19-JUN-2012
Leaf-cutter bee work
Leaf-cutter bees in the Genus Megachile, cut these almost perfect circular holes in rose leaves and carry them back to make their long cigar-shaped nests either in bee boxes, under rocks, under decks, or in a myriad of places.
19-JUN-2012
Planthopper (Cedusa)
These tiny, 2 mm, planthoppers are very common right now. They are easy to overlook because of their minute size, but their lovely colour does make them stand out. They can be found on almost any vegetation.
19-JUN-2012
Two-spotted stink bugs (Cosmopepla lintneriana)
A big cluster of these tiny and pretty, stinkbugs on the figwort at the back of the BYG. I counted about 20 of them.
19-JUN-2012
Eastern forktail (Ischnura verticalis), male
This pretty little damselfly landed briefly in the BYG this morning. The females are usually a lovely radiant orange colour.
19-JUN-2012
Purple nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)
Also known as deadly nightshade, this twining vine in the potato family is a European import. After these pretty flowers, comes bright red shiny berries. They are toxic, so no tasting.
19-JUN-2012
Refurbished bench
With many thanks to Gord, our old,tired bench has been given a facelift and looks amazing. Like a brand new bench. Not only beautiful but now sturdy. And Gord even inscribed our name (FWG) on the bench. Thank you, Gord!
19-JUN-2012
Galium (Galium mollugo)
This non-native species of galium (a group of plants also known as bedstraws), is a vigorously spreading plant that clambers over everything. It looks delicate and pretty, but it can hold its own with any plant, except perhaps for dog-strangling vine (pale swallowwort).
13-JUN-2012
Saddled leafhopper (Colladonus clitellarius)
A minute little guy, hiding in the fold of a goldenrod leaf.
19-JUN-2012
Lunch!
This crow was very happy to find an exceptionally long worm for lunch. It didn't take him long to devour it. One of the reasons crows are so successful, is that they are omnivores, eating a huge variety of foods, from carrion, to fruit, to garbage, invertebrates, mammals, birds, etc.
19-JUN-2012
Common Yellowthroat
This is one of several common yellowthroats around the garden. For many years this species did not breed at the garden, but when it did begin to do so, it was sporadic, nesting one year, not the next. But for the last 4 years or so they have been regulars, and this year we seem to have two pairs.
19-JUN-2012
Honeysuckle (Lonicera)
This gorgeous flame-coloured honeysuckle, is on the north wall of our interpretation centre. It often attracts insects and hummingbirds.
19-JUN-2012
Grasshopper's shed skin
It seemed to be the day for shed skins (exuviae) of insects. Here, the ghostly white of the left-behind skin of a grasshopper, was clinging to a Queen Anne's lace. Many species of insect molt several times (about 4 to 7). This shedding of the old encasing exoskeleton, allows them to grow with each molt.
