Snails and Turtlehead in the St. Clair Ravine: August 2020

The St. Clair Ravine is located a little east of Warden Subway.

creek pebbles
Taylor Massey Creek

During a morning walk here, I was surprised at the number of Brown-lipped Snails that I was seeing.

Brown-lipped Snail
Brown-lipped Snail

Perhaps I am fond of snails because they resemble my favourite musical instrument; the French horn.

Brown-lipped Snail

The Brown-lipped Snail (also called Grove Snail) is one of the most common species of land snail in Europe and has been introduced to North America.

It lives in shrubs and open woods, in plains and highlands, dunes, cultivated habitats, gardens and roadsides.

Brown-lipped Snail

These snails feed mainly on plants which are “past their prime” or dead.

Brown-lipped Snail

In winter, Brown-lipped Snails hibernate but can become active in warmer weather.

Brown-lipped Snail

In some moist ground along the stream, I encountered the aptly named Turtlehead.

Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
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Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)

Other botany:

Marsh Bedstraw (Geum palustre)
Elederberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Elederberry (Sambucus canadensis)
Spindletree (Euonymus europaea)
Chicory (Cichorium intybus)
Tamarack (Larix laricina)
Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo)
Sand Cherry (Prunus)
Cow-parsnip (Heracleum maximum)
Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida)
Agrimony (Agrimonia gryosepela)
Agrimony (Agrimonia gryosepela)
Field Sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensps)
Sweetbrier (Rosa rubiginosa)
Sweetbrier (Rosa rubiginosa)
Asian Beetle on grape leaves
Asian Beetle on grape leaves
Asian Beetles on grape leaves

NATURE POETRY

To me the sea is a continual miracle,
The fishes that swim—the rocks—the motion of the waves—the
ships with men in them,
What stranger miracles are there?           – Walt Whitman (1819–92) 

Miles Hearn

1 thought on “Snails and Turtlehead in the St. Clair Ravine: August 2020

  1. Lisa Volkov

    The comparison of the snail the French Horn sure made me laugh. Snails are quieter, though–for good or ill! (I’m not implying that I don’t like the horn. You can’t love certain operas without loving horns!)
    Very special plants and creatures–the Turtlehead is certainly aptly named! Thanks, Miles!

    Reply

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