25-OCT-2012
Red fox
A group of us were wandering around the FWG, looking at the site and chatting, when this fox came along the trail, looked at us, walked casually out to the middle of this service road, squatted, pooped (he showed what he thought of us!), and then dashed off into the trees. Barry was quick enough to catch this photo.
31-OCT-2012
Evening grosbeak eating sumac seeds
It was a red letter day at FWG today, when I saw 10 of these beautiful birds. Back in the 1960s and 1970's, these birds were abundant, and in fall and winter would sweep into the city in huge flocks, descending on feeders and cleaning them out in no time. This feat gave them the nickname of "greedybeaks"! But then, numbers of grosbeaks coming into the city dwindled and by mid-1980's they were not being seen in the same numbers, and by the 1990's it was difficult to find them anywhere within city limits or even nearby. This autumn, recent reports of these birds have appeared from many parts of southern Ontario, so... it was no wonder some should appear at the FWG!
31-OCT-2012
Evening grosbeak eating sumac seeds
The birds were first seen eating ash seeds and then flew over to a stand of sumac and began eating the fruit there. Hopefully we will see these birds again at the garden!
31-OCT-2012
Western conifer seed bug nymph (Leptoglossus occidentalis)
A little while ago I posted a couple of photos of an adult Leptoglossus. Today, there was a small nymph on the walls of the centre at FWG. YOu can see, if you compare to the adult, how different it looks, with its small wing buds.
31-OCT-2012
Ash woods
Looking north along the Bill Holland trail from the south end of the woods. For the last day of October, there is still quite a bit of colour.
31-OCT-2012
Blue beech seeds (Carpinus caroliniana)
The drooping seed pods are very attractive when seen up close. They resemble to some extent, those of ironwood (Ostrya virginiana), which is not a big surprise as they are both in the Betulaceae family.
31-OCT-2012
Blue beech trunk (Carpinus caroliniana)
This is a good size blue beech, mature enough you can see the ripples in the bark that give it its other name of musclewood. This shows up better when the trunk is dry.
29-OCT-2012
Red-tailed hawk
This beauty was sitting on a fence just down the road from the FWG. I have also seen it a number times in the garden itself, but not close enough for a photo.
20-OCT-2012
Lupine
I was surprised to see this perfectly formed and very cheery lupine blooming at the garden, more a sign of spring than late autumn!
18-OCT-2012
Paper wasp nest
Barry found and photographed this large paper wasp nest at the garden. I was looking at it just before he photographed it and could see no wasps around the entrance so am unsure if it is an aerial yellowjacket nest or that of a bald-faced hornet. I am inclined to think the latter because of the sheer size of it. Once the hard frost hits, all these wasps, except for the queens, will die off.
18-OCT-2012
Autumn meadowhawk
These meadowhawks are often the last odonate to be found in our region, with records dating into November. In fact, according to local dragonfly expert, Chris Lewis, they have been seen up to 21 November (the latest record for them so far). Photographed by Barry.
18-OCT-2012
Fungi, possibly Oxporus sp.
Barry photographed this cluster of fungi at the garden recently.
Ichneumonid Wasp (Ichneumonidae)
A very attractive wasp. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to ID wasps, in particular Ichneumonids from photographs. As Tom Murray says about these "Very few of this diverse group can be identified from photographs." Quite often one needs a specimen and the knowledge to examine the specimen under a microscope. We are content to leave this as simply an Ichneumonid wasp.
Hover fly, possibly Eupeodes
The last remaining goldenrods and asters are a magnet for any insect still flying in late October. Here, Barry has photographed a small hover fly which may be in the genus Eupeodes.
18-OCT-2012
Orange lichen, probably Xanthomendoza fallax
Another pretty lichen photographed by Barry. Lichens are often overlooked by people, perhaps because they appear insignificant until you look closely, as Barry did here, through his macro lens. Thanks to Colin Freebury we now know that this lichen is most likely Xanthomendoza fallax. It is terrific that Colin can help us out, because we know how difficult it is to ID most taxa (whether insects, lichens, fungi, etc.) from photos.
18-OCT-2012
Lichens
Barry photographed these very pretty lichens, and Colin Freebury very kindly identified them for us.
Colin says the yellow lichen "is probably Candelaria concolor", and he says that if one looks at this with a hand lens it will reveal "tiny, delicate lobes with marginal, yellow soredia (little balls comprised of fungal hyphae wrapped around algal cells)." The orange lichen in the middle is "is probably Xanthomendoza fallax." Again, he notes that using a hand lens we "should see that the lobe cortices are separated and within the gap appear orange soredia (called labriform soredia)."
