12-Nov-2020
New england aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
Although it is mid-November, traditionally a grey time of year, there were splashes of colour to be found, including several of these asters.
12-Nov-2020
Oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus)
This is the non-native, invasive bittersweet which at first glance looks very much like the native bittersweet (C. scandens). However, you can see that here the flowering parts/fruit grow from leaf axils along the branches, a sure sign of the non-native plant. The native one has flowers/fruit only at the tip (terminal clusters).
12-Nov-2020
Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
All the squirrels are busy getting ready for the winter, hoarding food, readying winter nests, but some are also digging up some food and eating it now. This squirrel has a dirty nose from rooting around in the leaf litter and then digging into the soil underneath to come up with whatever delicacy it is eating.
12-Nov-2020
White-throated sparrow
I saw only three of these sparrows today, though there might have been more. They were making good use of the brushpiles in the ravine, making it hard to photograph them. While most of these guys have gone south, some are still present in various locales across the region.
12-Nov-2020
Juniper fruit.... and robin
Although difficult to see, there is an American robin behind this branch, feeding on some of the abundant juniper berries. Waxwings are also big fans of this fruit.
12-Nov-2020
Sedum spectabile
Growing in the backyard garden, this garden plant is highly attractive to bees and other insects in late summer through autumn.
12-Nov-2020
Black-capped chickadee
Feeding on seeds of goldenrods as well as gleaning various insects from the stems and leaves, either eggs or pupae, too small to be seen by me.
12-Nov-2020
On the edge of the old woods
Looking south from the edge of the old woods. The insect hotel is on the right, and the FWG boundary is the trail in front.
12-Nov-2020
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
I have a suspicion this squirrel is used to getting handouts from people because as soon as I stopped in the Backyard Garden, it came rushing over.
12-Nov-2020
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Gnawing on a walnut produces a distinctive sound, and throughout the garden at this time of year you can hear squirrels eating these abundant nuts.
12-Nov-2020
Wild raspberry (Rubus)
The next image shows the golden colour of the leaves, while here, they have turned red.
12-Nov-2020
Wild raspberry (Rubus)
I didn't notice many berries this year, so perhaps the raspberries were having an off-year. Most native plants do not produce abundant fruit and seeds every year. However, the raspberry leaves, those still clinging to the shrubs, are appealing with their golden and, as in the previous shot, red colours.