Gord found these non-native hornets in our Butterfly Meadow, and there is a hornet nest in an apple tree nearby. We usually find at least one large Bald-faced Hornet nest at the FWG every year, but this species is new to our list. (SG)

This European species has been in North America since at least the mid-1800s, so hardly a recent arrival. It has been found in this region increasingly in recent times and so no surprise it has turned up at the garden. These are the only true hornets we have. The so-called bald-faced hornets are not true hornets. This species, V. crabro, is not aggressive unless it feels its nest is being threatened. They typically make their nests in cavities and while they are made of 'paper' as is the nest of the bald-faced hornet, they don't often suspend them from trees or other tall objects as some other Vespids do. (CH)

The pretty seedhead of the lovely prairie smoke plant, a native species present in southern Ontario but doing well here in the Backyard Garden and in the Butterfly Meadow.

Feeding on the flowers of comfrey.

The native figwort plants (Scrophularia nodosa)had attracted a number of insects today, including this native paper wasp.

Top is a male house finch and bottom, a male purple finch. Earlier, in another part of the garden, we saw the females, one on either side of the feeder making for a good comparison of the sometimes confusing females (only I didn't get a photo, sadly).

Along with painted lady butterflies, also found were:

white admiral

giant swallowtail

cabbage white

european skipper

hobomok skipper

monarch butterfly

common ringlet

Several of these skippers around the garden, along with some european skippers (or essex skippers as they are known in the UK).

As they have done for some years, this species nests at the garden. This one is bringing food to youngsters. Other birds seen today include black-and-white warbler, yellow warblers, american redstart warbler, red-winged blackbirds, common grackles, tree swallows, barn swallows, norther cardinals, american goldfinches, crows, white-breasted nuthatches, purple finches, house finches, song sparrows, chipping sparrows...

Lots of cardinals around today, sometimes individual males, often pairs, calling and singing all over the garden. They are always a treat to see, especially for some visitors from England who find them exotically beautiful.

The Butterfly Meadow has really come to life this week with both colourful flowers and pretty butterflies everywhere. This skipper - so easy to identify with its large bright white wing-spot - was flitting from one vetch flower to another, posing nicely for photos at each stop. (SG)

Two days later, it was good to see our matriarch back in the middle of the pond, looking like the end of a branch, enjoying the sunshine. (SG)

Susan was surprised to see this Garter Snake sunning itself at the top of a clematis vine. Apparently snakes can climb. (SG)

A ubiquitous stink bug, often found on red osier dogwood berries.

I was crouching down to look at something when a blur of movement caught my peripheral vision: a male american redstart had flown into a shrub and was hopping from branch to branch all the way up to a nest. I backed well away and then the female flew in, immediately settled on her nest and I took a couple of shots with my zoom lens and let them be.

A showy member of the mustard family, these non-native plants are widespread and common throughout Ottawa though never in huge numbers. Bees and other insects are attracted to them, and as you can see, their colours range from white through pink to lilac.

One of many firefly species in the area, this one on the not yet fully opened flowerhead of queen-of-the-prarie.

Numerous stands of stinging nettle around the garden, deliberately left for this beautiful butterfly, are at the moment, hosting a number of caterpillars in various instars. To see the butterfly this spiky creature will become: http://www.pbase.com/fwg/image/124531037

A very small robber fly, fairly common right now at the garden and elsewhere.

One of the prettiest of the smaller native maples.

An unusual looking fly with those hairy legs which only the female has.

This shiny black larva is on a goldenrod leaf. A member of the Chrysomelidae family, subfamily Galerucinae, the skeletonizing and flea beetles.

Another view of the meadow showing some of the colour variations in the lupines, from deepest purple to pale pink.

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.

A relatively nondescript stinkbug but one that is very common, probably because it will eat a wide variety of plants and is thus not restricted to one or two species.

You know summer is really here when the Bluets are commonly encountered and are commonly seen mating.

Having a good preening session! This is an early arriving species in the region, often seen in late March. By mid June they are usually thinking about a second brood.