The whitish grey lichen on the left, Colin says, "could be Physcia aipolia or Physcia stellaris."
18-OCT-2012
Oak gall
Barry photographed a number of galls, most on red oaks, but one on top of a goldenrod plant (see next photo). Oaks seem particularly attractive to gall-making insects. In fact, most galls on oaks are made by tiny little wasps in the Cynipidae family, although a few are made Cecidomyid flies. I once brought home a gall from a bur oak and in time, a tiny wasp emerged, so small it was barely visible to the naked eye. Oak galls can be found on twigs and leaves, and can assume a variety of shapes. Many are called "oak apples".
18-OCT-2012
Oak gall opened
This is one of the papery oak galls that are so common on oaks. Here, Barry has opened the gall and found a tiny larval case inside. Possibly the larva had already transformed into a wasp by the time this gall was found.
18-OCT-2012
Oak gall
Barry also photographed this tiny gall which, like the oak leaf it is attached to,has turned red. Most oak galls are made by the very tiny Cynipidae wasps.
18-OCT-2012
Leafy gall on goldenrod
This is a most un-gall-like growth. It occurs on the tops of goldenrods and looks like a whorled cluster of green leaves. Generally, these types of galls are made by the minute Cecidomyid fly. You should find many of these growths wherever Canada and tall goldenrods occur, as they seem to be especially prone to this. It doesn't harm the plant.
American redstart nest (probably)
As best as I can tell, this looks like an American Redstart nest, although I didn't see this particular nest which was found and photographed by Barry.
18-OCT-2012
Greenbottle fly (Lucilia sp.)
Another common species right through fall. This may be L. sericata or L. illustris.
18-OCT-2012
Hover fly (Toxomerus geminatus)
These very tiny hover flies are common in spring and then become very noticeable again in autumn, though they are found in between these two seasons too. Many hover flies become much more noticeable now, and mid-autumn is a great time to discover a variety of syrphids. This is a fine detailed photo by Barry.
21-OCT-2012
Clematis
This lone clematis flower appeared amidst the rosehips behind the interpretive centre.
16-OCT-2012
Polypore (Phlebia radiata)
This spreading jelly-like polypore, was nice and fresh on a birch log. You can see how it has wrapped itself around the base of a twig emerging from the log. When I went back a few days later, this was all dry and withered and the orange colour had faded to white. This is a very common fungus and I've often found it on standing dead birch trees.
20-OCT-2012
Western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis)
Autumn is the time to see these large (about 20 mm)seed bugs. A native western species, they moved eastward over the decades and have lately been introduced to Europe. They are completely harmless to humans, no biting, stinging, etc. I find them quite fascinating.
20-OCT-2012
Western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis)
You will often see these guys on the sides of buildings, getting warm, and also seeking somewhere warm to spend the winter.
20-OCT-2012
Hover fly (Syrphid) on New England aster
There were few asters in bloom today, compared to even a week ago, and the big stand of grass-leaved goldenrod that was attracting so many insects, is now over and done with. But on the few aster blooms that I did find, there was generally an insect or two, as here.
Over on the farm, there are scads of dandelions, late blooming after the last mowing. They were attracting numerous honey bees and a few Eristalis tenax hover flies (bee mimics).
20-OCT-2012
Green-striped grasshopper (Chortophaga viridifasciata)
On the wall of the Interpretive Centre. Apparently these grasshoppers overwinter as a partly grown nymph, which is what this one is. Unfortunately, this poor guy had lost its right leg as you can see in the next photo.
20-OCT-2012
Green-striped grasshopper (,em>Chortophaga viridifasciata)
On the wall of the Interpretive Centre. Apparently these grasshoppers overwinter as a partly grown nymph, which is what this one is. Unfortunately, this poor guy had lost its right leg.
20-OCT-2012
Spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata )
These two were oblivious to the cold and happily mating on a new england aster.
20-OCT-2012
Stinkbug (Brochymena)
These large (approx. 18 mm)stinkbugs are pretty common right into mid-autumn. There were two around the Interpretive Centre today. They are often called tree stinkbugs because they are most often found on trees, and certainly that is where I usually find them. They will overwinter as adults in leaf litter, like many bug species do.
