tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39027021297910117852024-03-17T20:04:08.755-07:00Woods Walks and WildlifeOutdoor Adventures in Central New York and BeyondElizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.comBlogger513125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-77604101715374465462024-02-28T19:09:00.000-08:002024-02-28T19:09:38.376-08:00Adventures Away from Home: New Mexico in November, 2023<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in November, I was lucky enough to be able to visit my sister in Albuquerque, New Mexico! I'd never traveled to the southwestern US before, so this was a trip with many firsts for me. We crammed as many activities as we could into just a few days -- there was so much delicious food, fun and weird art, wonderful family time, and of course amazing nature. So here's a summary of some of the incredible nature I saw in my too-brief time in New Mexico!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I flew in to Albuquerque on November 12, and the airplane's approach gave me a first beautiful view of the city, with the Rio Grande snaking through the middle, and the small mountain range, the Sandias, as a backdrop:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIoOoxs5-U2yr4PyiPlcZY1itTnnqdBbG_RoAFmn0Fy85UtDuFfx7ZK63excY_uAh1OJ5uAVt2ZV8LgXaiOS6wZAq0fzOtSxRINcxtMumadpEm-IdTQix1Z76lpg76obZorjZBMh4AgZJjtZelZs_F92VRtr_B7IDyvdGEsH_n_e8ukbH3a4zyf7Avwg/s1500/albuquerque%20from%20the%20air.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1005" data-original-width="1500" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNIoOoxs5-U2yr4PyiPlcZY1itTnnqdBbG_RoAFmn0Fy85UtDuFfx7ZK63excY_uAh1OJ5uAVt2ZV8LgXaiOS6wZAq0fzOtSxRINcxtMumadpEm-IdTQix1Z76lpg76obZorjZBMh4AgZJjtZelZs_F92VRtr_B7IDyvdGEsH_n_e8ukbH3a4zyf7Avwg/w640-h428/albuquerque%20from%20the%20air.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On this first day, we took a late afternoon walk along the Rio Grande, where flock after flock of (noisy!) Sandhill Cranes flew low overhead, heading along the river to their nighttime roosting spot:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3oDXiHxpKa1nUZG5vBK6e73DdPjRaW8qByvR1sewyz5qr4DWn4M1rhuNWfjy79txefOakOiuY3bMCGJCBtTdplCqzjAwBUmCQ9UjofMrewnEZ1-zCn1MFYWlhj-iZz2BrCQGCqLkIP4jmyASbxxdnutVhLUntgW5H4WRta_vzkdlbSAJUDGCH4588_A/s1500/sandhill%20cranes%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1318" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3oDXiHxpKa1nUZG5vBK6e73DdPjRaW8qByvR1sewyz5qr4DWn4M1rhuNWfjy79txefOakOiuY3bMCGJCBtTdplCqzjAwBUmCQ9UjofMrewnEZ1-zCn1MFYWlhj-iZz2BrCQGCqLkIP4jmyASbxxdnutVhLUntgW5H4WRta_vzkdlbSAJUDGCH4588_A/w562-h640/sandhill%20cranes%201.JPG" width="562" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The next morning, I was absolutely thrilled to be able to see first-hand something my sister had been telling us about since moving to Albuquerque, and which seemed like a fairy tale: A Greater Roadrunner, who my sister affectionately calls "Henry," hangs out most days in the front yard of their little house. A yard roadrunner! This is a quiet neighborhood, yes, but it's also certainly in the city, with houses and sidewalks and cats. And a yard roadrunner. Sometimes two roadrunners, even, when Henry's mate is around!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In any case, the roadrunner appeared in the yard with the rising sun, and I spent a good chunk of time outside with this incredible bird while he (or she) had a thorough grooming and sunning session on top of the car. On top of the car!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKoXj3I_1i-NedinY5ZYk9PgWWQz_6ZbM0MWIXqZ_af31Uf7nkCqNPLDBUMCf-dzgcxA-2JAEEGZQKunfoA9L5_XsJyD1lQXjMnwj0mh80J7qaNhB2JBdouVfx8OD_BAMyQ58XMyoWGGwbLNdw7AU3Wg4RZOPTe0V8Q6VScohyphenhyphenzzle9uWtRJKtevdP5A/s1500/Henry%20on%20car.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1073" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoKoXj3I_1i-NedinY5ZYk9PgWWQz_6ZbM0MWIXqZ_af31Uf7nkCqNPLDBUMCf-dzgcxA-2JAEEGZQKunfoA9L5_XsJyD1lQXjMnwj0mh80J7qaNhB2JBdouVfx8OD_BAMyQ58XMyoWGGwbLNdw7AU3Wg4RZOPTe0V8Q6VScohyphenhyphenzzle9uWtRJKtevdP5A/w458-h640/Henry%20on%20car.JPG" width="458" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Really, though, this made the awkwardness of carrying my camera on multiple flights worth it. This bird and I had a fantastic photo shoot, with amazing light, and so many cool poses. This relaxed and puffed-out pose is one of my favorites:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ptQYE9UD0inVcAj7Q0cj2JnMXajHLOY7FprZgRowvuw7tYoD6zxR9sx7chduuzk9gNyxXxLnaNswhnar4fgyTo1eX8rbrOViAP99li6Jbq_5pMKhbPUmgfjrEVF9NE3ggqR2rMeIsrhly5iymhbw9ga4bheyhBn1J5CDK-jWglGryBMfTBCMg_SSLII/s1500/henry%20puffy%20body.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="975" data-original-width="1500" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8ptQYE9UD0inVcAj7Q0cj2JnMXajHLOY7FprZgRowvuw7tYoD6zxR9sx7chduuzk9gNyxXxLnaNswhnar4fgyTo1eX8rbrOViAP99li6Jbq_5pMKhbPUmgfjrEVF9NE3ggqR2rMeIsrhly5iymhbw9ga4bheyhBn1J5CDK-jWglGryBMfTBCMg_SSLII/w640-h416/henry%20puffy%20body.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And there's also this full-body stretch, with all those iridescent feathers on display:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas0jDUKj5tGeNwufoMDtei2cKLZzJVXS3UThROHdI_6UIdKEsSGmLiMJaf1uGs6APMCuuMly9ip37IkJDE1JnK5Q1-rsRbLgZnk07-4MDc0W58ybtinxZRub0BCpoba7xN9DjsdWpqaLvhLitTw-ymHNGr1FXKm0wFDfjWNnJEbWe5uzqNevbMuZkgQU/s1500/henry%20full%20body.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1500" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjas0jDUKj5tGeNwufoMDtei2cKLZzJVXS3UThROHdI_6UIdKEsSGmLiMJaf1uGs6APMCuuMly9ip37IkJDE1JnK5Q1-rsRbLgZnk07-4MDc0W58ybtinxZRub0BCpoba7xN9DjsdWpqaLvhLitTw-ymHNGr1FXKm0wFDfjWNnJEbWe5uzqNevbMuZkgQU/w640-h396/henry%20full%20body.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And these super-fluffy chest feathers:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb1wMX1OKJH3OK4GrW10U2DDLTkNfmfBjD2mRvRNpALgNEJlqomIFsX7VLb2hHcaQxjtfrM9r4nNVsWHkMuvJglhSyub28_ArLxXTGmPIa7lNrmXLzTjoFQchlTXOCr54A4-Ok7Y3LwZHHmWfnHjE-RrgwlEWy7bhVBzetsn6t1SLdpKUyUPJEl4itCo/s1500/henry%20grooming.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="1500" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinb1wMX1OKJH3OK4GrW10U2DDLTkNfmfBjD2mRvRNpALgNEJlqomIFsX7VLb2hHcaQxjtfrM9r4nNVsWHkMuvJglhSyub28_ArLxXTGmPIa7lNrmXLzTjoFQchlTXOCr54A4-Ok7Y3LwZHHmWfnHjE-RrgwlEWy7bhVBzetsn6t1SLdpKUyUPJEl4itCo/w640-h414/henry%20grooming.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And this incredible tail:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLUByDy4j2KyHSbjpWxzkYBZNLH6w9FjG9qcxSSVjQbUr3cTdJt3QBbeYBn1DW3xUoh6t1Gf-PTh6-tCYtFOk_XfY5H9XfjMtrUn1IkSzRdp3hEF2b6FEAZWlzT9nMxiA_aAAINhCwSWNeMiWP0p0ai9M5Rn_k3aDek0D_3eVqdJWZAxTtD-zGxL1CpI/s1500/Henry%20grooming%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="949" data-original-width="1500" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMLUByDy4j2KyHSbjpWxzkYBZNLH6w9FjG9qcxSSVjQbUr3cTdJt3QBbeYBn1DW3xUoh6t1Gf-PTh6-tCYtFOk_XfY5H9XfjMtrUn1IkSzRdp3hEF2b6FEAZWlzT9nMxiA_aAAINhCwSWNeMiWP0p0ai9M5Rn_k3aDek0D_3eVqdJWZAxTtD-zGxL1CpI/w640-h404/Henry%20grooming%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I also love this picture, which happened to catch Henry (or mate, I'm still not sure) mid-yawn:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_cF3kT7xxX-ftjeKDR3dUygpOKQdH8a8gXlyuteTGhRUP_qPYMvwByQ251YRI5QPDMWVkHPht40c3eV1YkPU1IoLmY_LDimEbFGA9rreyMbG3fik8KzXOf99nvDQVi1D2Kapz7xJ2lVD1Kh1neiRiFSdrH83fWODjxcyq1OqdlC_LE9jCjs4472vTMA/s1500/Henry%20yawning.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1500" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_cF3kT7xxX-ftjeKDR3dUygpOKQdH8a8gXlyuteTGhRUP_qPYMvwByQ251YRI5QPDMWVkHPht40c3eV1YkPU1IoLmY_LDimEbFGA9rreyMbG3fik8KzXOf99nvDQVi1D2Kapz7xJ2lVD1Kh1neiRiFSdrH83fWODjxcyq1OqdlC_LE9jCjs4472vTMA/w640-h462/Henry%20yawning.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's one more picture with a bit more cropping for a closer portrait:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFr31P1Cu2UrTG8QxZxWqJiOcMX6u4Qou6kHGxwMDV0nGK__sYKsmzRmDMfRVNhwr4oip_tK8NSy6Gtg6x9ZkczUsAw7mrcRH6LCQ2XIgrzsQH-H2AGKZOpziPNgq-MX0Xli8bR96Cw6eJSPgE10UelEwtIcuoFTZIGOLglNzWeWzcce8B6VeASIde4M/s1500/henry%20portrait.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1500" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMFr31P1Cu2UrTG8QxZxWqJiOcMX6u4Qou6kHGxwMDV0nGK__sYKsmzRmDMfRVNhwr4oip_tK8NSy6Gtg6x9ZkczUsAw7mrcRH6LCQ2XIgrzsQH-H2AGKZOpziPNgq-MX0Xli8bR96Cw6eJSPgE10UelEwtIcuoFTZIGOLglNzWeWzcce8B6VeASIde4M/w640-h456/henry%20portrait.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">What an amazing bird! While I was photographing the roadrunner, I heard a skittering sound on the house's metal roof, and there was a Curve-billed Thrasher, another common yard bird at this house. Well, that's two brand-new-to-me birds in the span of a few minutes:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLelSLaYjT7gjqaIvVOIWL3zb5oHG-MZD40hhMixKr9QTS4x-FGbdK5LKdq9gq4EtRSwEME0NzavwGSs3qVn2VQhk2rBl9U01GZrb3-Zxi2iWFIWLVt44OHF4w0a25O3KvzI4526hrqCh5Eptzos9wfKlmjDE7pt6UPGq6_rNHV5A1Fbn88FBKLuiDZsM/s1500/curve-billed%20thrasher%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1217" data-original-width="1500" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLelSLaYjT7gjqaIvVOIWL3zb5oHG-MZD40hhMixKr9QTS4x-FGbdK5LKdq9gq4EtRSwEME0NzavwGSs3qVn2VQhk2rBl9U01GZrb3-Zxi2iWFIWLVt44OHF4w0a25O3KvzI4526hrqCh5Eptzos9wfKlmjDE7pt6UPGq6_rNHV5A1Fbn88FBKLuiDZsM/w640-h520/curve-billed%20thrasher%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">After a while, the roadrunner hopped up onto the roof of the neighboring house, and that was it for our photo session. Those dark and fluffy back feathers sure look like they're good for gathering warmth from the sunlight:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FJMVVJ4TaG_q6Ta5Nr0_p6GvRb_SG9yGtb1JA-P6iC5GSN3tvWaMDqraQBLZkLMObYDyL7iGiDQ39vX-pQJ-Gad24nYBA6mk5tzFPJnNgkScbPjMLu5EAxwapgiTGHSoL_jiYjvMNNQyAaYOME5uwGzw5IJlvhCe1e9ImoXt4OaRZigz6C8vuecux_A/s1500/Henry%20on%20roof.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1323" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-FJMVVJ4TaG_q6Ta5Nr0_p6GvRb_SG9yGtb1JA-P6iC5GSN3tvWaMDqraQBLZkLMObYDyL7iGiDQ39vX-pQJ-Gad24nYBA6mk5tzFPJnNgkScbPjMLu5EAxwapgiTGHSoL_jiYjvMNNQyAaYOME5uwGzw5IJlvhCe1e9ImoXt4OaRZigz6C8vuecux_A/w564-h640/Henry%20on%20roof.JPG" width="564" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Wow. So that was amazing! Thank you for letting me hang out with you, large bird, during your morning routine. (I know, humans are weird.)