The St. Clair Ravine is located a little east of Warden Subway.
During a morning walk here, I was surprised at the number of Brown-lipped Snails that I was seeing.
Perhaps I am fond of snails because they resemble my favourite musical instrument; the French horn.
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.
These snails feed mainly on plants which are “past their prime” or dead.
In winter, Brown-lipped Snails hibernate but can become active in warmer weather.
In some moist ground along the stream, I encountered the aptly named Turtlehead.
Other botany:
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
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!