20-OCT-2012
European paper wasp (Polistes dominula) nests
Still a few of these wasps around, and if you look closely, you can see a couple wandering around their empty nests. These wasps are very docile. Those biologists who work with wasps say that you need to work hard at provoking them. And I've certainly found this to be true, as I have spent a lot of time around them in various locations, photographing them and just watching them and have yet to be stung by them. Yellowjackets are a bit more assertive!
20-OCT-2012
Asian ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis)
This was on the lower part of the red barn by the New Woods. On the Interpretive Centre, there were about 20 a few days ago, but fewer today. These beetles spend the winter as adults, hiding out in a warm dry place, such a building.
20-OCT-2012
Coneflowers in the Butterfly Meadow
Fewer flowers in bloom, but these ones, planted in the meadow this year, are flowering profusely.
20-OCT-2012
Small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii)
This was one of several crawling over the large rocks by the Butterfly Meadow, and heading down to the leaf litter where they'll overwinter once it gets really cold, not emerging until spring. But once spring does come again, they'll be amongst the first insects out and about. You can see how similar this looks to the box elder bug in the next photo. But they are in fact, two different families. This one belongs to the Seed Bug Family, while the box elder bugs, are Scentless Plant Bugs.
20-OCT-2012
Eastern Box Elder Bug (Boisea trivittata)
Seeking warmth on the south side of the old red barn, this bug was probably about to enter the structure and settle down for the winter. These bugs overwinter as adults, as do beetles such as the Asian ladybeetle, of which there was one just out of the photo frame, heading in the same direction.
20-OCT-2012
Sow bug (Philoscia sp.)
These are abundantly common little critters, so common, we barely pay attention to them. They are actually in the same Class as crustaceans such as shrimp and crayfish, though in a separate order, the Isopods. Some call these guys woodlice, but I've always known them as sow bugs. This was trundling down the wall of the Interpretive Centre.
16-OCT-2012
WHite-breasted nuthatch
This nuthatch was happily feeding on the suet in the backyard garden feeder, and chasing away any others who wanted a taste, until a downy woodpecker flew in and chased the nuthatch off.
16-OCT-2012
Lemon drops (Bisporella citrina)
I am always enchanted by these minute sac fungi, whose common name of lemon drops is so apt, given the way they look. This is a macro shot, but in reality they look like small yellow pinpricks, so if you don't have a camera with a macro feature or macro lens, you'll need a hand lens to see them up close and appreciate them.
16-OCT-2012
Puffballs (Lycoperdon)
Found a cluster of these very small puffballs on the edge of the Butterfly Meadow. They may be Lycoperdon curtisii as they were so very small.
16-OCT-2012
Black-capped chickadee nest cavity
This is an incomplete nest cavity made by a chickadee. On this birch log, there are two holes that have been partly excavated. In this one you can feel down about an inch, but then the hole ends. Clearly, the birds decided to go elsewhere. Standing dead birch trees are perfect spots for chickadees to nest in and nest in them, they do!
16-OCT-2012
Black-capped chickadee eating new england aster seeds
This chickadee was very, very busy eating seed after seed from this big stand of asters. So many wild plants, both native and not, provide seed sources for wildlife.
16-OCT-2012
Black-capped chickadee eating new england aster seeds
Another view of the chickadee eating the aster seeds.
16-OCT-2012
Squirrel stash
Crabapples stored by a red squirrel below a den site.
16-OCT-2012
Wild grapes (Vitis riparia)
Wildlife depend on wild food crops, thus these wild grapes are eagerly eaten by many species of birds and mammals.
16-OCT-2012
Ornamental crabapples (Malus)
Another food source is provided by crabapples, although not all are eaten. I suppose some cultivars have taste bred out of them, so that wildlife will ignore them and leave the pretty red fruit to add colour to the winter landscape. I'd prefer planting trees that feed wildlife.
10-OCT-2012
Blazing colours at the FWG
Much of the colour here comes from the amur maple saplings that turn a brilliant scarlet in fall, which is one big reason why this non-native maple is so popular in gardens (from whence come the ones we see in natural areas).
10-OCT-2012
Red squirrel - two views
This squirrel was in his usual place, beneath his nest box. I watched him for awhile until he suddenly became aware of me. I guess he was quite startled because he opened his mouth wide and gave quite the chatter, telling me off no doubt. He then went back to contemplating life, the universe and everything, or so I like to imagine!
