The Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee has not been seen in Ontario since 2009.

When I learned that, I knew what I had to do.

Build A Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee and bring her home!

Welcome to the Rusty Patch, a native-focused garden in Ontario.

Tended by me, one seed and weed at a time.

I think this is a new American Red Squirrel. Looks very shiny and soft, no scratches or patchy fur.

The Mourning Doves recognize us, I am sure. They are incautious as well as remarkably camouflaged in most circumstances, so we often startle them, but no offence seems taken.

It’s probably challenging for the Blue Jay to groom herself the way she would before Egg.

Flickers are a woodpecker. Regal and unique.

What a nyoom!

Robin gets her nyoom in as well.

Blue Jay NYOOM is very intimidating.

Tiny tiny moth on a strand of grass. I dare not look away, for if this is what I see, what could I be missing?

Eastern Forktail, a damselfly. Tiny here but will change. The males are flashy and bright blue, females are blue-grey. Another creature named after the feature of the male – the females have no forked marking.

Easy to miss.

Didn’t realize as I was taking the photo that this poor spider was doing a huge defensive posture at the camera.

Huge fan of atennae and insect eyes. This Cabbage White is a star – and look at that shadow! Wormy!

Sometimes Blue Jay is PUFF.

Sometimes sleek.

Sometimes an ouroboros.

American Robin also sometimes PUFF.

Sometimes sleek.

Sometimes making this face, a very rare angle to capture. The ultimate indignity.

And sometimes, NYOOM

Pleased that I captured this shot – this Hawk has been messing with the seed/insect eating birds in the neighbourhood, but they have teamwork down pat.

Never have I ever actually got a good shot of this yellow bird.

In case you were wondering what a Robin’s cloaca looks like. Where eggs come from (and… everything else. Efficient.)

OKAY THANK YOU FOR VISITING THE RUSTY PATCH BYEEE