tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3403025007552597654.post8441378039168913937..comments2024-02-21T22:09:14.356-05:00Comments on Karstad Biodiversity Paintings: adventures in the colour of Canada: Georgian Bay Alvar in Bloom (oil on canvas 5 x 7)Aleta Karstadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15900113759159760493noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3403025007552597654.post-78342383504270300542022-04-17T21:18:57.921-04:002022-04-17T21:18:57.921-04:00I have not seen Blue eyed grass in such abundance ...I have not seen Blue eyed grass in such abundance at Bruce Alvar Nature Reserve. I am glad you captured these elegant plants. Thank you, Alete. redtubhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05854273573929469510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3403025007552597654.post-62530816264215185112011-06-28T22:08:12.098-04:002011-06-28T22:08:12.098-04:00Dyers Bay Campsite, 1.8 km SSE Cabot Head. (25m wa...Dyers Bay Campsite, 1.8 km SSE Cabot Head. (25m waypoint), 45.22211N 81.28764W TIME: 1218. AIR TEMP: 23, sunny, Beaufort light breeze. HABITAT: alvar/barrens between slab beach & escarpment bluffs, near lakeshore scrub forest. OBSERVER: Frederick W. Schueler, Aleta Karstad Schueler. 2011/113/f, Sistrurus catenatus (Massasauga) (herp). 1 adult, seen, heard. under Juniper on slabpile, ca 65 cm, buzzed & then moved under Thuja. The first of this species we've seen here since 1985.<br /><br />(same location) TIME: 1218-1526. 2011/113/f-h, visit () (event). natural history, oil. WAYPT/137, AKS painting, brilliant blooming alvar below bluff. The field is blue & gold with Sisyrinchium and Senecio, with splashes for red from Castilleja. The water is as high as everywhere, and the track across the flat here is flooded. The site no longer seems to be used for parking or bottle-strewing, and there's no conspicuous garbage. The air is buzzing with moderate numbers of Tabanidae.<br /><br />(same location) 2011/113/ga, Cepaea nemoralis () (Mollusca). several shell, adult, specimen. snails as found on surface, mostly pretty weathered. 1 22 mm narrowly 5-banded yellow mature adult released. Turning-over of rocks continues here, but maybe this isn't done as systematically as in previous years.<br /><br />(same location) 2011/113/gb, Anguispira alternata () (Mollusca). few shell, specimen. shells as found on surface, mostly pretty weathered.<br /><br />(same location) TIME: 1230. AIR TEMP: 23.5, sunny, Beaufort light breeze. 2011/113/ha, Sisyrinchium angustifolium (Blue-eyed Grass) (Plant). 1/dominant herb, in bloom, specimen. synoptic collection of flowering plants, this species ca 60% of colour. In our experience this is an unprecedented spectacle - the flats look like a field of Linum (Flax) in full bloom.<br /><br />(same location) 2011/113/hb, Senecio cf pauperculus (Balsam Ragwort) (Plant). 1/abundant herb, in bloom, specimen. synoptic collection of flowering plants, this species ca 30% of colour.<br /><br />(same location) 2011/113/hc, Castilleja coccinea (Indian Paintbrush) (Plant). 1/common herb, in bloom, specimen. synoptic collection of flowering plants, this species ca 10% of colour.<br /><br />(same location) 2011/113/hd, Chrysanthemum leucanthemum (Ox-eye Daisy) (Plant). 1/common herb, in bloom, specimen. synoptic collection of flowering plants, this species ca 1% of colour. Scattered single blooms and opening heads.<br /><br />(same location) TIME: 1414. AIR TEMP: 23.5, sunny, Beaufort light breeze. HABITAT: alvar/barrens between slab beach & escarpment bluffs, near lakeshore scrub forest. 2011/113/k, Lampropeltis triangulum (Milk Snake) (herp). 1 adult, seen. under flat rock on slabpile, ca 70 cm, went down among rocks.<br /><br />(same location) TIME: 1515. AIR TEMP: 23.5, sunny, Beaufort gentle breeze. 2011/114/aa, Cathartes aura (Turkey Vulture) (Bird). 3 adult, seen. circling in a kettle with 5 Larus. A Corvus corax (Raven) calling in the distance.<br /><br />(same location) 2011/114/ab, Thuja occidentalis (Eastern White Cedar) (Plant). abundant tree, seen. foliage all super-green here, unlike the ratty-grey colour this spring at home.<br /><br />(same location) OBSERVER: Frederick W. Schueler, Aleta Karstad Schueler. 2011/114/b, departure (departure) (event). drive. painting finished, & we leave, somewhat later than planned.Fred Schuelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02413290982310369659noreply@blogger.com