07-JULY-2018
Plant bug (Tropidosteptes sp.)
19-JUL-2018
Downy woodpecker, male
One of the most common birds at the garden, this one clinging to the feeder in the Backyard Garden area.
25-JUL-2018
The amphibian pond in the rain
The caption says it all: heavy rain on the pond. This was much needed moisture and I am betting everyone in Ottawa heaved a sigh of relief to see the rain falling on parched land throughout the region.
19-JUL-2018
Bumble bee on cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Another look at the beautiful tall cup-plants which grow both in the Butterfly Meadow and the Backyard Garden.
25-JUL-2018
Pond area
Just as I reached this point, the rain which had been falling steadily but lightly, came down in gusts, so I left, not wanting to flood my camera! This is the area south of the pond showing the (not so) new path.
19-JUL-2018
Bumble bee on cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
This beautiful tall yellow-flowered plant is a magnet for bees. In autumn, the seeds attract birds and squirrels, especially chipmunks. The leaves create a small pocket which holds water from which insects and birds will drink. The plant is native to areas south of Ottawa but does well here. It prefers full sun but will do well in half shade, and it will spread.
19-JUL-2018
Red baneberry (Actaea rubra)
Another of the native plants with bright red fruit at this time of year.
19-JUL-2018
Red-berried elder (Sambucus racemosa)
Yellow is one of the dominant flower colours as summer wears on, but the red berries of various plants also stands out.
19-JUL-2018
Ichneumonid wasp
Along with many other insects, the wasp was nectaring on the flowers of queen anne's lace (AKA wild carrot), a magnet for many species.
19-JULY-2018
Monarch larva and chrysalis
I took a look at the monarch caterpillars in the rearing cage inside the Resource Centre, and noticed one of them moving around on the top of the cage. Within seconds it was hanging upside down and as I watched, formed the J-position, a prelude to forming its chrysalis. This was a few minutes past 10, At 2:30 p.m. when I went back for another look, the chrysalis has already been formed, still a bit lumpy, not completely finished, but almost there.
19-JUL-2018
Mourning cloak butterfly (Nymphalis antiopa)
Although this butterfly wouldn't land in a good spot for a photo, I think this made for a more interesting one, and it is still identifiable as a mourning cloak. I was showing a couple of British visitors around the garden and when I told them this was the species they knew as Camberwell Beauty in the UK, they quickly recognized it.
19-JUL-2018
Clouded sulphur butterfly (Colias philodice)
Of the few butterflies we saw, this was the most common. This particular one is greatly faded.
19-JUL-2018
Common red soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
A close view of this Eurasian species, now fairly common in North America. Here, it is on queen anne's lace.
19-JUL-2018
Common red soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
A wider view showing how many beetles on the head of the queen anne's lace.
19-JUL-2018
The amphibian pond
Surrounded by lush growth despite the prolonged heat and drought.
19-JUL-2018
House finch, male
A small family group of this species hanging out near the ravine.
19-JUL-2018
Cedar waxwing
A few waxwings found in the garden, their high trill a giveaway to their presence.
6 July 2018
Tiny bee
(SG) Possibly a carpenter bee as we've seen those on dandelions many times.
6 July 2018
Moving in to our insect hotel
(SG) When I attended Pollination Guelph's annual symposium this spring, I learned that some bees will use coreplast to nest in. I added a coreplast "room" to our insect hotel, and sure enough, someone has moved in. Not sure what species this, but it uses clay to seal its nest chambers, so I'm guessing mason wasp. Note the lack of interest in the plant stems below (and elsewhere in the hotel). Also, we lined the holes in that wood block badly, so bees are ignoring it. Elsewhere they are happy to use holes in wood.
6 July 2018
Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)
(SG) We often see Bald-faced Hornets scraping the roof of our insect hotel or the railings of the bridge for material to make their huge paper nests, but this one was enjoying a drink of nectar from Figwort (Scrophularia lanceolata). Although its blossoms are small, this plant attracts bees all summer and well into the fall.
5 July 2018
New door knocker
(SG) When I saw this treefrog centred beautifully on our green door, I honestly thought someone had add a decoration to our Resource Centre!
5 July 2018
Grey Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
