25-Jul-2019
Soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
Several soldier beetles become very noticeable in mid-summer, this introduced species being one of them. Here, it is on queen anne's lace.
25-Jul-2019
Waterlily leafcutter (Elophila obliteralis)
Diane photographed this while doing pond work. The larvae feed on a variety of aquatic plants.
25-Jul-2019
Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
A beautiful native flower planted in the Butterfly Meadow.
25-Jul-2019
Red admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta)
A very tattered and worn butterfly, here nectaring on the Canada thistle that also attracts so many other insects. Red admirals were slightly more plentiful this year than last, and we found some larvae at the garden in their host plant, stinging nettle.
25-Jul-2019
Honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Yet another insect nectaring on the non-native Canada thistle.
25-Jul-2019
Green Frog (Lithobates clamitans)
The sound of green frogs is another sound of summer. Here, Diane photographed one peering through a mat of duckweed.
25-Jul-2019
Gray catbird
Lots of baby birds in the garden these days. A family of catbirds was very vocal and flighty, not allowing reasonable photo! This is a juvenile.
25-Jul-2019
House wren
Another very vocal and active youngster, one of several wrens flying around near the ravine. They nested in the garden and should have a second brood.
25-Jul-2019
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
A vivid orange milkweed in the Butterfly Meadow. This is one of many species of milkweeds and is native to areas just south of us.
25-Jul-2019
Queen of the prairie (Filipendula rubra)
This gorgeous tall showy plant is native to prairie regions in southern Ontario and beyond.
25-Jul-2019
Cup-plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Bees and other insects are attracted to this beautiful tall yellow-flowered plant, which is native to areas south of us, but like so many other plants are native just beyond our regional boundary, this thrives here.
25-Jul-2019
Treehopper (Acutalis)
For me, the sighting of these tiny treehoppers is a sure sign summer is rolling along. This one is on a Canada goldenrod.
25-Jul-2019
Tadpole
Diane photographed this colourful tadpole in the big pond; it is probably that of a gray treefrog.
25-Jul-2019
Soldier fly (Odontomyia sp.)
Diane photographed this small soldier fly near the pond.
25-Jul-2019
Water strider (Gerridae)
Water striders are always fun to watch as they skate or stride across the water. Here, this one is moving across the duckweed in the pond.
25-Jul-2019
Pond work
One of the FWG volunteers working to clear away some of the cattails that are closing up the open water.
25-Jul-2019
Amphibian pond
Diane and Ted spent time working at removing flowering rush in the big pond. Diane took this photo after they had done some work.
25-Jul-2019
Bluet (Enallagma)
One of the many insects found around the pond.
25-Jul-2019
Gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
Diane and Ted were clearing flowering rush out of the big pond yesterday and Diane said there were many frogs and aquatic insects, including this very adorable treefrog.
25-Jul-2019
Twelve-spotted skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
One of the dragonflies Diane saw flitting around the pond.
25-Jul-2019
Green Frogs (Lithobates clamitans)
Showing how well hidden the frogs are in the duckweed. The sound of green frogs is really one of the iconic sounds of summer when near any body of water.
16-Jul-2019
Sweat bee (Agapostemon virescens)
Busy nectaring on common burdock flowers which are frequently used by many pollinators.
16-Jul-2019
Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Always happy to see these butterflies. This one nectaring on Swamp Milkweed in the butterfly meadow.
16-Jul-2019
Treehopper (Campylencha latipes)
There are many and varied species of treehoppers in this part of Ontario, but because of their small size and ability to hide, it is not always easy to see them. Fortunately, this one was sitting on a goldenrod stem and stood out.
16-Jul-2019
Brown-headed cowbird being fed by female american redstart
In Britain it is the cuckoo who lays their eggs in other birds nests. Here, it is the brown-headed cowbird. This young bird has no idea he is an imposter. He just thinks the smaller bird is his natural mother, and she obediently feeds the young bird that hatched out of her nest.
16-Jul-2019
Brown-headed cowbird
Another shot of the cowbird waiting to be fed. He sat peering anxiously until his 'mother' returned with food.
16-Jul-2019
South side slope
Long-time visitors to the Fletcher Garden will know that where this slope is used to be flat land with perhaps a slight rise. Then the pond was excavated to rid it of decaying vegetation, cattails and flowering rush. All that stuff was piled up south of the pond burying several bird boxes in the process. It was supposed to be there temporarily, but several years have gone by and the slope has become covered with dense vegetation and now looks like a perfectly natural part of the landscape, as if always there.
16-Jul-2019
Northern flicker, juvenile
Also in good numbers at the garden - northern flickers both adults and juveniles.
16-Jul-2019
American robin, juvenile
The robins have fledged their first brood and will be starting on another one now. This streaked-chested youngster was part of a much larger group of adult and juvenile robins feeding on the various fruits available around the garden.
16-Jul-2019
Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus )
This one popped out of the dense vegetation on the southern slope of the pond, where it had no doubt been finding seeds from the variety of plants growing there.
16-Jul-2019
Entrance to the garden
As you walk from the parking lot south into the garden, you pass by this relatively recent installation and planting. The fence is a fine rustic addition to the plants put there to replace Dog-strangling vine.
16-Jul-2019
Mallow (Malva moschata)
A non-native plant that comes and goes at the FWG. There used to be a big mallow bank leading to the Arboretum, then it was reduced considerably for various reasons. The plants are now back in part, and are springing up here and there in small numbers. A garden plant that has made itself at home.
16-Jul-2019
Blue vervain (Verbena hastata)
This beautiful tall native plant is flowering near the pond. The flowers attract various pollinators.
16-Jul-2019
Wild parsnip and insects
There are only a few parsnip plants, well away from the trails. These plants are an important host plant for the native black swallowtail butterfly caterpillars. They also provide abundant nectar for a wide variety of insects, including plant bugs, bees, butterflies, etc.
16-Jul-2019
Purple flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
This large patch of the native Rubus has been growing on the edge of the old field area for years. It hasn't spread much, but it does prevent dog-strangling vine from growing.
16-Jul-2019
Purple flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
Another photo of the native shrub, this one from the back.
16-Jul-2019
Bee balm (Monarda didyma)
This large patch of the pretty, native bee balm attracts many types of pollinators.
16-Jul-2019
Amphibian pond
At the far end, the non-native and invasive Flowering rush has taken over, as it does every year. Pretty but fast-spreading.
