Nature Miramichi:

As I walked along the banks of the Cains River this afternoon looking fo butterflies I found only one, other than Cabbage Whites and clouded Sulphurs. It was not long for this world I’m afraid. http://youtu.be/2MrnKd1lTWE

I was walking along a logging road off Highway 8 in the Millerton area watching 3 Viceroy butterflies working out their relationship

when there was a great “shreak” from abou 100 meters away in the underbrush. These two flew up and around giving me enough time

to come to my senses and take a few distant photos! One never knows!

Deana and I have just finished a short vacation to her ancestoral home very near Gaspe, Quebec. In the local national park, Forillon, we saw a couple of dozen Salt Marsh Coppers (about 31 mm in width, or is that length?) This species is endemic to the Maritimes and the Gaspe coast and has recently been distinguished from a similar species, the Dorcas Copper. See attached. There are Maritime Ringlets in this area as well, quite recently confirmed, but we have been unable to see any.

These are three new butterflies for me. The first 2 were at the Miramichi Marsh this morning. I found another new one, the Northeren Cloudywing, this afternoon at the former Newcastle Ready Mix site at the end of Gladstone Avenue. Below, in order: Bronze Copper, Dun Skipper* and Northern Cloudywing.

*This is not a Dun Skipper. It is a male Tawny-edged Skipper. Thanks to Jim Edsall for this correction. (July 1 2012)

It’s not a good time to be an invertebrate.  The Eastern Kingbird nestlings just sit with their beaks wide open and facing skyward for many minutes on end!  Even the Viceroy butterfly seems to be at least contemplating a slug! Deana discovered a third P-b Grebe nest. It’s in the larger pond, south-west “quadrant”. These photos were taken June 15th between about 8:30 and 9:30 a.m at Miramichi Marsh. There are young fledged Tree Swallows also.

Sorry …. these are just too irresistable   …. see even more at http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzTwBQJ ! 🙂  Use the slideshow feature for convenience.

At least two other young ones are sheltering under the sitter’s wings. Presumably it is Mom on the nest but I understand with Grebes this might not always be the case.

Miramichi Marsh June 5 – There are two Pied-billed Grebe families with at least 6 young between them. A Northern Shoveller was paying a visit. A small class of students from Croft Elementary enjoyed the Grebes and were doing some pond water captures under the direction of Ducks Unlimited leaders.