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.
03-Aug-2019
Hairy woodpecker, juvenile
When I arrived at the Fletcher garden in early noon, I was met by the sight and sound of numerous birds. Lots of youngsters following adults, begging for food, calling... This juvenile hairy woodpecker was sitting near the adult (next photo) and was obviously hoping for a snack.
03-Aug-2019
Hairy woodpeckers
The adult on the right, juvenile on the left. The youngster was hoping for food.
03-Aug-2019
House finch, male
There was a family group of house finches, a nice sighting as I haven't seen too many this summer at the garden.
03-Aug-2019
Downy woodpecker, male
The smaller version of the hairy woodpecker above. The downy is not only smaller, but has a very small, almost needle-like bill compared to the heavy bill of the hairy woodpecker.
03-Aug-2019
American robin, juvenile
Lots of young robins around, very vocal and noisy, well able to fly.
03-Aug-2019
Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus )
There were a number of chipmunks busy around the garden, unconcerned by humans. This one looks fine from this angle, but the next shot shows that his other eye is half closed and looks painful.
03-Aug-2019
Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
In this photo you can see how the eye looks injured.
03-Aug-2019
Eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus)
Three together under the feeder and once again, none of them seemed remotely concerned by people walking by.
