June 2018
This is a Giant Ichneumonid Wasp (Megarhyssa sp.), they have the longest ovipositors of any insect which they use to deposit eggs into the larvae of Wood-boring Wasps and other insects
Maple (Acer sp.) leaves reaching for the summer sun
A tiny Spotted Lady Beetle (Coleomegilla maculata) climbing a stalk of grass
A female Common Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina) laying her eggs in some sandy soil. If you ever see turtles or other wildlife laying eggs, nesting, or with young make sure to give them space and let them continue what they are doing. Also make a note of where the eggs have been laid so you don’t step on the area at all, you don’t want to damage the eggs!
Fresh Manitoba Maple (Acer negundo) leaves enjoying the sunlight
New growth on an Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus)
An Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare) blowing in the wind
A European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) cleaning itself off in a pool!
A little black morph Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) munching on some of the sunflower seeds that he demanded we put out
A mother Mallard (Anas platyrhyncos) and her ducklings moseying along the creek
A Beavers (Castor canadensis) eye view of the world
A turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) soaring high above a massive bog in search of her next meal
Little tree, big Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
An Iris (Iris sp.) out in the swamp known as danger zone
A Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) wading in the pools in search of his next meal
A small Eastern Chipmunk (Tamias striatus) about to dart off into the undergrowth
Ferns reflected in the Skootamatta River
A little Bee (Bombus sp.) visiting some Cow Vetch (Vicia cracca)
A female Red-winged Balckbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) peeking out from the shrubs down in the swamp
An adult Blandings Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) making her way slowly through the swamp
A female Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) cruising around the lake in search of a meal
A mother Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) gathering insects for her hungry chicks!
Surviving and thriving in amongst tarmac and gravel was this Yellow Salsify (Tragopogon dubius)
Fleabanes (Erigeron sp) striving to reach the light
One of the multitude of Eastern Chipmunks (Tamias striatus) that skitter around in the forests
Staring into the eyes of an American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) as he surveys his swamp
Mountain Maple (Acer spicatum) leaves after a heavy rainstorm
Proudly protecting his patch of swamp is this Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
The delicate bright white flowers of a Common Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) popping out from the surrounding greenery
Black Locust (Robinia pseudoacacia) along the Otonabee River