27-AUG-2015
Midge (Axarus festivus)
A relatively large midge which, when fresh, is a vivid green with three red bands on the head. (CH)
27-AUG-2015
Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
These beautiful plants native to eastern North America, have been planted in both the BYG and Butterfly meadow at the Fletcher Garden, where they attract numerous insects including many bees. The name Obedient Plant derives from the fact that one can move each individual flower and it will stay in the new position.(CH)
27-AUG-2015
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) on knapweed
A very pretty photo by Barry who found this honey bee on knapweed (a non-native, sometimes invasive plant, but which provides nectar for many insects). (CH)
27-AUG-2015
Eastern cottontail rabbit
A good year for rabbits all over the area, including at the garden. These animals have cyclical rises and falls in population, and I can remember years when we never saw a rabbit for 2 or 3 years running, and then they would be back and numerous for a couple of years, before declining again. (CH)
27-AUG-2015
Pelecinid wasp, female (Pelecinus polyturator)
Males of the species are rarely seen. This is the female and what looks like a stinger is really her very long ovipositor. Photographed by Barry. (CH)
27-AUG-2015
Chickweed geometer moth, male (Haematopis grataria), #7146
Barry took this great shot of the very pretty, colourful day-flying moth. With its pink and yellow colouring it looks more butterfly-like than moth. The big feathery antennae indicate it is a male. (CH)
27-AUG-2015
Possiblly Meadow spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius)
Meadow spittlebugs are masters of disguise with at least 30 variations possible, so that identifying them can be a challenge.(CH)
27-AUG-2015
Gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
Treefrogs, heard more often than seen (they have a bird-like trill) always thrill when they are found. They can change colour, in a limited way, depending on various factors including where they are perched. Another gray treefrog, more gray than green, can be found at the beginning of this gallery. (CH)
27-AUG-2015
Scentless plant blug (Harmostes)
A nice sharp photo from Barry, of this attractive plant bug on goldenrod.
22 August
Black Swallowtail butterfly on Joe-Pye weed
A long story from Sandy: A week or so ago a friend gave me three Black Swallowtail chrysalises believing that they would remain in that state over winter and she had nowhere to store them. I took them home, thinking to put them into the FWG shed once the weather got colder. However, as I sat down to work at my computer early Saturday evening, a large dark butterfly flew across my office. I managed to catch it, put it into a mesh box, and drive it to the FWG where I released it in the Backyard Garden... (continued)
22 August 2015
Black Swallowtail under UV light
A long story, continued: A friend, Roger Letourneau, happened to be in the Backyard Garden when I released the butterfly. I showed it to him and, as the butterfly was happy to sit relatively still on the flower head, we both took photos. Roger then produced a flashlight that he was experimenting with and soon discovered that butterfly wings glow under UV light. He took this amazing photo using a macro setting on a hand-held camera under very low light conditions. For anyone who is interested, the flashlight is an "LSD 3AAA Aluminium Invisible Blacklight Detection Ink Marker 21LED UV Ultra Violet Mini Portable Flashlight Torch Light Lamp" which sells for $5.97 on Amazon.ca" (SG)
21 August 2015
Bumble bee visiting Closed Gentian (Gentiana andrewsii)
Lisa got this great shot of a bumble bee forcing its way into a Closed or Bottle Gentian, which never opens its petals. Smaller bees are not strong enough to do this.
21 August 2015
Bumble bee on gentian
And on its way out. Can you see any pollen?
13-AUG-2015
European paper wasp (Polistes dominula)
A colourful shot of the non-native paper wasp taking nectar from a jewelweed (Impatiens capensis).
13-AUG-2015
Dragonfly emerging from larval case
This photo by Barry is possibly of a darner species (Aeshnidae)although it is a bit hard to say given the angle. The larva has crawled onto a stalk and the adult is now emerging.(CH)
13-AUG-2015
Emerald spreadwing (Lestes dryas)
A very common spreadwing in this region.
13-AUG-2015
Possibly Megachile latimanus)
Barry photographed this bee on Knapweed. I can't see enough to say what it is, but it could be the leafcutter bee, Megachile latimanus.
13-AUG-2015
Grasshopper sp.
Barry photographed this grasshopper clutching a DSV seed pod, as if perhaps, to stop it from opening and dispersing its seeds!
13-AUG-2015
Possibly Lassioglossum sp.
13-AUG-2015
Mottled tortoise beetle (Deloyala guttata)
Barry took this nice shot of a beautifully patterned little tortoise beetle. The clear bands of the elytra are especially noticeable in this species. Like all the tortoise beetles, the larvae created a fecal shield to protect themselves from predation. (CH)
13-AUG-2015
Yellowjacket (Vespula sp.)
