23 July 2017
Brand new Monarch
This female Monarch started as an egg found on milkweed near Calabogie, Ontario. A month later, it emerged from its chrysalis and was released in the FWG's Butterfly Meadow, where we had just seen a male. We're hoping they start the cycle again and produce the generation that will fly to Mexico in September. (SG)
23 July 2017
Bald-faced Hornets (Dolichovespula maculata)
We find at least one grey paper Bald-faced Hornet nest each year at the FWG. This one is in an apple tree in the Butterfly Meadow. On this cloudy afternoon, the hornets seemed to be doing some housekeeping. (SG)
22-JUL-2017
Monarch butterfly, male (Danaus plexippus)
There seem to be more sightings of monarchs this year than last, and more larvae are being found, so that is a hopeful sign. Not like the old days when they were so common they were almost not commented on!
22-JULY-2017
Mushrooms
I don't know which mushrooms these are, but the veil beneath the fully opened one makes me think of one of the Amanita mushrooms. These are all the same species, growing in a cluster in the old woods.
22-JUL-2017
Primrose moth (Schinia florida)
There is usually at least one primrose moth on the evening primrose plants at the garden. In some years, you can find two or even three on one plant. They are quite spectacular moths and look far too exotic for this part of the world. The larvae feed on the seeds of the plant.
22-JUL-2017
Large lace border (Scopula limboundata)
A common moth that can often be found resting, as here, on vegetation, and one which also frequently comes to lights at night. It is in the Geometridae family of moths.
22-JUL-2017
Reticulated fruitworm moth (Cenopis reticulatana)
A very strikingly patterned member of the Tortricid family of moths, this and many other Tortricids, can frequently be found perched on vegetation during the daytime. They are also very frequent and common visitors to lights at night.
22-JUL-2017
Soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
Another common insect at this time of year, here feeding on the flowers of stinging nettle.
22-JUL-2017
New woods - DSV removal work
This area is the gully that runs from Prince of Wales Drive to the pond, through the New Woods area. It was never planted with trees in the early days and has since been left an open area. It has seen various plants come and go including milkweeds. But eventually dog-strangling vine (DSV) aka pale swallowwort took over in abundance as is its habit. This area was an experimental site, sprayed with glyphosate a few years ago, but this achieved nothing and the DSV grew back thicker than ever. Now, a volunteer has taken on this particular site with the goal of removing the DSV and trying to prevent its comeback. As you can perhaps see in this photo, there are huge swathes of catnip instead of DSV, and other plants are growing too.
23 July 2017
Plants in the gully
Catherine is focusing on growing Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) in the damp low area between our Amphibian Pond and Prince of Wales Drive. She was disappointed a couple of weeks ago when rabbits decided to dine on the milkweeds she had been coaxing along since spring. But the plants have grown back from side shoots and are even bushier than before the disaster.
Other plants have moved in on their own: Figwort, Black Nightshade, Horseweed, Jewelweed, Toadflax, and Queen Anne's Lace are creating a diverse meadow and are all preferable to DSV. Catnip, shown in the previous photo, was covered in bees on this sunny morning. (SG)
23 July 2017
Catherine and Michelle
With Black-eyed Susans in the background (under the oak tree) and catnip in front, Catherine and Michelle (who takes care of a node along the Bill Holland Trail) are fastening down a tarpaulin over a thick mass of DSV and Comfrey. Both of these plants are highly invasive and prevent other plants and the native species that we prefer from growing. Digging them out is difficult as both have very robust roots; in cases like this where only invasives are growing, it's easiest to shade them out. (SG)
23 July 2017
Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis)
On the shadier south side of the gully, senstive ferns and jewelweed are growing next to spruce and pine trees. (SG)