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Later that morning, I walked around in a nearby cemetery, where I saw this Red-breasted Nuthatch gathering food:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRFOw2s2tHI5X9IZLFMCWfwsYStikqGFgrJaUeujZ-Y6qXsnsrvlYqZPeSo_0JUYE0pOHsXy8Wr51GJz1Hpk3hXhFlnHX3g108ViEKjU73WkWZT91Xg0MH9wxOXNmhWAFbmYuzK74fDBSYjHBL87UqZioLMwqvET53f9vOlDMZ_wtbc9a_u9ycTKe0Vo/s1500/red-breasted%20nuthatch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1188" data-original-width="1500" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcRFOw2s2tHI5X9IZLFMCWfwsYStikqGFgrJaUeujZ-Y6qXsnsrvlYqZPeSo_0JUYE0pOHsXy8Wr51GJz1Hpk3hXhFlnHX3g108ViEKjU73WkWZT91Xg0MH9wxOXNmhWAFbmYuzK74fDBSYjHBL87UqZioLMwqvET53f9vOlDMZ_wtbc9a_u9ycTKe0Vo/w640-h506/red-breasted%20nuthatch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And back at the house, the Curve-billed Thrashers were hunkered down in the shade of some desert-y plants:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFavyvwc8aITplhbG6wiyVufpj0rkchXZwNM7ykHy2Nm89vroYYR9m5VqTwsABOm2LFYvJzfvIXTVJWiOcB6yAr8eTfFuDj5w2MBvdC-9AFwby84JFgtfg54Fij9sTa0QDNuezE71gxsbCdPYJbnX_7Td_Z_R4j70WKr4RcRsJU45CrnYdMjjOisCQYQk/s1500/curve-billed%20thrasher%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1500" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFavyvwc8aITplhbG6wiyVufpj0rkchXZwNM7ykHy2Nm89vroYYR9m5VqTwsABOm2LFYvJzfvIXTVJWiOcB6yAr8eTfFuDj5w2MBvdC-9AFwby84JFgtfg54Fij9sTa0QDNuezE71gxsbCdPYJbnX_7Td_Z_R4j70WKr4RcRsJU45CrnYdMjjOisCQYQk/w640-h446/curve-billed%20thrasher%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The next morning, as we pulled out of the driveway for some more adventures, the two roadrunners (sure, this is normal!) were starting their day on the road in front of the house, too:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7mblPUmdkA6IR59BFlV7kTJLRzcfa_WXuoeJ0ymJ8DbbZfjByURURvi7Ye7eMh6QSQNlnFjzZRbBAFvre-oxvSPTZM7v_Tor9CU3a5ufcguN83tcFimbizdafksVgzFmqm_0KJXTySxac9XoC7xAj0iYfbiq3bxMpnUQ6nMVxbAjmeO1whHfyVX1y5w/s1500/Henry%20and%20mate.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1500" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7mblPUmdkA6IR59BFlV7kTJLRzcfa_WXuoeJ0ymJ8DbbZfjByURURvi7Ye7eMh6QSQNlnFjzZRbBAFvre-oxvSPTZM7v_Tor9CU3a5ufcguN83tcFimbizdafksVgzFmqm_0KJXTySxac9XoC7xAj0iYfbiq3bxMpnUQ6nMVxbAjmeO1whHfyVX1y5w/w640-h546/Henry%20and%20mate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Have a good day, friend!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6OKjkV1Xe38qCIHIQ61jJqg7KX8nhqdmx8Szmg6gDgqe9VoU2NrybrDaCGsFXev5y2WuPsF4iEX4usPtbHrgaFRZWq1COKGraT8AHdwb1CYMHBJrL9Ca2faFyuO-uwvylZFr_4chuYmI_2cSJRCQhU1gFX6iosI0PVPfxT663mT_zuAnxOjv1WUSvmg/s1500/Henry%20on%20road.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1040" data-original-width="1500" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc6OKjkV1Xe38qCIHIQ61jJqg7KX8nhqdmx8Szmg6gDgqe9VoU2NrybrDaCGsFXev5y2WuPsF4iEX4usPtbHrgaFRZWq1COKGraT8AHdwb1CYMHBJrL9Ca2faFyuO-uwvylZFr_4chuYmI_2cSJRCQhU1gFX6iosI0PVPfxT663mT_zuAnxOjv1WUSvmg/w640-h444/Henry%20on%20road.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">For the morning's outing, we went to the Rio Grande Nature Center State Park. Here's a scene from one of the park's watery overlooks, with beautiful yellow/brown Cottonwood trees and the Sandias in the background:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M4nfr8zFtikwZ-yvjT8Zd5BqKDUq7uzpmoRfV4lJvOsFRRaipnHMCusabewFZrxoWYu-5hYBwT-3mS7R86StN-0QLq6eVPrczJn01k-1ifaP8MranBUx_vj6KjKBLPtVhO_mn_hbvb-tu7CNZUwXZHPEwwurq2IyRc2j5vpSebbfgNj9t7XsQsr9pew/s1500/Rio%20Grande%20Nature%20Center%20State%20Park.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1500" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1M4nfr8zFtikwZ-yvjT8Zd5BqKDUq7uzpmoRfV4lJvOsFRRaipnHMCusabewFZrxoWYu-5hYBwT-3mS7R86StN-0QLq6eVPrczJn01k-1ifaP8MranBUx_vj6KjKBLPtVhO_mn_hbvb-tu7CNZUwXZHPEwwurq2IyRc2j5vpSebbfgNj9t7XsQsr9pew/w640-h342/Rio%20Grande%20Nature%20Center%20State%20Park.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A few flocks of Sandhill Cranes flew by overhead this morning, too -- I so appreciate seeing these big birds:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2nzdMNubqUh4aLTsRjOu6NNesL7V1PUsg9TP9QkzwDhgtZqQHAAaWVmWhkd2jUjVHkh6CO2K7uHw9Ux1nB2ym3XGb3JeUaegbqEUOswURzcfdiGWzUXzs0D_pebYzJLVXB7_1Rp3WM-4JmP2qMJhOnyn3Tozqb2kTFhtKJlBz9jvFB-Dc-JntSYWBxM/s1500/sandhill%20cranes%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1500" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2nzdMNubqUh4aLTsRjOu6NNesL7V1PUsg9TP9QkzwDhgtZqQHAAaWVmWhkd2jUjVHkh6CO2K7uHw9Ux1nB2ym3XGb3JeUaegbqEUOswURzcfdiGWzUXzs0D_pebYzJLVXB7_1Rp3WM-4JmP2qMJhOnyn3Tozqb2kTFhtKJlBz9jvFB-Dc-JntSYWBxM/w640-h440/sandhill%20cranes%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">After some more adventures in downtown Albuquerque, we spent the last part of the afternoon in the base of the Sandias, on the Tres Pistolas trail. This rocky, desert mountain landscape was really amazing:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju48J35Zn5zkYJa7noKbDlbE4QjNvwYKvKxAs4ngLb7FM-EAN03EJsDDHHepf-zBSu9Ibes5wmgjzSoUyK4vyN0Jf45hSSYY3_WAy6iatqvS6xbypMmTP6onNrOnc8d6_8fNCcLr6SF1MHSiimUYdPSMhO9FAmgvN6qW72cbGhpjSQCMm6tZkOAA5Lf_s/s1500/Tres%20Pistolas%20landscape%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju48J35Zn5zkYJa7noKbDlbE4QjNvwYKvKxAs4ngLb7FM-EAN03EJsDDHHepf-zBSu9Ibes5wmgjzSoUyK4vyN0Jf45hSSYY3_WAy6iatqvS6xbypMmTP6onNrOnc8d6_8fNCcLr6SF1MHSiimUYdPSMhO9FAmgvN6qW72cbGhpjSQCMm6tZkOAA5Lf_s/w640-h426/Tres%20Pistolas%20landscape%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And these are some dramatic cliffs:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8UfIglGz4yCswHG6qZUd4MopRLrXmm4_ddRfzwk3FmnDm_-dL-zc-N7wQOvEFjyA1L2DiRoIzrV0t4G7drnAxayJN6ha8bDLPwMRphyphenhyphenv0r9o66U5kT2CHgkaeM_ia3ZAs0kJknmJeG0QYNdW4g4o9WmZD0HbM9u0JH0ADy0fxPrs_vqqYASU_Z2D_7I/s1500/Tres%20Pistolas%20landscape%204.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8UfIglGz4yCswHG6qZUd4MopRLrXmm4_ddRfzwk3FmnDm_-dL-zc-N7wQOvEFjyA1L2DiRoIzrV0t4G7drnAxayJN6ha8bDLPwMRphyphenhyphenv0r9o66U5kT2CHgkaeM_ia3ZAs0kJknmJeG0QYNdW4g4o9WmZD0HbM9u0JH0ADy0fxPrs_vqqYASU_Z2D_7I/w640-h426/Tres%20Pistolas%20landscape%204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Some of these rock formations made some interesting shapes -- I see a reclining person in these rocks:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmbGtTx0eTIQgiLdXQkK2ilIaWiPC3wTb_5NpnLSqB5BN5ndg7qy4-3KA2dTZkmXGkqsIlsib9VTd5xnv7bQaBXWeIsqWLccKXvDrqS9YjVy6w4Th8tAaFm06uZXXo_gXJG0h3Bjp-JoCK74Q-BmS6B3LIIncwRnvPObGJ_JMa22qkUDqvyw3fiBLN0U/s1500/reclining%20rocks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1028" data-original-width="1500" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmbGtTx0eTIQgiLdXQkK2ilIaWiPC3wTb_5NpnLSqB5BN5ndg7qy4-3KA2dTZkmXGkqsIlsib9VTd5xnv7bQaBXWeIsqWLccKXvDrqS9YjVy6w4Th8tAaFm06uZXXo_gXJG0h3Bjp-JoCK74Q-BmS6B3LIIncwRnvPObGJ_JMa22qkUDqvyw3fiBLN0U/w640-h438/reclining%20rocks.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">American Robins were all over the place, eating the abundant small blue berries/cones on what I'm guessing are some sort of juniper. Western Bluebirds were also hanging around, and they sat still long enough for a couple of pictures in the fading light:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk-hHG1YdmANTGPcfnRR5_5v5SMANav_glnqFc4LJiJJrQEF9XIW5mZJhrhybEGv9wxoCUCebow1G68tiAqmyy_8uJfFcW0SoAcfjHe7tbtJ7Q0iSgXs2CKzo4i6MyO0bfAJCYUhdsez1UfvlquOt5FV6kBh53hUqf7v-6A1ulDUJpUN2JpBMnph35jw/s1500/western%20bluebird%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1087" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHk-hHG1YdmANTGPcfnRR5_5v5SMANav_glnqFc4LJiJJrQEF9XIW5mZJhrhybEGv9wxoCUCebow1G68tiAqmyy_8uJfFcW0SoAcfjHe7tbtJ7Q0iSgXs2CKzo4i6MyO0bfAJCYUhdsez1UfvlquOt5FV6kBh53hUqf7v-6A1ulDUJpUN2JpBMnph35jw/w464-h640/western%20bluebird%203.JPG" width="464" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcYQpF5YxF4cxI9MX4kybomJEdFyMyfEt2eP06R5qsLPn4dMgzWmZWmD-pCRoSSckFp15_pLcOluTP55v6z8-gnZrcES9_N0voIRlXC07mBkhA6f0bO33hDZU-9ZxRsRVtCHHhsGYlQwrA0929fu7itd4a9Rzbmm-ok0BqI64DtlPTc9nIF86CW3FU7s/s1500/western%20bluebird%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1500" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjcYQpF5YxF4cxI9MX4kybomJEdFyMyfEt2eP06R5qsLPn4dMgzWmZWmD-pCRoSSckFp15_pLcOluTP55v6z8-gnZrcES9_N0voIRlXC07mBkhA6f0bO33hDZU-9ZxRsRVtCHHhsGYlQwrA0929fu7itd4a9Rzbmm-ok0BqI64DtlPTc9nIF86CW3FU7s/w640-h452/western%20bluebird%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's another blue bird in low light, a Woodhouse's Scrub-Jay:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCcp4jiSEvyzEtAKuiEp5MYClVSasUGSP_zZaISyazr4XJ8FBtkQEqrxTjL3ap08ASZZtpDeWvuX2R_LVlmxYaLHWJFcKKpkyDl0FWqfWS-YrhbQ2grdLV-FumttzFpdgZ8u6v765dXnD7N8fTjp20lcdVLSYCiTmraiIQiSBEq-FrLRnSNWP4Z02lw8/s1500/woodhouse's%20scrub-jay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1185" data-original-width="1500" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCcp4jiSEvyzEtAKuiEp5MYClVSasUGSP_zZaISyazr4XJ8FBtkQEqrxTjL3ap08ASZZtpDeWvuX2R_LVlmxYaLHWJFcKKpkyDl0FWqfWS-YrhbQ2grdLV-FumttzFpdgZ8u6v765dXnD7N8fTjp20lcdVLSYCiTmraiIQiSBEq-FrLRnSNWP4Z02lw8/w640-h506/woodhouse's%20scrub-jay.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I was totally enchanted by this little cactus that looked so much like a person out for a walk in the dry grass (and with a second cactus-person in the background):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi237ylzA3Bz9aJLaxau4fg6HM2QvgrmLmVHVwwLQI-yaSDEk7Wi0dyWOtSnOzbF7wkCExeJAJrLqObosGwCM1Me-jzjccrVTjJQZJVgl2GaIqfdc774Q9eskd5DPmV1kmgMBUEkRLk5eQYlyVIoWysBxVE73x1_NMQq0Qyk3Pms_9CHroG7reu1nR-ao/s1500/walking%20cacti%20people.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1500" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi237ylzA3Bz9aJLaxau4fg6HM2QvgrmLmVHVwwLQI-yaSDEk7Wi0dyWOtSnOzbF7wkCExeJAJrLqObosGwCM1Me-jzjccrVTjJQZJVgl2GaIqfdc774Q9eskd5DPmV1kmgMBUEkRLk5eQYlyVIoWysBxVE73x1_NMQq0Qyk3Pms_9CHroG7reu1nR-ao/w640-h454/walking%20cacti%20people.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I had been wishing that I would get to see quail at some point during this trip, and as we were finishing this walk (my last one of the visit), it seemed like there wouldn't be any quail this time. But as we got back to the parking area, and the daylight was nearly gone, we heard some strange little sounds... and there was a flock of Gambrel's Quail foraging in the underbrush! Hooray! Here's a male, watching me from his perch in a tangle of branches:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yO7w5mZWEMfQLcEJfJPQJgkRWYPJzDIzEcqcmwefVzPnCj9z7rXn-Cb1jJHwHgWlWU-70GH5OZesRK4ZUexgRftu_klQZ7Glys5GiU4rfJLNeQPT_xhyphenhyphenu8Yqzw3tnu_GOsorVtqslppTstQkw7De4Qd_lS6lm5XQRpgvBC4iNeOP9ozigDBIyzDQEhc/s1500/Gambel's%20Quail%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1500" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4yO7w5mZWEMfQLcEJfJPQJgkRWYPJzDIzEcqcmwefVzPnCj9z7rXn-Cb1jJHwHgWlWU-70GH5OZesRK4ZUexgRftu_klQZ7Glys5GiU4rfJLNeQPT_xhyphenhyphenu8Yqzw3tnu_GOsorVtqslppTstQkw7De4Qd_lS6lm5XQRpgvBC4iNeOP9ozigDBIyzDQEhc/w640-h482/Gambel's%20Quail%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We caught brief glimpses of these creatures as they ran from the shelter of one clump of brush to another, and I was happy to get to see them at all, right in the last possible moment in my trip. There one goooooooes:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI8v5Pg0TBk3TjIJn_5KEGGYv8aJjh_l7Y7zeKrFNXOeKRw_HsOXUWUx3QvJs9UDnbk9CoZ7j3x0FuRTTvk-1I5uDKo9WX7bkdt0Vo0sEMciCXoLK7i1_KrBNy_SbJ1nJGTjr80CHQHvSkp_pwZD-LebABU4Uvatl5110GyBsmCXhG3ievPBtKgacQ60/s1500/Gambel's%20Quail%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1500" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHI8v5Pg0TBk3TjIJn_5KEGGYv8aJjh_l7Y7zeKrFNXOeKRw_HsOXUWUx3QvJs9UDnbk9CoZ7j3x0FuRTTvk-1I5uDKo9WX7bkdt0Vo0sEMciCXoLK7i1_KrBNy_SbJ1nJGTjr80CHQHvSkp_pwZD-LebABU4Uvatl5110GyBsmCXhG3ievPBtKgacQ60/w640-h448/Gambel's%20Quail%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">My visit to New Mexico was far too short, but I was really impressed that we were able to see and do so much in that limited time. And as far as I'm concerned, the quail, cranes, and especially the yard roadrunners (!), are reason enough for people to call New Mexico the "land of enchantment." I'm on board! And I'm super grateful that I got to visit this very interesting place.