On goldenrod. A nice shot by Barry. I can't see enough to say for sure, but this may be Vespula vidula (CH).
13-AUG-2015
Parasitic wasp (Leucospis affinis), female
Barry took this great shot of a Leucospid wasp on yarrow. This is a female... you can see her ovipositor folded along her back.(CH)
13-AUG-2015
Backyard Garden of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden Aug 2015
Barry took this interesting view of the Backyard Garden component of the Fletcher garden. We don't often stand at the back and look to the centre when we take photos back there.
13-AUG-2015
Bombus sp. possibly B. rufocinctus
13-AUG-2015
Bombus sp. possibly B. rufocinctus
Barry took this great shot of a bumble bee on a goldenrod plant. I can't see the entire bee, but the red seems to indicate Bombus rufocinctus. However, I'll leave it as Bombus sp. for now.(CH)
13-AUG-2015
Wild grapes (Vitis riparia)
Fat juicy grapes attract many bird species, as well as squirrels and chipmunks.
13-AUG-2015
Misti in the midst of dog-strangling vine
Fortunately Barry's dog Misti is not being strangled by this noxious weed which can if not strangle, at least twine around one's legs and make walking through it difficult (CH).
13-AUG-2015
Bee fly (Sparnopolius confusus)
Well-named, because most people assume this is a small bee buzzing around. There are numerous species of bee flies, not all look like this or have this shape, a few are very wasp like, one is a good mimic of a Sphecid wasp (CH).
13-AUG-2015
Treehopper (Acutalis)
One of our smallest treehoppers, appearing in mid-summer.
13-AUG-2015
Leafcutter bee (Megachilidae) on tansy
One of many species within this family, not all of which look like this one. Some are very, very dissimilar to this more common one.
17 August
Chickadee eating Evening Primrose seeds
Evening Primrose seeds are sought after by many bird species. A couple of Black-capped Chickadees were wrestling with the wildly swinging seed heads of these tall plants in the woods today.
17 August
American Toad
This seems to be a good year for toads. On our walk last Sunday, small ones seemed to be everywhere. This full-sized toad caught my eye because it was sitting in the middle of a hard-packed trail for no apparent reason.
16 August 2015
Closed Gentian
Closed or Bottle Gentians are now blooming in the Butterfly Meadow. Their spectacular colour is hard to miss, even among all the other blooms.
16 August 2015
Giant Swallowtail
Laurie spotted, not one, but two Giant Swallowtail butterflies in the Old Woodlot during our nature walk on Sunday. Unfortunately the camera wanted to focus on the White Snakeroots, rather than the butterfly behind them.
16 August 2015
Red Squirrel
It was so hot on Sunday afternoon, that even the squirrels were lying down.
16 August 2015
Leonard's skipper (Hesperia leonardus)
Photographed by accident while trying to capture a bumble bee, this skipper is poised on Joe-Pye Weed.
(This is a Leonard's skipper, large and bright. Now is the time to see them as they are one of the late season skippers. ...Christine)
05-AUG-2015
Golden tortoise beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata)
A golden tortoise beetle in the process of changing either from red to gold or vice versa. Gold is the usual colour, red is when it is disturbed.
05-AUG-2015
Golden tortoise beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata)
As the name suggests, these beetles are often a beautiful shiny golden colour. When disturbed, they change colour as here. One of the many colourful beetles in the large Chrysomelidae family.
12 August 2015
Cup fungus
The DSV-free areas north of our Old Woodlot are turning out to be a focus of odd organisms. Not only have we found two liverworts within inches of each other, but now a tiny cup fungus is growing in the same location.
09-AUG-2015
Gray Catbird (female)
Catbirds are often heard around the garden, but seldom seen.
07-AUG-2015
Baltimore Oriole
This male oriole was photographed in our Old Field habitat by Gordon Robertson.
05-AUG-2015
Faint-spotted angle moth (Digrammia ocellinata), #6836 moth
Diane reports many insects, plus three garter snakes, many voles and a possible jumping mouse. This moth, here on a queen anne's lace, is in the Geometridae family.
05-AUG-2015
Bee
Diane photographed this bee at the Butterfly Meadow. It is a bit difficult to ascertain ID based on the angle, but it looks like a small bumble bee.
05-AUG-2015
Bicyrtes wasp
We get several species of Bicytes wasps around the garden. They are sand wasps (Bembicini) in the Crabronidae family.
05-AUG-2015
Stinkbug nymph (Brochymena sp.)
Lots of stinkbugs around the garden these days, many in this stage of development. From the many sets of stinkbug eggs I've found over the last few weeks, this isn't a surprise!
