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Van Waffle

Writer, Naturalist, Photographer

Tag: backyard habitat

Supporting native insects is easy

Posted on May 17, 2019October 20, 2021 by Van Waffle

Yesterday I planted two drought-tolerant native Ontario wildflowers in my front garden: Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly milkweed) and Antennaria dioica (pussytoes). I wanted to…

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Floral celebration

Posted on July 10, 2018July 10, 2018 by Van Waffle

My garden this year has shifted focus from vegetables to flowers. This morning’s offering include a new lover, the California poppy, and an old boyfriend, ‘Abraham Darby’ rose.

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Know your hoverflies

Posted on July 12, 2017July 12, 2017 by Van Waffle

Bees attract attention. Even if you’re not afraid of them, when there’s a bee around, you take notice. Besides the fact that they…

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Backyard habitat for black swallowtail caterpillars

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Van Waffle

After observing a black swallowtail butterfly laying eggs, I’m pleased to host its caterpillars on my dill plant.

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The vole that ate my potatoes

Posted on September 11, 2014 by Van Waffle

This morning while digging the last potatoes from the garden, I disturbed this vole. At first sight, it darted from a clod of…

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Caterpillar in my houseplants

Posted on August 21, 2014August 20, 2014 by Van Waffle

If you grow it, they will come. A tiger moth caterpillar is feeding on my indoor succulents. Burro’s tail sedum might not be…

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Treefrog among the bonsai

Posted on July 29, 2014July 28, 2014 by Van Waffle

We see it almost every day now. The gray treefrog that arrived recently has taken up residence in the potted garden on our…

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A gray treefrog visits our deck garden

Posted on July 18, 2014July 17, 2014 by Van Waffle

Yesterday morning I lifted one of the bonsai pots on our deck and found this gray treefrog resting underneath. This frog is an…

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Katydid nymph

Posted on June 27, 2014 by Van Waffle

Good morning, katydid nymph. Welcome to my porch kale. I look forward to your August night ambience.

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New bird feeder visitor: red-breasted nuthatch

Posted on August 9, 2012August 8, 2012 by Van Waffle

We have a new visitor at our bird feeder: a red-breasted nuthatch. Danny first noticed the unfamiliar bird on Sunday, but I did…

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Van on Flickr

  • A single egg
  • Blown glass ornament
  • RBG Frog Exhibit VI
  • Spring tea room
  • RBG Frog Exhibit V
  • RBG Frog Exhibit IV
  • Twist
  • Detail of Nightshift shawl knitted with Malabrigo yarn
Genius Loci: The Spirit of a Place is a Flickr group curated by Van with 250 members and growing, exploring how places influence our lives.

Genius Loci

  • Shelter
  • Traditional Swedish interior
  • Insel Euböa - Nea Styra
  • Abandon
  • Magglingen – Winter vibe
  • End of the Trail
  • rooms with a view
  • Passage Verdeau

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