Accipiter sp.
Barry photographed a couple of Accipiters, this one is a juvenile but I can't see enough details to say whether a cooper's or a sharp-shinned. It is certainly aware of Barry, however.
29-OCT-2015
Orange jelly fungus (Dacrymyces)
Adding colour to the forest now that the leaves have fallen, are various colourful fungi such as this.
26-OCT-2015
Chipmunk
Stuffing his cheeks! Like other squirrels, the chipmunk is gathering food for winter. Unlike other squirrels, this species stores its food in 'larders' underground near their winter quarters. Periodically throughout the winter they will wake up and have a snack, thus they are not true hibernators as groundhogs, another relative, are. (CH)
26-OCT-2015
Dark-eyed junco
Large flocks of juncos have been coming through the region for weeks now, but not always to catch by camera as they flit away at the merest movement.
29-OCT-2015
Tamaracks at FWG
The row of tamaracks north of the old woods turn a beautiful eye-catching yellow just before dropping their needles.
29-OCT-2015
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)
Sunlight through the leaves of staghorn sumac... these are the often the first shrubs to turn colour in autumn, usually becoming a brilliant scarlet, though some turn golden and orange.
26-OCT-2015
Backyard Garden of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden
Even at the end of October, the backyard garden component of the FWG looks colourful and lush.
25-OCT-2015
Black-eyed susan (Rudbeckia)
Not much is blooming now but some Rudbeckia are still in flower, along with the phlox, both in the Backyard Garden.
25-OCT-2015
Mountain ash (Sorbus)
There are still large clusters of mountain ash fruit hanging on the trees. Sometimes the fruit vanishes quickly, other times it serves as a winter source later in the season.
25-OCT-2015
European starlings
Large flocks of starlings could be heard all over the garden, a cheerful sound (no matter what one may think of starlings).
25-OCT-2015
Crabapples (Malus)
Colour in autumn comes not only from the changing leaves, but also from the fruit on many trees, such as this ornamental crabapple. Some fruit is tiny, some fairly large, some orange, some a bright red, others a burgundy, some feeds wildlife, other fruit is shunned by all!
25-OCT-2015
Red squirrel
Squirrels continue to busily collect food in preparation for winter. This one was ferrying walnuts to a stash not far from its winter nest site.
25-OCT-2015
Sugar maple (Acer saccharum)
The beautiful golden hues of sugar maple leaves, still clinging on to the trees despite strong winds and heavy rain in recent days.
25-OCT-2015
Paper wasp nest
A still fully formed nest, but devoid of life now, hanging very low in a tree, just a foot or less above the ground. Probably a bald-faced hornet nest rather than that of an aerial yellowjacket.
25-OCT-2015
Tamarack
This species is interesting in that it is a conifer but it sheds its needles in autumn. Before doing so it turns this glorious golden colour. There is a short row of tamaracks on the north side of the old woods.
25-OCT-2015
Old woods
Following the Bill Holland Trail through the old woods is to follow along an 'avenue' of autumn colour.
25-OCT-2015
Old woods
The split rain fence on the south side of the old woods is half hidden by vegetation and creates a pretty country vignette, which looks as if it is on some rural backroad rather than in the middle of the city.
14-OCT-2015
American Robin nest
Once the leaves begin falling, various nests are revealed, sometimes surprisingly close to trails where they went completely unnoticed! This nest with the clay interior is an American robin nest.
07-OCT-2015
Polypores (Ischnoderma resinosum)
This old dead elm always sports a great crop of these polypores come autumn.
07-OCT-2015
Slime mould on birch (Stemonitis)
An interesting slime mould that can be found in both summer and autumn.
07-OCT-2015
Just hanging around: red squirrel
Barry watched this red squirrel chewing off cones and dropping them to the ground below. Here, the little guy looks as if about to fall, but in reality he has a good grip on the branch with his back legs. Amazing acrobats!
07-OCT-2015
Red squirrel
Barry took a number of photos of this industrious red squirrel preparing for winter. He said: " I was delighted yesterday to watch a red squirrel busily scampering from branch to branch of those tall firs just north-west of the Butterfly Meadow. It would cut off a cone then watch as it fell – occasionally driving a robin batty – then on to the next. It probably dropped about a dozen in the ten minutes or so I watched it."
07-OCT-2015
Tinder polypore (Fomes fomentarius)
On an old birch snag, a large polypore above and several of the Lycogala slime moulds below.
07-OCT-2015
Amphibian pond in early autumn
Once again, the sumac stands out, but every day more trees turn colour and in a matter of a week or so this scene will be transformed.
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.
