02-AUG-2012
Planthopper (Acanalonia bivittata)
A very cool looking planthopper found by Barry. These relatively large (up to 10mm) planthoppers mimic small leaves.
02-AUG-2012
BeeWolf wasp (Philanthus)
This wasp on boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) is in the Crabronidae family which contains a very large number of similar appearing wasps.
02-AUG-2012
Ambush bug (Phymata)
Sitting on the edge... of the milkweed leaf, that is. It is difficult to resist photographing these creatures, for they are so peculiar and rather endearing!
02-AUG-2012
Sunflowers and rudbeckia in the Butterfly Meadow
A happy looking bunch of flowers in the meadow area of the FWG, which will be attractive to a variety of creatures, the sunflowers being particularly appealing to squirrels and seed eating birds. Sometimes one can find big flocks of goldfinches descending on fields of sunflowers, probably thinking they've found paradise.
02-AUG-2012
Monarch butterfly caterpillar
This tiny first instar caterpillar is so small that it looked like a speck on the milkweed leaf. It was on one of the milkweeds that had just grown up after mowing occurred. There were four monarch eggs on these plants too.
02-AUG-2012
Hover fly (Allograpta)
A tiny hover fly found nectaring on wild clematis (Clematis virginiana) at the front of the Interpretive Centre.
02-AUG-2012
Black snakeroot seedhead (Cimicifuga)
The pretty curving seedhead caught my eye.
02-AUG-2012
Monarch butterfly egg
One of five eggs we found yesterday at the FWG. Four were found close to each other in a small cluster of 4 milkweed plants, and the fifth was found much further away on a mature plant. The first four were all on new monarch plants, which grew up after the area was mowed.
02-AUG-2012
Locust borer (Megacyllene robinia) on boneset
This large colourful long-horned beetle (one of the Round-necked longhorns), is on a boneset plant. This species lays its eggs in black locust trees, of which there are many around the Backyard Garden.
02-AUG-2012
Female Goldenrod Crab spider (Misumena vatia)
It was fairly early in the morning, and this spider was hiding under a leaf. You can see she has some dew on her legs.
01-AUG-2012
American goldfinch and female house finch on the bird bath
The Backyard Garden bird bath was a busy place on Wed. afternoon. Diane said that while she sat the picnic table, she observed chipping sparrow, house finch and goldfinches come to drink and bathe. The water is a real blessing for these birds, and for a number of insects too, in such hot, dry weather. Diane reports that she also saw a monarch and an eastern tailed blue butterfly.
01-AUG-2012
American Goldfinch /Chardonneret jaune
A goldfinch joins the queue for a drink and a bathe in the Backyard Garden bird bath.