Brushfoots: family Nymphalidae
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| Wingspan 3 - 4 inches (75 - 101 mm) |
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| In the sunshine the wings are folded.. Hybridizes with Red Spotted Purple. |
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| Food: Wild Cherry, Poplar and Aspen |
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| In the shade it opened its wings. June 28, 2012 |
Thursday, 28 June 2012
WHITE ADMIRAL BUTTERFLY
Limenitis arthemis
Brushfoots: family Nymphalidae
Brushfoots: family Nymphalidae
Wednesday, 27 June 2012
THE TROUBLE AT VIRGIN FALLS, 1934
From the Ontario Game and Fisheries Department, Toronto, Ontario January 12th, 1934
Deputy Minister to the Chair of the Ontario Hydro Commission, Parliament Buildings, Toronto
From the Nipigon Historical Museum Archives
Sir; our District Superintendent Fraser, at Fort William, has forwarded the Department a copy of a letter he received from Mr. J.D. McKirdy, of Orient Bay, the third paragraph of which reads as follows:
" The Hydro Controlling Dam at Virgin Falls. Before this Dam was constructed, the Speckled Trout could go up and down the river as they pleased, mostly down as I believe most of the fish in the river dropped down the river and very few of them came up, and when they did come up was after they had spawned. There are anumber of arguments on this question, with the stop logs in the dam and these work in from the botttom up allowing the overflow to flow over the top, from the middle of July until long after the close season, there are any number of Speckled Trout hanging around close to these stop logs. I don't believe any of them will go over the top. I have not seen one go over and have talked to any number of my guides, and they say the same thing. Could it not be possible to arrange with the Hydro to set up the sluiceway on the west shore of the river, make it into a fishway with a somewhat natural bottom that will allow our Speckled Trout to come down or up as they wish. They still have plenty of sluiceways to take care of the rise and fall of the river, besides the original bed they have an extra channel that during the construction of the main dam tokk care of the full flow of the river. Of considerable annoyance to our patrons fishing the river is the Hydro changing the level of the river. They sometimes raise the water two or three feet in one day and four or five days later lower it two, three and sometimes four feet.This changes pools in the river and for a day after this change, it is almost impossible to catch a Speckled Trout, during the summer there is very seldom a week there is not a change of some kind madein the water level, and quite often, two changes a week. I would certainly appreciate it if your Dept. would approach the Hydro and ask them to eliminate these drastic water changes as much as possible. I cannot understand why they cannot handle this situation with their wate supply immediately above their power plants, changing their controlling dam at the head of the river only when absolutely necessary and leave the river set at a certain level for two or three weeks at a time. One instance, I had a party of two come in from New York City, they outfitted for ten days, camping at Virgin Falls the night after they arrived. The following morning teh Hydro raised the water on the river four feet, that afternoon the party returned to Orient Bay prepared to leave that night for home. After considerable persuasion I arranged for them to spend five days on the Wintering River. They were very much pleased with their trip and caught some nice speckled trout, but left with a very bad impression of the Nipigon River. The situation is such that I advise almost all our parties to spend part of their time on the Nipigon River and the balance of their time fishing the streams that flow into the Lake, smaller streams that cross the railroad east of Orient Bay or the shore of the Lake at different points where coasters can be picked up."
The fifth paragraph of Mr. Fraser's letter to the Department reads:
" I can also verify his statement regarding the changes in water levels of the river, and it seems hard to understand why it should be necessary to have these sudden changes made, considering the volumes of water at the disposal of the Hydro Plant. From my observations, it appears to me that the Operating Department at Hydro uses teh water all week from the river directly above it, and then they close this lower Dam and open the Dam at Virgin Falls over the weekend, with the result that while they are drawing the water off for operations at the lower end, teh levels are lowered from two to three feet up the river, and then they close the Dam at Hydro and open the one at Virgin Falls, almost overnight the water levels are raised again another one to three feet. Perhaps if this matter were taken up with the Hydro officials at Toronto, some arrangements could be made for a gradual lowering and raising of the water levels."
As you are no doubt aware, the Nipigon River holds the World's record for Speckled Trout. The Department here has established one of the most up-to-date trout rearing stations in the DOminion of Canada at Dorion (STILL OPERATING 2012) principally to take care of the stocking of the Nipigon River as well as other streams in the Thunder Bay District. Both the Canadian National and the Canadian Pacific Railways are very much interested in the upkeep of the Nipigon River. I lived for years in the Nipigon district and I agree with Mr. McKirdy and the District Superintendent Fraser that, with the willing co-operation of the officers of your Department, the difficulty of this sudden fluctuation in levels could be overcome. With a reservoir like Lake Nipigon, with approximately twenty-eight hundred square miles, surely these sudden fluctuations are unnecessary.
