30-JAN-2019
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
As mentioned earlier, the staghorn sumac seedheads (or cones as they are sometimes called), provide food for not only squirrels but also a number of birds. Here, the little red holds the remnant of a 'cone'.
30-JAN-2019
Black-capped chickadee
The busiest and most vocal birds at the garden on Jan. 3oth, and as always a cheery presence.
30-JAN-2019
Looking south from the pond
30-JAN-2019
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
A couple of photos of the endlessly endearing red squirrel, this one and the next. Here, the squirrel was sitting a clump of staghorn sumac near the Old Field area, enjoying the seeds. You can see the remnants of a sumac 'seed cone' in his paws.
30-JAN-2019
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Another red squirrel photo, this from the Backyard Garden area. Along with several other red and grey squirrels, this one was sitting by the feeder waiting for seed to fall.
30-JAN-2019
Northern cardinal, male
The red of the male cardinal stands out a mile and is so cheerful in a largely monochrome world.
30-JAN-2019
Downy woodpecker
Enjoying the peanut feeder. At one point there was a hairy woodpecker also at the same feeder.
30-JAN-2019
Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
When the birds feed at the feeder seeds get spilled and the squirrels are quick to glean the bounty.
30-JAN-2019
Amphibian pond
The pond looks much bigger under its cover of snow. Come spring, the cattails will begin to grow and green frogs will emerge to the warmer temperatures along with, we hope, a few painted turtles and perhaps a snapping turtle.
30-JAN-2019
North side of the old woods
Red osier dogwood adds some colour relief to the landscape. These shrubs appeared long ago, when the garden was young! Yellow warblers have nested here a number of times over the years.
30-JAN-2019
Dark-eyed juncos
Several juncos were feeding on the seeds that cardinals, feeding at the feeder, were scattering.
05-JAN-2019
Bench overlooking pond
This is one of several benches around the FWG, thanks to dedicated volunteers who have made and installed these benches so we can sit and enjoy the views.
05-JAN-2019
Pine grosbeak
Although this was not taken at the Fletcher garden, it was just down the slope in the Arboretum, where a flock of about 10 birds could be seen on crabapples.
05-JAN-2019
Northern cardinal, female
There were at least four cardinals around the site today, these two females, acting as bookends on the feeder, and a couple of males elsewhere.
05-JAN-2019
Black-capped chickadee
Chickadees seemed to be everywhere today at the garden. They were calling and fluttering around all over, snatching insect eggs or cocoons from plants, picking up seeds at feeders or gleaning seeds from wildflower seed heads.
05-JAN-2019
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Of course, there are always red squirrels around the site. Several were in the crabapples feeding on the few edible bits of fruit left.
05-JAN-2019
Gray squirrel
Crabapples are the draw for squirrels and some bird species. As winter wears on, the crabapples become more scarce. Those trees with fruit still left are either completely inedible (many ornamental crabapples have been developed to be unappealing to wildlife so the fruit will stay on the tree all winter) or are edible but not first choice.
05-JAN-2019
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
I call these dried seedheads winter flowers, because they still retain some beauty.
05-JAN-2019
Ravine
Some years back, a number of small cedars were planted in the ravine and are now good sized trees. Although they are far less noticeable in summer when all the trees are green, in winter they come into their own. It is easy to see that they provide shelter for birds and animals amidst the bareness of the other vegetation.
05-JAN-2019
The pond
With its winter cover of snow.
30 January 2019
American Robin
Sandy: People always think spring is on its way when they see a Robin, but we've found Robins at the FWG all year round over the last decades. However, this was the only one around on this bitterly cold day.
30 January 2019
View of the ravine below the bridge
Sandy: I always thought the presence of Robins in winter depended on access to open water, but this year snow and ice have covered the pond and most of the ravine. The robin in the previous photo was right in this area, so it might have been trying to get a drink from that tiny hole in the snow cover that you can barely see.