10-OCT-2013
Mallard, male
THere were about 15 mallards on the pond, most of them on and around the turtle raft, where it is more protected and quiet. This one was out in the open section, however, and feeding quickly, swinging his beak from side to side filtering out aquatic seeds and other items to feed on.
When I arrived at FWG in late morning, it was alive with birds. Big flocks of golden-crowned and ruby-crowned kinglets, robins, goldfinches, starlings, cedar waxwings (mostly juvenile birds), and yellow-rumped warblers were moving quickly around the garden. They were joined by lesser numbers of northern flickers, chipping sparrows, white-throated, white-crowned and song sparrows. Also seen were cardinals, catbirds, chickadees, white-breasted nuthatch, hairy woodpecker, blue jays, and crows. When I returned for a short time about 3 p.m., the garden was almost silent.
10-OCT-2013
Magnolia seedpod
These large seedpods are exceptionally colourful, and when you see a tree full of them, they make quite a sight. This one is bursting out of its covering. Squirrels eat these seeds, though how big a part of their diet at FWG they are, I don't know. At any rate, the seedpods vanish fairly fast.
10-OCT-2013
Western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis)
These large bugs are usually most noticeable in autumn when they can be found on the sides of buildings, as here. They are seeking shelter for the winter, just as the asian lady beetles, and some other bugs, do, inside buildings, or under eaves. Despite being called a western conifer seed bug, these insects actually belong to the leaf-footed bug family (Coreidae). They are entirely harmless creatures.
10-OCT-2013
Stinkbug (Brochymena)
Another of the diminishing number of insects to be found now that autumn is moving on. This large stinkbug flew to the side of the wooden shed where it sat in the warm sun.
10-OCT-2013
Bumble bee on sunflower
Along with asters these sunflowers are amongst the remaining flowers in bloom. Bumble bees, their numbers noticeably decreased, were busy feeding on these ones.
10-OCT-2013
Black maple (Acer nigrum)
This is our single black maple tree at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. It stands alongside the Bill Holland Trail on the north side of the Ash Woods. Each autumn its leaves turn a lovely soft gold. Black maples look superficially like sugar and norway maples, but if you rub the underside of the leaves, there will be a soft, velvety feel.
10-OCT-2013
Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)
This plant typically blooms in spring, and can be seen in huge swathes in some wetland areas. This late blossom was in the pond in the Backyard Garden.
10-OCT-2013
New england aster
As autumn progresses, there are fewer and fewer flowering plants: some late sunflowers, a few goldenrod, and so on, but the new england asters are still blooming away attracting the remaining insects to feed.
10-OCT-2013
Amphibian pond in October
There is only a hint of autumn in this scene, with the red sumac and yellow walnut leaves.
02-OCT-2013
Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Barry took this and the following shots, the first photos of a garter snake at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden! These snakes are very, very common in the region, but for whatever reason have not been seen at the FWG. However, Diane recently reported that she saw one in July. Sandy saw one on September 29, and today Barry and Isabelle saw one (or possibly 2?)and Barry got these photos.
As for why they have not been seen at the FWG before, well, who really knows? We have ample sites for shelter, resting, and hibernating (they will use chipmunk burrows, go under logs, in stumps, under buildings, etc.). There is a good supply of food as they eat frogs and toads, mice and voles, and eggs and young of ground-nesting birds, worms,and probably grasshoppers and other insects.
This species of snake is often encountered in gardens and urban parks, which is another reason why we are mystified it has not been found at the garden until this year. Perhaps it just took them some time to get here!
02-OCT-2013
Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Another photo by Barry of the garter snake at the FWG.
02-OCT-2013
Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
These are nice rocks for snakes wanting to soak up the warmth of today's sun. A good photo by Barry of this garter snake.