30-MAY-2014
Snowberry clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis)
A snowberry clearwing moth (a member of the Sphinx family), nectars on a dame's rocket flower (Hesperis matronalis).
30-MAY-2014
Artists - work in progress
Artists working with the group behind the formation of a botanical garden in Ottawa, are beginning to set up installations in the field adjacent to the FWG. This is one, there are four others.
30-MAY-2014
Millipedes (Julidae family)
Turning over the old rotting polypores that have fallen to the ground (or been pulled off), looking for horned fungus beetles, I came across these two shiny millipedes, and one minute fungus beetle of some sort, not the ones I was looking for. Polypores in particular are fun to search for a variety of insects.
30-MAY-2014
Banded hairstreak butterfly larva (Satyrium calanus)
Turning over oak leaves on both red and bur oaks, looking for insects, particularly a certain treehopper, I found this tiny rather flat little critter. I reckoned it was a butterfly larva but only when I got home and checked field guides did I think it was likely that of a hairstreak. I turned to the expert in these matters, Ross Layberry, who promptly identified it as a banded hairstreak, about 3rd instar. It was on the underside of a bur oak leaf. I was quite pleased to find it because finding the larvae (caterpillars) of butterflies seems to me to be far more difficult that finding the larvae of moths. Or perhaps it is simply that there are so many moth species compared to butterflies that chances are that much greater.
28-MAY-2014
Leaf-mining beetle Microrhopala excavata)
This tiny little beetle with its flat pitted elytra, is rather unusual looking. As with all things in nature there is a reason for the shape. In its larval stage it lives within leaves, and you can imagine how slender and flat it would need to be for that! The shape is retained as an adult. It is common during late spring and summer all over the region. It belongs to the Chrysomelid family of beetles, in the subfamily Hispinae.
30-MAY-2014
Little lost bird
While I was talking to a few people at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, this little bird suddenly appeared, flying straight at us, almost as if relieved to hear human voices, and to see us. Not your typical behaviour, and we were all startled, until the bird landed and I could see it was some sort of finch, mostly white, but with faint yellow on the wings. It hung around us for a short while and several of us held our hands out hoping it might land on them, so we could catch it. It was obviously very used to human company, but not to the extent of trusting us enough to land on our proffered hands. It is clearly a lost bird, possibly escaped from a nearby house. Its chances of survival are slim. I tried to relocate it after it flew away, but with no luck. Poor little creature.
28-MAY-2014
Ash woods no more
After the removal of 50 ash trees, all the ash trees in fact in our little woodlot, and that gave it its name, we will have to think of something else to call this section of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. While nature is good at regenerating after logging, which this essentially is, it will not be in the lifetime of many of us, that we'll see any of the new trees that will one day be planted, grow to the size of the trees taken down. Their removal is all due to the exotic pest, the emerald ash borer which is destroying ash trees throughout southern and eastern ontario.
28-MAY-2014
"Ash" Woods
David took this photo from behind the barrier preventing access to the work site in our woodlot, where big ash trees are being felled. Sad, sad.
28-MAY-2014
Ash woods destruction
The destruction is due to the emerald ash borer, an exotic pest of ash trees, that is causing immense havoc in southern and eastern Ontario, as well as in other areas too. The big ash trees that gave the woodlot at the FWG its name are no more. Fifty trees have come down, leaving only a few red oaks, and some conifers. David's photo shows the main part of the woodlot.
30-MAY-2014
Baltimore oriole
A vibrantly hued oriole in full sunshine, late afternoon on Friday. It sat and sang for some time, allowing a great view.
30-MAY-2014
Gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor)
Treefrogs are still calling vociferously, and will continue to do so, on and off throughout summer. Looking down to the amphibian pond I spotted what looked at first like an emerald green blob, and when the sun shone on it, it was blindingly bright green. Eventually, after taking many photos, most of which were blurry and very poor because of the distance, I got this not-too-bad one. There is actually a second treefrog in the photo. If you look to the upper left, you can just see it through the cattails.