In discussing the matter one time with the ex-Chairmand of the Hydro, he assured me that he was absolutely with the Department in connection with the protection, conservation, and propagation of fish life, and I am sure that all I have to do is to bring the matter to your attention and that the same will receive your serious consideration. You will realize what these tourist agents are up against, and if this impression went generally abroad the effect it would have on the amount of money spent by tourists in that section of the Province.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
D. McDonald, Deputy Minister
Photos of Virgin Falls can be seen in http://nipigonmuseumtheblog.blogspot.ca/ .Old photos before the dam . I'll look for one to post here and get the exact post to look for shortly.
http://nipigonmuseumtheblog.blogspot.ca/2011/08/nipigon-river-19th-century-photos.html
Deputy Minister to the Chair of the Ontario Hydro Commission, Parliament Buildings, Toronto
From the Nipigon Historical Museum Archives
Sir; our District Superintendent Fraser, at Fort William, has forwarded the Department a copy of a letter he received from Mr. J.D. McKirdy, of Orient Bay, the third paragraph of which reads as follows:
" The Hydro Controlling Dam at Virgin Falls. Before this Dam was constructed, the Speckled Trout could go up and down the river as they pleased, mostly down as I believe most of the fish in the river dropped down the river and very few of them came up, and when they did come up was after they had spawned. There are anumber of arguments on this question, with the stop logs in the dam and these work in from the botttom up allowing the overflow to flow over the top, from the middle of July until long after the close season, there are any number of Speckled Trout hanging around close to these stop logs. I don't believe any of them will go over the top. I have not seen one go over and have talked to any number of my guides, and they say the same thing. Could it not be possible to arrange with the Hydro to set up the sluiceway on the west shore of the river, make it into a fishway with a somewhat natural bottom that will allow our Speckled Trout to come down or up as they wish. They still have plenty of sluiceways to take care of the rise and fall of the river, besides the original bed they have an extra channel that during the construction of the main dam tokk care of the full flow of the river. Of considerable annoyance to our patrons fishing the river is the Hydro changing the level of the river. They sometimes raise the water two or three feet in one day and four or five days later lower it two, three and sometimes four feet.This changes pools in the river and for a day after this change, it is almost impossible to catch a Speckled Trout, during the summer there is very seldom a week there is not a change of some kind madein the water level, and quite often, two changes a week. I would certainly appreciate it if your Dept. would approach the Hydro and ask them to eliminate these drastic water changes as much as possible. I cannot understand why they cannot handle this situation with their wate supply immediately above their power plants, changing their controlling dam at the head of the river only when absolutely necessary and leave the river set at a certain level for two or three weeks at a time. One instance, I had a party of two come in from New York City, they outfitted for ten days, camping at Virgin Falls the night after they arrived. The following morning teh Hydro raised the water on the river four feet, that afternoon the party returned to Orient Bay prepared to leave that night for home. After considerable persuasion I arranged for them to spend five days on the Wintering River. They were very much pleased with their trip and caught some nice speckled trout, but left with a very bad impression of the Nipigon River. The situation is such that I advise almost all our parties to spend part of their time on the Nipigon River and the balance of their time fishing the streams that flow into the Lake, smaller streams that cross the railroad east of Orient Bay or the shore of the Lake at different points where coasters can be picked up."
The fifth paragraph of Mr. Fraser's letter to the Department reads:
" I can also verify his statement regarding the changes in water levels of the river, and it seems hard to understand why it should be necessary to have these sudden changes made, considering the volumes of water at the disposal of the Hydro Plant. From my observations, it appears to me that the Operating Department at Hydro uses teh water all week from the river directly above it, and then they close this lower Dam and open the Dam at Virgin Falls over the weekend, with the result that while they are drawing the water off for operations at the lower end, teh levels are lowered from two to three feet up the river, and then they close the Dam at Hydro and open the one at Virgin Falls, almost overnight the water levels are raised again another one to three feet. Perhaps if this matter were taken up with the Hydro officials at Toronto, some arrangements could be made for a gradual lowering and raising of the water levels."
