19-SEPT-2016
Fungi
Barry commented that after he took this shot, he realized it rather looked like a dog peering to the upper right.
19-SEPT-2016
Autumn meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum)
Although we think of dragonflies as a summer insect, this species is pretty hardy and can be found late into Autumn,sometimes as late as November.
19-SEPT-2016
Grey squirrel
Getting ready for winter, as all creatures are now.
26-SEP-2016
Chipmunk gathering material for his den
Chipmunks partially hibernate (they are not true hibernators) and they prepare a den for the winter, as this one is doing.
26-SEP-2016
Wood ducks
The newly dug out pond had four wood ducks and two black ducks on it while I was there in the morning. Later, Diane told me she saw 12 wood ducks on the pond in the afternoon.
26-SEP-2016
Honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Several honey bees on the new england asters (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) around the garden, always a good sight to see.
26-SEP-2016
The squirrels should be happy
Some of the black walnut trees are laden with nuts, as this one is. The red squirrels in particular have already been harvesting lots and there are many more yet for them to cache or store.
26-SEP-2016
Gray tree frog (Hyla versicolor)
It is thanks to Colin Gaskell, whom I met at the garden, that I got a photo of this pretty tree frog. He had found it while birding. As can be seen, it was sitting on a dog-strangling vine leaf, amidst a thicket of the vines.
26-SEP-2016
Hairy woodpecker
In addition to this large woodpeccker enjoying the feeder, other birds at the garden included white-breasted nuthatches, big flocks of song sparrows and white-throated sparrows, smaller ones of dark-eyed juncos, chickadees, cardinals, yellow-rumped warblers, common yellowthroat warbler, gray catbird, swainson's thrushes (the latter three species seen/heard by Colin Gaskell), crows and over head, turkey vultures, canada geese, and ring-billed gulls. On the pond, four wood ducks and two black ducks.
26-SEP-2016
Lupine
Shades of spring! A fresh lupine blooming in the butterfly meadow.
26-SEP-2016
Butterfly meadow
Golden sunflowers and purple asters, a winning colour combination. Both are attracting various bees and other nectaring insects such as Toxomerus hover flies.
26-SEP-2016
Bumble bee (Bombus) on sunflower
One of many bumble bees in the Butterfly Meadow, on the sunflowers.
26-SEP-2016
Asters and fence
Asters tower over the split-rail fence around one section of the 'old' Butterfly Meadow. By 'old', I mean the area that was first turned into such a meadow about 25 years ago.
24 September 2016
Female Rose-breasted Grosbeak
Noticed in low trees on the south edge of the Old Woodlot.
26-SEP-2016
Sludge above pond
This is all the mud and vegetation removed from the pond in order to deepen it. It is piled up above the south slope of the pond, and is very deep and very soft, so don't try walking on it!
26-SEP-2016
Pond
The pond looks bigger now, devoid of all aquatic vegetation. In time, the cattails may return, and so will the blackbirds, and the aquatic invertebrates also. I am sure they will.
26-SEP-2016
Changes
Big changes at the Fletcher Wildlife Garden as the pond was cleared of all cattails and other aquatic vegetation in order to deepen it and remove invasives. A new very wide path around the south side of the pond, was also part of the rehabilitation of the site.
26-SEP-2016
New trail around pond
This wide, stone-dust path replaces the narrower, more natural path that once went above the pond. It will make it easier for people to walk on as the other was quite sloped.
26-SEP-2016
Pond rehab
Another view of the extensive changes brought to the site. The sludge will apparently be removed and spread elsewhere in the spring when it has all dried out.
21-SEP-2016
New trail around pond
Diane took this photo of the new, but not quite completed, trail curving around above the pond.
20 Sept. 2016
Surprise resident
A large Snapping Turtle seemed to be enjoying the mud. You can see a small mound of it on its back, and later it buried itself near the edge of the pond. Two Green Frogs were also hopping around.
20 Sept. 2016
More ducks
Yesterday one duck, now two. And water is flowing back in.
22 Sept. 2016
More ducks
The ducks are slowly returning to the pond, with much more space to swim around rooting for food.
22 Sept. 2016
Return to normal
By Thursday, the pond had filled with water and peace returned.
22 Sept. 2016
No invasives
The pond looks much larger without all the invasive species filling it up.
22 Sept. 2016
South slope
You can see the lovely wide path along the south edge of the pond in this photo from David. Now the work begins on replanting that slope down to the water.
19 Sept. 2016
Stay away from the pond
On 19 September, fences and signs appeared all around our pond as major work on our Amphibian Pond started.
19 Sept. 2016
Draining away the water
George W. Drummond Ltd, the company that created the original pond more than 20 years ago, is restoring this habitat by removing most of the invasive species and scooping out the silt that has been slowly filling the pond over time.
