{"id":7889,"date":"2019-10-21T21:44:29","date_gmt":"2019-10-22T01:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/naturalcrooks.com\/rambles\/?p=7889"},"modified":"2019-10-21T21:44:29","modified_gmt":"2019-10-22T01:44:29","slug":"autumn-ramble-rattray","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/naturalcrooks.com\/rambles\/autumn-ramble-rattray\/","title":{"rendered":"An Early Autumn Ramble through the Rattray"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When we get a warm, partially sunny day in October, I try to take advantage of it–all too soon the days will be getting shorter, darker and often wetter. Today I had a great hour ambling along the paths at the Rattray Marsh in Mississauga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"PHoto<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This Ruby-crowned Kinglet seemed oblivious of the sharp spines on the stem. It zipped quickly from leaf to leaf and hovered at the tops of the goldenrod plumes, hunting insects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A small group of Black-capped Chickadees was also gathering food. This one was investigating a small opening at the dead end of a branch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Christmas Card Photo Op Fails Again<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every year, I see a nice bird, butterfly or animal in a setting that shouts “Christmas Card.” And every year I totally fail to get the photo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This Northern Cardinal showed me his opinion of my work. Although he was perched to eat Multiflora Rose hips, he refused to turn around and face the camera.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maybe next year….<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wait that Red-winged Blackbird is Rusting<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When I reached Sheridan Creek, I heard a Red-winged Blackbird calling its spring “chirk-a-ree.” A small flock of blackbirds then flew in and landed a good distance back from the boardwalk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I took a quick photo in case they left just as abruptly, then settled in against the railing to wait and see if they would come closer. Can you spot the blackbird?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A black squirrel flushed them briefly up into the trees. Once there, they took advantage of some of the Riverbank Grapes and had a snack. Then five of them flew overhead into the marsh. A few minutes later, they came back. This group has been reported a few times on eBird so it seems to have settled in for a stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo

<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Flicker of Movement on the Tree Trunk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Every bush, tree and patch of mud seemed to have a bird or insect on or around it. I watched one bird moving up a trunk, expecting to see another Downy or Hairy Woodpecker, but instead found a Northern Flicker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Monarchs Sail South<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Monarch butterflies had a good year in southern Ontario and they are still moving south. I watched three sail over the board walk in five minutes. Will these ones make it all the way to Mexico? I don’t know but they seemed content to try.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their orange colouring is particularly pleasing against an autumn blue sky.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sneaky Sparrows<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There were Song Sparrows near the downstream bridge. This sparrow, though, caught my eye. It took me a few minutes to realize it was a White-throated Sparrow. They seem to hunt in every possible environment. Maybe that’s why I always see big flocks of them in the fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An Eastern Phoebe and an Unexpected Fall Swimmer in Sheridan Creek<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While hanging around the downstream bridge chatting to some other nature enthusiasts, I watched this Phoebe busily hunting. It didn’t go after the Green Darner dragonfly that was also in the area but seemed content to catch smaller midges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Because I was watching the Phoebe, I noticed a small ripple moving across the creek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(Mom, this is where you should stop reading.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I watched in surprise as a slender snake half-emerged on the grey mud. After a couple of minutes it moved further ashore. It seems a bit late for a DeKays Brown Snake to still be out hunting but this one seemed reasonably healthy. Hopefully it knows of a good safe, snug spot to sleep in, soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Photo<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All in all, it was a delightful hour in the autumn sun. I hope we get a few more days like it in the weeks ahead!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n