17-FEB-2016
Insect hotel
Another photo taken by Barry just after the big snowstorm. The insect hotel is nicely insulated with the snow.
06-FEB-2016
Grey squirrel
There isn't much natural food left anymore at the garden. This is one of the last crabapple trees to be fed on by wildlife, the others already stripped bare.
06-FEB-2016
Split-rail fence
This split-rail fence forms part of the southern boundary of the garden and is in keeping with its rural aspect, even though located in the heart of the city.
06-FEB-2016
Northern cardinal
Several male cardinals and a female were around the old woods feeder, along with a few chickadees. Overall, it was relatively quiet for birds while I was there. In addition to the above, a white-breasted nuthatch, a few crows, and a downy woodpecker were noticed.
06-FEB-2016
American goldfinch in winter plumage
A few goldfinches were around the garden, but it was generally pretty quiet for birds.
06-FEB-2016
Very peculiar
It is early February, normally the coldest month of our winter, but here we are at a few degrees below freezing and so much snow has melted thanks to rain and milder temperatures. We need snow cover to act as insulation for the plants, particularly if it gets colder, as surely it will. I can't recall seeing exposed ground in February, not since I've been in Ottawa anyway.
06-FEB-2016
Goldenrod gall (Solidago)
These ubiquitous round galls on the stems of goldenrods are made by the Goldenrod Gall Fly. Inside is the larva of the fly, a tempting treat for various critters. Often one can see downy woodpeckers pecking at the galls, or chickadees, sometimes red squirrels, and even mice will climb the stems and gnaw at the galls. Something has made an attempt here but abandoned it.
06-FEB-2016
Goldenrod gall (Solidago)
This gall has been worked at a bit more than the previous one, but still not all the way through, as far as I can tell, to the grub in the middle.
