24-JUL-2013
Goldenrod Crab Spider with bumblebee
Diane photographed this spider with prey and commented that bumblebees seemed to be particularly common on the coneflowers in the butterfly meadow. Unfortunately, they are so busy gathering food that they are easy prey for spiders such as this species, who just sit and wait for them to land.
24-JUL-2013
Blazing Star
Diane photographed this stand of blazing star flowers in the butterfly meadow and reports that they are attracting all sorts of insects.
Sunflower and leaf-cutter bee
A fine photograph of a sunny sunflower with its little leaf-cutter bee (Megachile) visitor, photographed by Barry.
Ipsilon Dart moth (Agrotis ipsilon), #10663
Barry found and identified this large dart moth. This species is a bit of a crop specialist, as its larvae feed on corn, beans, as well as some other non-crop plants.
Downy woodpecker, male
Barry photographed this male downy, and also sent some photos showing a red-eyed vireo feeding a brown-headed cowbird, and a nesting phoebe. This must be 'our' phoebe, who hatched her first brood, and must be back for a second.
17-JUL-2013
Seven-spotted ladybeetle (Coccinella septempunctata)
Diane and Helena were at the FWG on a hot humid day and report that insects were few, but they were happy to see a ladybeetle that was other than the usual asian ladybeetle. This one is also a non-native species, however, but less commonly found around the garden.
17-JUL-2013
Bee Balm (Monarda didyma and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
A very pretty array of flowers around the Butterfly Meadow, photographed by Diane.
17-JUL-2013
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)and Black-eyed susan (,em>Rudbeckia hirta)
Diane and her volunteers planted this big swathe of flowers to attract butterflies and other pollinators, in the Butterfly Meadow. She photographed this on a hot, steamy day last week.
17-JUL-2013
Sunflower sp.
A sunny mid-summer flower photographed by Diane.
17-JUL-2013
Queen of the Prairie (Filipendula rubra)
Diane photographed this gorgeous, showy tall pink-flowered plant in the Butterfly Meadow (there is also some in the BYG). It is a native plant, though not native to the Ottawa district, but is found further south.
17-JUL-2013
Green heron
As they have done for many, many years, the green herons continue to seek food in our big pond. It is a wonder that the poor green frogs survive at all!! Diane photographed this handsome one. Diane and Helena were at the garden on a very hot day (humidex of about +43!), and report that in addition to the herons, catbirds were calling, and they saw common yellowthroat warbler, song sparrow, and american goldfinches.
11-JUL-2013
Ragweed fly (Euaresta bella)
This small fly is in the fruit fly family, Tephritidae. The larvae feeds exclusively on the seeds of the common native ragweed plant, ambrosia artemisiifolia, which as sufferers know, is responsible for late summer allergies (when it flowers).
