19-MAR-2012
Eastern comma (Polygonia comma)
The lovely bright colours of the eastern comma. This species overwinters as an adult, spending the cold months in a protected place such as under the bark of trees, cavities, other sheltered spots. On warm days in early spring they emerge, but will go back into hiding if cold weather returns, which is quite likely here as it is only mid-march, despite the very warm temperatures of today.
19-MAR-2012
Eastern comma (Polygonia comma)
This shows the underside of one of the eastern commas feeding on Manitoba maple sap. It is easy to see how much like a dry leaf this butterfly looks when it closes its wings. This, in contrast to the bright orange colours when the wings are open.
19-MAR-2012
Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
This was the only photo I was able to catch of the mourning cloaks at the garden today. This one was soon joined by a second one and they both spiralled up and up, higher and higher above the treetops until I lost sight of them. Never saw them again!
19-MAR-2012
Blow fly, Calliphora species
One of many flies feeding on the sticky nectar from the Manitoba maple, which was also attracting eastern comma butterflies and a large stinkbug.
19-MAR-2012
Crocus and bee
Several crocuses were in flower in the BYG, and one had this tiny bee which appears to be one of the sweat bees.
19-MAR-2012
Black-capped chickadee
Two chickadees were intent on something in or on the trellis in front of the centre. This one appeared to be plucking something from the wood, and later this one and the second chickadee, were plucking something from the vines, likely insect eggs.
19-MAR-2012
Song sparrow
This was one of several song sparrows hanging around the pond. One was drinking from the pond, one was singing away, and this one had seemingly just finished eating something before also singing from the cattail.
19-MAR-2012
Comfrey
Comfrey leaves are popping up, one of the few signs of new growth I saw today. While this is a non-native species that can crowd out other species, we need to remember that it flowers long before many other plants and provides sustenance to many bees and flies such as syrphids, pollinating insects that we want to encourage.
19-MAR-2012
Chipmunk
There were three chipmunks chasing each other around, in and over one of the stone walls in the Backyard Garden. Several others were under the feeder, in the rockery section and elsewhere. The unusual weather has brought them out in force!
10-MAR-2012
Red-winged blackbird/ Carouge à épaulette
Diane captured this very neat photo of a red-winged blackbird either eating the snow or pushing it off to reach the seeds in the sumac cone. She notes that she also saw 2 Cardinals, 8 Black-capped chickadees, 6 Crows, 6 Houses Finches, 1 Pileated Woodpecker,1 robin and several American goldfinches.
14-MAR-2012
Northern cardinal, male
Cardinals are in full song these days, and I saw and heard several pairs today. The males look especially vivid at this time of year.
14-MAR-2012
Red-winged blackbird
As always, the males of this species are the first to return, calling away from all over the garden and the Arboretum. Such an exhilarating sound because we know that spring really is here, and even if we do get more snow, we know it won't last!
14-MAR-2012
Cedar waxwing on staghorn sumac
A flock of these birds was dispersed throughout the ravine, some "hawking" for insects (so there must have been something out, perhaps midges, too small to see from a distance), others seeking fruit (in short supply).
14-MAR-2012
Amphibian pond
As can be seen here, the pond has open water at the eastern end, while the rest is still frozen. The water was gushing under the bridge and down the ravine, where robins were having a drink in the shallower sections.
14-MAR-2012
Hairy woodpecker, male
There were only crumbs of suet in this holder, but both this guy and the female downy woodpecker were very diligent about gathering all the bits they could. The hairy, with the longer bill and hence, longer tongue, had an advantage. See how he has inserted his bill all the way into the feeder.
14-MAR-2012
Lichens
The rock wall by the compost area is one of the most attractive features in the BYG, to my way of thinking. Many of the rocks are now covered with an appealing array of lichens, as here.
14-MAR-2012
Looking south past the Ash Woods
As you can see here, there is still a lot of snow at the garden.
14-MAR-2012
Downy woodpecker and hairy woodpecker
Both species were hanging around the feeder in the Backyard Garden. The little female downy is dwarfed by the much bigger hairy woodpecker, in this case a male as shown by the red on the nape.
14-MAR-2012
Pond and catkins
Looking eastward through the willow catkins across the pond to the bridge.
14-MAR-2012
Meadow vole entrance
A vole has created a perfect circular entrance by chewing through the grass.
14-MAR-2012
Meadow vole runs
Where the snow has melted, numerous vole runs can be found. Here you can see where they've created entrances in the flattened grass.
14-MAR-2012
Catkins
The entire tree at the west end of the pond was full of these soft catkins. Soon, the pollen will appear and bees such as Andrenids will emerge to feed. They, the nomadas, queen bumblebees, and bee mimics such as the tiny furry orange bee flies, will also appear at that time.
07-MAR-2012
Willow catkin
The willow tree by the pond is a welcome sight with the catkins bursting out.
07-MAR-2012
Red squirrel
Visitors to the FWG will know that this was taken by the blue spruce in the Backyard Garden. He was checking out the lie of the land before heading to the feeder area for a snack. The feeders were not particularly busy when I was there, though there was more activity at the one in the BYG than the other in the Ash Woods.
07-MAR-2012
Fly on the wall
This was the first insect I've seen this year. Looks like a muscid fly, and it was on the wall of the old barn.
07-MAR-2012
Pileated woodpecker
A dreadful image, but put here just to show that this large and delightfully noisy woodpecker was around the garden today. It was flying from tree to tree in the Ash Woods, but eventually it flew off toward the Birch Grove and I lost sight of it.
07-MAR-2012
Red-winged blackbird
It was fabulous to hear the call of the red-winged blackbird again. No sooner had I stepped out of the car than I heard their calls from various locations. They may think that the +12 temperature and sunny skies mean spring is here. But not yet! A lone starling, several house finches, a mourning dove, many crows and chickadees, and ring-billed gulls overhead, as well as singing cardinals and a pileated woodpecker, were some of the other birds noted today.
07-MAR-2012
American goldfinch nest
The very mild weather today, may make many resident birds think of nesting, though that would be a bit hasty! This is last year's goldfinch nest which weathered the winter well.
