08-AUG-2017
Grass-carrying wasp (Isodontia mexicana)
YOu can see in this photo, the nest process which gives this common wasp its name of grass-carrying wasp. The female can often be seen flying back to a nest site trailing long strands of grass behind her. These are dragged into the nest chamber to create a nest. In the previous image, you can see the wasp carrying a paralyzed tree cricket back to the nest as food for the wasp larvae when they eventually hatch.
08-AUG-2017
Great black digger wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)
In addition to attracting honey bees, bumble bees, other bees, this mountain mint also attracts two species of Sphecid wasps, this one being the more common. They make nests in ground burrows which they stock with katydids and grasshoppers for their larvae to feed on.
08-AUG-2017
Bumble bee (Bombus),on globe thistle
This striking flower (Echinops) is a magnet for bees, especially bumble bees. Though not a native species (in fact, native to Eurasia), it is certainly an insect-attracting plant worth considering. This is in the Backyard garden.
08-AUG-2017
Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
Several times over the past month or so, I've come across a chipmunk in just about the exact same spot int he service road that runs through the wildlife garden. This one was nosing an apple but decided it was much too big to stuff in its cheek pouch!
08-AUG-2017
Honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Nectaring on mountain mint (Pycnanthemum) in the Backyard garden. This plant is a magnet for bees and all sorts of other insects too.
08-AUG-2017
Signs
Wandering around the 15 acres of the wildlife garden, you'll come across various signs providing some information about different things you can see at the garden. Here, the sign is talking about the two Juglans species, Butternut and Black walnut.
08-AUG-2017
Cup plants (Silphium perfoliatum)
These plants grow very tall, they tower over me, reaching up to 8 feet in height, though many don't get much higher than 4-5 feet. These very tall ones are in the Butterfly meadow. Squirrels and birds love the seeds.
08-AUG-2017
Shining flower beetles (Olibrus)
Aggregations of these tiny shiny beetles are found most often on goldenrods in mid-summer.
08-AUG-2017
Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)
A non-native weedy species that occurs in recently disturbed sites, along with various annual grasses, Amaranthus, etc. The slopes around the pond certainly qualify as disturbed, and even though many native species were planted, there is a vast growth of non-native, mostly annual, species. They will vanish quickly and by next spring others will take their place, and eventually many of the native species planted earlier, will take over. Or at least we hope so.
08-AU G-2017
The amphibian pond
Looking east along the side of the pond, you can see the newly installed fence separating the vegetation around the pond from the pathway. Lots of non-native annuals have cropped up here this summer, including the velvetleaf in the previous shot.
08-AUG-2017
Black duck
Sandy recently photographed a wood duck in the pond, and today a black duck is hanging out. This, or another one, has been in the pond on and off for several months.
1 August 2017
Wood Duck
With all the changes going on in and around our Amphibian Pond, it was wonderful to see this female Wood Duck feasting on the stirred-up vegetation today. (SG)