23-DEC-2016
Northern cardinal, male
There were several cardinals around the garden, along with big flocks of starlings and robins, as well as at least 10 chickadees around the feeder in the Backyard Garden, a white-breasted nuthatch, downy woodpecker, house finch, and a nice bonus, a red-breasted nuthatch.
23-DEC-2016
Red-breasted nuthatch
It was a pleasure to see this much smaller nuthatch at the peanut feeder in the Backyard Garden.
23-DEC-2016
White-breasted nuthatch
A constant at the feeders both in the Backyard garden and the feeder by the old woods. Here, at the suet, but often at the peanut feeder.
23-DEC-2016
Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Not the actual flowers but remnants of them, on this autumn flowering shrub.
23-DEC-2016
House finch, male
Visiting the Backyard Garden feeder. We don't see the numbers of house finches that we once did, not only at the Fletcher garden, but around the region.
23-DEC-2016
Viburnum trilobum
A touch of red on a winter's day. The fruit of this shrub is rarely, if ever eaten by wildlife, and we are not entirely sure if this is a cultivar or not, as the native V. trilobum is said to be tasty for birds.
23-DEC-2016
Aster seeds
Many birds love these seeds, and goldfinches in particular will feast on them.
23-DEC-2016
Eastern edge of the garden
This is the eastern boundary of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden, where the stream that runs out of the pond, through the ravine, crosses under the Arboretum path and eventually into the Rideau Canal.
23-DEC-2016
Butterfly Meadow in winter
Looking south from the north edge of the Butterfly Meadow. Waiting for spring under winter's snow.
23-DEC-2016
Ravine
Under sunny skies and fresh snow, but with some open water due to mild temperatures.
02-DEC-2016
Grey squirrel, black phase
Keeping a wary eye on us as it perches on the branch of a big red oak in the new woods. This is a busy time of year for these animals as they continue finding and hoarding food for the winter.
02-DEC-2016
Turkey tails (Trametes versicolor)
These polypore fungi decorate many logs and stumps all over the place, including at the FWG. Their colours can vary somewhat, and when they are fresh they can be quite striking. When old, they look dried out and colourless.