As you are no doubt aware, the Nipigon River holds the World's record for Speckled Trout. The Department here has established one of the most up-to-date trout rearing stations in the DOminion of Canada at Dorion (STILL OPERATING 2012) principally to take care of the stocking of the Nipigon River as well as other streams in the Thunder Bay District. Both the Canadian National and the Canadian Pacific Railways are very much interested in the upkeep of the Nipigon River. I lived for years in the Nipigon district and I agree with Mr. McKirdy and the District Superintendent Fraser that, with the willing co-operation of the officers of your Department, the difficulty of this sudden fluctuation in levels could be overcome. With a reservoir like Lake Nipigon, with approximately twenty-eight hundred square miles, surely these sudden fluctuations are unnecessary.
In discussing the matter one time with the ex-Chairmand of the Hydro, he assured me that he was absolutely with the Department in connection with the protection, conservation, and propagation of fish life, and I am sure that all I have to do is to bring the matter to your attention and that the same will receive your serious consideration. You will realize what these tourist agents are up against, and if this impression went generally abroad the effect it would have on the amount of money spent by tourists in that section of the Province.
I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
D. McDonald, Deputy Minister
Photos of Virgin Falls can be seen in http://nipigonmuseumtheblog.blogspot.ca/ .Old photos before the dam . I'll look for one to post here and get the exact post to look for shortly.
http://nipigonmuseumtheblog.blogspot.ca/2011/08/nipigon-river-19th-century-photos.html
Monday, 25 June 2012
ALTERNATE FIBRE SOURCE
Monday, June 25, 2012 has Greenpeace praising KC for looking at alternate fibre source for their "papers". Read my third POST July 30, 2011 about just that sort of thing. Newspapers going Green. It is not an easy thing for Canadian mills to do.
And, when one finds the connection between KC and Greenpeace .. it is Greenpeace that helped to WRITE the KC guidelines to dump the Boreal wood basket to protect Old Growth and Woodland Caribou habitat.
Most of my essays are back in the 2011 months from July on when I started this Blog. The ENGOs are concentrating more on the Tar Sands and pipelines so I am concentrating on photographing my Boreal and researching.
The Federal government seems bent on dumping our Canadian research into the environment. The National Round Table on the Environment and Economy is one casualty . It was a non-partisan research group of academics, the environmental movement and industry. They were to "play the role of catalyst in identifying, explaining and promoting" in all sectors of Canada - " the principles and practices of sustainable development; identify environmental and economic implications; explore and find actions to balance our economy"; and most of all "do the research to allow for reasoned choices."
Some say they spent too much time and money on Climate Change.
Well, should we listen to Canadian researchers or some other country ?
We may not like what they say, but at least it is (hopefully) a Canadian point of view and we can argue constructively with them.
And, when one finds the connection between KC and Greenpeace .. it is Greenpeace that helped to WRITE the KC guidelines to dump the Boreal wood basket to protect Old Growth and Woodland Caribou habitat.
Most of my essays are back in the 2011 months from July on when I started this Blog. The ENGOs are concentrating more on the Tar Sands and pipelines so I am concentrating on photographing my Boreal and researching.
The Federal government seems bent on dumping our Canadian research into the environment. The National Round Table on the Environment and Economy is one casualty . It was a non-partisan research group of academics, the environmental movement and industry. They were to "play the role of catalyst in identifying, explaining and promoting" in all sectors of Canada - " the principles and practices of sustainable development; identify environmental and economic implications; explore and find actions to balance our economy"; and most of all "do the research to allow for reasoned choices."
Some say they spent too much time and money on Climate Change.
Well, should we listen to Canadian researchers or some other country ?
We may not like what they say, but at least it is (hopefully) a Canadian point of view and we can argue constructively with them.
Sunday, 24 June 2012
BUTTERFLY, NORTHERN PEARLY EYE
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| Enodia anthedonNorthern Pearly Eye |
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| 53 - 67 mm wingspan June 24, 2012 |
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| Adults have short proboscises and rarely visit flowers. Open wings when basking in the sun. Feed on sap flows bird droppings and carrion. GENUS Enodia Hubner Caterpillars feed on stout grasses. |
Tuesday, 19 June 2012
SHADES OF GREEN
The Blue Spruce (planted) is glowing in the variety of forest greens.
A small box of crayons usually has only one green. Not very inspiring for children.