<br /></span><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-89132509044619779722023-12-31T20:56:00.000-08:002023-12-31T20:56:51.328-08:00Fall and Early Winter, 2023<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's one more post wrapping up sights around our property in 2023! These past few months have been decently busy, including a good amount of traveling (sights from which I hope to share in a blog post sometime soon). But there were also plenty of interesting goings-on in our yard, meadow, and woods during this time, including our first ever glimpse of a Black Bear on the evening of November 5! We heard a strange clanging sound outside, and we turned on the floodlight to see a bear bending the bird feeder pole to the ground! The bear ran off quickly, so I don't have any pictures to share from that encounter, but yeah, now we can <i>definitely</i> add Black Bear to our list of yard mammals. Here's a bunch of other sights that do come with pictures, starting back in early September.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On September 4, I was admiring the array of colorful wildflowers on a slope near one of our sheds -- I didn't plant or maintain any of this, so I'm especially impressed with these balanced swathes of blooming goldenrod, Spotted Jewelweed, and a wild sunflower that I'm pretty sure is Thin-leaved Sunflower (<i>Helianthus decapetalus</i>):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1aFazYQgkzfL-ek0jHhiTQTiXs8jNt_HncsS5_cNKIC_f5ILlnn2oOhkv0BkV5mawC_n9Q2XSRiM0sr_gdmZgnbMkq52mgxUL6v1EG4iJmu6YcedF82orIesV1PhWITYbjvHExNhhhlJdwYi5ijg9pttP8w9mmP7tTBuQ1LTAdMX-wKBKaOBrWq4NWk/s1500/flowers%20behind%20compost%20and%20mulch%20piles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1aFazYQgkzfL-ek0jHhiTQTiXs8jNt_HncsS5_cNKIC_f5ILlnn2oOhkv0BkV5mawC_n9Q2XSRiM0sr_gdmZgnbMkq52mgxUL6v1EG4iJmu6YcedF82orIesV1PhWITYbjvHExNhhhlJdwYi5ijg9pttP8w9mmP7tTBuQ1LTAdMX-wKBKaOBrWq4NWk/w640-h480/flowers%20behind%20compost%20and%20mulch%20piles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a closer view </span><span style="font-family: arial;">on September 8 </span><span style="font-family: arial;">of one of these brilliant sunflower blooms:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg85DOfT30AvfQWGB5p5n8RUWLjrgTYDzUFz6BD4mGwyYJXfK31Xy8mFIsIBCTLtuM62nIXqDWh_7ijp9IoDOvidZXhOBXzN92NnVizzDC1DLpgMboJWrmt0NuhCP_AyWVNLByAlzmD4oerK37bqi521katWfI0vGBVInOv_BHWgUANOauEZ_K-DAWio/s1500/thin-leaved%20sunflower%20(Helianthus%20decapetalus).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1500" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvg85DOfT30AvfQWGB5p5n8RUWLjrgTYDzUFz6BD4mGwyYJXfK31Xy8mFIsIBCTLtuM62nIXqDWh_7ijp9IoDOvidZXhOBXzN92NnVizzDC1DLpgMboJWrmt0NuhCP_AyWVNLByAlzmD4oerK37bqi521katWfI0vGBVInOv_BHWgUANOauEZ_K-DAWio/w640-h460/thin-leaved%20sunflower%20(Helianthus%20decapetalus).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's a Spotted Jewelweed flower with a visiting bee, who accessed this flower by crawling behind that large lower lip:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQR6pBqLDvN3hnwmRNsTeoiRMTUZsj66SG840XcnFEpgB8saDkZicp4Rs0hJyOcCijC4cgwNKabQdeTAASM-Y0FkFEKQ6cGBlCps5apz88vGnnj8l76cV2OM7z-Q-XfJFcOpyY_9LMfqYUpklUeiJh-dAjT8Owxs0ia-VRU8d6Mx6ePFwKH-qxH-1yfI/s1500/spotted%20jewelweed%20with%20bee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1500" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQR6pBqLDvN3hnwmRNsTeoiRMTUZsj66SG840XcnFEpgB8saDkZicp4Rs0hJyOcCijC4cgwNKabQdeTAASM-Y0FkFEKQ6cGBlCps5apz88vGnnj8l76cV2OM7z-Q-XfJFcOpyY_9LMfqYUpklUeiJh-dAjT8Owxs0ia-VRU8d6Mx6ePFwKH-qxH-1yfI/w640-h500/spotted%20jewelweed%20with%20bee.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Also in the above picture are the jewelweed's seedpods -- touching those pods and deploying their exploding mechanisms is one of my great joys of the summer and fall. :)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On September 11, this awkwardly patchy Gray Catbird was foraging for Pokeweed berries:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNttYwVG8Ab8GfRVRbVMbFFhvIIg_5U3IzhFlp2_hoOEX06OVHgXOUHxdKLL8C10ycLAyXb_aVxbsEnifVpyVRmhNZsUT0zRL3aCmbjuzwmg0_W_2oxveK5QjxGnISIdRrrfudyFFbrIpuDvyOfd_tqaJe_LLOqOHxz7DrX3SGbSXzMUteMYugS6R1iJw/s1500/molting%20catbird%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1176" data-original-width="1500" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNttYwVG8Ab8GfRVRbVMbFFhvIIg_5U3IzhFlp2_hoOEX06OVHgXOUHxdKLL8C10ycLAyXb_aVxbsEnifVpyVRmhNZsUT0zRL3aCmbjuzwmg0_W_2oxveK5QjxGnISIdRrrfudyFFbrIpuDvyOfd_tqaJe_LLOqOHxz7DrX3SGbSXzMUteMYugS6R1iJw/w640-h502/molting%20catbird%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And another Gray Catbird was gulping down Gray Dogwood berries on September 23:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR04euTiS-LAyrAKx9yv6NjCXyCsrz9HQKvCkTMuJ3eRGF70dpxlBmeO0aROBecX23SYZ0Kpr7cp9AsCUuHjoXIE0tJsnIUTf2-F-6BNlTCD0-4uDOE9TUfijq-iVbg78D-YLeZCGdDYmI9jWHyAvr5F9zhEHlVZ-a9pKcRg8hfqX6Kh04ATPOF9LR0Q/s1500/gray%20catbird%20with%20gray%20dogwood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1500" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR04euTiS-LAyrAKx9yv6NjCXyCsrz9HQKvCkTMuJ3eRGF70dpxlBmeO0aROBecX23SYZ0Kpr7cp9AsCUuHjoXIE0tJsnIUTf2-F-6BNlTCD0-4uDOE9TUfijq-iVbg78D-YLeZCGdDYmI9jWHyAvr5F9zhEHlVZ-a9pKcRg8hfqX6Kh04ATPOF9LR0Q/w640-h512/gray%20catbird%20with%20gray%20dogwood.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm not sure who eats these brilliant red Jack-in-the-Pulpit berries -- this big cluster was in the woods on September 23:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggykXfPPt9oLjqqx5Ge82qXTOD-bAk44ILeFWU-xM6KnRV3xIquOxOFw3_F4UkAfk5CVVIMiOQ-_liK4_bzLd8Vy1aVuG2RKYUuGUNTwvDjmJiz3hHzDy-GPtU7FDiV22RA9dT_nODwncu1AP35UwwoQoeR7Q20Q91CGDuS94RgZ8-T-YoBagDOWWGOUE/s1500/jack-in-the-pulpit%20berries.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1163" data-original-width="1500" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggykXfPPt9oLjqqx5Ge82qXTOD-bAk44ILeFWU-xM6KnRV3xIquOxOFw3_F4UkAfk5CVVIMiOQ-_liK4_bzLd8Vy1aVuG2RKYUuGUNTwvDjmJiz3hHzDy-GPtU7FDiV22RA9dT_nODwncu1AP35UwwoQoeR7Q20Q91CGDuS94RgZ8-T-YoBagDOWWGOUE/w640-h496/jack-in-the-pulpit%20berries.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This juvenile Cedar Waxwing on October 1, though, was also visiting our yard to eat Pokeweed berries:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34O529wQtHKkOQUgyTnMiara_zwPT_kBFY9HmxsUoXTUfDulAmRzQtNk8_bmCKtlJSxqQrQ96tZ0WBL71WZrecn1_HheIvfizwvaFttlshVUb87VHb1dts88w4cMpHWfVfClAAKH-LUl3hQobeT7Q-7MIvXyxAAkAfB1y32x97XSq-6H3c_4Qyoit-z8/s1500/juvenile%20cedar%20waxwing%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1500" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34O529wQtHKkOQUgyTnMiara_zwPT_kBFY9HmxsUoXTUfDulAmRzQtNk8_bmCKtlJSxqQrQ96tZ0WBL71WZrecn1_HheIvfizwvaFttlshVUb87VHb1dts88w4cMpHWfVfClAAKH-LUl3hQobeT7Q-7MIvXyxAAkAfB1y32x97XSq-6H3c_4Qyoit-z8/w640-h478/juvenile%20cedar%20waxwing%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm really grateful that our property came with such an ample native berry supply in the summer and fall, to keep the birds hanging around!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">By October 1, the Virginia Creeper vines that cover many of the Black Cherry trees on the edge of our woods had become a brilliant red -- this is one of my favorite sights here in early fall, and I can't help sharing a couple of pictures:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ11BMYXKJk717gRNzHYST_fhfnHqKtfcFZaMicQGkjLgqlKvIGuAEQE9ljAT742w1Mpoy4_bEl1BGxNXgCJ8ge4MemDMYnFvfUBFE35xNF7DGvNwPsHcweD7PJSvkw3y6e7igrJfHrkp7w8nX6hNje3KFyBVFG_mnzS19wcF1Sup1m0KKX5CB99iSAa0/s1500/red%20virginia%20creeper%20on%20black%20cherry%20trees%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ11BMYXKJk717gRNzHYST_fhfnHqKtfcFZaMicQGkjLgqlKvIGuAEQE9ljAT742w1Mpoy4_bEl1BGxNXgCJ8ge4MemDMYnFvfUBFE35xNF7DGvNwPsHcweD7PJSvkw3y6e7igrJfHrkp7w8nX6hNje3KFyBVFG_mnzS19wcF1Sup1m0KKX5CB99iSAa0/w640-h480/red%20virginia%20creeper%20on%20black%20cherry%20trees%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I love how the Virginia Creeper's leaves make a solid red core around these upper branches, and the Black Cherry's own leaves make a still-green cloud around that:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzAZsOSdcXJagHfe2K4cXYYVH6GoI6Fiz-GKuRPz_4cyCpIHY1cUcFWkb01_XgvrFPq0Qi8HKPzFmfDEpxZQoL8MLOJnmtBSjG-z-HOvmcrO34p6VXriSYNW0tVaJqczopppeVqvlsahh36bdxWXJBp7-3DUROd89ONJpdaIV9bJbsPqRq-cnEWJRLfk/s1500/red%20virginia%20creeper%20on%20black%20cherry%20trees%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1500" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkzAZsOSdcXJagHfe2K4cXYYVH6GoI6Fiz-GKuRPz_4cyCpIHY1cUcFWkb01_XgvrFPq0Qi8HKPzFmfDEpxZQoL8MLOJnmtBSjG-z-HOvmcrO34p6VXriSYNW0tVaJqczopppeVqvlsahh36bdxWXJBp7-3DUROd89ONJpdaIV9bJbsPqRq-cnEWJRLfk/w640-h452/red%20virginia%20creeper%20on%20black%20cherry%20trees%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A little further along the meadow's edge on October 1, golden Wild Grape leaves intertwined with sumac leaves that revealed their silvery undersides in the wind -- so many festive colors:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H9mfnw-methrj_ECDKAfmzAgWz7Vk_zc0DWL6jTQ0nJo3DjGI7mDZcqueYoRl3zfts_y1WDDQJ3CXLUheq_U7M0ie2PbbMZWpuCBeQT8YhuBwoqTTT8YIxVXdGssa4HaD27DQt_87iXm2-4wepr49r5_7dyXPYG05Akfe0CO0FWBc8Ib7eX7Y0vCrEs/s1500/golden%20grape%20vines%20on%20silvery%20sumac.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1137" data-original-width="1500" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1H9mfnw-methrj_ECDKAfmzAgWz7Vk_zc0DWL6jTQ0nJo3DjGI7mDZcqueYoRl3zfts_y1WDDQJ3CXLUheq_U7M0ie2PbbMZWpuCBeQT8YhuBwoqTTT8YIxVXdGssa4HaD27DQt_87iXm2-4wepr49r5_7dyXPYG05Akfe0CO0FWBc8Ib7eX7Y0vCrEs/w640-h486/golden%20grape%20vines%20on%20silvery%20sumac.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We put up a large bat box in our yard in 2020, and toward the end of the summer this year we finally saw our first small signs of some visiting bats! By October 5, there was a definite smattering of droppings on the ground around the bat box's pole -- certainly not enough to indicate a colony, but I guess we had a few bats staying with us this year:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vmsTuqu28Ln8bI9TaGnLJLx7naOFfBSMSaXR0GYy0pZRuQVf-9e104lp79rblAVt4syLVX74B-agJt4WpTp0W2nGAjtNEjT6SV-s4bMDXo44M6NIp3bEMUfpg0XDS7blxxqn2Ng4dSE1HsAA_msNfkoV06VorMTZGxLUIUHK_R4A_bTGYEQ1rIHXq10/s1500/droppings%20under%20bat%20box.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1500" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3vmsTuqu28Ln8bI9TaGnLJLx7naOFfBSMSaXR0GYy0pZRuQVf-9e104lp79rblAVt4syLVX74B-agJt4WpTp0W2nGAjtNEjT6SV-s4bMDXo44M6NIp3bEMUfpg0XDS7blxxqn2Ng4dSE1HsAA_msNfkoV06VorMTZGxLUIUHK_R4A_bTGYEQ1rIHXq10/w640-h436/droppings%20under%20bat%20box.