Strathroy Lagoons - Butterflies and stuff

Saturday, August 5, 2017 

It was a cool day, partly cloudy and very windy, high of 20.  I've been going to Strathroy Lagoons since 1980. Especially, going August & September for shorebirds and in the fall for ducks. In those days there was usually one pond with a low water level with good mud flats for shorebirds.  
Today the 2 large ponds...the water level was high so no shorebirds to be found.  Both ponds were quiet, too.  I walked around the one pond to the right. The shrubs and vegetation have grown quite high and dense in places. In the 80's it was easy looking around the shore of the ponds with a lot less vegetation.    

Queen Anne's Lace

Jewelweed

Strathroy Lagoons

Common Whitetail

Teasel

Wild Bergamot

Field Bindweed

Bullrush

The butterflies were really flying all over the place because of the wind. I was able to get some photos as a few were able to hang onto a leaf for a minute.  

Viceroy

Eastern Tiger Swallowtail

Cabbage White

Eastern Forktail

Monarch

Monarch

There were a few Turkey Vultures flying over.  I also saw Robins, Red-winged Blackbirds, American Goldfinch, Song Sparrows, Barn Swallows, Tree Swallows and Mourning Dove. In October 1981, with other birders, we saw a Ruff here.

Turkey Vulture

Cabbage White

Viceroy

Viceroy

Milkweed Pods

Red Milkweed Beetle laying eggs? 

Milkweed Pods

Common Whitetail

Common Blue Damselfly

Goldenrod