27 May 2014
Climbing groundhog
This little groundhog is creating quite a stir with its acrobatics. Robert sent us this photo last week, when he noticed it near the top of a 15-20 foot tree in the ravine that runs through the FWG. Can you see him in the upper left corner of the photo? (Sandy)
Groundhogs are adept climbers, and we often forget that they are in fact, squirrels in the family Sciuridae, along with, in our area, chipmunks, red squirrels and grey squirrels), and therefore, like others in their family, they can climb. Unlike the tree squirrels (reds and greys), they are not arboreal, despite their climbing ability. These heavy guys are ground dwellers. However, when trying to elude a predator, which at the FWG would be dogs or foxes, they can and will climb, sometimes to quite a height, as Robert's photo shows. (Christine)
27 May 2014
Tree-hog?
Marguerite Naylor was also intrigued by the height this groundhog reached. Her close-up photo shows that he's in a hawthorn tree that's in bloom. I wonder if the flowers are a special treat for him? (Sandy)
As mentioned in the previous text, groundhogs, as members of the Sciuridae family (which includes in this area, chipmunks and red squirrels and grey squirrels) and therefore can climb when they have to, though they generally prefer terra firma. This is usually when they are pursued by a predator, or when something makes them feel threatened and climbing a tree is a way of escape. It is not uncommon to find groundhogs sitting on fence posts in rural areas, something I've seen many times. Climbing trees is a more unusual occurrence, but it happens, as this great photo, and the previous one, show. (Christine)
28-MAY-2014
Eastern Kingbird
One of most visible and familiar flycatchers, these feisty birds nest at the FWG and the Arboretum.
28-MAY-2014
Red-winged blackbird, male
A very artistic photo of one of the breeding blackbirds at the pond.
28-MAY-2014
House Finch
A beautiful male house finch in full breeding colour, photographed by Diane. There is no mistaking this lovely bird. The next closest species is the purple finch, but the male is a much deeper raspberry colour, which is more extensive.
21-MAY-2014
Silvery blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
Diane took this lovely photo of the native silvery blue. Along with spring azures, and eastern-tailed blues, this is another of the blues (Lycaenids) that we see at the garden in spring.
21-MAY-2014
Cabbage white (Pieris rapae)
So far this year, butterflies have been thin on the ground, so it is good to be able to post photos of even this very common (non-native) species.
21-MAY-2014
Moth chrysalis
Diane, who took this interesting photo, said that she while digging in the Butterfly Meadow, two of these were found. She thinks this is possibly a sphinx moth chrysalis.
26-MAY-2014
House wren
Robert, who took these two striking photos of the house wrens, said that they were creating quite a rumpus. These guys have nested at the FWG for some few years now, usually double-brooded. Their call is not described as "scolding" for nothing! For that is exactly what they sound like, and they sound agitated even when they are not.
26-MAY-2014
Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum)
A gorgeous shot by Robert, of the delicate seedheads of the prairie smoke plant. It is easy to see how they got their name... imagine a large area filled with these! They are native to southern Ontario and beyond, but not around here, though they have done well in the Backyard Garden for years.
20-MAY-2014
Great-crested flycatcher
Robert watched this flycatcher catching flies in the Backyard Garden near our small pond.
20-MAY-2014
Dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris)
A very pretty, very small native iris growing in the Backyard Garden rockery. This species is not native to the Ottawa area, though it clearly does well in the garden. It's range is along the Great Lakes, mostly the Bruce Peninsula, though it is now considered a species of concern in its native range. According to the MNR website, this species is known from only 43 sites in Ontario, most around the Bruce Peninsula.
20-MAY-2014
Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
A common woodland plant, one that fascinates because it is so unusual looking. The spadix (the "jack") can just be seen in this lovely shot by France. It gave rise to the common name above, the preacher (jack) in his pulpit! In garden settings it can, if the site is suitable, spread quite rapidly.
20-MAY-2014
Northern green frog (Rana clamitans)
A very brilliantly green Rana clamitans. These frogs can range from dark brown to this bright green, thus causing much confusion in identification.
20-MAY-2014
Cranesbill geranium (Geranium)
One of several varieties of geraniums called 'cranesbill' for the shape of the seed capsules that form. There is a wide variety of native cranesbill geraniums, though most grow further south of here. Our most common species is herb-robert (Geranium robertianum).
