16-JUN-2014
Caddisfly
This very small caddisfly was perched on a tangle of DSV stems near the pond. I thought at first it was a moth until I looked more closely. Caddisflies can often be mistaken for moths. I don't know the ID for this one, but it could be in the genus Limnephilus, a large genus with many species.
17 June 2014
Great-crested Flycatcher
Lese Ferguson noticed this bird bringing material to a nest box on the south side of the ravine. A flycatcher used this same box last year.
16-JUN-2014
Eastern Kingbird
Perched on one of the artistic installations adjacent to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. These very vocal birds, one of our larger flycatchers, nest in the garden.
16-JUN-2014
Beyond the Edge: Artists' Gardens
This is another of the installations adjacent to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, set up under the auspices of Canadensis Botanical Garden Society. This one looks quite intriguing. I think it is a maze, perhaps?
16-JUN-2014
Plant bug (Taedia sp.)
Several of these very small plant bugs found on a viburnum shrub.
16-JUN-2014
Soldier beetles (Cantharis)
A mating pair of soldier beetles. I always reckon that summer is here when the soldier beetles begin to appear.
16-JUN-2014
Dogwood calligrapha (Calligrapha philadelphica)
This beetle was on, what else, a dogwood shrub, in this case, red osier dogwood. Although common, these beetles are not noticeably abundant. There are a number of calligraphic beetles in the Ottawa area, including some with variations on this lovely pattern, some with stripes, and some in shades of deep red.
13-JUN-2014
Garden Volunteers Recognition for FWG
As part of National Garden Day, the Fletcher Wildlife Garden was recognized by The City of Ottawa and the Ottawa chapter of Landscape Ontario, with a Volunteers Recognition Certificate. This was the first time the City had held such an event.
09-JUN-2014
Tulip tree ( Liriodendron tulipifera)
This tree self-seeded itself, or was planted by a squirrel, about 5 years ago. To my surprise it has withstood even last year's very cold winter and continues growing. A species indigenous to Carolinean Canada and southward into the US, this is a beautiful tree, non-invasive. We are quite protective of this tree.
09-JUN-2014
Lupines (Lupinus)
The Butterfly Meadow is full of lupines right now, and they are well used by bees, honey bees, bumble bees in particular. These are a garden plant, not the native lupine which is rare and not native to Eastern Ontario. The native lupine is the plant closely associated with the rare Karner Blue butterfly. These lupines, pictured, being garden cultivars, come in a variety of colours from pink to white (occasionally), deep blue, purple, and even bi-coloured.
09-JUN-2014
Pale green weevil (Polydrusus)
A non-native species accidentally introduced from Europe. It is a beautiful little creature, most often seen on birch and poplar at the FWG.
09-JUN-2014
Stream cruiser (Didymops transversa)
This dragonfly was flitting around the butterfly meadow, and was spotted by Barry. Unfortunately, it didn't cooperate terribly well for a photo! First time I saw this species at the garden was a year or so back.