Porcupine at Ganong Nature Park

For Andrew and family - visiting from Florida.

The North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), is the second largest rodent in North America and is considered a nuisance animal by some.  Young are born in early spring; this juvenile was seen on the Look-out Trail on 30 June 2009.  There are a few winter dens in the park,  and many of our trees show the tell-tale gnaw marks of porcupine feeding. 


Stephen Raye
Environmental Technician
Ganong Nature and Marine Park

Bug Watching at the Ganong Nature Park

As soon as I was in the parking lot, the Sweet White Clover (Melilotus alba) grabbed my attention. I was not the only one; the flower was frequented by all varieties of bugs - boatflys, wasps, bees, caterpillars, spiders, shield bugs etc.

The bumble-bee (Bombus sp.) and goldenrod crab spider (Misumena vatia) stole the show. I've spotted Misumena several times this summer, usually white, and poised to strike. The spider doesn't spin a web (webbing is predominantly used to "tie-down" the females for mating) but waits with open arms. Certainly an interesting spectacle at the park.

Your friendly neighbourhood spiderman,
Stephen Raye
Environmental Technician
Ganong Nature and Marine Park

Moths from the Ganong Nature Park

Every morning these unique and colourful moths decorate the walls of the Quoddy Learning Centre at the Ganong Nature and Marine Park.  Undervalued perhaps, but beautiful none-the-less.  Plenty of these and more creepy crawlers to come - all from the shores of the Bay.

Photos include:
Cecropia Silkworm Moth (Hyalophora cecropia)
(Cerma cora)
Lettered Habrosybe Moth (Habrosyne scripta)
Maple Looper (Parallelia bistriaris)
Rosy Maple Moth (Dryocampa rubicunda)

Stephen Raye
Environmental Technician
Ganong Nature and Marine Park

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