20-MAY-2014
White-crowned sparrow
The Ottawa region has been treated to a long visit by these beautiful sparrows, but now they are heading to their northern breeding grounds. Everyone has been commenting on how abundant they have been this spring. Their distinctive song filled the air for weeks.
20-MAY-2014
Red-tailed hawk
This juvenile red-tailed hawk has been hanging around the FWG for weeks now. Normally, we see this species in autumn, it sticks around during the winter, and leaves in early spring. Red-tailed hawks are one of the most common and abundant hawks in North America, and they breed commonly in this region, but not (so far anyway) at the FWG or the Arboretum.
20-MAY-2014
Wood poppy ((Stylophorum diphyllum)
This is a gorgeous native plant, although its range is further south of Ottawa. However, it not only grows well but spreads prolifically when it is established.
20-MAY-2014
Chipmunk
Who doesn't find these little creatures engaging! This one has prettily posed near the dwarf lake iris in the Backyard Garden.
20-MAY-2014
Northern cardinal, male
A vivid splash of red, the male cardinal is always an eye-catcher! They are breeding now and busy with nests and eggs and soon, young.
House wren
Wrens are amongst my favourite birds. There is just something about them! This is one of a pair that Barry saw checking out a potential nest site (next photo).
House wren nest cavity... maybe!
Barry found a couple of house wrens at the garden and saw them investigating this perfectly symmetrical cavity in a birch snag. The birch snags are popular nesting spots for black-capped chickadees, and would also make a great nesting place for house wrens. Wrens have nested for some years at the FWG, and being double-brooded (usually), they waste no time working on a second nesting, often re-using the same nest site.
Northern flicker, male
A lovely shot of the northern flicker woodpecker showing its distinctive speckled breast and red patch on the back of the head.
Brown thrasher
This has been an excellent spring thus far, for brown thrashers. I can't count the number I've heard almost everywhere I've been, east and west in the city and beyond. One arrived at the FWG and stayed around for at least a few days, singing its heart out and Barry got a couple of good photographs.
18-MAY-2014
Red-bellied woodpecker, male
This species is generally seen in the winter in this region, if seen at all, and sightings are limited to one or perhaps two individuals a winter (but see below). A very nice and surprising find and an excellent photo by Robert. This is the 153rd species for our Fletcher Wildlife Garden bird list!
Update: Robert tells me he had two of these woodpeckers at the FWG, sitting next to each other, but in different trees. One was skittish and flew off, not to be seen again and he didn't get a chance to see if it was a female or another male. Wouldn't it be something if this species nested at FWG! I have also just heard via Bob Cermak, that a pair has nested near Pakenham in recent years!
19-MAY-2004
Groundhog
Sandy photographed this guy and commented: "a cheeky little groundhog who has moved into that hole in the corner of the lower nursery. He was determined to get out and eat, even though Gracie and I were both close by watering the plants."
19 May 2014
Basswood tree
This small Basswood tree was rescued a dozen years ago from an area destined to become a parking lot. It was only about a foot tall when we planted it. You can also see a 15-year-old sugar maple; we buy sugar maples every year from Ferguson Forest Centre and have been planting them in the woods for that long, along with beech, ironwood, yellow birch, and whatever other appropriate species we can find. (Sandy)
19 May 2014
Fern trail
Thanks to the hard work of Lis Allison and Joan Darby and the generosity of Dan Faber, we have a nice variety of ferns in the woods. We're hoping to be able to dedicate this trail to Bill Cody, who was an enthusiastic supporter of the FWG and a good friend to many of us. Bill wrote our "fern bible," Ferns of the Ottawa District, so creating a fern trail seemed appropriate. (Sandy)
19 May 2014
Downed ash trees
And here's the reason I'm being somewhat sentimental about the woods today. The Green Ash trees that give this FWG habitat its name are being felled this year. They were attacked by Emerald Ash Borer several years ago and, as they have died back and dried, they've become a safety hazard. Agriculture and Agri-Foods Canada is carrying out the work, and we are very grateful for the care they are taking. I'm trying not to notice the devastation, but instead focus on the opportunity to plant a wider variety of native trees and shrubs when the diseased trees have been removed. (Sandy)
15-MAY-2015
Snapping turtle
A very small snapping turtle crossing the trail from the ravine to the amphibian pond. This may have hatched last year, although snappers grow so slowly it may be from the year previous. The carapace was about 5 inches in length.
