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis sauritus sauritus).
This guy I saw just after I had left the skink. Was just walking down the board walk, almost not thinking about looking for more wildlife after that encounter, when I looked over the left railing by chance and saw this beauty sunning himself. Didn't make a sound. Just lay perfectly still for the longest time until I think he finally came out of his trance, turned around, moved back over a log and into the woods.

Summer Azures (Celastrina neglecta).
This was the 'marsh' trail. Along these wet spots there were hundreds of azures drinking in the moisture. You couldn't help but disturb them as you walked past, creating a low cloud of blue. Incredible.

Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica).
Saw these guys on several occasions, including a couple spots in the woods where the floor was just carpeted with tiny ones. Must have just came out of the ponds.

Pointed Leaved Tick Trefoil (Desmodium glutinosum).

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum).
Unusual frond structure.

Very bright (and likely poisonous) mushrooms. Don't know what they are.

Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), female.

Water Star grass (Heteranthera dubia)

Common True Katydid (Pterophylla camellifolia)
Came to join me watching the skink

Dragonflies were everywhere, and I needed everyone to keep back the mosquitoes.

Purple Flowering Raspberry (Rubus odoratus).
Came across it while I was watching the skink.

Poison Ivy
Way too common during my visit. Managed to avoid it, though it prevented me from doing a very thorough search of the woods.

Sessile-Fruited Arrowhead (Sagittaria rigida)

Perfect red capped, white stalked mushroom.

Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura), juvenile.
Flew out onto the path in front of me. Surprised me.

Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Its was orange.

Wild raspberries (and black berries). Delicious!