26-OCT-2010
Canada geese taking off from the Canal
Jeewa captured this group of geese taking off from the Canal below the FWG.
24-OCT-2010
White-throated sparrow
This guy was sitting in a sumac in the Backyard Garden (BYG) and trying to sing. But all that emerged were pathetic little pale imitations of his usual song, highly off-key and tremulous. Poor guy.
There have been large flocks of robins and starlings at the garden, as well as smaller numbers of dark-eyed juncos and these guys.
24-OCT-2010
Northern cardinal, female
This female still has a beak full of seeds from the sow thistles she was eating. She, a flock of juncos, and some white-throated sparrows, were busy with the various weed seeds while a blue jay flew into the cornfield adjacent and began attacking some corn still on the cob!
24-OCT-2010
Last of the raspberries
Walking through the old field today, I noticed a few raspberries still on the shrubs. They seemed a reminder of summer. The raspberry crop at the garden was not that great this year, unlike 2009. I'm sure these will be found sooner or later by a hungry bird or squirrel.
24-OCT-2010
American crow
When I arrived at the garden today, this crow was sitting near the feeder cawing away. You can see a splotch of white scat on its tail. This occurs when crows roost in large congregations and do what they have to do. The scat often hits other crows rather than the ground, hence in winter when these large roosts occur, you will often see crows with these white patches on various parts of their body.
23-OCT-2010
Red-tailed hawk
Bryan was at the FWG and found this red-tailed hawk obligingly perched. Every fall for at least a decade, and probably longer (I need to check my notes to figure out just how long), a red-tailed hawk (sometimes two) has turned up at the FWG/Arboretum/farm. Regular as clockwork! Bryan and Diane first told me of this one, and then on Thursday (28 September) I was able to see it as well.
18-OCT-2010
Mourning Doves
Mourning doves are relatively scarce around the garden during summer, largely because they are breeding and therefore, secretive and quiet. Come autumn and they begin to appear again, congregating sometimes in large numbers as winter draws on. One winter we regularly saw 20+ near the Ash Woods feeder. In Jeewa's photo, you can see that they are gathering again.
18-OCT-2010
Fungi, probably oyster mushrooms
A very pretty shot of these fungi taken by Jeewa. I think they may be oyster mushrooms, but they are beyond their best, so a bit hard to tell. However, a very lovely photo.
18-OCT-2010
Black-throated blue warbler
Some warblers were still moving through the garden and Jeewa managed a shot of this one, not an easy bird to photograph. Warblers move very quickly and many, like this, are usually higher up in the trees, making photographs difficult. These are spectacular little birds and in bright spring plumage are a treat to see. Watch for them next May in the garden.
14-OCT-2010
Autumn in the garden
This was taken on the south side of the Amphibian Pond and shows how spectacular the FWG looks in it autumn colours.
14-OCT-2010
Green-winged teal, male
This beautiful little duck has been at the pond for the last month. He has finally acquired his lovely fresh plumage and seems much more comfortable now, hence he didn't immediately swim away when I approached to take his photo.
14-OCT-2010
Chipmunk at FWG
This little guy looks like he has been up to no good! Doesn't he have a guilty look on his face :-) Such cute little critters, and he posed just perfectly by that patch of bright green moss, and in between the rain showers.
