19-JULY-2015
Leafcutter bee (Megachilidae)
A heavily laden leafcutter bee on a yarrow plant at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, and photographed by Barry. The leafcutter's carry the pollen on the abdomen rather than in pollen sacs on their legs.
19-JULY-2015
Ambush bug (Phymata)
By July these bugs are abundant, perched on all types of plants, either hidden or not, waiting for an insect to land, at which they pounce. Lying in ambush... they are well named.
19-JULY-2015
Ambush bug (Phymata)
Another photo by Barry of the ambush bug on its yarrow perch.
17-JULY-2015
Common burdock (Arctium minus)
Barry dug up this plant and was amazed at how long the tap root is. This is why just cutting down the plants doesn't prevent growth, and why pulling them up is impossible.
09-JUL-2015
Predatory stinkbug nymphs
These nymphs have recently emerged from their eggs, seen in the background. Very soon they will disperse. This cluster of eggs was on a Canada goldenrod leaf. I also found several other stinkbug egg clusters on the same day, more predatory stinkbugs on another goldenrod leaf too.
09-JUL-2015
The old woods
Looking south along the trail in the woods where things have changed considerably since last year's removal of 50 mature ash trees.
09-JUL-2015
The old woods
In this image, looking north through the woods with much new growth on both sides of the trail.
09-JUL-2015
The old woods
This is the southern entrance into the old woodlot. A split rail fence provides not only a focal point but a place for insects. Some scrape wood fibres from the logs, others bore into them, or under them or use them as perches, etc. The log in the foreground is the remnant of one of the many ash trees cut last year.
09-JUL-2015
Common yellowthroat, female
A very common nesting warbler in the Ottawa region, they began nesting at the garden about 10 or 11 years ago, and though they have not nested every year since then, they have only missed a few.
09-JUL-2015
American redstart, male
This little warbler was singing constantly while I was at the garden. We first found them nesting about 16 years ago, and they have nested every year since.
09-JUL-2015
Wild raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
Red, ripe and luscious... attractive to humans and wildlife alike.
09-JUL-2015
Spotted orb-weaver (Neoscona)
A very small spider, this one hiding in a canada thistle, that is common but because so small, they are often overlooked.
