Oshawa Second Marsh July 31st, 2016

 "Nature, time and patience are the three great physicians."
                                               ~  Chinese Proverb

Back to the marsh. It had been a while. Sadly, there are lots of these signs at the marsh now. Ghost Road Bush will be off-limits for some time. As the sign says, potential falling trees are a hazard. The Emerald Ash Borer is taking its toll. It's the same story throughout North America. Untold millions of Ash trees are infected already.

Looking into GRB from the sidelines, things look pretty healthy. Unfortunately they're not.

The dominant species along the berm varies almost every year. This year it's a bit of a mix, but Chicory is plentiful. Wild Parsnip too.

Last year these were dominant... Himalayan Balsam. There are relatively few this year.

Someone, or some thing, destroyed the 'sculpture' I spotted on my last visit.

I've always thought that Wild Cucumber has interesting leaves.

The curlicues add a touch.

Lots of Joe-Pye Weed this year too.

Milkweed pods. Milkweed is the only plant Monarchs can lay their eggs on. People have been spotting Monarchs for a while now. I saw one in the marsh, but only one.

Milkweed blossoms. It's interesting how the same species can be at such different stages and yet physically be only a few feet apart.

One of nature's bouquets.

One that's popular with almost everyone.

Queen Anne's Lace (Wild Carrot) and the amorous bugs it attracts.

If you see thistle seeds and it's windy, pause & watch the show. These were dancing in the breeze.

Leaf Miner trails. Think how small they have to be to live & crawl between the leaf surfaces.

I seldom pass red berries without taking a shot. I forget what they are and I'm too lazy right now to look it up.
Note from John: Highbush Cranberry (Viburnum trilobum i.e.
3 lobes). The berries have so much pectin in them that you do not really need to add it when canning the berries for Highbush Jam or Jelly. Also, the Jam and or Jelly tastes good on whole wheat bread. I am speaking from experience.  

Jewell-weed (Touch-Me-Not)

Watch for their pods in the fall and pop a few. It's fun. :-)

Nature is taking back the Beaver Pond part of the boardwalk. It's closed too, so I expect they'll just let the growth continue.

Careful with this one... Wild Parsnip. The sap can be troublesome.

Mayapples are past their prime but they still carpet some of the woods.

Golden Rod. Looks like some kind of wild bird. Well, sort of, doesn't it?

Picnic tables at the marsh that haven't seen a picnic in a very long time.

Tufts on a Red-seeded Dandelion? I'm guessing again.

Time marches on. As does the wildflower display.

The Friends of Second Marsh web site...

http://secondmarsh.ca/

A direct link to a map of the paths/trails in the marsh...http://secondmarsh.outdoorontario.ca/Recreation.html

A link to a page that has my past posts re the marsh, in one place rather than scattered throughout this blog...

http://rgbell.ca/2/

- fini -