03-Aug-2019
Ambush bug (Phymata)
Hiding on a Rudbeckia. Ambush bugs, as their name suggests, lie in wait for unsuspecting insects to land. They are remarkably successful catching insects twice their size.
03-Aug-2019
Common tan wave moth caterpillar
Well hidden on the Rudbeckia.
03-Aug-2019
Primrose moth (Schinia florida)
Stuck inside this evening primrose flower is a beautiful pink and white primrose moth. Sometimes two or three will be found sitting on and in the flowerheads, and if they outside of the flower you'll see their lovely green eyes:
https://pbase.com/fwg/image/104979563
03-Aug-2019
Golden tortoise beetle (Charidotella sexpunctata)
An intriguing little beetle, with an apt name. They are often a golden colour but change colour when disturbed.
03-Aug-2019
Hummingbird clearwing moth (Hemaris thysbe)
Although commonly called by the above name, this moth is also known more accurately as the hummingbird sphinx. It is in the Sphingidae family, or sphinx moths, not a true clearwing moth (Sesiidae family). Here, this one is nectaring on Monarda.
03-Aug-2019
House wren
The house wrens are active and vocal every time I go to the Fletcher garden.
03-Aug-2019
Eastern kingbird
For a few years, many years ago, this species nested in the same hawthorn tree in the garden. It may still be nesting somewhere in the garden, but I haven't seen the nest.
03-Aug-2019
Warbling vireo
This bird was very active around the BYG near the ravine, plucking bits of this and that off branches and searching for other treats.
03-Aug-2019
The ravine
Looking eastward down the ravine from the bridge across the pond. The lush growth includes jewelweed, queen anne's lace, and flowering raspberry.
03-Aug-2019
American goldfinch, male
These birds can be seen pulling thistle seeds from the thistles around the garden.
03-Aug-2019
Crab spider and honey bee
Half hidden behind a fold in the leaf, the spider must have pounced quickly on the unwary honey bee.
03-Aug-2019
BBackyard garden
This is the component of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden that most visitors see, a garden designed to attract birds, pollinators and other wildlife. However, the Fletcher garden has a further 15 acres of more natural habitat to explore.
