12-APR-2014
Crocuses
A beautiful cluster of crocuses at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. Many bees use the pollen of these early blooming flowers.
12-APR-2014
Snowdrop
Another lovely photo by Diane, of one of the first flowers to bloom in spring. This is not a native plant. It is a cultivated species but like the crocuses, it also attracts early emerging insects with its pollen.
12-APR-2014
Chewed bark
Diane was at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden after much of the snow had melted and noticed that some trees had been chewed at the base. Rabbits and voles are the primary mammals who do this, both seeking food, the voles under the snow, the rabbits above.
06-APR-2014
Northern cardinal, male
A beautiful male cardinal caught in lovely sunlight, by Robert. The cardinals are very active around the garden right now, singing, calling, in every part of the FWG.
06-APR-2014
Downy woodpecker, female
Beautifully lit photo of the little downy woodpecker, by Robert. These are far more common in the garden than the larger hairy woodpecker, but the hairy's work is more visible in recent years (check out the ash trees!).
06-APR-2014
Mourning dove
A male house finch is flying in to the feeder where a mourning dove has staked out his spot.
09-APR-2014
Song sparrow
Against the brilliant blue sky of a cold morning, this song sparrow was one of many found at FWG this morning.
09-APR-2014
Brown-headed cowbird, male
Amongst the blackbirds streaming into the area, are these cowbirds. Common grackles and the ubiquitous red-winged blackbirds are the other common species, but look also for rusty blackbirds.
09-APR-2014
American goldfinch, male
The goldfinches are back in their lovely fresh summer plumage. A number of them were feeding on birch catkins at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden this morning, some of the last remaining natural food sources.