09-NOV-2016
Mallard pair
Two pairs of mallards in the pond, and judging by the bits of debris stuck to their bills sometimes, they'd been able to find something to eat in the pond.
09-NOV-2016
The amphibian pond
Looking east along the pond towards the ravine. The next shot, shows the pond as one looks west across it.
09-NOV-2016
The amphibian pond
A view looking west across the recently rehabilitated pond. It looks terribly unappealing right now, with no vegetation for birds to hide in, though four mallards were floating around on it for a little while. The wide stonedust path is not something that appeals to me, but it was thought that it would help visitors navigate around the pond. The original path was narrow and on an angle. This now looks too civilized less wild.(CH).
09-NOV-2016
Downy woodpecker, male
A lot of birds are attracted to the peanut feeder in the Backyard Garden, and while I was watching, this small downy woodpecker was taking turns with a white-breasted nuthatch to get at the treats (next photo).
09-NOV-2016
White-breastednuthatch
Happily plucking pieces of peanut from the well-used and obviously much-appreciated peanut feeder in the Backyard Garden of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden.
09-NOV-2016
Backyard Garden
A view of the Backyard Garden looking east. the big willow (yellow)stands near the small pond in the garden. I suppose any day now, snow could come and cover this still colourful view.
09-NOV-2016
Still blooming
Even though it is getting on for mid-November, there are a surprising number of flowers still in bloom. This lupine was the most showy at the garden, and the only one I could find still in flower. There were also dandelions and some tansy in flower.
09-NOV-2016
Northern cardinal, female
The male,shown in the next photo, is certainly more visually striking, his bright red plumage standing out, but the female is just as pretty I think. Both she and the male are feeding at the bird feeder by the old woods.
09-NOV-2016
Northern cardinal, male
This gorgeous bird is one that really brightens up our snowy winters. But he is also a treat to see the rest of the year too. These birds live year round in the Ottawa area, sometimes forming small flocks in winter of anywhere from 5-10 birds. The female, more subdued in colour but equally pretty, is in the previous photo.
09-NOV-2016
Backyard Garden pond
This small two-level pond in the Backyard garden area of the FWG, has a number of wetland plants growing around it, such as swamp milkweed and turtlehead, both pictured in this November blog.
09-NOV-2016
Swamp milkweed seeds (Asclepias incarnata)
Photographed near the pond in the Backyard Garden section of the FWG, these seed pods bear a striking resemblance to those of the ultra-invasive dog-strangling vine (Cynanchum rossicum) which grows in abundance at the garden (though many volunteers are working very hard to combat it). This plant, however, is native and is used by the monarch butterfly to lay her eggs on.
09-NOV-2016
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
A plant of wetlands and damp areas, this plant is the main larval food source for the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly, which has not, by the way, been found at the FWG (yet).
