09-JUN-2014
Jumping spider in shelter
This enterprising jumping spider had created a silky shelter in a Dog-strangling vine leaf at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden.
06-JUN-2014
Volunteers posing for a group shot
As they do every year, the Price WaterhouseCoopers gives their employees a day off to do volunteer work. A team has been coming to the Fletcher Wildlife Garden for many years and we greatly appreciate the work they do - often as much in one day as we can accomplish in several weeks. Diane, in the green shirt, supervised their hard work during the afternoon.
06-JUN-2014
Volunteers showing the work they've done
After a morning's hard work, the team poses at the site where they cleared vegetation and sifted soil, ready for planting.
06-JUN-2014
Hard workers
This photo by Diane gives an indication of the heavy work these stalwart volunteers undertook.
04-JUN-2014
Goldenrod Gall Moth (Epiblema scudderiana), #3186
This tiny and quite attractive little moth is the insect behind the long slender galls found on goldenrod stems, versus the large round galls made by the goldenrod gall fly. Also known as Scudder's epiblema.
04-JUN-2014
Thick-headed fly (Zodion)
This little fly, beautifully photographed by Diane, is likely in the Genus Zodion, one of the Conopidae, the Thick-headed Flies.
09-JUN-2014
Goldenrod leaf beetle larvae (Trirhabda borealis)
These two little critters are the larvae of a rather handsome striped beetle found later in summer. The larvae are always found on goldenrod, usually tall goldenrod (Solidago altissima)or canada goldenrod (Solidago canadensis)as here. When disturbed, they wave their rear ends in the air, here each with a bit of frass, just to really deter anyone!
09-JUN-2014
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum)
I'm unsure as to whether this is the native Viburnum trilobum or a nursery cultivar. We have a number of them around the garden, bought and planted by us. They were labeled V. trilobum, but we are not absolutely certain. At any rate, the fruit doesn't attract wildlife as it is supposed to. In spring they do look beautiful with their pristine white flower clusters.
09-JUN-2014
Results of tree removal from the "Ash Woods"
Cutting of the emerald ash borer killed ash trees, continues. Here, the FWG looks more like a logging site than a wildlife garden. Inside the woods, there is much devastation, with some of our maples and cherries destroyed, and our new "fern garden" partly obliterated.
03-JUN-2014
Eastern Prickly Pear Cactus (Opuntia humifusa)
This cactus is native to parts of Ontario, and we've had one in the rockery area of the Backyard Garden for many years. Although it looks shriveled and dead in early spring, it always fills out (and fills up with water) and turns green by this time of year. It has a lovely light yellow flower that lasts only a few days. (Sandy)
There has been a small stand of this species, naturally occurring as far as is known, about two hours west of Ottawa. (Christine)
03-JUN-2014
Grackle
According to Robert, there were "mostly finches at the bird bath until this guy interrupted to lower the water level." (Sandy)
03-JUN-2014
American Goldfinch, male
A gorgeous male goldfinch, photographed by Robert. These birds, unlike most other species, are not yet nesting, waiting until the thistles flower, their breeding period timed to this occurrence. (Christine)