Hoping to photograph some “urban plants” (weeds), I visited a parking lot near Bathurst and Dupont on this morning of threatening rain.

MYSTERY BIRD

I will identify it at the end of the post.

Some botany:

While walking about the parking lot, I heard a cardinal singing, then a kingbird and then a common tern. Ah … I know what’s going on. A Northern Mockingbird is near. These amazing birds have been heard singing the songs of 36 other species. The parking lot bird threw in a police siren for good measure.

Once the bird spotted me, it flew to every available perch and had a good look.

Other birds:

MYSTERY BIRD

A “cigar on wings” – the Chimney Swift

MAILBOX

Miles, I think the oak trees this year are particularly bad because of gypsy moth caterpillars. The light at the NE part of the park (the path where you come in from Bloor & Parkside) is significantly different from what it was a few weeks ago. I avoided the park for several weeks after the gypsy moth caterpillars came out this year, and when I returned – by which time there were caterpillars, but only on leaves or on the ground (and not moving on the ground) – the shade provided by trees in the NE section was considerably less than before. I noticed this elsewhere in the park as well. I think trees are able to releaf after they’ve been skeletonized by caterpillars, but clearly it’s an additional stress that they do not need.   Thanks again for your postings,

NATURE POETRY

Small summer insects chirp amid the blades
That rattle with a sharp metallic sound,
And clover, like a group of modest maids,
Empurples yonder patch of meadow ground.         – James Berry Bensel (1856–86)

Miles Hearn