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">October 17 was a great day for some bird portraits in the afternoon fall sun. This Tufted Titmouse gave me a wonderfully close view as it perched on our deck railing:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrAqCDm626zGntyu5dexJdGrhX9A57NvAcbJDjfHvDdQNqJDUdlvNkm_WPi3exGxT1V1eMUqqdahzCI7WOPE1C64dqutAO_DtnkccWWpah_cTkyQ0Zi3qcOPzyxx8BEU8ezYY5Wc6QrCzz8w7lHDJ3ATsRXD4Gjwb7Un8GqfNzRWjSQ7yF0gQx8MVTPQ/s1500/titmouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1500" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGrAqCDm626zGntyu5dexJdGrhX9A57NvAcbJDjfHvDdQNqJDUdlvNkm_WPi3exGxT1V1eMUqqdahzCI7WOPE1C64dqutAO_DtnkccWWpah_cTkyQ0Zi3qcOPzyxx8BEU8ezYY5Wc6QrCzz8w7lHDJ3ATsRXD4Gjwb7Un8GqfNzRWjSQ7yF0gQx8MVTPQ/w640-h494/titmouse.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And then the same or another titmouse looked especially handsome against a backdrop of late-fall meadow colors:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPiQD9STmxxTgIVRGa0OELMVdJSfrqP-3X-r1Uyn3UuaL1aVPti9vUHgmyDihdl-I09QdIYiZ9eBWcl6ycN7_fkAdYmOnzahOiwj7gWtf_YKRqzYIHEYkabsh6Af7HIV7ZWA4cz9rIoxWy_RKU7eVsvELyDVwm-NYQ6SuEI6sGoFScwJovZ0oY1fxeow/s1500/tufted%20titmouse%20in%20bare%20apple%20tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1500" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpPiQD9STmxxTgIVRGa0OELMVdJSfrqP-3X-r1Uyn3UuaL1aVPti9vUHgmyDihdl-I09QdIYiZ9eBWcl6ycN7_fkAdYmOnzahOiwj7gWtf_YKRqzYIHEYkabsh6Af7HIV7ZWA4cz9rIoxWy_RKU7eVsvELyDVwm-NYQ6SuEI6sGoFScwJovZ0oY1fxeow/w640-h476/tufted%20titmouse%20in%20bare%20apple%20tree.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Likewise, if not more so, for this gorgeous Blue Jay:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLV5KP-iNfzOm4kBYY4H23-_FFRrLTQdcKwf9vnEM8SzksrvLwGEnV0q9Q9yeWGjZpbDJdSRf2MPVTA_qBt1qhoFdQmBxz2ytFiNPPvr0Ov93sTL2b0bQqJztp3jmK7Jfdh5Sm39D8zb_nU_ufB5isf9B4Al05Zs2zT_yvYg-uuGazP15txTreiJOM5o/s1500/blue%20jay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1500" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidLV5KP-iNfzOm4kBYY4H23-_FFRrLTQdcKwf9vnEM8SzksrvLwGEnV0q9Q9yeWGjZpbDJdSRf2MPVTA_qBt1qhoFdQmBxz2ytFiNPPvr0Ov93sTL2b0bQqJztp3jmK7Jfdh5Sm39D8zb_nU_ufB5isf9B4Al05Zs2zT_yvYg-uuGazP15txTreiJOM5o/w640-h494/blue%20jay.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I was happy to get some brief glimpses of the Ruby-crowned Kinglets that were moving through the yard:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraRwlFJ4Etgnkkn2Rm-IlPq_iWprbUBogYz8za2eYUXoNlFjkbv5lIWx6fsbAoXhuBpRRp57GGavBoCQj5jo1PmKmJj6QVMNLubYK9EOZ6zKboWRfwtBqXYqADJP3db7C98AT2Gj1z3S2wonR0OQttQnYn9moMfcyNDySicEQHq1D5s_szHz-t4tS4Vw/s1500/ruby-crowned%20kinglet%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1168" data-original-width="1500" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraRwlFJ4Etgnkkn2Rm-IlPq_iWprbUBogYz8za2eYUXoNlFjkbv5lIWx6fsbAoXhuBpRRp57GGavBoCQj5jo1PmKmJj6QVMNLubYK9EOZ6zKboWRfwtBqXYqADJP3db7C98AT2Gj1z3S2wonR0OQttQnYn9moMfcyNDySicEQHq1D5s_szHz-t4tS4Vw/w640-h498/ruby-crowned%20kinglet%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This picture even includes a tiny bit of this bird's usually hidden ruby crown:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkouE_uNXjKEDyf_XSYG0xpLnVX4Zi-qUnAMYzPZS_tDa8-XSu-tsU-p5t2HkQh4N2fo4TqQHfDZ8Vop6N4Ryop70M95fpWdY_eW0NZYQ5yXx1_yEer2EFqECECsR-VzvKhunQS28ZS2kCBmWvj_xhpLfVs-hNM5HzW5uvz6zE7j49j2brZrbH7lZUYBs/s1746/ruby-crowned%20kinglet%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1746" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkouE_uNXjKEDyf_XSYG0xpLnVX4Zi-qUnAMYzPZS_tDa8-XSu-tsU-p5t2HkQh4N2fo4TqQHfDZ8Vop6N4Ryop70M95fpWdY_eW0NZYQ5yXx1_yEer2EFqECECsR-VzvKhunQS28ZS2kCBmWvj_xhpLfVs-hNM5HzW5uvz6zE7j49j2brZrbH7lZUYBs/w640-h458/ruby-crowned%20kinglet%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On the night of October 28, I tried for a picture of the full moon (not my usual type of subject!), and I was pleasantly surprised at how well this worked out -- wow, the moon is amazing:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_yOcJFQP0Fr-LBXBvd7pZDXidZoPuHtLtz1E21FT-MQ4CYz2kaz8t2otyM-BSOoG2DoOCq9R5KURck3ToZMNsG9XziwGQ1X-hMWRTj_FYuK8ff1jaI3-F_vREWM8_oS6iVGWGH_Hn3M0LV8bvHz4nNy1jySVSIneDpT3mI2gin1Nq7uKihQ1qe1iN1I/s1500/full%20October%20moon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1500" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_yOcJFQP0Fr-LBXBvd7pZDXidZoPuHtLtz1E21FT-MQ4CYz2kaz8t2otyM-BSOoG2DoOCq9R5KURck3ToZMNsG9XziwGQ1X-hMWRTj_FYuK8ff1jaI3-F_vREWM8_oS6iVGWGH_Hn3M0LV8bvHz4nNy1jySVSIneDpT3mI2gin1Nq7uKihQ1qe1iN1I/w640-h502/full%20October%20moon.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Apparently I took very few pictures in November! We had our first sticking snow on November 1 (only a day after our first frost), and I was amazed that the Coral Honeysuckle kept blooming late enough into the year to have its flowers covered with snow:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhMnfHIDspaLeUFtXPDDaB816m8cxs84A6NH4YeiHNxPCBZ4a1uNQ1VjMkizcAXGwNpMJdHKWL8-ZYQ_3zkSZIK2HvLdcSBycxm4jXmYUk39-EaTpoMBfSN9wjXfkDG4bI4_xuqQt_7bd6orvPcqUmJFBcFZ8I6th3dcbBfCKtVMOtrxVihpkYCxNB2M/s1500/first%20snow%204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1500" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhMnfHIDspaLeUFtXPDDaB816m8cxs84A6NH4YeiHNxPCBZ4a1uNQ1VjMkizcAXGwNpMJdHKWL8-ZYQ_3zkSZIK2HvLdcSBycxm4jXmYUk39-EaTpoMBfSN9wjXfkDG4bI4_xuqQt_7bd6orvPcqUmJFBcFZ8I6th3dcbBfCKtVMOtrxVihpkYCxNB2M/w640-h440/first%20snow%204.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's a Black-capped Chickadee checking out our roof on November 4:</span></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9sIeAYi0sm6MvHOcuzL7DBuXUR-l75oZ52oL8bRo7KCacXEyE9_EQrDcmHAxGXSjwGgi_qhS_ioaiTeSMSTTMMASj4bTw3nzWAu81clgv6Zx4ZxEzJtpq9it-is0nQxyawC-9s5VB15b2ZGtufciWVZ663_uMzvXbv_sK213dRrKJy_vAroAYvspubA/s1500/black-capped%20chickadee%20on%20roof.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1500" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9sIeAYi0sm6MvHOcuzL7DBuXUR-l75oZ52oL8bRo7KCacXEyE9_EQrDcmHAxGXSjwGgi_qhS_ioaiTeSMSTTMMASj4bTw3nzWAu81clgv6Zx4ZxEzJtpq9it-is0nQxyawC-9s5VB15b2ZGtufciWVZ663_uMzvXbv_sK213dRrKJy_vAroAYvspubA/w640-h456/black-capped%20chickadee%20on%20roof.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On the afternoon of December 4, a fantastic rainbow appeared over our meadow:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFKDbA___Dl6tMX1Xc93dK5nZ1-iOefk75SR4lWIs_9OCWyROQ1mzXPhpKm9F95O2SX0LUNI-_fJEBzCak0W0uOAbHiv3b5kKBacMcZuOX60MknGPXd5CzKyz_SADL7aPzxrH0oIMWb1VrCX4svsmmSf7TU94sZqMZQ2CnHWp1aXMzA_yrN4L-OqKI6E/s2321/rainbow%20over%20December%20meadow%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2321" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijFKDbA___Dl6tMX1Xc93dK5nZ1-iOefk75SR4lWIs_9OCWyROQ1mzXPhpKm9F95O2SX0LUNI-_fJEBzCak0W0uOAbHiv3b5kKBacMcZuOX60MknGPXd5CzKyz_SADL7aPzxrH0oIMWb1VrCX4svsmmSf7TU94sZqMZQ2CnHWp1aXMzA_yrN4L-OqKI6E/w414-h640/rainbow%20over%20December%20meadow%202.JPG" width="414" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On December 12, this Dark-eyed Junco let me approach fairly close, as long as it stayed mostly hidden in its tangle of branches and vines:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2XT0p_DaMPZW29dBFPhDEzmo4OjAOu5o9xab4btchA2_o5mSVR8OmEhL5mt7VgREKtz0NHuU3nIZSgNuyXIt6e3yRzbUmx29iOfB_8YUWQ6NIdbooRwS50gN-FUdmkf5VdIZF-BsjYVq7L2lofX-R_e2-ugRwTeGikKsopOpt9ktX0awCPYhf_quDbY/s1500/dark-eyed%20junco%20in%20vine%20tangle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1500" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD2XT0p_DaMPZW29dBFPhDEzmo4OjAOu5o9xab4btchA2_o5mSVR8OmEhL5mt7VgREKtz0NHuU3nIZSgNuyXIt6e3yRzbUmx29iOfB_8YUWQ6NIdbooRwS50gN-FUdmkf5VdIZF-BsjYVq7L2lofX-R_e2-ugRwTeGikKsopOpt9ktX0awCPYhf_quDbY/w640-h468/dark-eyed%20junco%20in%20vine%20tangle.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A Pileated Woodpecker came to our suet feeder for a few days in December, which was an unusual and wonderful treat. Here's this too-big bird on December 14:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vIDUZ0Z1weWo_rv6pUDf3aThMLSdl6kG0vyDE0lOhoK-8ly0UTCDU8XEi1uG2GeK-L3sMEf6SkicTyz7zaBwCAX9KcoNUCqphgRVFfJG67k0OsxYwtgyIWrr4Sv6QsQJTWcG_h2LGucsu9AKgC_tAp5Xajb1_8wfmJgElABgNTapL8UUI7OePs4vpIs/s1500/pileated%20woodpecker%20at%20suet%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1500" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vIDUZ0Z1weWo_rv6pUDf3aThMLSdl6kG0vyDE0lOhoK-8ly0UTCDU8XEi1uG2GeK-L3sMEf6SkicTyz7zaBwCAX9KcoNUCqphgRVFfJG67k0OsxYwtgyIWrr4Sv6QsQJTWcG_h2LGucsu9AKgC_tAp5Xajb1_8wfmJgElABgNTapL8UUI7OePs4vpIs/w640-h500/pileated%20woodpecker%20at%20suet%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And again on December 15 -- I love those pointy tail feathers (sorry about the weird coloring in these pictures; the woodpecker insisted on visiting in the morning during very poor light, and I got some strange effects when I lightened and processed these pictures):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KbJGTGiz8IeZZntLi50wKmOOJEQI4AwEgNFbFPHLFd666s0e2EnfwIJM1qSJ5V-GqT1DUKDPG77lvyQWeqGOvs079_KN1VMFFRDAwx-2UUf3yAUjcbtmikVl0fMrZ4DOx3lTXQI6hrLI3FtFFOp7Pacym5xVUUdPzr8E19RDP7soeH28um-c7UK4Fhc/s1500/pileated%20woodpecker%20at%20suet%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1500" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0KbJGTGiz8IeZZntLi50wKmOOJEQI4AwEgNFbFPHLFd666s0e2EnfwIJM1qSJ5V-GqT1DUKDPG77lvyQWeqGOvs079_KN1VMFFRDAwx-2UUf3yAUjcbtmikVl0fMrZ4DOx3lTXQI6hrLI3FtFFOp7Pacym5xVUUdPzr8E19RDP7soeH28um-c7UK4Fhc/w640-h492/pileated%20woodpecker%20at%20suet%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">For a size comparison, here's a Downy Woodpecker on the same feeder on December 20:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dl-9paZvJHKjU7T5WbRGvoxsN1sbNEGot3netwll-TO_9LmdAWBK9tdl4WmlHrLx3iDsZ9hEblrf4zT1vOilogTPhWRd7CoAK_lHLZBMOCdQ3US7_woUzBTpRPKF2WFjgAgSCBkmpBdEXjR9rIVQSpqu6EFZcdt3xSUSPXFRvR7rxr1hzG55vN7EkNI/s1500/downy%20woodpecker%20at%20suet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1500" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dl-9paZvJHKjU7T5WbRGvoxsN1sbNEGot3netwll-TO_9LmdAWBK9tdl4WmlHrLx3iDsZ9hEblrf4zT1vOilogTPhWRd7CoAK_lHLZBMOCdQ3US7_woUzBTpRPKF2WFjgAgSCBkmpBdEXjR9rIVQSpqu6EFZcdt3xSUSPXFRvR7rxr1hzG55vN7EkNI/w640-h492/downy%20woodpecker%20at%20suet.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">While I walked around outside on December 20, I kept seeing Downy Woodpeckers all over the place, actually. I guess this was a good day for these littlest (and cutest) of our woodpeckers! This Downy Woodpecker was working on our Shagbark Hickory tree:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU9WnVI40VQtMF14SxfNXq5o5UrKtk1SN6fG5a3VKh69rBDg5YIqiha0vAvWQhAr55bu5lKi-SjEFZIPq9QGrQ6t2K-CyI8pE_U_R48psaz_s0Xq7Bcut4AcYzAKVw2cXtYXYun8u5VQV0TCaKzRzDrxdI6qzcqhCIHtbKO9b6dMBx4fuEK9H9p3Bglo/s1500/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20shagbark%20hickory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJU9WnVI40VQtMF14SxfNXq5o5UrKtk1SN6fG5a3VKh69rBDg5YIqiha0vAvWQhAr55bu5lKi-SjEFZIPq9QGrQ6t2K-CyI8pE_U_R48psaz_s0Xq7Bcut4AcYzAKVw2cXtYXYun8u5VQV0TCaKzRzDrxdI6qzcqhCIHtbKO9b6dMBx4fuEK9H9p3Bglo/w640-h640/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20shagbark%20hickory.