15-MAY-2014
Gray treefrog (Hyla versicolor)
Treefrogs are at the height of their breeding season right now and are calling from perches around the amphibian pond, on trees, on shrubs, and as here, perched on old cattail stalks. Once breeding is over and done with, the adults leave the pond and head back to upland habitats. Their calls can be heard thoughout summer, though not with the frequency we hear now. Later on, the tiny brilliant green newly transformed frogs can be found on the edge of the pond and nearby.
Palm warbler
OK, this wasn't photographed at the FWG, but next door in the Arboretum. However, it is such a good photo, and we do see this species at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden when they are passing through on migration, that I thought it worthy of posting.
Song sparrow
An interesting pose of this song sparrow, sitting lengthwise along the old cattail head. Song sparrows, a very common breeding species at the FWG, are frequently found at the pond gathering nest material.
Hermit thrush
Hermit thrushes breed in the Ottawa area, but not at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. However, they are commonly and frequently seen in many locations during migration. They have a quiet beauty, but their song is splendid. The sound of pan pipes someone once said. Here, a very good photo of one by Barry.
Hermit thrush
Another photo of the hermit thrush shown in the previous photo.
15-MAY-2014
Common green darners, mating (Anax junius)
A poor photo, but I include it because it shows our first odonate species of the year at the FWG. And not only have they arrived (they are a migratory species), but wasting no time, got down to the business of mating.
Bees on bloodroot
These are likely andrenid bees, and they are mating on a native bloodroot flower.
Bee fly (Bombylius major)
It is always interesting to record which species nectar on what plants, and Barry has photographed a small, very early emerging bee fly on the native bloodroot.
15-MAY-2014
Yellow warbler, female
The yellow warblers are back in numbers, and singing from all over the garden. They frequently nest in the old field, in raspberry thickets, as well as in the dogwood thickets north of the ash woods, and of course in other sites within the garden.
It was a great day for birds at the FWG, with the following warblers seen: yellow warbler, yellow-rumped warbler, bay-breasted warbler, american redstart, magnolia warbler, black-throated green warbler, black-throated blue warbler, and chestnut-sided warbler. Heather was at the garden earlier the same day, and had at least another 3 or 4 warbler species including tennessee warbler. In addition to warblers, a brown thrasher, gray catbirds, red-tailed hawk, white-crowned sparrows, song sparrows, chipping sparrows, white-breasted nuthatch, american robin, cedar waxwing, house finch, mallard, northern cardinal, warbling vireo, red-eyed vireo, downy woodpecker, a very orange colourd scarlet tanager, green heron, black-capped chickadee, american kestrel, american goldfinch, rock pigeon, european starling, eastern kingbird, great crested flycatcher, crow, and tree swallow were also found.
Earlier, Heather added house wren, ruby-throated hummingbird and blue jay as well as some other species I can't remember offhand!
15-MAY-2014
Foamflower (Tiarella cordifolia)
A very beautiful native wildflower of woodlands. It makes a great garden plant for shady areas and does well, spreading slowly to fill in areas under shrubs and trees.
15-MAY-2014
Marsh marigolds (Caltha palustris)
Growing in the Backyard Garden pond, there is also a large stand in the ravine. These native flowers of swamps and wetlands, are in the Buttercup family, no surprise there, as the flowers are very similar to others in the Ranunculaceae.
15-MAY-2014
Virginia ctenucha moth cocoon (Ctenucha virginica)
This rather spiky creation is the cocoon of the ctenucha moth, which will be seen flying by about mid-June. The caterpillars, which are just the colour of the cocoon, use their hairs to create this structure. It is on a comfrey plant, so I hope the plant doesn't get cut down until after the moth has emerged. The moths themselves are very colourful day-flyers.
15-MAY-2014
Ruby-throated hummingbird
Heather photographed this momentarily still hummer, at the garden. They've just started coming back to the area, so keep your hummingbird feeders full!
