Standing Water, Orbweavers, and Wild Carrots
-- Visit to Point Petre and Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area

📝📸 John Lowry

If there is one thing nature guarantees, it's that no two years are exactly alike.

A recent trip out to both Point Petre and the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area (NWA) provided a stark reminder of just how dynamic our local ecosystems are. If you were out exploring these same trails last year, you likely remember the incredibly dry conditions. This year? It’s the exact opposite.

The landscape is currently defined by an abundance of standing water, completely transforming the look, feel, and life of the trails. But a wetter environment certainly hasn't dampened biodiversity! Here is a glimpse of what is buzzing, crawling, and blooming on the South Shore right now.

The Magic of the Milkweed Patch

Common Milkweed is always a hub of activity in mid-summer, and this visit was no exception.

The Monarchs are out in full force right now. I spotted plenty of adults fluttering through the reserves, though, interestingly, I haven't come across any caterpillars just yet. (Keep your eyes peeled on your next walk!)

But the Monarchs aren't the only ones taking advantage of the milkweed. A closer look revealed some fascinating Arabesque Orbweaver spiders. These intricate little arachnids seemed more than happy to set up camp and weave their homes right among the broad leaves.

Sharing the same real estate were a number of Red Milkweed Beetles, their bright crimson shells standing out sharply against the green foliage.

Wood-Nymphs and Wildflowers

Moving past the milkweed, the damp summer air was shared by a few Common Wood-Nymph butterflies bobbing low over the vegetation.

To cap off the trip, I took a moment to appreciate some of our most beautiful flora. Sometimes you just have to get a little artsy with the Queen Anne's Lace (also known as Wild Carrot). Its delicate, umbrella-like clusters are a staple of the South Shore summer landscape and make for a perfect photo op.

Have you been out to Point Petre or Prince Edward Point NWA lately? Whether you're noticing the high water levels or spotting your own community of milkweed-dwellers, we’d love to hear what you’re finding on the South Shore!