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Another Downy Woodpecker was hammering into the round galls on goldenrod stems in the meadow, getting at the larvae inside:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxn0CnsjMot4ScB-to2CQI7AkigsgPPyacBDgo2J0lY_8sHhdNT5LdXslwk9mzG1rnyQ-fCWK14qjxFKxdfU2jvljAaD5zwuq1qCERdeNxQRDCrBiUFB5oSMbu62aiNVktMj8i42Sb8C0IgpyM5ZTnCXUTFjbMu3mroFPv013II_Xl6BRC_XilGALrAQ/s2157/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20galls%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2157" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuxn0CnsjMot4ScB-to2CQI7AkigsgPPyacBDgo2J0lY_8sHhdNT5LdXslwk9mzG1rnyQ-fCWK14qjxFKxdfU2jvljAaD5zwuq1qCERdeNxQRDCrBiUFB5oSMbu62aiNVktMj8i42Sb8C0IgpyM5ZTnCXUTFjbMu3mroFPv013II_Xl6BRC_XilGALrAQ/w446-h640/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20galls%202.JPG" width="446" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">What a cool foraging strategy -- go get that bug, little woodpecker:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycWsjarB_n04yEYjuppYn7Wzh7igRez8p00G90Dr0C2Wh8OWpD7VU0S4Zq47RmTU3Lm4BrGcBwr9zEKWhYt3roHDMKvWBODCtikF-gc4cIN6chrsOoWgwA25GzCumeKqfdUGZdEQv0-DoFAqDUVdsu3nAGLEYrle8CuPmM3Yngq31GzV5iq8BZHVzqP4/s1500/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20galls%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1203" data-original-width="1500" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycWsjarB_n04yEYjuppYn7Wzh7igRez8p00G90Dr0C2Wh8OWpD7VU0S4Zq47RmTU3Lm4BrGcBwr9zEKWhYt3roHDMKvWBODCtikF-gc4cIN6chrsOoWgwA25GzCumeKqfdUGZdEQv0-DoFAqDUVdsu3nAGLEYrle8CuPmM3Yngq31GzV5iq8BZHVzqP4/w640-h514/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20galls%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the woods, Downy Woodpeckers were working over various dead trees, stark black-and-white creatures on multicolored wooden surfaces:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhzHY8KHqRBmLFKbmvvVwx1IZnrplLYvL0O3dXrIOtxx0YNRLDfr-bROfwuimGK4-oyjr5VVnO8wffCAZxRwL3ZngEEklvMWTYgcRHiaZ2y2zX30tjiuQYqekfT_uRE4ivTlAMiYozKTpxOz5c7uuE0xwCA5ydpWaDqwk2YVyKWUGiBq5xMSFLC0aFCA/s1995/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20dead%20tree%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhzHY8KHqRBmLFKbmvvVwx1IZnrplLYvL0O3dXrIOtxx0YNRLDfr-bROfwuimGK4-oyjr5VVnO8wffCAZxRwL3ZngEEklvMWTYgcRHiaZ2y2zX30tjiuQYqekfT_uRE4ivTlAMiYozKTpxOz5c7uuE0xwCA5ydpWaDqwk2YVyKWUGiBq5xMSFLC0aFCA/w482-h640/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20dead%20tree%201.JPG" width="482" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmudxKjA1EDK14HJ7x6nKYaDCak0I-NdtBlArtJ5nkAh20fWHDH2FVAITu8CJMU3Pz-LBqrjcqKHbURD31rVXGirTjwm6xkr-j7tNgHs1-sypbyRs3QAs2ewKlYp7PLdO2jyaJgtGbIpWSBjVzjNqGM_hvYBot61hCpTGGdVAqrdXJQalqAG3fFnSdZAc/s1500/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20dead%20tree%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1500" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmudxKjA1EDK14HJ7x6nKYaDCak0I-NdtBlArtJ5nkAh20fWHDH2FVAITu8CJMU3Pz-LBqrjcqKHbURD31rVXGirTjwm6xkr-j7tNgHs1-sypbyRs3QAs2ewKlYp7PLdO2jyaJgtGbIpWSBjVzjNqGM_hvYBot61hCpTGGdVAqrdXJQalqAG3fFnSdZAc/w640-h528/downy%20woodpecker%20on%20dead%20tree%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Also on December 20 (what an active day!), I got to see this White-breasted Nuthatch foraging among bark crevices in the woods:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbeAydfvT6JY3rK15mbjELyjmP5-385-xKxxj_Z1N-zaSBvZ_0ZLR7eN-92Gib28FTrzAyK6iM3pU_RxZuEhkHgJ8kr2BffJ43yzX2cUDBNQy4d0PztnxTPbUPQjSz8ejH6PXV2SQJJnJtURAp0QsoeY8ccb3BxDV5ZP83EL-cDyIiiWegqSxwrE7XI4/s1500/white-breasted%20nuthatch%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1131" data-original-width="1500" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbeAydfvT6JY3rK15mbjELyjmP5-385-xKxxj_Z1N-zaSBvZ_0ZLR7eN-92Gib28FTrzAyK6iM3pU_RxZuEhkHgJ8kr2BffJ43yzX2cUDBNQy4d0PztnxTPbUPQjSz8ejH6PXV2SQJJnJtURAp0QsoeY8ccb3BxDV5ZP83EL-cDyIiiWegqSxwrE7XI4/w640-h482/white-breasted%20nuthatch%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This Black-capped Chickadee showing its beautifully patterned back and wings:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_IWPZT6yavGpy2swOlrrUykfdAPuWdgVon6NqTumUf5LXnrrI9Mz1ebU67LyhMnOU2qHvZypY07-2FYsL5CdKRjMRcANA1WstWXIbRdEKxMD2Y-fSaAwoCG_u0tLYaTx0A3ERjS_LHLgIIlYcWvB7zU2Weczfsq7gTAaEPXGIQvk2DMh8ngszC1jryI/s1500/chickadee%20back.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1500" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh_IWPZT6yavGpy2swOlrrUykfdAPuWdgVon6NqTumUf5LXnrrI9Mz1ebU67LyhMnOU2qHvZypY07-2FYsL5CdKRjMRcANA1WstWXIbRdEKxMD2Y-fSaAwoCG_u0tLYaTx0A3ERjS_LHLgIIlYcWvB7zU2Weczfsq7gTAaEPXGIQvk2DMh8ngszC1jryI/w640-h434/chickadee%20back.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And this Dark-eyed Junco perched among the Redbud tree's bare branches:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUWx6VA2EB_jmSTokd9cXN-OgQr9B93lK4czZw1H1K-JtUzV7hmwDrpZlLDBWXPNHGs5Hu_EcKZ64loPy0BzfYCx_P1xubQ51YK0RFuj-hUBxBbIllb07Z-IpEfH_09tooiIvHb7JSNEYDhC9mUKxnQBA98DBe4Z4NHirbskPzm4ijhfrTaPA_eX9TPg/s1500/dark-eyed%20junco%20in%20redbud%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1500" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBUWx6VA2EB_jmSTokd9cXN-OgQr9B93lK4czZw1H1K-JtUzV7hmwDrpZlLDBWXPNHGs5Hu_EcKZ64loPy0BzfYCx_P1xubQ51YK0RFuj-hUBxBbIllb07Z-IpEfH_09tooiIvHb7JSNEYDhC9mUKxnQBA98DBe4Z4NHirbskPzm4ijhfrTaPA_eX9TPg/w640-h476/dark-eyed%20junco%20in%20redbud%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And now 2023 is coming to a close, and that means a whole new year is next! I'm excited to see what sights 2024 brings, both familiar and new.<br /></span><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-72910952209774950182023-12-31T10:47:00.000-08:002023-12-31T10:47:20.990-08:00Mid July - Early September, 2023<p><span style="font-family: arial;">2023 is almost over, so it's time to finish catching up with this year's sights from around our property! In <a href="https://woodswalksandwildlife.blogspot.com/2023/11/a-black-raspberry-feast-and-other-early.html">the previous post</a>, we got up to the middle of July. Let's take it from there! This post shares some highlights from the rest of summer in our yard, meadow, and woods; and then I'll finish up the year (fall and early winter) in another post.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Late in the afternoon on July 29, I heard some strange noises and saw flashes of a small long mammal darting between clumps of brush in our yard. The daylight was fading, but I grabbed my camera anyway, because I'd never seed a weasel-type creature in our yard before. (All previous sightings on our property have been courtesy of the trail camera in the woods.) Sneaking around the area, I must have accidentally ended up in the creature's intended path, because a Long-tailed Weasel came directly toward me, suddenly found a human blocking its way, and dropped the baby rabbit it was carrying at my feet. I guess we were both surprised! I backed away a bit, and the weasel came back and snatched up its meal again:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxi21E9EAF5pwT7H8zrWrnF1oXRH2bWamfJ_-nUjrP2jaZPSJgK3_apFAG37mwzpRn4O3Fj_iEtHJP1L4XAjvFnpPkILkRu69GuGnGkSIsB_q4vMM_k1QdVKELsFEGsjEZbtY-Yd8ZuM-d5OZcw-nJNRM4GM6Ysq7ZL95eodLdqDJcHBCwwGOP2l3WsM/s1500/long-tailed%20weasel%20with%20baby%20rabbit%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1500" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXxi21E9EAF5pwT7H8zrWrnF1oXRH2bWamfJ_-nUjrP2jaZPSJgK3_apFAG37mwzpRn4O3Fj_iEtHJP1L4XAjvFnpPkILkRu69GuGnGkSIsB_q4vMM_k1QdVKELsFEGsjEZbtY-Yd8ZuM-d5OZcw-nJNRM4GM6Ysq7ZL95eodLdqDJcHBCwwGOP2l3WsM/w640-h438/long-tailed%20weasel%20with%20baby%20rabbit%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The weasel carried the rabbit to a spot behind our shed, and then it came back along the same route and repeated the process at least five more times (I lost count) while I watched from nearby. That's a lot of baby rabbits! I was wondering at the time whether the weasel could have been gathering food to feed its own young, but I've also read that weasels sometimes cache food -- more than they can eat at one time -- so maybe that's what was happening here. In any case, it was pretty amazing to see this confident and capable little hunter at work! All my picture attempts were blurry, but this gives an idea of the action at least:<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKuiqOMJk4CZfzoVBWfF8WR61xng9thOvqleV4Qmg2RRNMARymdIywOXQaF8utPasgsJqK55I6aOmz_xMbmZcTpwjZitTewb47DUKxrPKq_8h0be2WDlRZ_4e-rOQJa6J6YLsA0YAJngapxHv5Ex2nC_LVbPtRuIT08hm0oI35TqtA_0vTc7Mk6KcaUU/s1500/long-tailed%20weasel%20with%20baby%20rabbit%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1017" data-original-width="1500" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipKuiqOMJk4CZfzoVBWfF8WR61xng9thOvqleV4Qmg2RRNMARymdIywOXQaF8utPasgsJqK55I6aOmz_xMbmZcTpwjZitTewb47DUKxrPKq_8h0be2WDlRZ_4e-rOQJa6J6YLsA0YAJngapxHv5Ex2nC_LVbPtRuIT08hm0oI35TqtA_0vTc7Mk6KcaUU/w640-h434/long-tailed%20weasel%20with%20baby%20rabbit%204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">While all this was happening, a Mourning Dove was watching from its nest in a tree right over the weasel's path:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3InAqWd9URBqAa2BPZvkuzb-m2qX-fK_A2IYUZUtzNxR5LolGOBqomx3UOzMUiUv4RumWo7rsbfTmzAtvFadw8qHOKZGwNh1v6B2PfCmwdvncWZhitb8ZS4I0VgOwV_vE8gtQI5J5Fut2Wmd4kj454b9-gHwauBCCB89HiNbZj1Pn_cmcjvnBpScDDo/s1500/mourning%20dove%20on%20nest%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1500" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx3InAqWd9URBqAa2BPZvkuzb-m2qX-fK_A2IYUZUtzNxR5LolGOBqomx3UOzMUiUv4RumWo7rsbfTmzAtvFadw8qHOKZGwNh1v6B2PfCmwdvncWZhitb8ZS4I0VgOwV_vE8gtQI5J5Fut2Wmd4kj454b9-gHwauBCCB89HiNbZj1Pn_cmcjvnBpScDDo/w640-h460/mourning%20dove%20on%20nest%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Yikes, being a nesting bird sure seems perilous. Here's another picture of this Mourning Dove the next day, in better light -- this nest didn't ultimately succeed, and I don't know whether that was because of the weasel, or another predator, or some other hazard:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnK3KhyphenhyphenbiiDaufgdwBLbzf3-gr3xamUBv8-0flnFPkt1ZE5giqRkfW58iviIs4QvhLcYzW5GhVmtoG0DtVKCICZ7iXeXiCn8GoRP4wvOz3MvgF5LVxgT9ougZ6PiWrG6VMl5g_DxMXLBgQyvNA5IE_57pBz6gsoSAhyphenhyphenXtBaT2edfSSMnP6C5VCOiXF6ZE/s1500/mourning%20dove%20on%20nest%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1500" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnK3KhyphenhyphenbiiDaufgdwBLbzf3-gr3xamUBv8-0flnFPkt1ZE5giqRkfW58iviIs4QvhLcYzW5GhVmtoG0DtVKCICZ7iXeXiCn8GoRP4wvOz3MvgF5LVxgT9ougZ6PiWrG6VMl5g_DxMXLBgQyvNA5IE_57pBz6gsoSAhyphenhyphenXtBaT2edfSSMnP6C5VCOiXF6ZE/w640-h478/mourning%20dove%20on%20nest%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I had a lot of fun this summer trying to take pictures of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds as they visited the various hummingbird-friendly flowers in our yard. I don't keep hummingbird feeders, but it turns out that many of the (mostly native) flowering plants I've added to our property over the years (and some of the annual flowers I grow, too) are great feeding stations for these lovely little birds. It seemed like we had hummingbirds around pretty much all the time this summer, so there were lots of opportunities for pictures.