18-Aug-2021
Goldenrod bunch gall
These unusual looking galls can often be found at the tips of goldenrods, looking as if they are a part of the flower, perhaps. In fact, they are galls, made by Rhopalomyia solidaginis, a midge.
18-Aug-2021
Working
Volunteers are the backbone of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden and without them the garden would not exist. They do all sorts of jobs and activities. Here, a volunteer has been steadily working over the last year or two to convert the slope of the ravine below the Resource Centre, into a paradise for pollinators, as well as a visual feast for humans.
18-Aug-2021
New garden
The volunteer in the previous photo has helped to create this gorgeous spot full of plants to attract hummingbirds and pollinators.
18-Aug-2021
Ravine
A closer view of the flower-filled area on the ravine's north slope.
18-Aug-2021
Cardinal flower
This is one of the native flowers planted on the ravine slope, and is attractive to hummingbirds.
18-Aug-2021
Controlling invasive plants
Another important job is trying to control the highly invasive dog-strangling vine which is capable of quickly spreading and taking over. Different volunteers have taken on different parts of the garden and work very hard to remove the invasives and replant with native species. Here you can see mountains of the dog-strangling vine that has recently been removed.
18-Aug-2021
Rose-breasted grosbeak
Lots of young birds around the garden these days,including grosbeaks.
18-Aug-2021
American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
I surprised this squirrel who'd been napping on a tree branch. He was not happy and here you can see the end of a long tirade!
18-Aug-2021
Yellow-collared scape moth
About 4 of these slender native moths flew up and landed on stalks of grass, not surprising since the larvae of this species feed on grasses, as well as lichens.
18-Aug-2021
Old field
The old field area is ripe with the golden flowers of goldenrods, which in turn are attracting numerous insects including various bees and wasp, ambush bugs, flies, locust borer beetles, etc.
