22-MAR-2010
Ctenucha moth caterpillar
Another early emerging caterpillar is that of the Ctenucha moth. Many of these can be found at FWG in both early spring and late fall. They seem to be fairly hardy, like the Woolly bear caterpillars, able to withstand cool temperatures. This was found by Jeewanthi on Monday morning.
22-MAR-2010
Red with nest material
This is the little red squirrel with the injured nose, who was looking very sad and unwell a week or so ago. Jeewanthi found him (or her) gathering nest material, and looking much healthier. Good news!
19-MAR-2010
Fire season has begun
Unfortunately, the FWG seems to attract students who find the garden a great place to party. They light big fires, leave garbage, and one of these days, they'll surely burn down the place. It frustrates us no end. It is a problem we have had to contend with for years. We are going to try spreading manure over the site and here a load has been delivered ready for spreading. We did this last year and it seemed to work (although it was also delivered at the end of the party season, so, who knows).
19-MAR-2010
Second fire
The second fire was set along the trail through the woods. As you can see, they have broken off branches from the conifers to feed the fire.
19-MAR-2010
Mallard pair on raft
This pair was sitting on the raft in late afternoon, preening themselves and occasionally stopping to dip their bills in the water. They may attempt nesting in the pond, something mallards occasionally do, but never very successfully.
19-MAR-2010
Red-winged blackbird, male, calling
A few days ago the first red-winged blackbird for the garden was found, and now they have appeared in droves! I went to FWG in late afternoon and found 9 around the pond, while in the Arboretum there must have been 20+. They were singing up a storm in both places, the marshes ringing with their wonderful song. Robins were also singing and the combination was an aural treat.
19-MAR-2010
Comfrey
This warm weather is really hurrying things along. Today I noticed comfrey leaves poking above the ground. They always seem to be one of the first plants to appear in very early spring (not counting the bulbs, such as crocus and aconites, etc.). How nice to see something green and growing!
16-MAR-2010
Squirrel pretending to be part of the branch
This lovely red was about to run down the tree as I approached, and then thought better of it. He flattened himself along the branch and seemed to become one with it. Taken just behind the feeder in the BYG.
16-MAR-2010
Grass spider (Agelenopsis sp.)
This small spider ran across the grass but stopped long enough for a not very good photo! However, at this time of year, it is so exciting to see any signs of warmer weather, that I decided to post it anyway.
16-MAR-2010
Sharp-shinned hawk
A nice shot of this hawk.
16-MAR-2010
Eastern comma
Today was an unbelievably warm (+16) degrees and sunny. Great conditions for the overwintering butterflies to be out. I looked around FWG this morning (with Jeewa, whom I bumped into near noon), but saw none. However, after my meeting at FWG, I went into the Arboretum and saw this eastern comma. It even posed for me.
11-MAR-2010
Crow with nest material
Jeewanthi was at the FWG this morning, where she saw crows noisily gathering twigs for nest building, just as I saw yesterday. She was able to get a great shot of a crow flying off with a prize twig!
She mentioned that the pond held 3 male and 2 female mallards. You may also notice that AAFC has erected a couple of barriers by the bridge over the Amphibian Pond, due to some flooding from high water in the pond.