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The big orange flowers on our Trumpet Creeper vine are always a big hit with the hummingbirds (and there are always many big black ants on these flowers, too) -- here's a hummingbird visiting these flowers on July 30:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzxgNWlxsJNeoK0-Z0r-Eexnf1lyD21wxvkD0LBLAR_SfHfQvT8ce1wnHpBgP9F_lm687JqiyW_VisjJb_LaI_B7nDYoHySJdfX98yxrBiy4yAFU4KaRPLvFvVT43-5oRc8VGbXTvIA_g5Kswta26CG6A_svSLNNouNoMs3U1Az4-I3TNbTB3misjMIM/s1500/hummingbird%20at%20trumpet%20creeper%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1034" data-original-width="1500" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzxgNWlxsJNeoK0-Z0r-Eexnf1lyD21wxvkD0LBLAR_SfHfQvT8ce1wnHpBgP9F_lm687JqiyW_VisjJb_LaI_B7nDYoHySJdfX98yxrBiy4yAFU4KaRPLvFvVT43-5oRc8VGbXTvIA_g5Kswta26CG6A_svSLNNouNoMs3U1Az4-I3TNbTB3misjMIM/w640-h442/hummingbird%20at%20trumpet%20creeper%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've noticed that hummingbirds visiting Trumpet Creeper flowers tend to leave with white foreheads, thanks to a generous dusting of pollen:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB2Ykt5zKnpRStSdp0JZfnir4quoLSutFSZ5DXYiGpaNJIz1n5edDTOPmp1whDaEVW8X_siF-seNML6rC2Z7TPIk4z9FMelvHeY9xk_DhxABH_Hj29FKpfZjXtPnFLOlGkg4A7tb26bfd3hU4DZvwSebysxkegl0JGmGfxO0gt8xrVh5Hgpd7beyEzlI/s1500/hummingbird%20at%20trumpet%20creeper%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1120" data-original-width="1500" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHB2Ykt5zKnpRStSdp0JZfnir4quoLSutFSZ5DXYiGpaNJIz1n5edDTOPmp1whDaEVW8X_siF-seNML6rC2Z7TPIk4z9FMelvHeY9xk_DhxABH_Hj29FKpfZjXtPnFLOlGkg4A7tb26bfd3hU4DZvwSebysxkegl0JGmGfxO0gt8xrVh5Hgpd7beyEzlI/w640-h478/hummingbird%20at%20trumpet%20creeper%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Scarlet Runner Beans I grew in my vegetable garden this year were also popular with the hummingbirds, and I so loved having these birds come visit while I was in the garden. Here's the same bird from the above pictures again, now shifted to Scarlet Runner Bean flowers (also on July 30):</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCusfrZs4hqH3ttWI7N0az9Gt783PTKjzKywuJtTmAS27g3rAUjsieIoCWkTe82hbqkHGpi16VU2ItQp8YFizZxs-Qlx1KS_gwY-xqdxCg6R19DuF-Y5DicxCqe8t22sgNWY3Bj1J4DPrRlaiOj3B7T1JwVXhbrq9xqJAQzCdf6hyphenhyphenp317JD_8C267Cok/s1647/hummingbird%20at%20scarlet%20runner%20beans%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1647" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCusfrZs4hqH3ttWI7N0az9Gt783PTKjzKywuJtTmAS27g3rAUjsieIoCWkTe82hbqkHGpi16VU2ItQp8YFizZxs-Qlx1KS_gwY-xqdxCg6R19DuF-Y5DicxCqe8t22sgNWY3Bj1J4DPrRlaiOj3B7T1JwVXhbrq9xqJAQzCdf6hyphenhyphenp317JD_8C267Cok/w582-h640/hummingbird%20at%20scarlet%20runner%20beans%201.JPG" width="582" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />And here's a closer picture of another bird on August 13:</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQIf6evkmA2YnZkixqKxxv5mFlg0ow9ErZXwUGYjmsGcsr1LRgPmbAlDhZwOP5G0j-ltMNPndaKkxL0ZG97SICZjloWQJ5SEkVvCdhi1GKKEsY1URj8r6BLHmRF9KGFgDHut2p4oAK-bqubdlRdoU2ddD-bZtwVHLqQhNAWLKXywVuFzVPgHjXfgqD4Q/s1500/hummingbird%20at%20scarlet%20runner%20beans%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQIf6evkmA2YnZkixqKxxv5mFlg0ow9ErZXwUGYjmsGcsr1LRgPmbAlDhZwOP5G0j-ltMNPndaKkxL0ZG97SICZjloWQJ5SEkVvCdhi1GKKEsY1URj8r6BLHmRF9KGFgDHut2p4oAK-bqubdlRdoU2ddD-bZtwVHLqQhNAWLKXywVuFzVPgHjXfgqD4Q/w640-h480/hummingbird%20at%20scarlet%20runner%20beans%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After visiting the bean flowers, this hummingbird perched for a bit on top of a post in the garden (I wonder what all that white stuff is along the top of its beak):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XdwEoNSTO56_6wj9TU3N1T_ogi_Wk1dORsB0EKS9_0jN6_QrH6_Pk8nwGH_8yJcIQDUQS4OAA2OZvaSubbpqHY7WtHZMwr3yY9uliKhyphenhyphen8RR6j4GZdPVYrx9anKcjVUgl_J2olO1AybpRxh_XnRutmiEhtjdOCGQ6joefLtfNmTFhfi-vpQ90ZiRl5R8/s1500/hummingbird%20perched.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3XdwEoNSTO56_6wj9TU3N1T_ogi_Wk1dORsB0EKS9_0jN6_QrH6_Pk8nwGH_8yJcIQDUQS4OAA2OZvaSubbpqHY7WtHZMwr3yY9uliKhyphenhyphen8RR6j4GZdPVYrx9anKcjVUgl_J2olO1AybpRxh_XnRutmiEhtjdOCGQ6joefLtfNmTFhfi-vpQ90ZiRl5R8/w640-h426/hummingbird%20perched.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Look, a hummingbird tongue! Wow, what a cool little bird:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWrV_vKv7WQpRtP2PqYcFHtFgsiUJ-z5r1e0bV0fTo8byN0noQiS3R2nqIjqYc6pqDKL7ekCdPeTVkeMskwMgralMvXCj5I6vGRTVlN0mDcOCbg0RHCjtVtxOiMSq9p0yPFEnApbMKBNZiOoxbxMngYgusjmt1oExE2ACsERYJ7eQaFTWadwNv44PKxU/s1500/hummingbird%20perched%20with%20tongue.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1500" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicWrV_vKv7WQpRtP2PqYcFHtFgsiUJ-z5r1e0bV0fTo8byN0noQiS3R2nqIjqYc6pqDKL7ekCdPeTVkeMskwMgralMvXCj5I6vGRTVlN0mDcOCbg0RHCjtVtxOiMSq9p0yPFEnApbMKBNZiOoxbxMngYgusjmt1oExE2ACsERYJ7eQaFTWadwNv44PKxU/w640-h456/hummingbird%20perched%20with%20tongue.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Ever since I planted Cardinal Flowers in our yard back in 2017, I've been hoping to get a good picture of a hummingbird visiting these flowers, and I finally managed it this year by peeking through our living room window and using our house as a blind on August 13:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEgDdvym3YlkMPkOEC2yTSSPoRvOz5Z0b6GEEwt3QHl2bDllpZsCyOPc96HS60e6DiEOfSPA4dr1M7JgB_kP55cwaB5FNd3m1v4-gLcpk254dSe-osIDFaWsavLMKfp3b6XC3eMR5iy3cKe6mBpe118CWQGUhdrY6E7dxkTFwkQQjy_7uT3FjtxUSTaM/s1500/hummingbird%20and%20cardinal%20flower.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1500" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWEgDdvym3YlkMPkOEC2yTSSPoRvOz5Z0b6GEEwt3QHl2bDllpZsCyOPc96HS60e6DiEOfSPA4dr1M7JgB_kP55cwaB5FNd3m1v4-gLcpk254dSe-osIDFaWsavLMKfp3b6XC3eMR5iy3cKe6mBpe118CWQGUhdrY6E7dxkTFwkQQjy_7uT3FjtxUSTaM/w640-h462/hummingbird%20and%20cardinal%20flower.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Ah, I love these flowers, and it's so awesome to see them with their primary pollinator. And this was the first time I really got to see this flower's pollination mechanism at work! While the hummingbird drinks, the flower gives it a little pat on its head -- soooo cool:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbLDucqlEoo14TAuKGOhfeFmwfu5tMFkOm7v0GIz7Qd5c-agnU_nbF1MI15RST7O9m3YtuJ7GA2tpS7Rn8co5FiUbauCmxZaQiGb1gbZ_hxrrI4ZZBlt_HA8tARBREbIVfd9_w6I-yTiwjakRwLoB0KUsXXNvQMCsvBRAJmkNMkJRz3iiDCeWmKj1ApA/s1500/hummingbird%20and%20cardinal%20flower%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="1500" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrbLDucqlEoo14TAuKGOhfeFmwfu5tMFkOm7v0GIz7Qd5c-agnU_nbF1MI15RST7O9m3YtuJ7GA2tpS7Rn8co5FiUbauCmxZaQiGb1gbZ_hxrrI4ZZBlt_HA8tARBREbIVfd9_w6I-yTiwjakRwLoB0KUsXXNvQMCsvBRAJmkNMkJRz3iiDCeWmKj1ApA/w640-h636/hummingbird%20and%20cardinal%20flower%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Coral Honeysuckle I planted in our yard last year bloomed for the first time this year, and the hummingbirds were very much into these flowers, too. Here's a bird visiting these flowers on September 4:</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q2AhH5v8tvklx2cQB5gcY_x_ZGYIZzzmFVOn9owJQJrmutYLTGMFxsZeU3TgAlTghpAF2kFe9bmFF25ZDEC2XrF9CVVA0VXpgh89_auvcWspqVinBtUcO9kSpHlqZgtdE-AaQ0VPBbuA4Foz51j-0yzdmEW2MsjAYY5cWL5NMZ08R8jtx3tgoVqKKIE/s1500/hummingbird%20at%20coral%20honeysuckle%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1500" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q2AhH5v8tvklx2cQB5gcY_x_ZGYIZzzmFVOn9owJQJrmutYLTGMFxsZeU3TgAlTghpAF2kFe9bmFF25ZDEC2XrF9CVVA0VXpgh89_auvcWspqVinBtUcO9kSpHlqZgtdE-AaQ0VPBbuA4Foz51j-0yzdmEW2MsjAYY5cWL5NMZ08R8jtx3tgoVqKKIE/w640-h472/hummingbird%20at%20coral%20honeysuckle%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This bird was even able to perch on the honeysuckle's vine while feeding from these flowers:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabPBpLmKt9RDd1aCi8U-MO8TOLeQIp_H_Oc36tfdGgDKly425tMpIB1TxSNW-7urwERo31MvBK5UkYasVfPRyseg5cRnz8YcimA-NOR6Di8EYAqop8joOfgTid87YP0uqyDvt_cysJL63xSWkNH9sd49U9fVSckSs4KLNiy8YyQ8xYI0WLizZZrKgOo4/s1500/hummingbird%20at%20coral%20honeysuckle%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1099" data-original-width="1500" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabPBpLmKt9RDd1aCi8U-MO8TOLeQIp_H_Oc36tfdGgDKly425tMpIB1TxSNW-7urwERo31MvBK5UkYasVfPRyseg5cRnz8YcimA-NOR6Di8EYAqop8joOfgTid87YP0uqyDvt_cysJL63xSWkNH9sd49U9fVSckSs4KLNiy8YyQ8xYI0WLizZZrKgOo4/w640-h468/hummingbird%20at%20coral%20honeysuckle%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">What a sweet bird:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeZIPVXYpg74cwwwVVOqSdbChMeIcbKBQWWiuhC-KLKddwWXdIJxSX-jHSFlur8BvtcIkbh8I3O58ZSEHyKX8oLevdOx2g56b5rLBvYskcUQ-Xd-vfssZLEz0lSCyTZTYDT0CHej4O-s3iA_MkFDv37nsT_v45KmC9LSijYThNLhQsmwtwoVsQHGUYj4/s1500/hummingbird%20at%20coral%20honeysuckle%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1027" data-original-width="1500" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNeZIPVXYpg74cwwwVVOqSdbChMeIcbKBQWWiuhC-KLKddwWXdIJxSX-jHSFlur8BvtcIkbh8I3O58ZSEHyKX8oLevdOx2g56b5rLBvYskcUQ-Xd-vfssZLEz0lSCyTZTYDT0CHej4O-s3iA_MkFDv37nsT_v45KmC9LSijYThNLhQsmwtwoVsQHGUYj4/w640-h438/hummingbird%20at%20coral%20honeysuckle%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's one more picture from September 4, since this bird's feeding route also included the nearby New York Ironweed flowers:</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPkQWC9ULNK1il2-WlchN8lk29lXNqhAhfTenrK1InEI6wtJtZT4W5z90ZiEdK5mr2aFwgOk4qTeX3ExybTwxul1knEy-Vki3fMt9AFraU_HX2w8iHUlwgn1xpiUjbpaM1kEBkBilirG_MLA4aUw6mHMH-V9VnCebL7PNLbYhSqa7ZknMT5Jhxb9PJjA/s1500/hummingbird%20at%20new%20york%20ironweed.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1500" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXPkQWC9ULNK1il2-WlchN8lk29lXNqhAhfTenrK1InEI6wtJtZT4W5z90ZiEdK5mr2aFwgOk4qTeX3ExybTwxul1knEy-Vki3fMt9AFraU_HX2w8iHUlwgn1xpiUjbpaM1kEBkBilirG_MLA4aUw6mHMH-V9VnCebL7PNLbYhSqa7ZknMT5Jhxb9PJjA/w640-h482/hummingbird%20at%20new%20york%20ironweed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There are always tons of flowers around here during the summer, and here's a small selection of some other blooming plants that caught my attention this year. Enchanter's Nightshade (<i>Circaea canadensis</i>) grows in our woods, and I love its dainty flowers and its whimsical name; this picture is from July 21:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYQuaelXFb5NhxWH-1YLGgDG05C5RWScTgr-TG5KUnZK-XBfnzW5ygvzP0AGJ9W0e91VhsOzsg6w4tAX8LsigQ5m2q8WhIGFiPMPG3TqZGWGAcxD_sgHQ5zRpjUrS93NKpNa2fPEDLgbdxU4BBLmJgGZjLbQ12XGtYrXPCJ2szkXLhR-1sc-54xzzf3I/s1500/Enchanter's%20Nightshade%20(Circaea%20canadensis).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1138" data-original-width="1500" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYQuaelXFb5NhxWH-1YLGgDG05C5RWScTgr-TG5KUnZK-XBfnzW5ygvzP0AGJ9W0e91VhsOzsg6w4tAX8LsigQ5m2q8WhIGFiPMPG3TqZGWGAcxD_sgHQ5zRpjUrS93NKpNa2fPEDLgbdxU4BBLmJgGZjLbQ12XGtYrXPCJ2szkXLhR-1sc-54xzzf3I/w640-h486/Enchanter's%20Nightshade%20(Circaea%20canadensis).