25-MAY-2010
White slant-line moth (Tetracis cachexiata)
This moth was in the BYG. I saw a few Anania funebris and lots of Ctenucha cocoons, so we may have a lot of these gorgeous day-flying moths in awhile.
25-MAY-2010
Cabbage white (Pieris rapae) on Forget-me-not
There was variety but not numbers in the butterfly world at FWG today. I saw three cabbage whites, 1 Canadian tiger swallowtail, 2 common ringlets, i viceroy, 1 very worn American lady, 2 red admirals, 1 clouded sulphur, 1 northern crescent and 2 hobomok skippers.
25-MAY-2010
Sweat bee (Agapostemon splendens) in a rose
Insects were abundant in the BYG, mostly these and other Halictids, bumblebees and Andrenid bees.
25-MAY-2010
In the bird bath
Because it was forecast to be another hot day, I was at FWG just after 8:30 this morning. It was already hot. These house finches were lined up to take advantage of the bird bath!
Yellow warblers are back in force. I saw at least 3 pairs plus a couple of singletons. Red-winged blackbird females were busy building nests. Tree swallows are nesting. Chickadees are feeding young, as are robins. Song sparrows are also nesting. A killdeer was flying and calling, on and off for an hour, high over the garden. A crow flew quickly out a spruce tree and nearly crashed into me. I ducked or else I'd have had crow on my face! Orioles, warbling vireos, redstarts, cardinals, and all the regular birds were around. The only unusual bird was a willow flycatcher giving its "Fitz-bew" call.
23-MAY-2010
Pale swallowwrt/Dog-strangling vine
Our favourite invasive species (not)!
20-MAY-2010
Eastern Kingbird
It looks like this kingbird, photographed by Jeewanthi, is already collecting nest material.
20-MAY-2010
Hover fly, Possibly Criorhina sp., a bumblebee mimic
I didn't get clear enough photos front and back, but because it was out in spring I think it may be a Criorhina species of hover fly. Doesn't it look just like a bumblebee?
20-MAY-2010
Baltimore oriole, male
The beautiful song of this species was a constant the whole time I was at FWG today.
20-MAY-2010
Hobomok skipper (Poanes hobomok)
There were at least three of these recently emerged skippers at FWG, and likely, more. Other butterflies found today: Canadian tiger swallowtail 1, red admiral 10+, cabbage white 6+, blue sp. 2 (didn't land so couldn't tell if it was a silvery blue or a spring azure).
20-MAY-2010
Hobomok skipper (Poanes hobomok)
In this photo, the Hobomok skipper has his wings open, and the distinctive pattern can be seen.
18-MAY-2010
Tending the herd: Publilia treehoppers and ants
Every year I look for these abundant treehoppers and their attendant ants. They have a symbiotic relationship. The ants protect the treehoppers and in return "milk" them for honeydew.
18-MAY-2010
Hover fly (Chalcosyrphus curvaria)
Another new hover fly for our FWG list. They are relatively common, so I am sure they are around the garden every year, but I haven't seen them there until today when I saw a couple. They are very good wasp mimics!
