13-JUN-2017
Robber fly (Asilidae)
A very small robber fly, fairly common right now at the garden and elsewhere.
13-JUN-2017
Small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii)
Although these bugs overwinter as adults and I have seen them very early in spring, typically they are most apparent once the milkweed starts to grow.
13-JUN-2017
Striped maple (Acer pensylvanicum)
One of the prettiest of the smaller native maples.
13-JUN-2017
Pasture grass-veneer (Crambus saltuellus), #5363
There are a number of grass-veneer species in our area, but all look alike when startled up from the grass: tiny white blobs. When seen up close they are quite beautiful and their wing patterns are intricate.
13-JUN-2017
Dance fly (Rhamphomyia longicauda), female
An unusual looking fly with those hairy legs which only the female has.
13-JUN-2017
Corn gromwell (Lithospermum arvense)
This member of the Borage family is easily overlooked, especially at this time of year when its small flowers are relatively inconspicuous. In autumn, however, the hard shiny white seeds really stand out. It is a non-native species from Europe.
13-JUN-2017
Trirhabda larva
This shiny black larva is on a goldenrod leaf. A member of the Chrysomelidae family, subfamily Galerucinae, the skeletonizing and flea beetles.
13-JUN-2017
Butterfly meadow
The lupines are always a sight in spring at the butterfly meadow, a sea of blue against the dark green foliage of shrubs and trees. Bees, especially honey bees, are attracted to these flowers.
13-JUN-2017
Butterfly meadow
Another view of the meadow showing some of the colour variations in the lupines, from deepest purple to pale pink.
13-JUN-2017
Mallard
Standing on the turtle raft, this mallard has been hanging around the pond for many weeks. There was a female at one time, but she is either on eggs somewhere, or has left, or perhaps this is not the same mallard we first saw back in April as one a pair.
13-JUN-2017
Amphibian pond
At last, grasses and cattails are growing around the pond again, making it look far less barren. Unfortunately, growing also in the pond is a significant population of the invasive flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus). On the slopes you can see the newly planted flowers that by summer should be filling in nicely and growing tall.
07-JUNE-2017
Eastern phoebe
Barry took this lovely shot of the phoebe against a brilliant blue sky.
