13-Jun-2019
Tufted vetch (Vicia cracca)
Although non-native, attracts many insects including the silvery blue butterfly who lays eggs on it.
13-Jun-2019
Amphibian pond
The pond in late spring, looking east.
07-Jun-2019
Honewort (Cryptotaenia canadensis)
SG: Not a beautiful image, but significant to us. I (Sandy) had never heard of this species when I found it on my land in the country. I took photos, posted them on Facebook, and had an identification the same day, thanks to several botanist friends. I collected seeds, grew plants the following spring and our Tuesday group planted about a dozen on the south side of our Old Woodlot. The following week, most had been nibbled by rabbits. We installed a low fence, the plants grew back, and we were able to remove the fence about a month later. Last year, we noted that the plants had survived the winter and they bloomed in summer. This year, they have obviously self-seeded, and hundreds of tiny plants are growing among the original ones. This looks like a success story, but we still have to keep an eye out in case this turns into an invasive species - yes, even native plants can be "invasive" if they start to replace other plants. It's unlikely this one will prove to be invasive, but when we are introducing new plants to a habitat, it's best to be careful.
05-Jun-2019
Kuehneromyces lignatilis
A gilled fungus found growing on wood chips on a path in the Butterfly Meadow. The two-tone caps are a result of the surface darkening as it dries.
01-Jun-2019
Baltimore oriole, female
A female oriole amongst the flowers.
01-Jun-2019
Horsetails (Equisetum)
Just west of the pond a huge swathe of horsetails has taken over. A few years ago this same area had an abundant growth of jewelweed or forget-me-not plants the flowers of which attracted hummingbirds.
01-Jun-2019
White trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
While most trilliums are past their peak, there are a few still crisply white and fresh in the old woods.
01-Jun-2019
Virginia waterleaf (Hydrophyllum virginianum)
Not yet in flower, but you can see the dense growth of this species in the old woods area. It is a native species that does well in shade.
01-Jun-2019
Spotted lady beetle (Coleomegilla maculata)
Found this one in the wild plums along the service road through the garden.
01-Jun-2019
Baltimore oriole, male
Not the sharpest shot, but this bird was high up and mostly hidden. After waiting for quite some time I got this one photo. There were several orioles around the garden, male and female, frequently singing and making their almost wren-like call.
01-Jun-2019
Song sparrow
Of course, there are many song sparrows around the garden, now busily nesting, and it won't be that long before they start a second brood.
01-Jun-2019
American redstart, male
Redstarts are another species that seemed to be everywhere in the garden (and just about everywhere else I've been this spring). This male was sitting near the butterfly meadow singing away for a long time.