19 Sept. 2016
Ready to dig
Quite a shock to see a huge digger rearing up over the trees surrounding the pond. Part of the project includes making a wider, more level trail along the south side of the pond.
19 Sept. 2016
Fascinated by the machines
Diane, who has spent many months steering this project through various levels of bureaucracy, and Connie (pictured here) were on hand from early morning to make sure everything started smoothly. Connie stayed on to watch the machines at work.
19 Sept. 2016
Clearing out cattails
And the machines were certainly fascinating as they picked up great lumps of cattails, flowering rush, and mud, easily setting the mixture down on the south slope.
19 Sept. 2016
Persistent duck
One duck (not sure what species as it was too muddy to tell) decided to tough it out and remain in what was left of the water. Untroubled by the workers and machines, it went about its business, moving from one end of the pond to the other as needed to avoid the chaos.
19 Sept. 2016
Turkey Vulture
And overhead a Turkey Vulture circled slowly.
20 Sept. 2016
Very empty pond
The shovels have scooped out all the invasive Flowering Rush, cattails, Frog's-bit, and Willow Herb.
20 Sept. 2016
Machine and muck
After only one day's work, the shovels are out of the pond and so are several huge piles of muck.
20 Sept. 2016
And more muck
The only good thing that can be said about the muck is that it's covering (and killing) a lot of Dog-strangling Vine.
19-SEP-2016
Work starts on the pond rehabilitation
The big machine is in place and in no time, the work is finished, perhaps a couple of days at most.
19-SEP-2016
The pond just before work started on it
The pond looking lush and full of life, just before the work commenced to scoop out the vegetation and deepen the pond a little.
12-SEPT-2016
Cuckoo wasp (Chrysis sp)
A truly beautiful little wasp, photographed in great detail by Barry. This is parasitic on other bees and some wasps, but especially on leafcutter bees (Megachilidae).
12-SEPT-2016
Locust borers (Megacyllene robiniae)
Closely associated with black locust trees, these longhorned beetles can be common on goldenrods in late summer-early autumn.
12-SEPT-2016
Stinkbug (Brochymena)
A large stinkbug often found in late summer as well as early spring, but not in between. It eats a variety of plants, seemingly not fussy, and is thought to be occasionally predatory on other insects. The adults overwinter.
12-SEPT-2016
Gall on red oak
Oaks are notorious for the huge number and variety of galls on leaves, stems, petioles, twigs, branches. They are usually made by Cynipid wasps, but other insects also have a go at the oaks. This one, I think, is made by a gall midge (CH).
12-SEPT-2016
Gall on red oak
This is the back of the gall, the front is in the previous image.
12-SEPT-2016
Weevil, perhaps in the Ceutorhynchinae subfamily
Barry found this weevil on some goldenrod. It is tiny, but difficult to determine species, though it might be in the subfamily, Ceutorhynchinae.
12-SEPT-2016
Giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea)
These common puffballs can grow to quite astonishing sizes, as big as soccer balls or bigger. They don't last long and soon disintegrate into a brownish soggy mass.
12-SEPT-2016
Buffalo treehopper (Ceresa diceros)
A pretty common little treehopper with its two "horns" giving rise to the common name. There are actually quite a few species in the genus Ceresa, including some that are vivid green.
12-SEPT-2016
Eastern tailed blue butterfly (Cupido comyntas)
This butterfly can be seen flying right through to October. Larvae typically feed on plants in the Fabaceae family.
12-SEPT-2016
Metalmark moth (Caloreas leucobasis), #2641
A small, less than 10mm, moth often found on yellow flowers. Barry found this on a sunflower.
12-SEPT-2016
Small carpenter bees (Ceratina sp)
A couple of mating small carpenter bees photographed by Barry. One of the several tiny, dark, metallic bees around the area.
12-SEPT-2016
Orb weaver spider (Argiope aurantia), female
It is the time of year when the fields and meadows are draped with the large and intricate webs of these beautiful big black and yellow orb weaving spiders. The females are the ones we usually see, such as here. As with most spiders, the male is small and rather innocuous.
12-SEPT-2016
Ambush bug (Phymata)
These very patient and skilled hunters appear in July and are usually present into the autumn. This excellent photo by Barry shows the face and head and the big yellow eye, well. As their name suggests, they sit motionless until a prey species lands and then with lightning speed attack, grab, paralyze and eat the unfortunate victim.
12-SEPT-2016
Mating Locust borers (Megacyllene robiniae)
Barry found a mating pair of these large and very beautiful longhorned beetles on goldenrod (which is where they are typically found in late summer and early autumn). These beetles are closely associated with black locust trees and you won't find them in areas where the trees are absent from the general vicinity. There are, as visitors know, many black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia) at FWG.
12-SEPT-2016
Cuckoo wasp (Chrysis sp.)
