22-SEP-2017
Butterfly meadow
Always showy in spring (lupines) and autumn (sunflowers) the meadow is also attracting hundreds of bumble bees, honey bees and the currently ubiquitous painted lady butterflies.
22-SEP-2017
Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
Now the yellow petals have fallen, the seeds are left, ready to be eaten by birds and squirrels. I think the seedheads are especially pretty.
22-SEP-2017
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
These butterflies have been passing through the region in huge numbers in recent days. This phenomenon is not confined to the Ottawa region, but is seen throughout the Maritimes, Quebec and points south. It is always such a treat to see this kind of natural phenomenon, where countless numbers of butterflies can be found, albeit for a short time. These butterflies are migratory, as are the red admiral and american lady butterflies, and of course, the well-known migratory monarch!
22-SEP-2017
Eastern white pine cone (Pinus strobus)
Lots of sap on this one, still hanging on the tree. Many have been cut by red squirrels and are on the ground waiting to be gathered and stored in caches for winter food.
22-SEP-2017
New england aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
This beautiful species is abundant at the garden, attracting hundreds of bees as well as the lovely painted lady butterflies and clouded sulphurs.
01-SEP-2017
Sand wasp (Bicyrtes)
Another shot of this large and very attractive wasp, here nectaring on Canada goldenrod.
01-SEP-2017
Bumble bee (Bombus),on Bidens
The sweet sound of buzzing bees filled the garden as scores of bumble bees, and a few honey bees, buzzed around the Bidens, goldenrods, asters, joe-pye-weed, etc. now blooming around the garden.
01-SEP-2017
Gray treefrogs (Hyla versicolor)
These two treefrogs have not completely transformed yet and you can see the long tadpole tail.
01-SEP-2017
Pine tree cricket (Oecanthus pini)
According to NatureServe, this species is considered an S1 species, critically imperilled in Ontario.
01-SEP-2017
Butterfly bush (Buddleia)
Planted in the butterfly meadow, this shrub is appealing to many insects, not only butterflies.
01-SEP-2017
Aphids (Myzocallis walshii)
These aphids are a native species which, as far as I can determine, are restricted to red oaks (Quercus rubra).
01-SEP-2017
Moth eggs
There are scores of tiny moth eggs laid on this blade of grass. When viewed from only a few feet away, the grass looks as if it is simply discoloured. But looking more closely, these eggs are revealed.