09-JUL-2012
Monarch butterfly on common milkweed (Danaus plexippus)
Early morning light on this lovely and very fresh looking monarch, which was flitting from plant to plant, although I could not find any eggs.
09-JUL-2012
Tree swallow, juvenile
This was one of the last tree swallows at the garden, still peering out of its box, long after all the others had left. I was starting to worry about it, when an adult flew in and fed it. However, a few days later, Barry checked the box and found two dead young in there. Whether this was one of them is hard to say. Certainly, this guy was well-feathered and appeared as if it should be ready to fly.
09-JUL-2012
Clavate tortoise beetle (Plagiometriona clavata) larva
Often found on Physalis plants. Last summer I found first the adult, then the larva, on a small stand of Physalis, so today I decided to have a look and see if I could find either, and there was the larva. This flat-bodied little creature is about 3 mm in size. The black blob is a protective cover of feces. Many beetles use feces to deter predators, either as larvae or deposited by females on top of newly laid eggs.
09-JUL-2012
Cobweb spider (Theridula emertoni)
A tiny spider, approx. 2 mm in size. I have seen photos of this cobweb spider and hoped I might find one, and this morning I did, underneath a milkweed leaf. The colours are vivid and the shape unusual.
09-JUL-2012
White-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)
One of the most abundant meadowhawks in the area. In some locations you can see scores of them flying along in front of you, but at FWG, while commonly seen, they are present in much smaller numbers.
09-JUL-2012
Milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus)
These large, colourful beetles belong to the long-horned beetle family (Cerambycidae). They are commonly seen once the milkweed grows, and at FWG this summer, are particularly numerous. Along with these beetles, are the red and black small milkweed bugs, also, as the name suggests, on milkweed.
07-JUL-2012
Silver-Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
One of the prettiest, if not the prettiest, skipper in our area, and certainly the biggest by far, almost double the size of other common skippers. They begin appearing later in the month of June, but this is the time of year when we start seeing them more commonly at FWG.
07-JUL-2012
Primrose moth (Schinia florida )
One of my favourite moths. Diane photographed this at the garden today. Once the evening primrose begins to bloom, you can be sure that these moths will appear. I saw four on one plant in another location recently. They are quite spectacular. A pink moth, white 'head-dress' and, though you can't see them, green eyes.
Moonseed vine (Menispermum canadense)
A beautiful, relatively uncommon native vine that can grow to great heights given the right conditions. This one has been in the ash woods for years and years, but with the demise of a nearby tree more light is let in and the plant has taken off. Here, the scene is one reminiscent of a lush jungle.
Moonseed vine (Menispermum canadense)
Another shot of the moonseed vine.
05-JUL-2012
Monarch butterfly on common milkweed
At first it appeared as if this monarch was trying to oviposit on dog-strangling vine, a plant that has been shown to be toxic to larvae. However, I couldn't find any eggs, and then she wandered over to the nearby common milkweeds and again appeared to oviposit, and again, I couldn't find any eggs.
05-JUL-2012
Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calynus)
This hairstreak was on a small walnut sapling. I have often found both banded and striped hairstreaks on walnut trees at FWG. This species is often found around treed areas, along woodland trails, edges of woodlots, etc.
