Field course in Algonquin - Part 1

We arrived at Algonquin two weeks ago (on the 16th) to begin the second half of the field course.  The second half was geared towards students utilizing their learned knowledge and field equipment to conduct a 2-day experiment  and presenting their findings at the end of the field course.  We stayed at the Wildlife Research Station during all this time.  It is a very nice location because it is next to Lake Sasajewun.

Going out for a paddle on Lake Sasajewun after our first dinner.

"Botanizing" for the last few days - Part 1

This week, we visited several sites from past years so that we know the current flowering species, as well as what species to expect flowering.  This year's abnormal Spring had messed up the phenology of the flowering plants leading to many species flowering at the same time when they shouldn't.  I also observed the similar trend in other organisms too, such as frogs and insects.

On Monday, we visited the site closest to Trent University - Lady Eaton Drumlin.

King-devil (Hieracium caepitosum) in the Aster (Asteraceae) family.  The genus name, Hieracium, means hawk (hierax, Greek).  The orange-coloured flower cluster belong to a different species H. aurantiacum (Orange hawkweed or Devil's-paintbrush).