Whoa… June brought to NS warmer days, summer solstice and, most importantly, some much needed rain! No travel to speak of, beyond a solid 10 nights at camp watching the Smelt Lake ecosystem spring to life. Maybe a post (one that doesn’t talk about June in schools) that celebrates some of the pics we took in and around the camp is appropriate. Some flora and fauna perhaps 🤔!
Known as the “Lady Slipper”, Cypripedioideae acaule is a wild orchid that have proven an annual event in several locations surrounding @camplumsden. We’ve found these unusually shaped plants in white, pink, and deeper purplish hues in bog-like landscapes. They bloom for longer periods, and can last weeks. Growing conditions are very difficult to replicate, so no one commercially propagates pink lady slipper orchids… they are a rarity and should not be picked or moved as they will most likely not survive.
Through the spring I’ve kept the Trail Cam in operation, changing locations and moving out further from camp while visiting. However, the back yard has proven lucrative getting lots of bird, squirrel and rabbit hits. This prickly little fella, Erethizon dorsatum or common porcupine, was picked up strolling through the yard in mid-June. These solitary rodents, most at home in coniferous and mixed forests, are herbivores and notoriously tough on plants and trees (not to mention canines). Second in size to the beaver, porcupines are unlike any other North American rodent due to the sharp quills that cover their neck, sides, back and tail. Buyer beware…
I think there are also “bellwether” species that speak to the overall health of the local habitat. I’ve encountered, on trail and lakeside, a variety of reptile and amphibian that seem to be thriving in this environment. Although maligned by many, Thamnophis sirtalis or the Common Garter Snake is widespread across Nova Scotia in a variety of habitats, including forests, wetlands, shorelines, fields and rocky areas, farmlands, and some larger coastal islands. Found this little fella mid-road on a nearby ATV trail, where he was living dangerously catching some sun! Looks aside, garters can be beneficial in controlling insects we consider pests, as well as prey for birds and other wildlife. These are protected in NS!
I should note that this sort of rummaging around to stop and learn about the plants and animals is novel for me. Always been the type to be up and about early and spending time outdoors, but really stopping to examine and learn is a new thing. Perhaps age has shown me that we are only visitors here, and the realization that it is incumbent upon us to preserve and protect the life with which we share space. The adage / principle that every action has an equal and opposite reaction works… their health is indeed our health!