14-JUL-2010
Black swallowtail (em>Papilio polyxenes)
This beauty was photographed by Jeewa on a burdock head. The other day I photographed two nectaring on the sow thistle patch on the edge of the garden. They are big and beautiful and easy to see, and right now we seem to have more than a few around the garden.
14-JUL-2010
Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan), female
I had seen several Delaware skippers over the past few days at FWG, but do you think I could get a photo! So when Jeewa sent me these photos I was happy to be able to tell her what they were and how pleased I was to have a photo for the blog.
14-JUL-2010
Bridge orb weaver (Larinioides sclopetarius)
These are night hunters, emerging after dark to take advantage of night-flying insects. I saw these by the Interpretive Centre just after midnight, when Diane and I came back from mothing. There were 7 of these spiders, but this was by far the biggest. They were very clever, positioning themselves around the light so that they could snatch the moths who came to the lights but got snared by the webs instead. Next morning, not a spider to be seen!
11-JUL-2010
European skipper (Thymelicus lineola)
Diane found this worn skipper at the FWG. When they first emerge, these skippers can be abundant and it is not uncommon to find 25-35 at FWG and hundreds in other locations. But it is coming to the end of their time now, and we'll have to wait until next June to see them again.
11-JUL-2010
Common burrowing mayflies (Hexagenia)
A gorgeous photo by Diane of this pretty mayfly, one of the Ephemeroptera group.
11-JUL-2010
Summer azure (Celastrina neglecta)
These are the "blues" most often seen this time of year, though keep your eyes open for Eastern tailed blue.
11-JUL-2010
Cocoon, probably belonging to a spider
Diane found and photographed this pretty yellow cocoon. I think this is a spider cocoon. There were many today on the edge of the Gatineau Park in an open field and I've seen them elsewhere around the region.
10-JUL-2010
Blanding's turtle
Diane found this turtle on the newly built dam, looking as if it was thinking about heading down the ravine away from the Amphibian Pond. When it saw Diane, it turned and went back into the water. I wonder if it is going to head away from our pond because of lack of food, too many other turtles, or because the water level is now lower.
10-JUL-2010
American Snout (Libytheana carinenta)
A very exciting find by Diane. She first saw this species near the Butterfly Meadow and later between the Ash Woods and the Old Field. This is the second time in recent years that American Snout has turned up at the FWG and arouses speculation as to why! Is there a small breeding colony? Are they there more often than we know but are just not easily found? Despite concerted efforts by various butterfly enthusiasts over the last few days, the species has not been re-located. But it could certainly still be there.
11-JUL-2010
Hummingbird moth (Hemaris thysbe)
These are particularly attractive day-flying moths that really do look like Hummingbirds as they zip past and hover while nectaring on flowers.
10-JUL-2010
Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
A very fresh red admiral butterfly nectaring on Canada thistle. I was at the FWG for about an hour around noon and it was getting pretty hot. When I first arrived I saw an American lady butterfly, several red admirals (both of these Vanessa species very fresh), two black swallowtails, lots of sulphurs and cabbage whites, and three summer azures. I was really looking for American Snout! Yesterday afternoon while looking for insects in the new section of the butterfly meadow, I saw two very fast-flying lepidoptera zoom off toward the old part of the meadow. All I could see were flashes of orange. I thought to myself (Gosh, they look rather like the American snout butterflies I had two years ago, but nooooo way would they appear again). After a few minutes of fruitless searching I returned to photographing insects, convinced I'd been mistaken about the colours and maybe they were a couple of large moths. BUT, today, Diane Lepage called to say she saw two Snouts at the garden!!! And took a photo. So hopefully, we will have one of Diane's photos to post here, soon.
10-JUL-2010
Black swallowtail (em>Papilio polyxenes)
There were two of these beauties nectaring on the sow-thistle patch just west of the Scotch pines. They would not keep still, but fluttered quickly from flower to flower, sipping briefly at each. They are such beautiful butterflies and I was quite happy to get a few shots, even if not the best.