09-AUG-2011
Asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis), adult just emerged from pupal case
I've noticed several of these emergences of late, but this is the first one I was able to photograph. This was near the Interpretive Centre. Also seen close by was a larva of this species. Notice that the newly emerged adult has no spots and that the elytra looks almost translucent/
09-AUG-2011
Mating grasshoppers
While cutting back DSV, I noticed these mating grasshoppers and tried not to disturb them.
09-AUG-2011
Great black wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus) on swamp milkweed
Lots of these guys around at the FWG these days. They are particularly attracted to this plant!
09-AUG-2011
Juvenile Green Heron
There were three juvenile herons in the pond, along with a male wood duck and a black duck. Still no sign of the female mallard with her young. Sad.
08-AUG-2011
Orb weaver (Argiope)
The first orb weaver I've seen this season. I think of them as heralds of late summer, because typically I begin to see them later in August and well into September.
08-AUG-2011
Monarch, male (Danaus plexippus)
I was delighted to see this male monarch in the Butterfly Meadow. WHile here he is resting on the raspberry plants, he also spent time nectaring on the nearby swamp milkweed.
08-AUG-2011
Twelve-spotted skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
Saw at least four of these guys around the garden, as well as a couple of darners (flying too fast for any ID), and a female common pondhawk.
08-AUG-2011
Common pondhawk, female (Erythemis simplicicollis)
I was very happy to see this common pondhawk at the FWG, the first I've seen there this year. They have been very common at other locations, such as Petrie Island.
08-AUG-2011
White admiral (Limenitis arthemis) on grass-leaved goldenrod
I saw more butterfly species today than I have done at FWG for awhile:
Least skipper 1
Eastern tailed blue 1 male
Monarch 1 male
Common ringlet 5
Cabbage white 8
Clouded sulphur 3
Viceroy 1
White Admiral 1
08-AUG-2011
Sphex ichneumoneus
One of the two big digger wasps in the Sphecidae family that we see regularly at this time of year at FWG. This one on swamp milkweed.
08-AUG-2011
Autumn meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)
Seeing this little meadowhawk, one of the later season species, reminds us that summer is moving inexorably toward autumn.
05-AUG-2011
Bald faced hornet nest
These are impressive nests for the large black and white social wasps, the bald-faced hornet. This one is hanging low in a shrub and we've placed a sign nearby to advise people to not approach as these wasps, when around their nest site, are very protective.
