17-MAR-2016
Purple-toothed polypore (Trichaptum biforme)
The green is from algal growth. When fresh or moistened by rain, these polypores are a bright purple underneath. (CH)
17-MAR-2016
Cecropia moth cocoon
A good photo of a cecropia moth cocoon at the garden, taken by Barry. Hopefully this one will produce a moth. They are spectacular creatures, as big as a hand. They belong to the Giant Silkworm family (Saturniidae), which includes, locally, some other equally spectacular moths. The caterpillars (larvae) are also spectacular. Too bad we never saw the caterpillar before it spun its cocoon!
17-MAR-2016
Mallards
The pond is opening up but there is still ice on much of it. Nonetheless, the ice didn't deter a pair of mallards, which Barry saw and photographed.
17-MAR-2016
They're back: Canada geese
In this photo by Barry, the geese look exactly like the 'V' shapes kids draw to depict birds flying. The geese are back in force now, large skeins filling the sky, more each day.
17-MAR-2016
Common grackle
Grackles, along with red-winged blackbirds, song sparrows, killdeer, turkey vultures and canada geese, are amongst the really early birds to return to our area. Even when there is still snow on the ground, and the risk of snow falling, with temperatures anywhere from -12 to +12, these birds are not deterred.
11-MAR-2016
Eastern cottontail rabbit
Barry spotted this cottontail sitting near its hidey-hole.
11-MAR-2016
Rat-tailed maggot
Barry found one of these odd-looking little aquatic critters swimming around in an open area of the pond where the ice had receded. This is the larva of a hover fly (Syrphid family). It is difficult to identify species of hover fly at this stage, but I am guessing that this is in the Eristalinae subfamily and might be the drone fly, Eristalis tenax, a non-native and common species. That long 'tail' you can see is the breathing tube. Not all hover flies are aquatic at this stage, but certainly those in the Eristalinae tend to be. (CH)
11-MAR-2016
Rat-tailed maggot
Barry found one of these odd-looking little aquatic critters swimming around in an open area of the pond where the ice had receded. This is the larva of a hover fly (Syrphid family). It is difficult to identify species of hover fly at this stage, but I am guessing that this is in the Eristalinae subfamily and might be the drone fly, Eristalis tenax, a non-native and common species. That long 'tail' you can see is the breathing tube. Not all hover flies are aquatic at this stage, but certainly those in the Eristalinae tend to be. (CH)
11-MAR-2016
Lichens of the FWG
Lichens are beautiful and with lovely colours, texture and patterns. Barry photographed a number of lichens at the FWG and I decided to put them together in a collage so the full impact could be seen. Some lichens are restricted to a certain tree species, for example, some only grow on jack pines, others grow on various conifers but not on hardwoods, and vice versa. (CH)
11-MAR-2016
Red squirrel
A perennial favourite topic for photographers, these adorable creatures are hard to resist.
11-MAR-2016
Squirrel box
Barry said that this box was already open when he came along and photographed it. I have seen several of the boxes that were erected a couple of years ago, open like this, sometimes with the contents on the ground below. Barry speculated a raccoon may have done this, and he did see a raccoon a few weeks ago at the garden. We don't really see many of these mammals at FWG, but it could be a raccoon doing this. I always think it is human interference! (CH)
11-MAR-2016
Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris)
The red of the non-native scotch pine really stands out in the sun.
Downy woodpecker, male
A frequent visitor to the garden's suet feeder, and a year-round resident. Woodpeckers are drumming now (in fact, have been doing so for some weeks), a sure sign the breeding season is beginning for these birds. (CH)
10-MAR-2016
Red-winged blackbird, male
A set of three photos of red-winged blackbirds, taken by Barry. These are true signs of spring! Red-wings come back most years about mid-March, although we've seen them earlier (early March) and later in the month, but the average arrival is about March 10-12. And here they are. There is nothing more redolent of spring than the sound of their "O-ka-ree" call ringing across the land.
10-MAR-2016
Red-winged blackbird, male
Another shot of the male red-wing. Females will arrive in another week or two, by which time the males will have been checking out nesting territory in order to be ready with the serious business of courting, mating and nesting.
10-MAR-2016
Red-winged blackbird, male
The third photo in this series of our harbinger of spring!
08-MAR-2016
Grey squirrel, black phase
Squirrels are particularly active and noticeable now. Birthing season is around the corner, nests are being refurbished, and they are all trying to find food now that most of the natural food supply has been consumed. Thank goodness for the two feeders at the garden!
08-MAR-2016
Pileated woodpecker work
This old conifer is riddled with holes from pileated woodpeckers. Here, there are a couple of old holes, and one fresh one with the debris underneath. Pileated and other woodpeckers love standing dead trees which usually have a good number of insects burrowed within.
08-MAR-2016
Looking to the Interpretation Centre across the ravine
Looking more or less NW across the ravine at the Fletcher garden, to our Interpretation Centre, behind which is the model Backyard Garden.
08-MAR-2016
Old field habitat
The old field is to the left of the trees which form a band around the habitat. Further back, the trees of the old woodlot can be seen. All this in the middle of the city!
08-MAR-2016
White pines (Pinus strobus)
I noticed some of the white pines are looking unhealthy. It may be pine rust, or perhaps something else. It is worrying as these trees are not that old. I think they were planted less than twenty years ago.
04-MAR-2016
Grey squirrel
As can be seen, few crabapples left on this tree, but what is there, the squirrels will find. Most trees are now devoid of fruit and you can be sure that the fruit that is left on some trees is not palatable/edible.
04-MAR-2016
Grey squirrel
Feeding on the remaining crabapples. Natural food sources are scarce these days, so it is a good thing spring is on the horizon with fresh buds, new growth...
04-MAR-2016
Ice patterns
This lovely shot by Barry shows that if you keep your eyes open, you can find things of interest to photograph even when most of what you see is snow and ice.
04-MAR-2016
Ravine
A beautiful sheen on the deep snow, caught by Barry during one of your sunny crisp days.
04-MAR-2016
Tracks
Birds and mammals both find something to lure them to this part of the ravine where the pond water trickles down eventually to the ravine.
04-MAR-2016
Black-capped chickadee
Full speed ahead in this amusing flight shot by Barry. The chickadee looks very determined to get where it is is going. Perhaps one of the feeders.