Barry photographed this gorgeous little wasp checking out one of the bee boxes. I've noticed quite a few of these colourful wasps at the garden this year but never succeeded in getting such a clean shot as this. They are parasitic on leafcutter bees (Megachilidae) as well as on bees and wasps in several other families.
12-SEPT-2016
Cuckoo wasp (Chrysis sp.)
If you have seen the bee boxes at FWG, you will know that the holes are quite small, therefore you can see just how small this little green wasp is, as it explores the hole looking for leafcutter or other nests to parasitize.
09-SEPT-2016
Polypore, possibly Dye-maker's polypore
Barry photographed and tentatively identified this as Phaeolus schweinitzii.
09-SEPT-2016
Mushroom, possibly (Suillus americanus)
Barry photographed this yellow mushroom and tentatively identified it as Suillus americanus, a Bolete. Unfortunately, he was unable to get a photo of the underside. It seems to have other fungi(?) growing around the rim of the cap. Interesting.
09-SEPT-2016
Bagworm moth case (Psyche)
Larval case of the tiny bagworm moth.
Plant bug (Lopidea sp.)
On black locust. These trees attract a number of insects including the native silver-spotted skipper butterfly whose larvae eat the leaves. This Lopidea plant bug is very, very common on the trees.
Ruby-throated hummingbird
Another shot of the hummingbird that sat for some time in the BYG after feeding on various flowers around the site.
Treehopper (Enchenopa)
This small thorn-like treehopper was on black locust. There are a number of Enchenopa species all looking similar, but they seem to be associated with different plants. Black locust attracts this species, as does nannyberry, though the Enchenopa on that may be a different species.
Honey bee (Apis mellifera)
On a cup-plant (Silphium perfoliatum) in the Butterfly Meadow.
31-AUG-2016
Little white lichen moth (Clemensia albata), #8098
I think this is the little white lichen moth. It was on the trunk of a black maple.
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
This is the native wildflower that causes allergies at this time of year. Because it is so inconspicuous, the more showy and noticeable goldenrods which often grow nearby, get blamed. Year after year, despite attempts at education, alerts get posted about ragweed allergies with photos of goldenrod. I have had visitors to FWG tell me we should get rid of goldenrod because it causes such severe allergies (they don't call it goldenrod, some call it ragweed). THIS plant is ragweed!
Great golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus)
Another shot of this impressive looking wasp in the Sphecidae family. As a visitor to our blog notes (see comments), wasps are fantastic pollinators and this needs to be better known by the general public!
Great golden digger wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus)
This large Sphecid wasp is enjoying the nectar of mountain mint in the Backyard Garden of the FWG.
Ruby-throated hummingbird
Taking a rest after feeding on butterfly bush and obedient plant. It was also observed on the cup plants. Later, several more hummingbirds were found feeding on jewelweed in the ravine.
Honey bee (Apis mellifera)
The mountain mint in both the Butterfly Meadow and the Backyard Garden, are attracting numerous insects, particularly bees of all sorts. Here, a honey bee is busy.
31-AUG-2016
American idia moth (Idia americalis), #8322
This moth was resting on tree bark in the old woods. The larvae of this species feed on lichens.
31-AUG-2016
Pennsylvania leatherwings (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)
Like many other insects, these soldier beetles are enjoying the bounty of goldenrods.
31-AUG-2016
Treehhoppers (Publilia sp)
On a goldenrod leaf. There were many of these tiny treehoppers being tended by ants. When I held up this leaf to get a photo, I was given quite a nasty nip by one of the ants. But then that is their 'job'. They ward off predators and in return they get to savour the honeydew that these bugs secrete. Here, there are two nymphs, top, and an adult, bottom.
Citrus flatid planthopper (Metcalfa pruinosa)
A fairly large planthopper, found on the branch of a black locust tree.
European paper wasp (Polistes dominula)
These are the wasps that build the small open-bottomed paper nests affixed to eavestroughs, or in bird boxes, etc. They are not a very aggressive wasp and I have no problems photographing their nests and getting quite close. They will react if they fear danger, but then who wouldn't!
Obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
A beautiful native plant (native a bit further south than here, though it does very well in this region) that attracts numerous insects.
Bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii)
Growing in profusion in the Butterfly Meadow. These odd flowers do not open, but they are pollinated. I have seen bumble bees work their way in, and one site I checked notes that bumble bees may the only insect tough enough to push their way into these flowers and in the process help pollinate them.
Red squirrel
This little red kept up a steady and loud chittering for the 10 minutes or so I was in his vicinity. They always sound like they are having a major hissy fit!
Sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale) and obedient plant (Physostegia virginiana)
The combination of these two native flowers is especially pleasing to the human aesthetic and is also pleasing to many bees and wasps and other insects who visit these plants for nectar.