18-SEP-2012
Butterfly meadow
The gorgeous autumn colours of the lush foliage in the butterfly meadow are a tribute to the hard work of the volunteers who meet weekly (Wed. evenings) to plant and maintain this site. This photo shows one section of the meadow. The next few photos show different sections of the site.
18-SEP-2012
Butterfly meadow
This is another section of the butterfly meadow, at the northwest end of the site. It has been thickly planted by volunteers and is flourishing. The sign is politely asking visitors to not walk in the newly planted bed.
18-SEP-2012
Butterfly meadow
A third section of the meadow, this one abutting the birch grove.
18-SEP-2012
Black duck snoozing in the rain
The waterproof feathers of this sleeping duck show the rain beaded on his back.
18-SEP-2012
Black ducks feeding
Bottoms up! The black ducks, who'd all been sleeping amongst the cattails, were awake and feeding on my way back across the bridge.
18-SEP-2012
Bridge across the pond
I've always thought that the trail heading up the slope from the bridge, through the sumacs, is very enticing. Like a country lane!
17-SEP-2012
Pennsylvania leatherwing (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)
Barry photographed this pretty beetle at the FWG. Goldenrod and leatherwings seem to go naturally together. Bug Guide calls them goldenrod soldier beetle, which is far more apt I guess, but the Pennsylvania leatherwing name is used in most insect guides, no doubt because of the species name (pensylvanicus). At the height of their occurrence, which is usually mid-late August (although they can continue to be observed well into September), they can be abundant on goldenrods. They are actually soldier beetles (Cantharidae), and a good insect to have around as their larvae feed on various insects we don't always want in our gardens, such as aphids.
17-SEP-2012
Burrowing bug (Sehirus cinctus)
Also called white-margined burrowing bug, for good reason as you can see in this great shot by Barry. These tiny bugs (about 5 mm) are found most often nectaring on flowers, but they are completely harmless, to you and to your flowers and should be left alone. These little guys will overwinter underneath leaf litter. You are most likely to find them if you have plants in the mint family in your garden, as these are their larval plants of choice, the larvae being fed the seeds of such plants.
17-SEP-2012
Sweat bee (Sphecodes)
Another beautiful image by Barry, of this little kleptoparasite. This sweat bee is distinctive with its red abdomen.
17-SEP-2012
Sweat bee (Sphecodes)
Gorgeous shot of a vivid sweat bee, quite different from the metallic green ones we often see, or those with striped abdomens. This red-bellied one is a kleptoparasite on other sweat bees.
17-SEP-2012
Oak gall
Oak trees are decorated with a variety of galls, such as this one, most being made by tiny wasps in the Cynipidae family.