11-JUN-2010
Milbert's Tortoiseshell (Nymphalis milbertii)
A gorgeous shot of a fresh milbert's by Chris Bruce.
09-JUN-2010
American lady (Vanessa virginiensis)
This rather faded butterfly was in the BYG. It has been a good year for the migratory butterflies, with hundreds upon hundreds of red admirals found in this region and across the province, as well as good numbers of the lady species.
10-JUN-2010
Song Sparrow
A rather ruffled looking song sparrow. He was having a good preening and was just taking a breather here!
10-JUN-2010
Weevils (Rhodobaenus quinquepunctatus)
These weevils are common and to my eye, very attractive. There is another very closely related weevil called Cocklebur Weevil.
09-JUN-2010
Hover fly (Volucella sp.)
Mimicry fascinates me. I'm especially taken with the insects that mimic wasps and bees, and there are many that do. Hover flies, or syrphids are tops amongst the Hymneopteran mimics. At the FWG, we have several species of Syrphids who mimic bumblebees (Bombus). This one puzzled me at first. I knew it was a Syrphid, but not sure which genus to put it in. I saw it had plumose antennae, however, which would suggest a Volucella sp. I sent if off to Heather, a grad student at Carleton studying Syrphids and she confirmed it was indeed Volucella, and probably V. bombylans. If it is this species, then it lays its eggs in yellowjacket nests.
09-JUN-2010
Mating robber flies (Asilid sp.)
We have a lot of robber flies around the FWG, including these small ones found in the BYG. I haven't yet had time to try and key out which of the many, many small Asilids they are.
09-JUN-2010
Beetle sp.
A remarkable macro of a very tiny beetle (ID uncertain). Look at those eyes!
08-JUN-2010
Head of a caterpillar
Stephen Begin was at FWG recently to do some macro photography. This is a phenomenal closeup of a caterpillar (not sure of the species).
08-JUN-2010
The inside of a poppy
An intriguing look at the inside of one of the small California type poppies in the BYG. Macro opens up a whole new way of looking at things and reveals what is often hidden to the naked eye.
8 June 2010
Crab spider
I (Sandy Garland) was in the Backyard Garden this afternoon when this large crab spider fell on my neck. I swatted at it without thinking, but luckily didn't do any permanent damage.
8 June 2010
Bumblebee on Beardtongue
A large bumblebee was busy collecting nectar from beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis) flowers.
8 June 2010
Campanula
We finally have campanula blooming in the Backyard Garden. We keep planting this beautiful wildflower, but the plants usually get eaten by rabbits before they have a chance to bloom.