25-SEP-2009
Mallard with damaged bill
David found this mallard with a damaged bill on the Amphibian Pond. He said that she appeared to be able to eat very well and seemed otherwise healthy. Back in the spring, I photographed a mallard with a damaged bill, but the damage was somewhat different from this, so I suppose it is a different bird (christine).
27-SEP-2009
mallard with damaged bill
Another view of the mallard.
25-SEP-2009
Weasel
David photographed this weasel as it emerged from the rock wall in the BYG. We are not sure whether it is the short-tailed weasel, or the long-tailed. David said it was very large, so it could be the latter, which has a more sparse occurrence in this part of Ontario, as far as we know. The weasels we have seen in the past have been the short-tailed weasel or ermine.
22-SEP-2009
Locust borer beetle (Megacyllene robiniae)
This mating pair was on the same goldenrod that I mentioned in yesterday's post. Just beneath their back legs is a small insect but I can't make out what it is, and I didn't even see it when I took the photo!
22-SEP-2009
Sweat bee (Agapostemon sp.)
The bee box we put up in the spring, has been very busy again lately. This is a sweat bee, one of about three going in and out of the holes.
21-SEP-2009
Burdock borer moth and Locust borer beetle on goldenrod
David and I were both photographing these insects on this goldenrod, but at different times! David was able to get both species in one shot.
21-SEP-2009
Honey bee (Apis mellifera) on New England aster
Honey bees were quite common today and very busy around the asters, knapweed and the few goldenrods still in flower. However, the goldenrods now in seed have become a mecca for goldfinches who enjoy the seeds.
21-SEP-2009
Hover fly (Spilomyia sayi) and yellowjacket.
You can see how much this hover fly (foreground) resembles a wasp! At the top of the photo is the hind end of a yellowjacket, considerably smaller.
21-SEP-2009
Yellowjacket sp.
The yellowjackets are common around nectar plants at this time of year. This particular individual appeared to be suffering from a fungal growth on its thorax.
21-SEP-2009
Treehopper (Ceresa sp.)
This beautiful little green treehopper agreed to sit on my thumb for a few seconds, long enough to get a photo anyway. At this time of year, I have often found that they are more sluggish and easier to photograph than when they first appear earlier in the year.
21-SEP-2009
Sweat bee (Agapostemon sp.) on Knapweed
These large sweat bees with the brilliantly green thorax are quite common at present and can be found on any of the flowering plants still remaining.
13-SEP-2009
Cabbage White victim of ambush bug
Ambush bugs and crab spiders between them, kill many butterflies. If you see what looks like a butterfly at rest and not moving, it is more than likely a victim of one or the other of these critters.
13-SEP-2009
Bumblebee (Bombus fervidus)
There are many species of bumblebee, but not all are easy to ID, so we usually just call them Bombus sp. Diane photographed and identified this one.
13-SEP-2009
Grasshopper on sedum
Diane Lepage photographed this beautiful grasshopper on the sedum in the BYG. It is just resting there, but many insects are attracted to sedum in the late summer and fall, as it provides nectar at a time when other plants are finished blooming.
13-SEP-2009
New England aster
The asters are stunning right now, especially in the Butterfly Meadow. As the goldenrods go to seed, the asters and the knapweed become the focal point for all the insects seeking nectar.
13-SEP-2009
Spittlebug, prob. Meadow spittlebug (Philaneus spumarius)
I was mostly looking for spittlebugs today, hoping to see the females laying eggs into the plant stems. The eggs will overwinter and in spring, out come the nymphs who will immediately begin to chew away at plant stems both for food and to produce the "spittle" we see on plants. The spittle is
actually the excess plant juice excreted out the back end from where it rolls down over the little guy and creates a "nest case" of sorts where it can happily spend its time through several moults until ready to emerge as an adult. I think the spittle "cases" are extraordinarily beautiful. By the way, meadow spittlebugs vary considerably in their colour and pattern.
08-SEP-2009
Japanese beetle
I was at the FWG for an hour or so late afternoon today. There were few birds around, although I must admit, I was more focussed on looking for insects. However, I did notice three hummingbirds, several gray catbirds, lots and lots of chickadees, a few cardinals, cedar waxwings, etc. In other words, the usual! Japanese beetles are still abundant, still mating, still eating... They surely are beautiful!
08-SEP-2009
Staghorn sumac
Signs of fall are increasingly abundant, such as this brilliantly red sumac.
08-SEP-2009
Wild raspberry
And more signs of fall. The wild raspberries are turning beautiful shades of orange, red and yellow. Soon, there will be a vivid display of colour, the last hurrah before winter!
08-SEP-2009
Bur-marigold or beggarticks (Bidens)
These plants have popped up everywhere around the garden this year, no doubt because of the very wet spring and summer. Not only are they all over the place, often in unlikely spots, but they are very tall too (they do grow tall, but some of the ones at FWG are quite large).
02-SEP-2009
Bumblebee (Bombus)
These bees are abundant at the moment, all over the asters, goldenrods, sunflowers, and almost any other flowering plant.
02-SEP-2009
Hover fly (Spilomyia longicornis)
When i first saw this land, I was sure it was a wasp, possibly a yellowjacket.It was only when I got a good look that I realized my mistake. Had it flown by at a fast clip I would have assumed it was a wasp!
02-SEP-2009
Jewelweed leaf, dew, and midge
02-SEP-2009
Garden cross spider (Araneus diadematus)
Probably one of the most common spiders around at the moment. You'll often find three or four of them very close together, a little "colony" of orb weavers :-)
02-SEP-2009
Blowfly (Lucilia sp.)
Another shot telling us fall is just about here!
1-SEPT-2009
Treehopper nymphs (Publilia concava)
In late spring the Publilia treehoppers appear, tended by ants. At this time of year, their spiny nymphs can be seen, also jealously guarded by ants. Why? Because the ants just adore the honeydew droplets that the treehoppers, adults and nymphs, secrete. They prod the hoppers to get them to produce this sugary delight. In return, the ants protect the treehoppers. When I took these photos, the ants swarmed over my hands and camera. They guard their honeydew supply seriously!
1-SEPT-2009
Rose-breasted grosbeak, juvenile, on black elderberry
Birds love this juicy black fruit, and as you can see, this one's bill is stained from the juice.
1-SEPT-2009
Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)
This non-native, weakly twining vine, produces beautiful purple flowers with yellow hearts, and in late summer, this gorgeous red fruit. It is a member of the potato family and as such, these berries are toxic if eaten in sufficient quantities.