08-DEC-2013
Pileated woodpecker, male
As noted earlier, woodpeckers, including this pileated woodpecker, are taking a great interest in our emerald ash borer infested trees. The large holes of this species are quite different from the smaller excavations of other woodpeckers. We frequently see pileated woodpeckers around the FWG, most often in winter, and signs of their activity are indicated by a large pile of big wood chips below a tree. Here, the pileated is following up work initially done by a hairy woodpecker, who has flaked off the bark looking for insect larvae, whereas this guy will truly excavate a large hole!
08-DEC-2013
Wild cucumber (Echinocystis lobata)
Robert Berry was intrigued with this odd seed pod - that of wild cucumber, an annual vine that can be seen growing up several trees at the edge of our ash woodlot. This was a particularly good year for this native vine, growing in places I've not seen it before around the FWG, and in an abundance I haven't seen for a few years. This plant relies on the many seeds it generates for next year's growth. Each plant produces scores of seedpods, and each pod about 8 large flat, disc-like seeds. You can see in this photo, how the bottom of the pod is open to allow the seeds to drop to the ground. They are easy to grow. I sometimes spread a few seeds around my garden in the fall, and bingo!, next year up they come and grow and grow, producing clusters of pretty white flowers. Although they clamber over shrubs and trees, they are a relatively frail vine, and being annual, do no damage.
08-DEC-2013
Male and female house finches
An excellent photo by Robert, of a pair of house finches, which can be found in small flocks around the FWG, along with juncos, cardinals, chickadees, and nuthatches. It may surprise some folk to learn that back in the mid-1980s, there were only a few reports of this species around Ottawa, and they could be found only in a couple of locations. Since then, this once exclusively western species has spread widely. They were introduced into New York in the 1940s, spread quickly for some years, but then took their time reaching Ottawa. I remember they were more frequently seen in Smiths Falls first, but by the late 1980s they had increased substantially in this area. Currently, it appears as if their numbers are falling off somewhat.
04-DEC-2013
Red squirrel with walnut
If you hear a loud gnawing sound, you can be sure that a red squirrel is nearby, walnut to hand! As I stood near the ravine this morning, I heard that distinctive sound and sure enough, this little guy was busily extracting the meaty interior of this nut. He was oblivious to me.
04-DEC-2013
Red squirrel with walnut
A side view of the same squirrel in the previous shot. You can see the bits of walnut shell on the branch from his industrious gnawing.
04-DEC-2013
Grey squirrel
Plenty of these guys around and visible now, with the black (melanistic) phase much more common. I watched several refurbishing their nests, busily ferrying, by mouth, great clumps of leaves to their nests high up in the trees. Others were gathering manitoba maple seeds, and in some places in the garden, you'll find quantities of shredded keys under the trees, evidence of industry!
04-DEC-2013
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobum)
These luscious looking clusters are not very attractive to birds or other wildlife. Although, this shrub is touted as being a good one to plant for attracting birds, none of the ones we have around the garden seem to be used by wildlife. We are not sure if this is because the shrubs are cultivars, the fruit unpalatable to birds and so remaining on the shrubs all winter, or whether they are just not ever attractive to birds.
04-DEC-2013
Red squirrel cache
This is under one of our norway spruce trees, where for years and years, generations of red squirrels have cached the big cones, feeding on them throughout the winter, until the stash is depleted.
04-DEC-2013
Hairy woodpecker work on ash trees
Regular visitors to the FWG might remember that last winter, signs of downy woodpecker work on ash trees was extensive. This was true, too, across the region. The woodpeckers were searching for emerald ash borer larvae (and other tasty insects, if any). This year, we can again see fresh signs of their work. The woodpeckers are not killing the trees by this work. The trees are already on their way out... their demise caused by the small, brilliantly pretty, ash borer!