Canada Violet / Viola canadensis

On 7 June 2015, it was a hot day – way too hot for my liking. I wasn’t keen on the idea of being out in the sun for three hours, but neither could I have stayed in my place one more minute - it felt like an oven!

Decided to join birding friends for a walk at the west end of South Glenmore Park and we had a lovely, leisurely walk, stopping often to look at, or listen to/for, a variety of birds. I think my favourites were a pair of colourful American Goldfinch. It was also fun to see a little Black-capped Chickadee looking out from its nest cavity. Will add Janet and Bernie’s bird list below, for my own memory.

There were quite a few species of wildflowers as well, including this Canada Violet. I don’t go on all that many walks, so I tend to miss many of the wildflowers.

"Viola canadensis is more commonly known as Canadian white violet, Canada violet, tall white violet, or white violet. As its name suggests, it is a species of violet which bears white blooms. The flowers are white, with yellow bases and sometimes streaks of purple. The petals are purple tinged on the backside. The leaves are heart shaped, with coarse, rounded teeth. It is native to Canada and the eastern United States. It is threatened or endangered in some areas, and abundant in others." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viola_canadensis

Thanks for such an enjoyable afternoon, both of you! A stop afterwards at the Good Earth café was so much appreciated, too.

1. Great Blue Heron - 1
2. Canada Goose - 40
3. Mallard - 5
4. Gadwall - 2
5. Swainson's Hawk - 1
6. Franklin's Gull - 30+
7. Woodpecker sp. likely Sapsucker - 1
8. Olive-sided Flycatcher -1
9. Least Flycatcher - 12
10. Red-eyed Vireo - 2
11. Black-billed Magpie - 1
12. American Crow - 4
13. Common Raven - 1
14. Tree Swallow - 4
15. Black-capped Chickadee - 2 @nest site.
16. House Wren - 11
17. American Robin - 6
18. Cedar Waxwing - 6
19. Yellow Warbler - 10
20. Chipping Sparrow - 1
21. Clay-coloured Sparrow - 4
22. Baltimore Oriole - 1
23. Red-winged Blackbird - 3
24. Brown-headed Cowbird - 3
25. House Finch - 3
26. American Goldfinch - 5
27. House Sparrow - 2

Least Chipmunk - 1
Muskrat - 1
Yellow Swallowtail Butterfly - 10+
Blue Azure - 1
Alpine sp. Butterfly - 15+