04-DEC-2012
Goldenrod gall
There is a small hole at the top of this gall, which may be an entry hole for a predator.
04-DEC-2012
Lichens
Lichens are beautiful and often overlooked. Sandy took this photo at the FWG, but we don't know whcy species they are.
04-DEC-2012
Six-spotted fishing spider (Dolomedes triton)
Sandy photographed this little spider in the pond. There is a thin skin of ice over most of the pond, but around the shore the water is open and various things can be seen, such as some green frog tadpoles, backswimmers, and this little guy. Speaking of invertebrates... the warm, +17 temperature (yes, it broke all records!) brought out honey bees, the last few Polistes fuscatus wasps, midges, a few flies including one photographed by Sandy in the Ash woods, which is likely a blowfly, but not being able to see it in detail, could also be one of the Tachinids. Various small spiders were seen under and over leaf litter too.
04-DEC-2012
Red-breasted nuthatch
OK, so this was not in the FWG, but it was next door in the Arboretum and is a head's up to look for these guys in the conifers around the Ash Woods. I was walking past a cluster of conifers when a couple of chickadees dive-bombed me :-) Clearly, they associated people with food. I just happened to have some sunflower seeds in my knapsack, so put a few on my hand and held it out. To my surprise, two red-breasted nuthatches flew right in, as if they'd been waiting. I am guessing that a lot of people must be providing seeds! In addition to the two nuthatches, there were 6 chickadees all waiting their turn. Not a great shot as I had to take the photo one handed.
04-DEC-2012
The old field area
I love the way that the old field site looks so mellow with the autumn colours of russet, gold, bronze and beige.
04-DEC-2012
Empty moth cocoon
I saw this tiny cocoon on a wild plum twig. It was empty (there was an exit hole at the bottom). I don't which moth species made this and it may not be possible to ever ID it.
04-DEC-2012
Bladdernut shrub (Staphylea trifolia)
This is a rare native species in the region, with the biggest colony on Petrie Island. I had forgotten about the one at FWG, near the pond, which was planted years and years ago. It is now a good size and there were a few pods on the shrub, which were what caught my eye. The bark is very beautiful when examined up close. This image shows the seedpod and bark.
