09-JUL-2015
Red-winged blackbird, male
Enjoying the food provided by the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, this blackbird was only one of many birds using this and the big feeder.
09-JUL-2015
Red-winged blackbird, female
Perched on the handle of the wheelbarrow in the Backyard Garden section of the wildlife garden, this female seems to have lost her tail.
09-JUL-2015
Song sparrow
Although difficult to believe, summer is heading into the peak season, and soon will be on the downward slide to autumn. Already, shorebirds are heading south, and many nesting birds are now either feeding young, or starting on a second brood. This song sparrow is carrying food for its young.
09-JUL-2015
Monarda
These plants not only provide food for insects, but a lovely burst of colour for passersby.
09-JUL-2015
Chipmunk
It seems we can't let a spring or summer month go by without a photo of one of these adorable little creatures. And more than just cute, they are clever. They don't just dig into the ground in winter and sleep away the cold months. Instead, they develop not only sleeping quarters but a larder too, where they will store food for the winter. This is because they are not true hibernators, as say groundhogs are, for they will periodically wake up and head to their food area for a snack, and if the winter sees some unseasonably warm days, these guys will pop outside for awhile.
09-JUL-2015
Milkweed leaf beetle (Labidomera clivicollis)
One of the flower longhorned beetles whose life cycle is associated with milkweeds.
09-JUL-2015
Backyard Garden of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden
The Backyard Garden, BYG for short, is a major feature of the 15 acre wildlife garden for visitors, many of whom rarely venture beyond this section. It is entirely maintained by a BYG manager and a number of volunteers.
09-JUL-2015
Backyard Garden of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden July 2015
Another view of the BYG. It is entirely maintained by a BYG manager and a number of volunteers.
09-JUL-2015
Backyard Garden of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden July 2015
Looking across the rockery to the woodland walk on the right and the small pond straight ahead. The backyard garden is entirely maintained by a BYG manager and a number of volunteers.
09-JUL-2015
Backyard Garden of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden July 2015
Looking NW across the garden past the tall purple fireweed. The Interpretive centre is on the right, hidden by vegetation in this shot. This garden is is entirely maintained by a BYG manager and a number of volunteers.
06-JULY-2015
Tortoise beetle larva
We have several species of tortoise beetles at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, and I am not sure which species this is that Barry Photographed, as the larvae look pretty similar. That bit of black on its back is a fecal shield, used to ward off or deter predators. Pretty effective I'd say, if I was a predator anyway!