05-AUG-2015
Pennsylvania leatherwing (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)
A very familiar, very common soldier beetle which appears around the middle, sometimes end, of July and becomes more abundant through August. They are particularly attracted to goldenrods. In fact, in more recent times, they are sometimes referred to Goldenrod Soldier Beetles.
05-AUG-2015
European paper wasp (Polistes dominula)
One of the paper wasps from the nest in the next image. These are particularly non-aggressive wasps and it is a shame that people destroy their small nests on the mistaken assumption that they are dangerous. For years and years I have spent time taking photos of them and their nests, getting very close and never once being stung. Several biologists have written about the particular passivity of this species. Unfortunately, they look like yellowjackets which are more aggressive, and I am guessing that people confuse the two. Furthermore, when they are stung by what they assume is this species, it may be well have been by a yellowjacket (which typically nests underground, except for the aerial yellowjacket).
05-AUG-2015
European paper wasp nest (Polistes dominula)
Typical paper wasp nest, usually affixed somewhere such as under an eaves, the roof of a shed, under a bridge, even inside birdhouses. About a decade ago, I found this species using the holes in a metal post and building their nests inside the hollow post.
05-AUG-2015
Asian lady beetles (Harmonia axyridis)
These two are on the seeds of wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). The few plants at FWG are full of aphids and this has attracted numerous lady beetles. Many mating pairs, some eggs, some larvae, the adults and larvae feeding on the aphids.
05-AUG-2015
Asian lady beetle larva (Harmonia axyridis)
On wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). Asian lady beetles were numerous on the few wild parsnip plants, mating, eating the abundant aphids, laying eggs, and clearly there were larvae around as well, as shown here.
05-AUG-2015
Asian lady beetle eggs (Harmonia axyridis) and aphids
Nothing attracts lady beetles more than aphids, and some wild parsnip plants were full of aphids and consequently full of Asian lady beetles, mating, egg-laying, feeding. Here, a lady beetle has just laid a clutch of bright yellow eggs on the seed of a wild parsnip plant.
05-AUG-2015
Treehopper (Acutalis tartarea)
A tiny green treehopper of mid-summer. I always find these first in the Butterfly Meadow, and later almost any sunny spot in the garden.
05-AUG-2015
Red squirrel
Endlessly engaging and cute, this little guy was foraging in the Butterfly Meadow. Many squirrels are showing increased vigour as summer approaches its end. In another month or two they will be seriously 'squirreling' away food for the winter.
05-AUG-2015
Amphibian pond
Yes, there is a pond beneath all that vegetation. The invasive aquatic flowering rush, Butomus umbellatus, has grown prolifically this year and, it seems, almost overnight, and covered much of the open water.
05-AUG-2015
Virginia ctenucha moth cocoon (Ctenucha virginica)
Densely hairy and pale yellow, this is the cocoon made by the caterpillar of the day-flying virginia ctenucha moth.
05-AUG-2015
Butterfly Meadow
Looking very lush and full of flowers and grasses for butterflies and other insects, you can just see the information kiosk on the left side. If you are at the garden, stop by and visit the Butterfly meadow and find out more about monarch butterflies at the kiosk.
05-AUG-2015
White admiral (Limenitis arthemis) on tansy
It seems to have been a good year for this species, lots of them around the region.
05-AUG-2015
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
In the same genus as the more common Common Milkweed (A. syriaca), this plant also attracts monarch butterflies to lay eggs on it. At the same time, it provides much nectar for many other insects.
05-AUG-2015
Ambush bug (Phymata) on Rudbeckia
Well-camouflaged as they usually are, this ambush bug is patiently waiting for an unsuspecting insect to land on the flower. At that point it will pounce and paralyze the prey with an enzyme that also "liquefies" the just caught insect allowing the ambush bug to slurp up the contents.
05-AUG-2015
Stinkbug eggs (Pentatomidae)
This small cluster of hatched eggs is on a single white pine needle. I have seen similar in other areas, including recently where all the just hatched stinkbugs were also on the same single pine needle as the eggs. Which shows how tiny eggs and nymphs are!
2 August 2015
Liverwort
Easily overlooked, this thallose liverwort has reappeared in the Old Woodlot, coincidentally in one of our DSV circles. An even smaller leafy liverwort is visible at the bottom of this photo.
2 August 2015
Gray Treefrog
Often heard "twittering" but seldom seen, this little Gray Treefrog was perched high on a trellis against the wall of our Resource Centre for most of Sunday afternoon. He ended up being the "star" of our nature walk as everyone lined up to have a look.
Aug 1, 2015
Monarch on Joe-Pye Weed
Lisa Vee photographed this female Monarch in the Butterfly Meadow and saw one later in the Backyard Garden (possibly the same butterfly). We're still hoping to see eggs and caterpillars on our many milkweed plants this year.