10-OCT-2012
Butterfly meadow
The meadow is the most floriferous site in the garden these days. Most of the late summer plants are over, apart from scattered asters and a few goldenrod. Here and there are a few species of flowering plants such as sow thistle, yarrow, red clover, etc. But in the butterfly meadow, as you can see, there is a great display of aster, rudbeckia and coneflowers.
10-OCT-2012
Colours near the garden
This shot is looking westward from the edge of the old field. You can see the buckwheat field with many tall sorghum plants (from last year's planting), against that autumn backdrop.
10-OCT-2012
Witch hazel flowers (Hamamelis virginiana)
Long ago, we planted this witch hazel between the pond and the service road. It is now a tall shrub, healthy and surviving well. Every autumn it produces an abundance of small, delicate yellow blossoms. Probably one of the most interesting features of this tree is that it flowers in autumn, when most everything else flowers in the warmer months. It also has lovely rich yellow leaves in autumn. This native shrub is quite rare in the wilds around the region.
10-OCT-2012
Birch log structure
A work of art in nature or a den for an animal, or both? I think this shelter is quite artsy and pretty.
10-OCT-2012
Goldenrod gall
Leaves are not the only things that change colour in the autumn. Goldenrod galls also turn various shades of red and yellow. Eventually, they will become a beautiful bronzed colour.
10-OCT-2012
Indian grass
This beautiful big native grass is growing in the Backyard Garden. The colour in autumn is quite striking and worth planting in any garden.
10-OCT-2012
Amanita mushroom
I was casually looking for fungi, and not seeing very much, until I came across about 6 or 7 very large Amanita mushrooms. All had been either knocked over like this one, or the heads had been bent down. Most had been nibbled at or had chunks taken out. I found one piece lodged in a tree. I concluded that squirrels were both nibbling at the mushrooms and also hanging pieces to dry. I guess they don't suffer the same toxic effects that we would if we ate a bit of this mushroom.
10-OCT-2012
Squirrel food
As noted in the previous text, I found this piece of amanita mushroom tucked against a tree trunk, stuck there by a squirrel.
10-OCT-2012
Rose hops
These lovely rose hips in the Backyard Garden, add rich colour to the garden. More colour comes from the phlox still in bloom, asters, and sedum, amongst other plants still with some blooms or attractive seedheads.
02-OCT-2012
Hover fly (Toxomerus geminatus), male
A tiny little hover fly (about 6 mm), this is one of the ones often referred to as flower flies because they spend so much time nectaring on flowers, often in small groups. They are found throughout the spring and summer and into autumn, as long as there is nectar to feed on. Because the eyes are so close together as to be touching, this is a male of the species.
02-OCT-2012
Spider, possibly a fishing spider
This looks like one of the Dolomedes spiders, but as I didn't see it, I can't say for sure. The dolomedes look similar to a couple of other spiders we get around the garden.
02-OCT-2012
Bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)
Another black and white wasp, but quite different from the next one (the potter wasp). These are actually also paper wasps, not true hornets, and are responsible for the large paper nests suspended from trees, usually high up, but not always. The aerial yellowjacket also builds a paper nest very similar in construction, but much smaller, and also suspended from trees or rafters.
02-OCT-2012
Potter wasp (Eumenes fraternus)
A gorgeous shiny black and white wasp, this is one of the species that creates beautiful little clay pots (hence the common name), often on plant stems. Inside the pots they lay their eggs and provision them with caterpillars or sawfly larva.
02-OCT-2012
Sweat bee
This dark metallic bee is more than likely a female Agapostemon sweat bee, but I can't say for sure. Barry photographed this in the Backyard Garden.
02-OCT-2012
Tachinid fly and paper wasp
As Barry noted, earlier, this large aster in the Backyard Garden, was a magnet for insects. I too, have found it to be thick with insects on some days in autumn. Here, a parasitic fly (Tachinid sp.) and a European paper wasp nectar together.
02-OCT-2012
Spotted ladybeetle (Coleomegilla maculata)
These gorgeous little ladybeetles are a native species and can be very common in spring. I've sometimes seen half a dozen on a single dandelion flower. They are also very determined hunters and will take a variety of prey.
02-OCT-2012
Goldenrod crab spider with a hover fly
The spider is so well concealed here that it is barely discernible. Obviously, the poor hover fly didn't see it either. The fly looks like it might be in the Genus Syrphus, one of the small to medium size hover flies (Syrphidae).
