06-SEP-2014
Leaders showing insects to pariticipants on Bug Day
Several different tours were held on Bug Day, and this image shows a large group coming across the bridge by the Amphibian Pond.
06-SEP-2014
Leaders showing insects to a group of people
Another photo from Bug Day this year, taken by Diane.
06-SEP-2014
Fenja leading a walk on Bug Day
The 2nd Bug Day was held at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden and attracted hundreds of people. Here, entomologist Fenja, on the right, is showing a participant an insect she found.
03-SEP-2014
Praying mantis (Mantis religiosa)
Photographed by Diane. This brilliantly green mantis is on the also brilliant obedient plant in the butterfly meadow. What a feast of colour!
02-SEP-2014
Assassin bug nymph (Zelus)
I found numerous egg cases of this species this year, and after hatching, scores of the tiny nymphs, which, over the latter part of the summer have grown increasingly bigger. Now they are of a size where their red eyes, and green and red pattern can be better seen.
02-SEP-2014
House wren, juvenile
When I went into the Backyard Garden yesterday, there was a wonderful cacophony of bird sounds. Three or four house wrens were really ramping it up when it came to 'scolding', the a downy woodpecker arrived to see what was what. In the ravine both a least flycatcher and an eastern wood pewee were calling pretty constantly for 10 minutes. Robins, cedar waxwings, catbirds, chickadees, goldfinches and cardinals were some of the other birds around the site.
02-SEP-2014
Variegated lady beetle (Hippodamia variegata)
Most of the lady beetles we see are the introduced asian lady beetle, and to a lesser extent, the seven-spotted lady beetle. This is another introduced one, which like most lady beetles, attacks aphids with joy. As the name suggests, this species can vary quite a lot in appearance.
02-SEP-2014
Ruby-throated hummingbird
One more photo of the busy hummingbirds at the jewelweed in the old woods. It is not often they are cooperative enough to sit still, at least not for me.
02-SEP-2014
Ruby-throated hummingbird
One of four hummingbirds hanging out around the jewelweed in the old woods, fuelling up for the journey south.
02-SEP-2014
Ruby-throated hummingbird at jewelweed
At one time, in the old woods, I saw four hummingbirds together, chasing one another and hovering and feeding over the jewelweed. This plant is a magnet for hummingbirds as well as bees and other insects.
02-SEP-2014
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
Also called touch-me-not, because of the way the ripe seedpods pop open at the slightest touch. The old woods has a wonderful bounty of this plant right now with several huge stands. These are attracting hummingbirds who feed on this species.
02-SEP-2014
Cross orbweaver (Araneus diadematus)
A common orbweaver, this one is not native. One of its other common names gives a clue to its origins, Common European Garden Spider. This one was hanging out near the door into the interpretive centre.
