29-MAY-2013
Prairie smoke (Geum triflorum)
In between showers at the garden, Claudia was able to take this sparkling shot of the seedheads of prairie smoke.
29-MAY-2013
Mayapple flower (Podophyllum peltatum)
The flower really stands out in this photo by Claudia. The mayapple flowers hang down below the large, umbrella like leaves and can be difficult to see unless looked for.
29-MAY-2013
Yellow lady's-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum)
Claudia dodged rain showers to take some photos of flowers in the Backyard Garden, including this lovely orchid shot. This species is native to our region, and can be found in moist woodlands.
25-MAY-2013
Great crested flycatcher
This is a superb photo by Diane, showing this large flycatcher with nesting material. These cavity nesters periodically nest at the garden.
25-MAY-2013
Yellow warbler
A really attractive photo of this pretty warbler. They are common nesters at the FWG, their song heard from all corners of the garden.
25-MAY-2013
Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)
Diane photographed a beautiful clump of this vivid blue, non-native plant. It is often used as a groundcover in place of grass, and can be attractive and eye-catching, though it will also spread in natural areas.
25-MAY-2013
Solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum)
Always a welcome sight, this large, and very attractive plant grows in the Ash Woods.
25-MAY-2013
Dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis)
Striking photo by Diane of the introduced mustard, known familiarly as dame's rocket. It comes in shades from white through pale pink to pink-blue, to this vivid rose colour. It is non-native, probably long ago escaped from gardens, and is often considered invasive.
25-MAY-2013
Golden dung fly (Scathophaga stercoraria)
This gorgeous fly, brilliantly golden, and quite large at about 8mm, is probably the male of the species as the females are said to be greyer. Diane photographed this beauty in great light. While their unsavoury name comes from the fact that the larvae eat dung, the adults are predatory on insects.
25-MAY-2013
Root-maggot fly (family: Anthomyiidae)
Flies (Diptera) are a huge order, and many look similar to this, so it is not always easy to place them even to family. Despite their name, the adult flies nectar on flowers and eat pollen.
25-MAY-2013
Groundhog
So cute! Diane photographed this one with a mouthful of nesting material. Groundhogs have a hard time of it at the FWG with all the dogs, but each year one or two try to make a go of it.
25-MAY-2013
Broad-nosed weevil (Otiorhynchus raucus)
Diane photographed this intricately patterned weevil at the FWG. This one is non-native, indigenous to the Palearctic region. There are numerous species locally, some quite large, others tiny, but they are adept at hiding and thus our insect list doesn't contain more than a few species.