02-OCT-2012
Crabronid wasp
This small wasp looks like it is in the Genus Ectemnius, sometimes called the square-headed wasps in some guides. Ectemnius wasps are in the Crabronidae family, the digger wasps.
02-OCT-2012
Beetle
Barry photographed this little beetle on a long trek up the leaf. I can't make out much in the way of detail or colour, but it might just be a spotted cucumber beetle. I post it because the shot is quite artistic.
02-OCT-2012
Paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus)
In contrast to the next wasp, this paper wasp is a native species. It lacks the orange antennae of the P. dominula, and is more soberly coloured with dark brown, almost mahogany coloured eyes. The P. dominula, on the other hand, is black and yellow like a yellowjacket (unfortunately for it, as it is often mistaken for such).
02-OCT-2012
Paper wasp (Polistes dominula)
Barry was kept busy photographing a number of insects species on this white aster in the backyard garden, including this paper wasp. This is a European species that is quite common. Although they can sting, they seem to resist all efforts to make them sting. They are very passive and you'd need to get them really upset to get them to sting (unlike yellowjackets who are a bit more proactive). These wasps are, like many wasps, pollinators.
02-OCT-2012
Female Goldenrod Crab spider (Misumena vatia)
Amazing how these spiders can blend in with the flowers they sit on. On yarrow they are white, with a pink band. They are very successful hunters, sitting in wait for an unsuspecting insect to land on the blossom and then, with a quick dart, they have caught their prey.
02-OCT-2012
Burrower bug (Sehirus cinctus)
A small, shiny black bug that is common but often overlooked due to its size. Although they look like stink bugs, they belong to a different family (Cydnidae).
02-OCT-2012
Hover fly (Sericomyia longicornis)
This is one of the many wasp mimics one finds amongst the hover flies (Syrphidae). Barry photographed this one earlier in October when the weather was still quite mild.
01-OCT-2012
Hover fly (Syrphus sp.)
This was one of several hover flies of several species, all nectaring on goldenrod and asters.
01-OCT-2012
Pink Cardinal Flower
A pale pink version of the usually scarlet cardinal flower, seen and photographed by Diane in the butterfly meadow.
01-OCT-2012
Ichneumonid Wasp (Ichneumonidae)
Diane found three species of ichneumonid wasps on milkweed in the butterfly meadow, in the model monarch waystation section. It is possible that this species is Melanichneumon pluto. However, another species, Vulgichneumon brevicinctor, looks almost identical, so we are not sure which one this is at the moment.
01-OCT-2012
Ichneumonid Wasp (Ichneumonidae)
This is similar to the red ichneumonid wasp in the next photo, but this has a black head.
01-OCT-2012
Ichneumonid Wasp (Ichneumonidae) on milkweed
Another very pretty red wasp photographed by Diane in the Butterfly Meadow.
01-OCT-2012
New England asters
The wonderful shades of blue and lilac abound around the garden with these asters. Insects are also attracted to the blossoms, bumble bees and honey bees in particular.
01-OCT-2012
Bridge over pond
A view down the hill to the bridge across the pond, surrounded by walnut trees in various stages of autumn colour, as well as sumac and other plants.
01-OCT-2012
Hawthorn berries
A jolt of bright red catches the eye in the form of fruit, such as these hawthorn berries.
01-OCT-2012
Bumble bee on sunflower
It was cool and cloudy, with showers in the morning, but later on, the sun came out in fits and starts, and there were still many insects to be found, mostly bumble bees and wasps.
01-OCT-2012
Plicaturopsis crispa
A very common mushroom around the garden, on rotting logs, here, a birch log. After rain, which we've had over the last few days, these mushrooms will revive.
01-OCT-2012
Plicaturopsis crispa
A very common mushroom around the garden, on rotting logs, here, a birch log. After rain, which we've had over the last few days, these mushrooms will revive. The underside is delicately lacy.
01-OCT-2012
Small milkweed bugs (Lygaeus kalmii)
This brightly coloured cluster of small milkweed bugs was on a fencepost around the butterfly meadow. There were at least another 15 or 20 in the general area. These adults will overwinter in warm spots, such as leaf litter, and emerge early in spring, when it is still cool, sometimes even when there are remnants of snow on the ground.
01-OCT-2012
Backyard Garden
A view from the back of the garden toward the Interpretive Centre at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. The backyard garden is our 'model' garden, designed to show how people can create their own backyard wildlife habitat. The rest of the garden, 15 acres, is largely in a natural state, although helped along by planting and invasive species control.