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| Catching the sun rays at 7 AM, June 19, 2012. |
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| Grass in shunshine, June 19 |
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| Grass in shade, June 19 |
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| Morning green June 21, 2012 |
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| The Luna Moth green, June 21, 2012. More photos of Luna in the porch light post. |
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| Larch aka Tamarack with a side of maples late afternoon green, June 22, 2012 |
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| Timothy Green grass June 24, 2012 |
Monday, 18 June 2012
DOGWOOD FAMILY
RED OSIER DOGWOOD
BUNCHBERRY
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| May 10, young branches red. |
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| June 12, in flower |
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| Showing evidence of winter wildlife use - as browse. |
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| Red Osier Dogwood, Cornus stolonifera Dogwood family : Cornaceae Sets white fruit. |
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| Bunchberry Cornus canadensis Dogwood family: Cornaceae Blooms through the month of June |
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| Spectacualr both as a flower and a fruit, both long-lasting. |
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| June 17, 2012 4 white petal-like bracts |
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| July 27, 2012 |
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| Bunchberries July 27, 2012 |
Saturday, 16 June 2012
PREDATOR AND PREY all on the same day
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| Snowshoe rabbit, June 16, 2012 |
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| Lynx, June 16, 2012 , actually it had an eye for a squirrel or chipmunk. |
Tuesday, 12 June 2012
CLINTONIA BOREALIS
YELLOW CLINTONIA
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| Yellow Clintonia Clintonia Corn Lily Bluebead Lily |
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| Family Liliaceae |
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| Fruit: shiny deep blue berry 8 - 10 mm across poisonous |
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| Fly as a pollinator, June 12, 2012 |
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| Why it has been named "Blue Bead Lily" July 27, 2012 seed |
WILD COLUMBINE
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| Wild Columbine Aquilegia canadensis June 10, 2012 |
Genus Aquilegia
The Latin aquilia "eagle" refers to the long spurs which were said to resemble the talons of the eagle.
Flowers: 3.5 to 4 cm. long
Blooms early summer
I grew up calling them "Honeysuckles".
COMPARED TO THE DOMESTICATED ONES:
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| Tame Columbine |
POLYPHEMUS MOTH
Polyphemus Moth
Antheraea polyphemus
Antheraea polyphemus
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| Wingspan 10 - 15 cm Larva likes birch, pines and roses among many other shrubs. Taken on Maatta's Rd. years before digital cameras. |
Monday, 11 June 2012
THE DEAD FILE
MOTHS AND BUTTERFLIES WHO HAVE MET AN UNTIMELY DEATH
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| The two yellow bands across dark brown abdomen are a dead give-away. Nessus Sphinx Amphion floridensis wingspan 3.7 - 5.5 cm larva food: Ampelopsis, grapes and cayenne pepper - makes me want to ask what it eats here? Spring - July common |
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| The colourful underside of the Nessus Sphinx, June 11, 2012 |
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| Bilobed Looper Moth Autographa biloba The near kidney-shaped metalic silver wing-spots are identiicaton marks Metalic browns and silver are characteristic of Looper Moths Subfamily: Plusiinae larva food: alfalfa, cabbage and tobacco |
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| Meadow fritillary Boloria bellona Brushfoot family: Nymphalidae 39 - 51 mm Food: violets 2 - 3 broods till October |
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| Spring Azure Celastrina argiolus 29 - 33 mm Azures Genus: Celastrina Tutt food: Dogwood, wild cherry May - August They are such a flighty little butterfly and perch with wings up together. |
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| Questionmark Butterfly Polygonia interroationis |
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| Qestionmark underside female the two white marks mid-wing = f |
CANADA ANEMONE
A member of the Buttercup Family - Ranunculaceae
My brother brought this into the house asking what it was. I had a good opportunity to take a photo without wind. They do like sunshine. They form large colonies along roadsides (bush roads).
20 - 70 cm tall
flowers 2.5 - 4cm
Anemones may irritate the skin.
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| Canada Anemone Anemone canadensis |
20 - 70 cm tall
flowers 2.5 - 4cm
Anemones may irritate the skin.
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| These three photos were taken in the mid 1990's along an old logging road. You can see that they thin out as they go deeper into the second growth poplar and elders. But they do seem to "glow-in-the-dark". |
Sunday, 10 June 2012
TALL NORTHERN GREEN ORCHID
Family: Orchid (Orchidaceae)
This is along the roadside on Maatta's Road. Give it a week and it should be in full flower.
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| Flower stem still tight buds, June 10. Tall Northern Green Orchid 10 - 40 cm aka : Habenaria hyperborea |
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| June 16, 2012 very slow opening. Now has Few-flowered Sedge keeping it company. |
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| June 19, 2012 |
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| June 22 |
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| June 23, 2012 |
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| Putting the TALL in name. Now mid- thigh high when I stand next to it. June 24, 2012 There are lots of little ones, so maybe age (in years) has something to do with their eventual growth height. |
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| June 28, 2012 |
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| July 1, 2012 |
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