10-OCT-2012
Red squirrel - two views
This squirrel was in his usual place, beneath his nest box. I watched him for awhile until he suddenly became aware of me. I guess he was quite startled because he opened his mouth wide and gave quite the chatter, telling me off no doubt. He then went back to contemplating life, the universe and everything, or so I like to imagine!
10-OCT-2012
Butterfly meadow
The meadow is the most floriferous site in the garden these days. Most of the late summer plants are over, apart from scattered asters and a few goldenrod. Here and there are a few species of flowering plants such as sow thistle, yarrow, red clover, etc. But in the butterfly meadow, as you can see, there is a great display of aster, rudbeckia and coneflowers.
10-OCT-2012
Colours near the garden
This shot is looking westward from the edge of the old field. You can see the buckwheat field with many tall sorghum plants (from last year's planting), against that autumn backdrop.
10-OCT-2012
Witch hazel flowers (Hamamelis virginiana)
Long ago, we planted this witch hazel between the pond and the service road. It is now a tall shrub, healthy and surviving well. Every autumn it produces an abundance of small, delicate yellow blossoms. Probably one of the most interesting features of this tree is that it flowers in autumn, when most everything else flowers in the warmer months. It also has lovely rich yellow leaves in autumn. This native shrub is quite rare in the wilds around the region.
10-OCT-2012
Birch log structure
A work of art in nature or a den for an animal, or both? I think this shelter is quite artsy and pretty.
10-OCT-2012
Goldenrod gall
Leaves are not the only things that change colour in the autumn. Goldenrod galls also turn various shades of red and yellow. Eventually, they will become a beautiful bronzed colour.
10-OCT-2012
Indian grass
This beautiful big native grass is growing in the Backyard Garden. The colour in autumn is quite striking and worth planting in any garden.
10-OCT-2012
Amanita mushroom
I was casually looking for fungi, and not seeing very much, until I came across about 6 or 7 very large Amanita mushrooms. All had been either knocked over like this one, or the heads had been bent down. Most had been nibbled at or had chunks taken out. I found one piece lodged in a tree. I concluded that squirrels were both nibbling at the mushrooms and also hanging pieces to dry. I guess they don't suffer the same toxic effects that we would if we ate a bit of this mushroom.
10-OCT-2012
Squirrel food
As noted in the previous text, I found this piece of amanita mushroom tucked against a tree trunk, stuck there by a squirrel.
10-OCT-2012
Rose hops
These lovely rose hips in the Backyard Garden, add rich colour to the garden. More colour comes from the phlox still in bloom, asters, and sedum, amongst other plants still with some blooms or attractive seedheads.
02-OCT-2012
Hover fly (Toxomerus geminatus), male
A tiny little hover fly (about 6 mm), this is one of the ones often referred to as flower flies because they spend so much time nectaring on flowers, often in small groups. They are found throughout the spring and summer and into autumn, as long as there is nectar to feed on. Because the eyes are so close together as to be touching, this is a male of the species.
02-OCT-2012
Spider, possibly a fishing spider
This looks like one of the Dolomedes spiders, but as I didn't see it, I can't say for sure. The dolomedes look similar to a couple of other spiders we get around the garden.