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Narrow-leaved Meadowsweet (<i>Spiraea alba</i>) -- also pictured here on July 21 -- produces its puffy sprays of white flowers at the back edge of our meadow:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroqNE3SOGkqOhaCedSadCegsVTYBzJrJcU9aSvhFnOXiVjdBLVA2HNiqm6w9gZ8ddv8QY2R04gxy0xyin9bFYD2Qq_Z4YpjB16GcVHd53Nf_yoT61wx-fBtf63DnhV3upKrMHoWseN1oFNl_OWfhSDQwV7X1iqBDxcUqffAM1Vyb2neZlQzFo5R_AlNU/s1500/Narrow-leaved%20Meadowsweet%20(Spiraea%20alba).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="1500" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjroqNE3SOGkqOhaCedSadCegsVTYBzJrJcU9aSvhFnOXiVjdBLVA2HNiqm6w9gZ8ddv8QY2R04gxy0xyin9bFYD2Qq_Z4YpjB16GcVHd53Nf_yoT61wx-fBtf63DnhV3upKrMHoWseN1oFNl_OWfhSDQwV7X1iqBDxcUqffAM1Vyb2neZlQzFo5R_AlNU/w640-h568/Narrow-leaved%20Meadowsweet%20(Spiraea%20alba).JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Pokeweed grows abundantly in our yard and meadow, and birds enjoy its purple berries in the fall; I admired these Pokeweed blossoms on July 26, with white spheres opening to reveal green globular structures:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2GJnIF6OTOxZxa3TdFxAjFK_F2r5F_hvKkWXpgrsXZn30nvVICJ0V13uuILYqssUxFSIc2ysmElvnG2Qn-hcEotNkxKreZGvOTzXHpTIul3TVs65oL2a5DlftpaglOVNC0FnIC_E8sIKPiI4StIYPmq7freDdi_gi49dhL2U9kkEF8eTQfAPAFn-M88/s1500/pokeweed%20flowers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1500" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB2GJnIF6OTOxZxa3TdFxAjFK_F2r5F_hvKkWXpgrsXZn30nvVICJ0V13uuILYqssUxFSIc2ysmElvnG2Qn-hcEotNkxKreZGvOTzXHpTIul3TVs65oL2a5DlftpaglOVNC0FnIC_E8sIKPiI4StIYPmq7freDdi_gi49dhL2U9kkEF8eTQfAPAFn-M88/w640-h440/pokeweed%20flowers.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And a bee was also enjoying these pretty Obedient Plant flowers in our front yard on August 13:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVGjaU_YAhrS0b-IXpNMbroh3m5ZNABz21W6ygjQ_xQLlDiLxihhTkechrJoYZgiODsjqBST_HbB7sf3RrqHnIIV_cKgjgSiHWki8l6Oj6wQu7timGSjO2dx9PYw6efuBQhu7n-ipzu00p-ecQofyga5B3y0vjfuYuCbCtS607ob_xENfiaw5py8vKX4/s1500/bee%20in%20obedient%20flower.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1071" data-original-width="1500" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEVGjaU_YAhrS0b-IXpNMbroh3m5ZNABz21W6ygjQ_xQLlDiLxihhTkechrJoYZgiODsjqBST_HbB7sf3RrqHnIIV_cKgjgSiHWki8l6Oj6wQu7timGSjO2dx9PYw6efuBQhu7n-ipzu00p-ecQofyga5B3y0vjfuYuCbCtS607ob_xENfiaw5py8vKX4/w640-h456/bee%20in%20obedient%20flower.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here are a few more assorted sights!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A juvenile (pink mouth) and adult (dark mouth) Blue Jay making a noisy scene in the yard on July 20:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLiBWJyO-3UgrU6zPZ2luLpgpCUtv0hepEsdSEPFCruFnmfG6CEo5em8EglbAZ9LwTZdk_0_ho1DUZbYJ4SiFatbgbteRsnFVgu2hp6lLPMwUVpQUU4WtLQhP7N6ElmJ27TeAXSn_Qgi_MgIYWOLjuZuBgz2-8gYKOKSLvhK-oh0Gmh8_kiVw2c0mIMI/s1500/parent%20and%20young%20blue%20jays.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1033" data-original-width="1500" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLiBWJyO-3UgrU6zPZ2luLpgpCUtv0hepEsdSEPFCruFnmfG6CEo5em8EglbAZ9LwTZdk_0_ho1DUZbYJ4SiFatbgbteRsnFVgu2hp6lLPMwUVpQUU4WtLQhP7N6ElmJ27TeAXSn_Qgi_MgIYWOLjuZuBgz2-8gYKOKSLvhK-oh0Gmh8_kiVw2c0mIMI/w640-h440/parent%20and%20young%20blue%20jays.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A very puffy Black-and-White Warbler that let me approach unusually close on July 21 -- I hope this bird was OK! It moved along soon after I took this picture:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_epG0vryp-TkBHOXzEUCPbH9hgMJeAq0CIRTdoBtdIY09o1eESSY3hMKX0A51wHpMHObPq_0aPw0J4ctfdf5OjtbFI4xAn-XcWWBfKs1ubGn-QJtkWk080bckXS786_gO_fazxtmHYcXMdQQ34fMLEm6Zij_LucDX34SrQ4JRlu8iqw6Jk0vTs0mws8/s1500/black-and-white%20warbler.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1500" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8_epG0vryp-TkBHOXzEUCPbH9hgMJeAq0CIRTdoBtdIY09o1eESSY3hMKX0A51wHpMHObPq_0aPw0J4ctfdf5OjtbFI4xAn-XcWWBfKs1ubGn-QJtkWk080bckXS786_gO_fazxtmHYcXMdQQ34fMLEm6Zij_LucDX34SrQ4JRlu8iqw6Jk0vTs0mws8/w640-h422/black-and-white%20warbler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A couple of Red Efts (juvenile Red-spotted Newts) ambling over the ground in the woods, this one on July 21:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GqzLLfVyXQ0G-zyUVK1UFoyG5qRfz6ml1d4EUCQjTOhyphenhyphenu9VI32tw7aV7QB3c1bFJUWDFQTNYRRWAxhO-cBZHPy9WBmECLOoEvRgusEQjFx1pEafHRnidDfz_eNU1bEmHSJwwvgJMqA5rA-OzjQgZSTpw1Q2hgcUJIaFBskr2ISpDuPSmqfTiDPq4Tfg/s1500/red%20eft.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1500" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GqzLLfVyXQ0G-zyUVK1UFoyG5qRfz6ml1d4EUCQjTOhyphenhyphenu9VI32tw7aV7QB3c1bFJUWDFQTNYRRWAxhO-cBZHPy9WBmECLOoEvRgusEQjFx1pEafHRnidDfz_eNU1bEmHSJwwvgJMqA5rA-OzjQgZSTpw1Q2hgcUJIaFBskr2ISpDuPSmqfTiDPq4Tfg/w640-h464/red%20eft.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And this one on August 13 (I have a hard time resisting an opportunity to hang out with these little creatures!):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBpGb5kMrzd_s9AtOkwtIsVpcMQtCIFZ0DUVYKRcDp7ZD3sN1xHz6OgaChxQ5Fp_3aaENKL6-Wj4fU46w_J8T8GaaBwS9jUXVnFR4Q1rM8THHXOz7MKt3IrtE0gFtfGm55U3X2iAUbkkWEWUzHsPx4cEGLQUlRIeEBNpRh20t3lzpSOVBrA4UNpu17t8/s1500/red%20eft%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1500" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBpGb5kMrzd_s9AtOkwtIsVpcMQtCIFZ0DUVYKRcDp7ZD3sN1xHz6OgaChxQ5Fp_3aaENKL6-Wj4fU46w_J8T8GaaBwS9jUXVnFR4Q1rM8THHXOz7MKt3IrtE0gFtfGm55U3X2iAUbkkWEWUzHsPx4cEGLQUlRIeEBNpRh20t3lzpSOVBrA4UNpu17t8/w640-h472/red%20eft%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Bunches of abundant Chokecherry (<i>Prunus virginiana</i>) berries on July 21:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Cvf2xtsmtLExpPERUfPLo7J8J8EUOrIkANmHI7EBTYiAd2rkQCzLd-s0yV60gR8hwuPVSd5ANfKbwQd9U5rBPZ-X2xsChaor-7IP2bJ78a61G3GXIrni78hYnXkZGav03qVaiF11wakNBngb45u1KyNYtkwXInXcmurHhUUheDg6T2_Wj3VWAA5AIvE/s1500/chokecherry%20berries.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1061" data-original-width="1500" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Cvf2xtsmtLExpPERUfPLo7J8J8EUOrIkANmHI7EBTYiAd2rkQCzLd-s0yV60gR8hwuPVSd5ANfKbwQd9U5rBPZ-X2xsChaor-7IP2bJ78a61G3GXIrni78hYnXkZGav03qVaiF11wakNBngb45u1KyNYtkwXInXcmurHhUUheDg6T2_Wj3VWAA5AIvE/w640-h452/chokecherry%20berries.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A young American Bullfrog at the small pond in our woods on August 13:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v5rwGBdiEDuJKv5yYSQNiVlW3jyHQ-FFjhXuV7pVt1RIsQ7sGuFSk_dx5OZepYDQQbn0S0SgAiv3Khyphenhyphenx-7B5EFeQsdGPd1t7-7yfvgEwXYFXjTiwhr-zKsaGmGSnLEIY8CUfrUcUqK2MvQ4N2hA9m9mipMgHUPrFDvDQXx5SCTIjNheL8ary45bXwGM/s1500/bullfrog%20on%20log.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1021" data-original-width="1500" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0v5rwGBdiEDuJKv5yYSQNiVlW3jyHQ-FFjhXuV7pVt1RIsQ7sGuFSk_dx5OZepYDQQbn0S0SgAiv3Khyphenhyphenx-7B5EFeQsdGPd1t7-7yfvgEwXYFXjTiwhr-zKsaGmGSnLEIY8CUfrUcUqK2MvQ4N2hA9m9mipMgHUPrFDvDQXx5SCTIjNheL8ary45bXwGM/w640-h436/bullfrog%20on%20log.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A fantastically strange female American Pelecinid Wasp (<i>Pelecinus polyturator</i>) in our yard on August 23:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ovS1OHYifUtR8UN_PprDPHUwBj-YO8GwHXIvrwNP9Nk1hGquSq61Goj5eIiAJNHT9sm3yeuMdkbUXnhsmOu7LnGJmuFjmDmeHxNBCA0z3goeYskvx6ZEeTqqBQuD2ThWDMFBr5wFYRHg6LveMKejqdISRpSIN4FPwHfOqANKxqcWHwY8vGae3mXPPfY/s1500/American%20Pelecinid%20Wasp%20(Pelecinus%20polyturator)%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1500" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ovS1OHYifUtR8UN_PprDPHUwBj-YO8GwHXIvrwNP9Nk1hGquSq61Goj5eIiAJNHT9sm3yeuMdkbUXnhsmOu7LnGJmuFjmDmeHxNBCA0z3goeYskvx6ZEeTqqBQuD2ThWDMFBr5wFYRHg6LveMKejqdISRpSIN4FPwHfOqANKxqcWHwY8vGae3mXPPfY/w640-h472/American%20Pelecinid%20Wasp%20(Pelecinus%20polyturator)%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's another view of that same wasp:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU5qg9JThlMnwaFz8pThm_dDmbRFr34GPZWgjU80nz6wH1MxzHqMt720xy809hhSyI2g9ojfBWGIbALKl5qafQMeks77kVe98hYRM8Gh5nlAXimnT7B_D3gVxYTH_cxUDxry7F6eSPDdMD1NOybsQSMlgjBW8-q-GOHEwmlC2hZB9zl1fAKwv0H2lmBY/s1500/American%20Pelecinid%20Wasp%20(Pelecinus%20polyturator)%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1500" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghU5qg9JThlMnwaFz8pThm_dDmbRFr34GPZWgjU80nz6wH1MxzHqMt720xy809hhSyI2g9ojfBWGIbALKl5qafQMeks77kVe98hYRM8Gh5nlAXimnT7B_D3gVxYTH_cxUDxry7F6eSPDdMD1NOybsQSMlgjBW8-q-GOHEwmlC2hZB9zl1fAKwv0H2lmBY/w640-h482/American%20Pelecinid%20Wasp%20(Pelecinus%20polyturator)%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A Chestnut-sided Warbler in its muted -- but still beautiful -- late-summer costume on August 24:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyiloigYZwtkSuWFxBRswIoByMxFBm-z5bqvvWyJyApYqtXMt_hN8GNmAh0WJ2FVjvumUAjLSJwuDuik24PTxxDos6krXKlIV4R1zYnXhLwNm2kH0VqJCZ-a1B1-ToHBm435AQ15iSOJUtyMT3TrDwurDkTHjLXsp3mhQ3rZ83fFVH8ryUoaNjTb-U9A/s1500/chestnut-sided%20warbler%20non-breeding%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1056" data-original-width="1500" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyiloigYZwtkSuWFxBRswIoByMxFBm-z5bqvvWyJyApYqtXMt_hN8GNmAh0WJ2FVjvumUAjLSJwuDuik24PTxxDos6krXKlIV4R1zYnXhLwNm2kH0VqJCZ-a1B1-ToHBm435AQ15iSOJUtyMT3TrDwurDkTHjLXsp3mhQ3rZ83fFVH8ryUoaNjTb-U9A/w640-h450/chestnut-sided%20warbler%20non-breeding%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A young White-tailed Deer starting to grow out of its spots, seen in the woods on August 29:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitUI9DeRvb1FU6ztPEsqsskHB6eZhCodnv5xPzO_haYyNsI_CkBaC6KbV9hO_MRU65m2QdQS3DMNmUUxQC5XJR4wp8jp4aH_6_7j_CyG9vud9T5C3E8qXwz74Z8KjohJeM9GNg_KYVKEvQX89ykDESFVJ4oBT47VC3MNgtvrNjpzEs700s8QCLvMS1xo/s1500/young%20deer%20in%20woods%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1500" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiitUI9DeRvb1FU6ztPEsqsskHB6eZhCodnv5xPzO_haYyNsI_CkBaC6KbV9hO_MRU65m2QdQS3DMNmUUxQC5XJR4wp8jp4aH_6_7j_CyG9vud9T5C3E8qXwz74Z8KjohJeM9GNg_KYVKEvQX89ykDESFVJ4oBT47VC3MNgtvrNjpzEs700s8QCLvMS1xo/w640-h454/young%20deer%20in%20woods%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Another view of this same deer, as it tried to figure me out:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiwWgIXfaJYDMAXRoTfFjGJFTcvD6cl_B4740owLuVUumKg7NBzygm-dwudsZXNelh4opudNFYorRxrohEdg62KMBoOGlJ00iqQ33nJlJNz8bkMYlToyl1Q76Sg-TMas6Cp1-Zrt9qlMssv0YKABHbtmtJA4B_Zq8bQSvmKkIJPBZfwulQRoGOTxnWno/s1500/young%20deer%20in%20woods%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="1500" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRiwWgIXfaJYDMAXRoTfFjGJFTcvD6cl_B4740owLuVUumKg7NBzygm-dwudsZXNelh4opudNFYorRxrohEdg62KMBoOGlJ00iqQ33nJlJNz8bkMYlToyl1Q76Sg-TMas6Cp1-Zrt9qlMssv0YKABHbtmtJA4B_Zq8bQSvmKkIJPBZfwulQRoGOTxnWno/w640-h488/young%20deer%20in%20woods%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A sleepy bee underneath an aster bud in the late afternoon on September 1:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByeSRuBpF3dT8-DFJt2hnbz97hpNGDJycNj1PKw_W_D2ux0kn5MgdPLjQ-RJNHMFT_snM-Dpen5PUlCZCkFft-yct4tmCJSEmKaRoCK5nHpkkDEqgWwXRGq5sOsQ3qPRctpVPI8MkF7AG2RlJineQoziqgrqCGz8FL7RxuL4jpEeLw1xfmiFMwnGLrso/s1500/sleepy%20bee%20on%20aster%20bud.