Camera on King & Aurora

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Purple Loosestrife making a comeback?

Photos by Barry Wallace

Driving the concessions and sideroads around King this summer, I'm seeing a lot of Purple Loosestrife plants, along the roadsides, that I haven't noticed in recent years. Purple Loosestrife became a big problem in Ontario many years ago as it took over wet areas including roadside ditches, where the stands reduced nutrients and space for native plants and degraded wildlife habitat. In 1992, Canada and the US. approved the release of two European leaf-eating beetles that are natural enemies of purple loosestrife and feed primarily on the plant. The effect was to reduce loosestrife populations by up to 90%, allowing native plants to re-establish. It may be time to re-think this strategy.

Please comment if you wish.

Barry Wallace

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Young backyard cottontail...

Photo by BarrytheBirder

...they don't get any cuter than this!

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder

New Library & Seniors Centre get signs...

Photos by Barry Wallace

King City's new library and seniors centre both received their new signage at the yet-to-be finished municipal complex, on the King Road opposite the high school. This will alert brand new residents to the village that the swanky looking building is not a new steak house and dining lounge, but is the new and long-awaited public educational and social facility. I have asked but have not been told when the finished, highly anticipated premises will be available to visit and be used. I noted with interest that depending on the direction of the sunlight and one's own viewing position, that the shiny metallic lettering sometimes disappears and does not allow for easy identification, especially for those driving by. Needless to say, the exact opening date is greatly anticipated.