27-MAY-2017
Red squirrel gathering nest material
After gathering as much dry grass as it could comfortably carry, the squirrel quickly ran off to the compost piles and into a tunnel that perhaps ran right through the pile. I didn`t see it emerge on the other side, but as they are quick and I am not, it may well have got through the tunnel before I could see it.
27-MAY-2017
Snapping turtle
Huddled next to the shore, was a small snapping turtle. This is probably the same one that Sandy photographed a few days previous. The photo can be found in this May blog.
27-MAY-2017
The Fern Trail
At the far end of the (model) Backyard Garden, behind the Interpetation Centre, is this lushly planted short trail, called the `William J.`Bill`Cody Fern Trail` after the author of a book on ferns and a friend of the Fletcher garden.
27-MAY-2017
Planting the pond: 1
On Saturday morning, a number of volunteers gathered to help plant over 1,000 plants of various species around the pond. Last autumn, the pond was partly dredged and vegetation on the south slope removed to try and get rid of the invasive dog-strangling vine. Instead, a variety of native wildflowers were planted, selected for their attractiveness to pollinators of all species, bees, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles...
The next few images show various aspects of the activity.
27-MAY-2017
Planting around the pond: 2
Another view, this one looking west, showing volunteers planting wildflowers around the pond.
27-MAY-2017
Planting around the pond: 3
A cart full of implements for the work party.
27-MAY-2017
Planting around the pond: 4
some volunteers, rather than planting wildflowers, installed a fence to keep people from trampling the newly planted vegetation.
27-MAY-2017
Planting around the pond: 5
Some volunteers dug out the dog-strangling vine that was already growing thickly under the trees. Left alone, it would soon engulf the small plants.
27-MAY-2017
Planting around the pond: 6
A long shot looking south at the planting activity around the pond.
27 May 2017
Gilled mushrooms
These caramel-coloured gilled mushrooms appeared on chip mulch. (SG)
27 May 2017
Dryad's Saddle (Cerioporus squamosus)
Almost every year at this time, a Dryad's Saddle fungus appears on one or another of the downed tree trunks in our ravine. (SG)
27 May 2017
May-apple (Podophyllum peltatum)
The May Apples are now blooming in our Old Woodlot, but you have to lie on the ground to see the flowers under their umbrella leaves.(SG)