15-MAY-2011
Crabapple (Malus) with a queen bumblebee
This large queen Bombus was visiting the flowers of this pretty crabapple tree. On a warmer, sunnier day, there would be more insect visitors, doing the important work of pollination.
15-MAY-2011
Barren ground strawberry (Waldsteinia fragarioides)
A really lovely native plant that is excellent for forming a low ground cover. Growing in the Backyard Garden.
15-MAY-2011
Iris lacustre
These are native species a bit further south of us. They are tiny and delicate and absolutely beautiful, and they come up year after year in the Backyard Garden. Worth taking a look at!
12-MAY-2011
American toad eggs (Bufo americanus)
Ropes of toad eggs. The females lay these eggs as they are mating.
12-MAY-2011
American toads (Bufo americanus) mating
Had 20 minutes late in the day at FWG, and heard the toads trilling as soon as I stepped out of the car. At the same time there were yellow warblers singing from the vicinity of the ravine. A very happy combination of sound! There must have been about 50+ toads calling, mating, leaping on anything that moved, in the pond.
09-MAY-2011
White trillium (Trillium grandiflorum)
White trilliums are out in force now all over the region. Ontario's provincial flower!
09-MAY-2011
Great blue heron
Jeewa took this photo in the Arboretum, but we have had this species in the pond several times this year.
09-MAY-2011
Red-winged blackbird, female
The female blackbirds are back now and so nesting can commence, though where they are going to nest remains a mystery, given that most of the cattails in the pond have vanished. There are a few clumps here and there that may, just may, suffice. They nest in the dead cattails and usually there are plenty but not this year.
09-MAY-2011
Black-and-white warbler
A lovely shot of this familiar little warbler taken by Jeewa in the Ash Woods.
09-MAY-2011
Painted turtle
At last, the turtles in our pond are emerging! Jeewa said she saw two Painteds and photographed this one.
09-MAY-2011
Green frog
Green frogs are now more frequently seen around the pond. Previously this season, the only ones I saw were those caught by crows, so it was nice to see this photo by Jeewa of a happy, live frog!
06-MAY-2011
Wild ginger (Asarum canadense)
Jeewa got a nice shot of this native plant, showing the soft green, rather hairy leaves, and the small burgundy flower nestled at the base, often hard to see.
