Swamp Exploration in Kitchener

A couple weeks back I decided to check out Homer Watson Park here in Kitchener.  Despite some shady characters that hang out there, seemingly at all times of the day, it is in my opinion the City's best (or most natural) park.  I say that partly due to it's size and location on the west bank of the Grand River, but also just the general mix of rich upland forest, seepage slopes, bluffs, riparian meadow and a good number of marsh and swamp pockets.  Way back when this area was settled by Mennonites travelling north from Pennsylvania, the local bridge crossing of the Grand River comes right up the slope within what is today the park.  In short, it's a fun spot to do some exploring on a Sunday afternoon.

On my last visit I was surprised to see Stoneroot (Collinsonia canadensis) in bloom.  I had actually never seen it in flower before so this was a treat.

In some of the marsh and floodplain areas Field Dodder (Cuscuta gronovii) is common, even dominant in small patches.  The twining neon orange stems are hard to miss on a backdrop of green foliage.

Some hummock areas in the swamps are home to high-quality habitat species like American Marsh-pennywort (Hydrocotyle americana)

One marsh area has abundant Turtlehead (Chelone glabra).  This is the first spot I ever saw Baltimore Checkerspot (and remains a dependable location in the right season), Turtlehead is it's larval food plant.

A nice patch of Green-headed Coneflower (Rudbeckia laciniata), at it's best to round the day off.