18-AUG-2009
Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
We have an abundance of jewelweed at the garden this year. It seems to be popping up in profusion in places where it has not been seen before. Here, for example, is a wide swath of this plant between the Pond and the New woods. Early this morning, at about 7, a ruby-throated hummingbird was feeding on the nectar provided by the flowers. Because these are a favourite with hummingbirds at this time of year, it pays to scan all the jewelweed stands for hummers. I saw two more hummingbirds chasing each over over the Butterfly meadow a little later.
17-AUG-2009
Red-eared slider
This non-native species must have been dropped off at the pond by someone who no longer wanted to care for it. Unfortunately, these turtles are popular in the pet trade. When they become too big their owners often take them to a local wetland or pond and dispose of them, thinking they will be able to survive. Some do, some don't. Turtles as pets is a very bad idea. This one has been around the pond for about 3 weeks at least. It was sharing the turtle raft with one of the painted turtles.
With the addition of a Blanding's turtle sighted at our pond the other day, we now have four species of turtles in the pond: 2 painted turtles, one snapping turtle, one red-eared slider and one blanding's.
17-AUG-2009
Mayfly, possibly Hexagenia sp.
17-AUG-2009
Moth
Stephen Bégin was at the FWG very early this morning and found some moths still hanging around the building (they come at night attracted to the lights and some remain until well into the morning). This extreme closeup makes it difficult to ID the species, but it is interesting for the details it shows that few of us get to see.
23-AUG-2009
Elm Spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria)
This is head on shot of the moth shown in another photo by Stephen Begin. You get a good view of the proboscis and the palps.
17-AUG-2009
Elm Spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria)
A nicely detailed look at the feathery antennae
17-AUG-2009
Elm Spanworm moth (Ennomos subsignaria)
This was found on the Interpretive Centre early this morning by Stephen Bégin. Thanks to Diane Lepage for the ID of this moth.
17
Moth
Another extreme closeup, though difficult to ID without more details. However, interesting for the tremendous detail of the moth's face
17-AUG-2009
Ambush bug (Phymata sp.)
A truly remarkable macro of this small but bizarre looking insect which hides amongst flowers patiently waiting for something to land. They will attack prey 4, 5, or more times their size, and with great success.
14-AUG-2009
Blanding's Turtle
Sandra Garland photographed this Blandings turtle at the pond. She says: " When I went back to the pond with my camera and binoculars, he was sitting at the corner of the bridge. He must have been climbing the waterfall when David and Nicole were taking DO readings a few minutes earlier."
14-AUG-2009
Blanding's Turtle
I took a few photos then walked over to the right to get a good view of the woodpecker that was tapping at the birdbox on the south side of the pond. When I glanced back at the turtle, he was in the middle of the near side of the bridge. As I watched, he reached forward and threw himself off the edge hitting the rock that's right near the bridge. I walked over to make sure he was okay and found him lying on his side. Within a minute or so, he got himself upright, turned around and swam into the pond. (Sandra Garland)
11-AUG-2009
Digger wasp (Crabronid sp.)
This lovely little wasp is possibly an Ectemnius sp. but I didn't get a great look at it, just a couple of quick photos. Many, many of the Crabronid wasps look almost identical.
The Crabronidae is a large family and includes many of our most interesting wasps, such as the sand wasps (see the photo of the Bicyrtes elsewhere in this gallery), and the currently popular Cerceris wasps. I say "popular" because one species, Cerceris fumipennis, is being looked at for biocontrol of the dreaded Emerald Ash Borer (a Buprestid beetle). I found an aggregation of these Cerceris wasps while out butterflying behind the airport a few weeks ago. I've been keeping an eye on them and the number of nest holes is growing.