05-May-2021
Tamarack (Larix laricina)
A conifer that loses its needles in autumn. These beautiful native trees turn a deep gold in autumn and in spring the first flush of green growth is brilliant.
05-May-2021
Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)
Eastern redbuds are a small tree, native to eastern NA, usually seen as an understory tree. A few survive in gardens this far north, but in the wild, they are confined to southern Ontario.
05-May-2021
Ravine
Looking over the ravine from the south side of the Resource Centre, to all the new fresh growth.
05-May-2021
Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum)
These plants are beautiful in flower as here, and in some ways more spectacular when they go to seed, their long plumes giving rise to the common name.
05-May-2021
Backyard Garden of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden
The backyard garden is greening up nicely and has already changed from a weeks ago when I photographed it.
05-May-2021
Crabapples (Malus)
There are so many varieties of crabapple and various cultivars have been planted at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden in the days before it was the wildlife garden. They continue to flourish and many provide food in autumn and winter for wildlife.
03-May-2021
Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
Always cute, always a pleasure to see and a magnet for photographers.
03-May-2021
Downy woodpecker, male
This species commonly nests at the garden and in the Ottawa Region.
03-May-2021
Brown-headed cowbird, male
Not everyone likes these birds because of their habit of laying eggs in the nests of songbirds, just as the Cuckoo does in the UK.
03-May-2021
Northern cardinal, male
The classic Christmas card bird! Like many of the other birds in this gallery, it nests in the garden and the Ottawa area.
03-May-2021
Red-winged blackbird, male
Just about the first migrant to return in spring, their loud ringing call is always a very welcome sound. They nest here at the garden and commonly throughout the region.
03-May-2021
American robin
Another early migrant, but also a species that increasingly has overwintered in the area in small flocks.