15-MAY-2014
Spotted lady beetle (Coleomegilla maculata)
This lady beetle was deep inside a dandelion flower. The other day, I saw several Buprestid beetles inside a dandelion head, though not at the FWG.
15-MAY-2014
Spotted lady beetle (Coleomegilla maculata)
One of the first of the native lady beetles to be found, these very small, pinkish beetles are very common, and at this time of year, can be often found on dandelions.
15-MAY-2014
Mottled tortoise beetle (Deloyala guttata)
Both this very pretty tortoise beetle, and the striking golden tortoise beetle were seen today. The latter looks like a drop of pure molten gold!
15-MAY-2014
Two-spotted stinkbug (Cosmopepla bimaculata)
One of the more elegant, small (about 6mm) and very pretty stinkbugs, common in this region where they will feed on a diversity of plants. This one was on a comfrey plant.
15-MAY-2014
Northern green frog (Rana clamitans)
Quite a few green frogs at the pond, though I didn't hear any calling while I was at the garden today. They have a distinctive sound, described variously as sounding like a banjo being plucked, or as a "gunk" sound.
15-MAY-2014
American toad (Bufo americanus)
Robert sent us some photos of mating toads a few days ago, and today the toads are still mating, still trilling, but probably not quite as actively as previously. This one was on a mat of dried cattails in the pond, while nearby a couple more were sticking their heads out of the water.
14-MAY-2014
Northern green frog (Rana clamitans)
This Green Frog, photographed by Robert, doesn't look very green. But the large tympanum (that circle behind its eye that acts as an eardrum) makes it easy to identify. It was enjoying the sunshine in our Backyard Garden along with four others.
Green frogs vary in colouration from a rich vivid green, to almost brown, often with speckles or splotches (so scientific my description!) as here to none at all. Their size varies greatly and some of the very large ones, almost entirely green, look strikingly similar to bullfrogs at first.
14-MAY-2014
Red-tailed Hawk
This hawk, photographed by Robert, can be identified by the band of darker feathers across its chest. This one is a juvenile, so lacks the distinctive reddish tail feathers that give this species its name.
14-MAY-2014
White Trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
White Trilliums are finally appearing - in our Backyard Garden and in the Ash Woodlot.
This is Ontario's provincial flower.
11-MAY-2014
Pair of cardinals
It is nesting time for cardinals. The males often bring food to their chosen female, as part of the courtship ritual.
11-MAY-2014
Bumblebee on tulip
A very pretty little tulip, one of the smaller ones used often in rockeries, has attracted a bumble bee.
11-MAY-2014
Forget-me-not
A pretty cluster of forget-me-not flowers. Although not native, these beautiful little flowers do attract various native pollinating insects.
10-MAY-2014
American Toads
According to Robert, "The pond was active and loud today" as American Toads gathered in the water for their annual mating days.
Some years, the toads are so active in their breeding frenzy that the water is in constant motion. As the toads mate, the females lay their long string of eggs. Once the mating is over, the toads will head back to their upland habitat.
07-MAY-2014
Tree Swallows
Tree swallows have moved into one of the boxes in our Old Field and are busily building a nest inside.
Swallows get busy with staking a claim to a nest box and beginning the process of nest-building soon after arriving back in our area. By early July they have left the garden. Once the young have fledged they're off, no lingering as many other species do. They give real meaning to the phrase "Post-breeding dispersal"! Swallows soon congregate with other swallows and by mid-summer you can see them lining up along hydro wires, or fence posts, swooping after insects, getting ready for the journey south.
10-MAY-2014
Tree Swallow
Another photo from Robert, capturing a tree swallow in acrobatic flight. No wonder they can swoop within centimetres of the pond surface to pluck an insect from the water or air.
07-MAY-2014
American Goldfinch, male
The males have now assumed their full breeding plumage, after a fall and winter of drab olive colours. These birds don't nest until mid-summer, making them one of the latest of our local breeding species to begin the process of nesting.
07-MAY-2014
Ruby-crowned kinglet
"Very active flitty" Kinglet in the Backyard Garden. Both species of kinglets, golden-crowned, and this ruby-crowned, arrive back in the region in large numbers in early spring. You can hear them singing their very high-pitched song, so high-pitched in the case of the golden-crowned that it can be inaudible to some. The latter species occasionally overwinters in small numbers, but generally goes undetected. In spring, however, both species are incredibly active and Robert's description of them as "very active flitty" is right on the mark.
