18-APR-2017
Brown creeper
High-pitched song and calls make this small bird sometimes hard to detect. Unlike the nuthatches which creep down the tree trunks, this species creeps up. Once at the top, it will fly back down, often to a nearby tree and quickly (very quickly) climb up again.
April 27, 2017
Fox Sparrow
This relatively uncommon sparrow (at the FWG) was photographed by Gordon in a crabapple tree near the old field.(SG)
18-APR-2017
Song sparrow
These sparrows arrive back quite early, usually not long after the red-winged blackbirds.
24-APR-2017
Ruby-crowned kinglet, male
Showing off his vivid red crest, this was one of many kinglets at the garden today. They were in constant motion flitting from tree to tree around the pond, but particularly favouring the hawthorn and willow.
24-APR-2017
Ruby-crowned kinglet
A rare moment of sitting still!
24-APR-2017
Red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa)
It won't be long before the lovely creamy white blossoms of this woodland shrub are in full flower.
24-APR-2017
Red admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)
Just as I entered the Old Woods, this very fresh looking beauty landed at my feet. I managed a couple of photos before it vanished. This species is considered a migrant, but in Peter Hall's "Butterflies of Ontario" he comments that "This species may overwinter in Ontario since fresh individuals occasionally appear in early spring."
24-APR-2017
Mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa)
Seeking sustenance from the just opened flowers of bloodroot.
18-APR-2017
Andrenid bee (Andrena dunningi)
For years this species has appeared in early spring. It spends the winter underground and warm days in early spring bring it out to nectar on the willow pollen and on any other early flowering plants.
18-APR-2017
Northern cardinal, male
Singing its heart out, and not only this one, but all across the garden, the arboretum, and indeed the Ottawa area, the songs of this bird can be heard. Difficult to believe that 35 to 30 years ago they were a very rare sight here.
18-APR-2017
Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
More correctly called Eastern chipmunk, though because we get only one species around this region, we tend to forget the first part of the common name. Another tame animal, both this and another one running around the BYG were oblivious to the presence of people, too busy going about their business. Not really surprising after a long, long winter during which they hibernate. Or, not exactly hibernate in the way groundhogs do, more a state of torpor from which it will periodically awaken.
18-APR-2017
Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus)
A much too tame rabbit in the BYG. It should be more afraid of people than it is. I hope it at least runs when dog comes along, though dogs are supposed to be leashed in this area.
