By Chris Hart

The past few months have had quite the impact on the ecology of the common human (Homo sapiens). Closures to local businesses and establishments have created a sense of habitat fragmentation that this species is not used to. Areas of preferred use and high traffic have been minimized and/or removed, and as such, individual home ranges have contracted and seen drastic shifts. This has resulted in reduced connectivity among neighbouring units (including those with familial ties), and therefore lowered the potential for interaction with members of the same species (i.e. other humans). What has also happened, however, is that these shifts in habitat use have lead to an increase in chance interaction with members of other species (i.e. those with fur, feathers or scales). Below are a few photos of some local flora and fauna taken by a couple of club members.

A male wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) strutting his stuff in Dave Kraus’ backyard
This beaver (Castor canadensis) was a first time sighting on Dave’s property in Leamington
Dave Kraus spotted a Midland painted turtle (Chrysemys picta) hatchling catching some rays
A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) in flowering Eastern Redbud tree (Cercis canadensis) in Dave’s yard
Aileen Petrozzi spotted a Prothonotory warbler (Protonotaria citrea) so cute that it ended up as the wallpaper of her phone
Aileen enjoyed the spring beauty of these spring beauties (Claytonia caroliniana)
Fawn lillies (Erythronium sp.) in Holiday Beach. Photo by Aileen Petrozzi
Aileen Petrozzi followed up on a report of a family of Eastern screech owls (Megascops asio) in a mature tree in a Windsor neighbourhood.
This beautiful fox snake (Pantherophis gloydi) hatched in 2003. He was first captured by a researcher in 2006, when he got his microchip and measured 74cm snout-vent already.
No one had seen him again until club member Steve Marks caught him in early June. His total length today is 144.3cm

Let us know if you have any neat natures photos that you would like to share!