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.
18-APR-2017
Cedar waxwing
A few waxwings were hanging out at the pond, hawking for insects over the water.
18-APR-2017
Mallard pair
The pond is full of algae and not much cover for wildlife right now, but hopefully that should change. In the past, mallards have nested in the ravine, into which the water from this pond flows, and they have also attempted nesting amongst the dead cattails (last year's cattails) on the shore. But as there is no vegetation whatsoever it is more difficult. Yet, I found a pair of eggs deposited on the shore right out in the open, no attempt even at making a nest, though there is nothing to make a nest from. Not even sure they were laid by this female. Typically, mallards make a good deep nest lined with feathers.
18-APR-2017
Woolly bear caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella)
Familiar to just about everyone, this caterpillar has the distinction of being one that most people feel comfortable with. Familiarity breeding contentment in this case!
18-APR-2017
Red maple (Acer rubrum)
Red maple flowers are especially attractive, though all maple flowers are appealing. Generally, flowers are unisexual, that is both male and female flowers appear in separate clusters, but not always.
10 April 2017
Mourning Cloak
Jonathan Mack photographed this newly emerged Mourning Cloak along the Bill Holland Trail this week, just west of our resource centre. (SG)
11 April 2017
Eastern Cottontail and Chipmunk
Mammals are starting to reclaim the Backyard Garden. Last year chipmunks were everywhere and rabbits became very accustomed to both visitors and volunteers as everyone went about their business. (SG)
11 April 2017
Willow tree
The willow at the west end of our pond is just about to bloom. When pollen forms, so many bees arrive that it sounds like the tree is buzzing. Let's hope the timing is right this year! (SG)
11 April 2017
Eastern Phebe
A number of early flycatchers were flittering around the pond today (11 April), obviously finding insects to eat - too small for us to see (SG).
This is an Eastern Phoebe and is always one of the first flycatchers to arrive in this region. Other species arrive sometime later (CH).
11 April 2017
Acrobatics over water
Catherine managed to catch a photo of this bird as it hovered magically over the water surface. The blurriness is not only because of the motion but also because it was taken from quite a distance away and zoomed in as much as possible. (SG)
10 April 2017
Groundhog or Woodchuck (Marmota monax)
What a beautiful sunny day, with the temperature reaching 20 degrees this afternoon! This handsome guy was sitting right near the edge of the ravine and was NOT going to give up his spot in the sun for anything. (SG)
10 April 2017
Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)
I thought I heard a Wood Frog calling, but not from the pond. Instead these early amphibians are gathering in the ravine below the bridge. A movement caught my eye and, it was only after I saw my photo - greatly magnified - on my computer screen and scanned it carefully, that I realized I had captured its image. (SG)
10 April 2017
Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
This poor Skunk Cabbage, which has been trod upon and scraped with a digger blade, survived another year and is blooming next to the pond. Please try not to step on it and I will try to move it to a safer location soon. (SG)
10 April 2017
Eastern Garter Snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Time was when we believed that we would never have snakes at the FWG - we're in the middle of a busy city, right? But here's proof that we have at least two and likely more on the way. (SG)