26-APR-2011
Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago)
I find the bud shape of this native Viburnum to be very elegant and attractive. Here it is getting ready to leaf out (at last!).
26-APR-2011
Red trillium
The trilliums were more advanced than the bloodroot in the Ash Woods, which is somewhat unusual. Typically, it is the other way around.
26-APR-2011
American crow with frog
Crows seem to catch toads and frogs fairly often in spring. No idea whether this amphibian was already dead or not when the crow got it. Crows are so successful because they will eat just about anything including carrion.
26-APR-2011
Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum)
These pretty native wildflowers in the Backyard Garden of the Fletcher garden, will be in full flower in a few weeks. When they produce their seed heads they are particularly attractive.
26-APR-2011
Grey squirrel
Sitting in the rockery in the Backyard Garden, this squirrel looked as if he had a very dirty face, perhaps from digging in the mud.
26-APR-2011
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Last year by this time, the bloodroot flowers were long past. Today I saw that in the Backyard Garden, where these were photographed, they were in the bud stage. Of course, the cooler wet weather encourages them to fold up like this, but I don't think they have fully bloomed yet. In the Ash Woods it was difficult to even see them. They were just beginning to push up through the leaf litter. In fact, oddly enough, red trilliums were also up, with buds soon to open. Typically the bloodroot opens long before the trilliums.
22-APR-2011
Pine warbler/Paruline des pins
Our first warbler of the season! Diane found this beautiful bird underneath the feeder, grabbing seeds with the chickadees and juncos.
22-APR-2011
Pine warbler/Paruline des pins
Another shot of this pretty warbler.
22-APR-2011
Dark-eyed Junco/Junco ardoisés
Junco numbers continue to increase, and their distinctive call and song can be heard throughout the garden
22-APR-2011
White-throated sparrow/Bruant à gorge blanche
Diane found some white-throated sparrows in the garden, another spring sign as these begin to move through in good numbers.
19-APR-2011
Andrena dunningi bee on Scilla
This is a different species of Andrenid bee than the one I photographed on maple sap earlier. These ones are much bigger and a lovely golden colour. They are the ones I typically see around the willow catkins. This was one of several exploring the Scillas, and really exploring... they were climbing in, around and over these flowers, and this one was working the Scilla for at least 5 minutes.
19-APR-2011
Willow catkins
The heavy rains and wind of the last week has done a number on these willow flowers. There is not as much pollen as there should be (blown and washed away). Not many bees around either, but I did finally see the Andrenids (Andrena dunningi) I'd been looking for recently. These nest in the bare ground around the pond. The south facing slope is a great spot for them as they don't like to nest amongst dense vegetation. I noticed that this year, they have also made nest holes west of the pond in areas that are at present bare.