24-Jun-2021
Mouse (Peromyscus sp)
Paul said it was getting dark when he spotted this mouse running down the wall of the Centre.
24-Jun-2021
Mouse (Peromyscus sp)
Another shot of the mouse ducking down behind the trellis against the centre.
16-Jun-2021
Cardinal, male
A vivid red male cardinal photographed by Paul in a mid-flight shot.
16-Jun-2021
Ruby-throated hummingbird
16-Jun-2021
Chickadees, adult and juvenile
Hungry youngsters are all over the garden these days, begging for food, as here with the chickadees.
16-Jun-2021
Red-winged blackbird, male
16-Jun-2021
Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
It's that time of year... the backyard garden section of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden had babies everywhere, chipmunks, one of them shown here, rabbits, red and grey squirrels, and earlier, groundhogs.
16-Jun-2021
Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
This big adult rabbit, completely unconcerned, was feeding while people wandered past.
16-Jun-2021
Ruby-throated hummingbird
The hummer darted in, fed briefly on the fireweed, and left.
14-Jun-2021
Baltimore checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton)
14-Jun-2021
Baltimore checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton)
14-Jun-2021
Woodland walk
A section of the Backyard Garden which showcases native plants that grow in a woodland.
14-Jun-2021
Wood poppy (Stylophorum diphyllum)
Planted in the Backyard Garden. This plant, native to areas just south of us is listed as endangered in the wild.
14-Jun-2021
Wood poppy fruit (Stylophorum diphyllum)
Later in summer these fruits will split open and disgorge numerous seeds.
14-Jun-2021
Canada elderberry (Sambucus canadensis)
14-Jun-2021
Red-streaked mompha moth (Mompha eloisella), #1443
14-Jun-2021
Red-streaked mompha moth (Mompha eloisella), #1443
A side view of the moth in the previous photo.
14-Jun-2021
Butterfly meadow
Looking south across the meadow.
14-Jun-2021
Bluet (Enallagma sp.)
Bluets are common damselflies around ponds, meadows, woodland edges, etc.
14-Jun-2021
Virginia ctenucha moth (Ctenucha virginica)
A colourful day-flying moth that also comes to lights at night. When it opens its wings, a flash of bright blue abdomen is seen.
14-Jun-2021
Twelve-spotted skimmer (Libellula pulchella)
A common dragonfly around the garden.
14-Jun-2021
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
14-Jun-2021
Old field
Another view of the old field, looking east across to the old woodlot.
14-Jun-2021
Flowering rush (Butomus umbellatus)
Another serious invasive of waterways which forms dense stands preventing native plants from growing. However, the flower is beautiful and this species has been planted in private gardens from which it has spread.
14-Jun-2021
Lupines
Although these are not the native species, they are very attractive to bees.
14-Jun-2021
Dog-strangling vine (Vincetoxicum rossicum)
The flowers on this plant are pretty, but the plant is a serious invasive species, so if you see this on your property, get rid of it ASAP. It will otherwise take over completely, as others have discovered. At the FWG there have been and are, ongoing efforts to remove this, but it is a daunting task!
14-Jun-2021
Bladdernut shrub (Staphylea trifolia)
Planted and thriving in the Backyard Garden, this is a native species, rare in the Ottawa district, with only a few naturally occurring locations known.
14-Jun-2021
Green frog (Lithobates clamitans)
Enjoying the mild sunny day.
14-Jun-2021
Golden alexanders (Zizia aureum)
Planted at the garden, this native species occurs naturally in a few areas of the Ottawa region and areas adjacent.
14-Jun-2021
Water avens (Geum rivale)
Planted at the garden, this native species occurs naturally in only a few sites in the region.
14-Jun-2021
Long-legged fly (Condylostylus)
14-Jun-2021
Bumble bee on Comfrey
Comfrey is a garden plant, non-native to Canada, but which grows wild in some areas and thrives. Bumble bees and other insects enjoy feeding on it, however.
14-Jun-2021
Moth eggs
Underneath a hackberry leaf. Possibly Noctuid eggs.
14-Jun-2021
Red-berried elder (Sambucus racemosa)
It seems like only yesterday the leaves were starting to appear, and then the flower buds. Now, they are already in fruit.
14-Jun-2021
Crab spider and bumble bee
Such is the cycle of life, the crab spider waits patiently on the flower for something to land, and then she pounces.
14-Jun-2021
White campion (Silene latifolia)
14-Jun-2021
Common white-tail (Plathemis lydia)
Previously called Libellula lydia.
14-Jun-2021
Ox-eye daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare)
A non-native plant, but a beautiful one, well used by many insect species.
14-Jun-2021
Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
A very welcome sign each year, not only because the flowers are attractive to so many butterflies, bees and other insects, but because monarchs need these plants on which to lay eggs.
14-Jun-2021
Tufted vetch (Vicia cracca)
Often called cow vetch, and in some places, bird vetch, this non-native plant produces abundant blue flowers which are very attractive to many species of insects, and not only as a nectar source, I've seen larvae of the Silvery blue butterfly using this plant too.
14-Jun-2021
Old field
Looking east across the old field habitat.
14-Jun-2021
The amphibian pond in early summer
14-Jun-2021
Ravine
At this time of year the ravine is thickly vegetated, offering good protection for nesting birds.
14-Jun-2021
Ravine
Another shot of the ravine, looking over the south side with its dense growth of purple flowering raspberry.
14-Jun-2021
Purple flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
A closer view of the raspberry flowers which are attractive to various insects.
14-Jun-2021
Purple flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus)
a wider view of the dense stand of this native species growing along the ravine.
14-Jun-2021
American goldfinch
These are late nesting birds, and so right now while other species are on the nest or feeding young, these are footloose and fancy-free, but their turn will come.
08-Jun-2021
Red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
Walnut trees are abundant around FWG thanks to the squirrels burying walnuts and creating new trees! This squirrel is happily eating a stashed nut from last year.
08-Jun-2021
Groundhog (Marmota monax)
A youngster out exploring the world.
02-Jun-2021
Main trail to the pond
This trail leads from the parking lot to the bridge over the pond and then to the rest of the site.
01-Jun-2021
White-breasted nuthatch
Nuthatches stash seeds under bark, which this one appears to be doing.
01-Jun-2021
Red-winged blackbird, male
The males often perch on the higher trees, with a good view over the surrounding areas.
01-Jun-2021
Allium
An ornamental plant from the Backyard Garden.
01-Jun-2021
White-breasted nuthatch
A species that lives year-round at the garden (non-migratory).
01-Jun-2021
Lupines
These flowers are very attractive to bees in particular.
01-Jun-2021
Lupines
A nice healthy stand of lupines which attract numerous bees and other insects.
17-Jun-2021
Bumblebee nest
From Sandy: This week one of our regular visitors, Paul, brought us a bumble bee nest. He was repairing his deck when he found bumble bees using an abandoned Red Squirrel nest right under it. He was upset about disturbing the bees, but couldn't leave the nest where it was. Thinking quickly, he popped the nest into a box and brought it to the FWG.
We found it later that day, complete with instructions on when and how to open the box so that the bees could come and go. Luckily, Paul dropped by to ensure that the nest found a safe new home and was able to tell us the background story.
The nest is now safe - still in that box, but raised off the ground and sheltered from rain under a board.