07-MAY-2014
Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
A beautiful image of this very common overwintering butterfly, by Heather. In Britain these are known as the Camberwell Beauty. Once the days warm up in early spring, sometimes even when snow is still present, these butterflies emerge from their long hibernation. While most butterflies overwinter as eggs or larvae, these and a handful of others including the eastern comma (next image) spend the winter in adult form.
Eastern comma (Polygonia comma)
As mentioned in the previous text, this is another local butterfly species that spends the winter as an adult. In this fine photo by Barry, the adult is looking pretty unscathed for having gone through a long hard winter.
07-MAY-2014
Barn Swallows
Heather photographed this group of barn swallows at the garden. No longer as common a sight as once upon a time, sadly. In the early days of the garden, when the Interpretive Centre was little used, barn swallows several times nested on the building near the front door. As the building became busier, they gave up. We installed nesting platforms but they were never used. Now, we only occasionally see barn swallows around the garden. They nest nearby, but not in the garden itself.
07-MAY-2014
Hairy Woodpecker
This hairy woodpecker is the bird responsible for stripping the bark off ash trees across the region. This is not what has killed the trees, however. It is what the woodpecker is seeking that has done that, the larvae of the emerald ash borer, a small and very pretty, Buprestid beetle.
Hairy woodpeckers are overall, much larger than downy woodpeckers and they have a much longer bill. Seen side by side, the difference is striking, but there's no doubt that from a distance it can sometimes be difficult to tell them apart, particularly when one is just learning to ID birds.
07-MAY-2014
Pileated Woodpecker, male
Excellent photo by Robert, catching the long probing tongue of this male pileated, as it looks for insects in this tree near the Old Field. Pileated woodpeckers have been unusually abundant in this region this past winter, and are being seen frequently by birders and casual observers in numerous locations. Like other woodpeckers, these birds nest in tree cavities, but because of their size require a larger tree and cavity than say a downy woodpecker. One year they nested in the Arboretum, and at the end of summer the dead tree they nested in fell down. I was lucky enough to come across this early in the morning before it got cleared away and could see the very deep and long nest hole ending in a bowl-shape, they'd excavated. No nest material is used, other than what bits of 'sawdust' fall to the bottom of the nest chamber. Fortunately, the tree stayed standing long enough to allow the young to fledge.
05-MAY-2014
Red maple flowers (Acer rubrum)
Gorgeous vivid red flowers appear in early spring before the leaves.
05-MAY-2014
Red trillium (Trillium erectum)
Just beginning to flower fully, the red trilliums seem to always bloom before the white ones.
05-MAY-2014
Blue beech bark (Carpinus caroliniana)
As mentioned in the next image, another name for this tree is musclewood. If you look closely, you can see how the name developed, for the bark looks sinewy, muscled.
05-MAY-2014
Blue beech bract (Carpinus caroliniana)
This is actually the dried bract, all that remains of what would have been a long cluster of leafy bracts bearing fruit (seeds). Now it is tissue thin but still very attractive. We have only one blue beech in the garden, and it has flourished and done well since being planted about 15 years ago. Despite the name, this is not related to beech trees, but is in fact, in the birch family (Betulaceae). Other names include american hornbeam, musclewood (see previous photo), and ironwood. The latter is very confusing because there is in our region another tree that goes by this name.
05-MAY-2014
Fungi
The leaf pile left on the west side of the woods last fall has sprouted some odd looking growths. These mushrooms are just popping up, and it will be interesting to go back a bit later and try to ID them (not that fungi ID is easy!!).
05-MAY-2014
Song Sparrow
Song sparrows are one of the earliest sparrows to arrive back in our area, generally found about the 3rd week in March. They are very common and a number of pairs nest at the garden. Unfortunately, they nest on or close to the ground and this makes their nests very vulnerable.
