07-OCT-2015
Sow-thistle (Sonchus)
Not many flowers blooming in October, but a few sow-thistles are still out and enjoyed by bees and other nectar seeking insects.
07-OCT-2015
Orange jelly fungus (Dacrymyces)
A common and eye-catching fungus photographed by Barry at the garden.
07-OCT-2015
Yellowjackets (Vespula sp.) around nest hole
Entrance to an underground nest of yellowjackets. While they are rather mild-tempered at this time of year, if you step on the entrance to their nest in summer, they will get pretty annoyed and give chase, another good reason for visitors to stay on the paths (as requested!). (CH)
07-OCT-2015
Yellowjacket (Vespula sp.)
Yellowjackets typically nest underground or in logs or under logs, and in similar such places. Barry found an underground nest some time ago was able to photograph the wasps going in and out of the nest hole. This is one of the wasps. (CH)
07-OCT-2015
Autumn glory
Layers of colour captured by Barry in this fine autumn shot. The sumac is always one of the first to turn colour, becoming a deep scarlet as the days go by.
07-OCT-2015
Dogs
Someone had the idea of putting up a whiteboard where the names of doggie visitors to the garden could be written.
07-OCT-2015
American robin
As with the sparrows in the next image, the robins too are moving through the region in big noisy flocks and can be seen and heard all over the city as they search for food. Some robins will remain throughout the autumn and well into winter, some remaining for the entire winter so long as they can find food. (CH)
07-OCT-2015
White-throated sparrow
It is that time of year again... flocks of sparrows are making their way southward, stopping over at places like the Fletcher Wildlife garden, to feed for awhile before pushing on again. (CH)
07-OCT-2015
Bumble bee (Bombus) on new england aster
As the weeks pass, nectar sources for insects decrease dramatically. This bee, photographed by Barry, is lucky to still have some asters to feed on. (CH)
07-OCT-2015
Slime mould (Lycogala epidendrum)
This fresh pink slime mould is eye-catching on the grey bark. A very common occurrence, these will later turn to a silvery grey or brown as they age. (CH)
07-OCT-2015
Grey squirrel with walnut
Barry found this grey squirrel (black phase) with a walnut that it was eating rather than burying for future use. Grey squirrels bury their winter food supply, a nut here, a nut there, which is why we have so many walnut trees growing up all over the garden. (CH)
07-OCT-2015
Bolete mushroom
This is the time of year for mushroom hunting, with many varieties to be found, such as this bolete.
