07-MAY-2012
Asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis)
These ladybeetles are voracious predators of aphids and other insects too. They are highly variable ranging from this multi-spotted individual to ones that have no spots at all.
07-MAY-2012
Virginia ctenucha caterpillar
One of the most readily found of all caterpillars, after the familiar woolly bear caterpillar (the Isabella tiger moth). These little guys will even be seen crawling over the snow on late winter days. This one, showing his pretty red feet, was climbing up a dry stem of last year's goldenrod.
07-MAY-2012
American crows
The young crows are out of the nest and their nasal cries can be heard in many locations. These are two adults who seem to be taking a breather from caring for junior.
07-MAY-2012
Mayapple (Podophyllum peltatum)
A native wildflower, but not native in our region. However, just a few hours south of here, along the St. Lawrence, it can be found in large swathes, and is fairly common around southern Ontario. However, it clearly does well in our area as this stand has been coming up year after year in the Ash woods (where it was planted, it did not occur naturally) for some time. It is one of several wildflowers to also bear the name "mandrake root". Interestingly, it is in the same family (Berberidaceae) as the invasive Japanese barberry shrub.
07-MAY-2012
Painted turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
Compared to some of the painted turtles we've had in the pond, this one is relatively small. I am wondering if it is the same one we've had in the pond for the last few years. It looks about the right size, perhaps marginally bigger. A few years back we had two painted turtles in the pond, one was more than twice the size of this one. At the same time we had a very large snapping turtle, a blanding's turtle, and a red-eared slider. That was definitely the year of the turtle.
07-MAY-2012
Toothwort (Cardamine diphylla)
This native plant, uncommon in the Ottawa region, used to be called Dentaria diphylla. It is a plant of shaded woodlands.
07-MAY-2012
White trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
In full flower in the Ash woods.
07-MAY-2012
Crabapple (Malus)
The ornamental crabapples are in full bloom also, and many are attracting the same insects as the wild plum, although some attract none at all, perhaps these are varieties that are not useful to insects?
07-MAY-2012
Wild plum
These trees are in full bloom and abuzz with a variety of bees including honey bees and sweat bees.
07-MAY-2012
Spotted lady beetle (Coleomegilla maculata)
This very small native lady beetle is on a dandelion, which is one of the best places to look for them this time of year! They are fierce predators of other insects and arachnids.
07-MAY-2012
Johnny-jump-ups
These are garden plants, non-native, but pretty in early spring. A lot of bees and flies are attracted to them. These are in the Backyard Garden, and there were many nomada bees flitting around amongst them, probably looking for the burrows of one of the mining bees on which they are kleptoparasites.
04-MAY-2012
Green frogs (Rana clamitans)
This gathering occurred in the small pond in the Backyard Garden. I think the frogs feel much safer here than in the big pond with hungry herons and others.