05-MAY-2014
Male Red-winged Blackbird
Robert arrived at the pond in time to view the battle between two red-wingeds, showing the same behaviour as described below. This is one of the contestants, 20 minutes later - possibly the "winner" as the other bird was the one that got a good soaking. Males must exert a lot of energy defending their territory from other males! I (Christine) observed this behavior early in the morning, and when Robert arrived later in the day, the disputes were still going on! Not necessarily the same two males, of course!
05-MAY-2014
Female Red-winged blackbird
This female red-winged blackbird was in the Backyard Garden staying close to her mate.
05-MAY-2014
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
It is always such a pleasure to see these flowers in the ash woods. One of our early spring ephemerals which grows and flowers before the trees in the woods leaf out. Once they do, even the large leaves of this plant will eventually vanish. As I was at the garden early and it was chilly and cloudy, the flowers were not yet open, but later in the day as the sun came out and warmed up the land, these flowers will unfurl.
05-MAY-2014
Red-winged blackbird, male
This male flew down to ground and began walking through the grass, stopping every few feet to give his loud o-ka-ree call, which always looks so very physical, as the wings spread, the red epaulets stand out, and the bill is opened to maximum width!
It was rather interesting, if not also a bit horrifying, to watch two male red-winged blackbirds having a territorial dispute. I thought for sure murder was on the books. One attacked the other when he flew too close to what was no doubt a chosen territory. Grappling with each other, they fell through the cattails, eventually ending up in the pond, one upside down, wings spread, the other on top, with a firm grasp on the upside down guy's bill. He was pushing the hapless bird down into the water, but then, suddenly, it was over, and both flew off, none the worse for wear.
05-MAY-2014
Red-winged blackbird, female
Peering over the edge of the bird feeder in the Backyard Garden. The females return a couple of weeks after the males, but once they arrive the pairing up and nest-building quickly follow. This year, because of the very long and cold winter, even the males were later returning.
05-MAY-2014
Garlic Mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
It was a big disappointment to see huge masses of garlic mustard appearing in a section of the old field. I think the abundance of this species this year, demonstrates just how resilient this plant is, and how resilient many invasives are. At this particular site, garlic mustard was dug up by the root about 5 years ago. The following year there was none, the year after there was a reappearance and masses of the stuff was pulled out by the roots and bagged for disposal. In the early summer of 2012, the site was rototilled in an effort to get rid of both lamium (next photo), and garlic mustard. Last year, there was no sign of either species, this year, both are vigorously growing.
05-MAY-2014
Lamium
Long ago, when this site in the old field was used as a leaf dump, bits of garden debris came in with the leaves, including lamium and celandine. The lamium spread and spread and flourished. As noted under the previous image, much effort was spent trying to get rid of this plant, but this year it is back.
05-MAY-2014
Cedar waxwings
As I approached the pond this morning, a flock of cedar waxwings landed in the walnut tree nearby. They stayed only a few minutes before flying in the direction of the Arboretum. This is the thing about birding these days... birds come and go, often staying for only a minute or two before heading off.
05-MAY-2014
Tree swallow
They're back! And have been back, in fact, for several weeks. These insectivorous birds are already checking out and claiming nest boxes at the Fletcher garden. The cold, rainy weather hasn't been great for these birds (and other insect-eating species)but even when we can't see them, there are insects (lots of midges, for example), up above our heads, enough to give some sustenance to these birds.
05-MAY-2014
Grey squirrel
This squirrel seemed to be taking a survey of the garden from one of the benches in the Backyard Garden.
05-MAY-2014
Daffodils
In the Backyard Garden, there are numerous clumps of daffodils. Although a non-native species, these lovely golden blooms provide nectar for a variety of bees and flies, when little else is in bloom.
05-MAY-2014
Wild ginger flowers (Asarum canadense)
Taken in the Backyard Garden of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. These inconspicuous flowers lie close to the ground under the wild ginger leaves.
05-MAY-2014
Virginia ctenucha moth caterpillar (Ctenucha virginica)
These caterpillars are quite amazing... they are one of the last ones you'll see in autumn, even crawling across snow and ice. And they are amongst the first to appear in spring, having overwintered in this stage. Together with the woolly bear caterpillar, you can almost guarantee you'll see one or the other of these caterpillars. The adult stage of this caterpillar is a quite beautiful moth, with blue and orange colouration.