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1500" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiByeSRuBpF3dT8-DFJt2hnbz97hpNGDJycNj1PKw_W_D2ux0kn5MgdPLjQ-RJNHMFT_snM-Dpen5PUlCZCkFft-yct4tmCJSEmKaRoCK5nHpkkDEqgWwXRGq5sOsQ3qPRctpVPI8MkF7AG2RlJineQoziqgrqCGz8FL7RxuL4jpEeLw1xfmiFMwnGLrso/w640-h500/sleepy%20bee%20on%20aster%20bud.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And a view on September 4 from beneath the Black Cherry trees covered with Virginia Creeper vines at the edge of our woods:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVpdJechUW4Au3CRDkk2LPQa6YycFYR-OK2ExTSSQ6twI8aSBMmiekaKlE7-fn_QaewlOHGPNkCfifyqfbTK7Lq6NVRZpIf-U9eli9wLyYmtMrwYvQPlg_8eF6aCRKYlr5XX1hkbLNOw7QIiUqgGlpNcq4RrGn5nf6zlrVHnU_-NhUVHt0v32QgtuNN0/s1500/green%20virginia%20creeper%20vines%20on%20black%20cherry%20trees.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVpdJechUW4Au3CRDkk2LPQa6YycFYR-OK2ExTSSQ6twI8aSBMmiekaKlE7-fn_QaewlOHGPNkCfifyqfbTK7Lq6NVRZpIf-U9eli9wLyYmtMrwYvQPlg_8eF6aCRKYlr5XX1hkbLNOw7QIiUqgGlpNcq4RrGn5nf6zlrVHnU_-NhUVHt0v32QgtuNN0/w640-h480/green%20virginia%20creeper%20vines%20on%20black%20cherry%20trees.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, here are some assorted clips from the trail camera</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> in the woods during July and August. This video features a young White-tailed Deer browsing along the trail, two Coyotes, a Ruffed Grouse (possibly a male, with those dark feathers on the sides of its neck), a deer sniffing the camera, and a family of American Crows taking a stroll down the path:<br /></span></p><p></p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v_v4iPDhV6k?si=5l-SoDGfB9z3P7Qc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><span style="font-family: arial;">Summer is such an abundant time, and this year was full of fun and interesting sights, as always! Next up: sights from fall and early winter. :)</span><br />Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-27210975501993856142023-11-05T18:48:00.002-08:002023-11-05T18:48:44.496-08:00A Black Raspberry Feast, and Other Early-Mid July 2023 sights<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Let's go back to July! (It seems I'm currently four months behind with posting sights from our property -- that's actually not bad for me at this time of year!)</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This was an especially great summer for wild berries around here. The Black Raspberry plants produced lots of fruit in first half of July, and in August the Blackberries produced just so many berries, way more than I've seen in previous years on our property. Of course, it helps that we're letting these plants gradually expand from the edges of the woods into the meadow and in a spot near the house; with more plants each year, it makes sense that there would also be more berries. But even the shaded plants in the woods produced many more berries this year than I usually see. In any case, and whatever the reason, this was the summer of berries, and there was plenty of fruit for both people and animals!</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Happily, this year I also figured out that the Black Raspberry patch at the north side of our house is perfectly situated for picture-taking through an open window, with our house acting as a big blind. It's nice to be able to watch visiting creatures from nearby without scaring them away. On July 10, this Eastern Chipmunk spent several minutes grabbing and munching on Black Raspberries (what happened to your tail, chipmunk?):<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07UhgJBDJakIDdDUKgQWPHOzTRrnlkDJFtjL8KIm-Ow7OvGFGZL-R0L1ghjfV-jMVtItx0RnOIExLnTJjSRl8hPiCwxAGgQRWK5rcitvOfPvTyjD_feeNZxt8RsqIlXONOs50v5xN3VjACxId7-BRtU4KEH20MdSBsQAoa0UmC6Uo90I0vtfd0PN_nS8/s1500/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1500" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj07UhgJBDJakIDdDUKgQWPHOzTRrnlkDJFtjL8KIm-Ow7OvGFGZL-R0L1ghjfV-jMVtItx0RnOIExLnTJjSRl8hPiCwxAGgQRWK5rcitvOfPvTyjD_feeNZxt8RsqIlXONOs50v5xN3VjACxId7-BRtU4KEH20MdSBsQAoa0UmC6Uo90I0vtfd0PN_nS8/w640-h430/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Got one:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfTzH_JIAiy-4DXe5qS_OLzGK1l-v_SGrYms8sIpS-nW4CCScMj1Eta0zlTpiTtsEXnmacCM9KF2lGEwymRnbm09XSXQSw2SnlXWMCPUsZvRKgws0YXF8RydsPWpSgxBVe-o7Hn_FaLVQpd4zWKvjHtinq60RKLYiXe4EbaV-AHOVv9gdklvKXyneXNg/s1500/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1500" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfTzH_JIAiy-4DXe5qS_OLzGK1l-v_SGrYms8sIpS-nW4CCScMj1Eta0zlTpiTtsEXnmacCM9KF2lGEwymRnbm09XSXQSw2SnlXWMCPUsZvRKgws0YXF8RydsPWpSgxBVe-o7Hn_FaLVQpd4zWKvjHtinq60RKLYiXe4EbaV-AHOVv9gdklvKXyneXNg/w640-h430/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are some more pictures of this little fuzzy creature enjoying the Black Raspberry feast:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPCfr5TbgUZja5UOOeZWywrsRzrNaZ_M49Bx3ilcZygqyD6arlGVHuc41YYQrBMcOdj5jYK8t_lGq4Fw7JNLOs89Ydlhh_6HC8et-NSfRUKprZuQ6PRG37zAdHkubORshIOxuvYJSZFJ3sXEJr9tuQ4yiI4cvD_J5aSBpiZVcvOauL7xBe9bAUdcMIyw/s1500/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1178" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpPCfr5TbgUZja5UOOeZWywrsRzrNaZ_M49Bx3ilcZygqyD6arlGVHuc41YYQrBMcOdj5jYK8t_lGq4Fw7JNLOs89Ydlhh_6HC8et-NSfRUKprZuQ6PRG37zAdHkubORshIOxuvYJSZFJ3sXEJr9tuQ4yiI4cvD_J5aSBpiZVcvOauL7xBe9bAUdcMIyw/w502-h640/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%203.JPG" width="502" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGPv0H6OpjRwxcKp9j6IBw58jATMTAArPSjAeECcHZrC__YiWFy6aretBYvgLz0gRxOCIyRFrD2mX6PyCE6RIxfYr071ZgglO-D2LHFew6YvL0u96oA6ybhkJSsgdU6QAzY2cEEZFalSdI8uULkYC0SN1THqI5bS-fdEu4oGRwYEH6cjDR4N3oBUlfjA/s1500/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1500" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLGPv0H6OpjRwxcKp9j6IBw58jATMTAArPSjAeECcHZrC__YiWFy6aretBYvgLz0gRxOCIyRFrD2mX6PyCE6RIxfYr071ZgglO-D2LHFew6YvL0u96oA6ybhkJSsgdU6QAzY2cEEZFalSdI8uULkYC0SN1THqI5bS-fdEu4oGRwYEH6cjDR4N3oBUlfjA/w640-h482/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YbDrP56AC8rN1FDUvlfr50PmYNGDUZQBSIEpmISm2oRqwdGmZkrWFzNE-Siiq28fIQ0Q_XdFdiRBbLPE8CWXgcX_3C64I9F73vkiMgtTh8CjJov5ZseLOGiIRpskVQFx3XE2c7got8mLxWvI3LVdCMevwdI1k3Qk-_UKhmq41fmH3TAo1sYfeaCKnMc/s1500/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1500" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7YbDrP56AC8rN1FDUvlfr50PmYNGDUZQBSIEpmISm2oRqwdGmZkrWFzNE-Siiq28fIQ0Q_XdFdiRBbLPE8CWXgcX_3C64I9F73vkiMgtTh8CjJov5ZseLOGiIRpskVQFx3XE2c7got8mLxWvI3LVdCMevwdI1k3Qk-_UKhmq41fmH3TAo1sYfeaCKnMc/w640-h460/chipmunk%20eating%20black%20raspberries%205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A family of Baltimore Orioles was making good work of these berries, too. This juvenile oriole helpfully posed in the open for a bit, showing off its orange/yellow-splotched breast and berry-stained beak:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJXrKadKP8-0pPoQ0a2oE5fgCEArLfCIkJSa4Vug2ew4sf2DeWXzJIlLi3MrLY_ijSuDwn__0P3Kzpr5JuX6TZv6sFoJw-wkmoG1-C4p2TfSWEr5_iYqU_vGt06RmlRBXEOINdUXCnA0nohR7UTS0xz5bdeuJR6Mrvipm1bsMnZeQ5NgI6JiXQbixtUk/s1500/juvenile%20baltimore%20oriole%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1121" data-original-width="1500" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJXrKadKP8-0pPoQ0a2oE5fgCEArLfCIkJSa4Vug2ew4sf2DeWXzJIlLi3MrLY_ijSuDwn__0P3Kzpr5JuX6TZv6sFoJw-wkmoG1-C4p2TfSWEr5_iYqU_vGt06RmlRBXEOINdUXCnA0nohR7UTS0xz5bdeuJR6Mrvipm1bsMnZeQ5NgI6JiXQbixtUk/w640-h478/juvenile%20baltimore%20oriole%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This young bird's wings and back are so neat and pretty:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFbFo74nx5Fj41I2auYlSZcyNTc-VkcR8djTivx5dA_ardrvxEkzT4a-FrHZh1VxUW5Fv6T-qTU8qrEhhN7FbMS-q2PvvF1sIi-0iJWbkgeK5j6FYODKn9GW67VCzz7J0KHJs1MC5P4BiJy4_3ZMDnB9KPI5TIKGYA5p_yEHRHmd1eI5-yfvwdm5mrhI/s1500/juvenile%20baltimore%20oriole%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1150" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuFbFo74nx5Fj41I2auYlSZcyNTc-VkcR8djTivx5dA_ardrvxEkzT4a-FrHZh1VxUW5Fv6T-qTU8qrEhhN7FbMS-q2PvvF1sIi-0iJWbkgeK5j6FYODKn9GW67VCzz7J0KHJs1MC5P4BiJy4_3ZMDnB9KPI5TIKGYA5p_yEHRHmd1eI5-yfvwdm5mrhI/w490-h640/juvenile%20baltimore%20oriole%202.JPG" width="490" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And it looks like this bird even got some sort of insect snack in between berries:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ABRC31siMhzBNMXi91SNnCu1b4fkJFtzu_zMXAJrSwHSbVU93mr6HkEVVvXrlXzgI2IriHbYLjIa7KsQyKnoqiLabjEConl0ASN2HENgt-knqsr5mjjTp4CkL1rk7r76toFv_kLmBNgzwTrpaKYCaiOlkDHuSzDSd46qYnL37xbOXml60ZC6GaUuJs0/s1500/juvenile%20baltimore%20oriole%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1500" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ABRC31siMhzBNMXi91SNnCu1b4fkJFtzu_zMXAJrSwHSbVU93mr6HkEVVvXrlXzgI2IriHbYLjIa7KsQyKnoqiLabjEConl0ASN2HENgt-knqsr5mjjTp4CkL1rk7r76toFv_kLmBNgzwTrpaKYCaiOlkDHuSzDSd46qYnL37xbOXml60ZC6GaUuJs0/w640-h458/juvenile%20baltimore%20oriole%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This Rose-breasted Grosbeak (an adult female? or juvenile?) came near the Black Raspberry patch during this photo-shoot, too, but I'm not sure whether it was actually eating the berries. I like how pretty this bird looks perched here among still-green Chokecherry berries and glowing white Common Elderberry blossoms in the background:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gR7XBt_cnJT-qxwPwuiF9ausU6psSknCAf-MBvUTkyRLkWb4wiariG1M1sVHt06WN75ktXh4Aqh4RWzKLLXRNoU9qg9lwJ0enfyVaEe1cwjm-H-EqkfVH6sUCF_k18heuio2tXf-s_kqotiDSaKj3uCB6b-yNCtDrzJhiQCbY-kJ8v-1NT-JiNQ4q5U/s1500/rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20with%20elderberry%20flowers%20and%20chokecherries.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="1500" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1gR7XBt_cnJT-qxwPwuiF9ausU6psSknCAf-MBvUTkyRLkWb4wiariG1M1sVHt06WN75ktXh4Aqh4RWzKLLXRNoU9qg9lwJ0enfyVaEe1cwjm-H-EqkfVH6sUCF_k18heuio2tXf-s_kqotiDSaKj3uCB6b-yNCtDrzJhiQCbY-kJ8v-1NT-JiNQ4q5U/w640-h466/rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20with%20elderberry%20flowers%20and%20chokecherries.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On July 13, I spent some more time watching the Black Raspberry patch through the open window, and although I didn't get any more pictures of birds eating berries, I did see this cute Chipping Sparrow very close up as it foraged in the mowed area of our lawn:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUlXjH9MGMyJTlaRcdGlJpxqHI8U-aLa16yeXgxQ1nowlhrJImU2pCnqGkadOjIk0uLOApE0ZB5-Htx_jJKayS66A4I1CxYYkMyqUVDIidsGBRuZiejL2P0NQYfNXKs2jGjKn1PUhQQjjk2coAU5-rkxabGAiGDIFCENO5pgm23XmALypicgRMsTZ-t8/s1500/chipping%20sparrow%20in%20grass.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1079" data-original-width="1500" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUlXjH9MGMyJTlaRcdGlJpxqHI8U-aLa16yeXgxQ1nowlhrJImU2pCnqGkadOjIk0uLOApE0ZB5-Htx_jJKayS66A4I1CxYYkMyqUVDIidsGBRuZiejL2P0NQYfNXKs2jGjKn1PUhQQjjk2coAU5-rkxabGAiGDIFCENO5pgm23XmALypicgRMsTZ-t8/w640-h460/chipping%20sparrow%20in%20grass.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And this Tiger Swallowtail made a lovely sight on Purple Coneflower blossoms:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8sWz1z3WPrQjm5izK59_i-IKARsQS723WzQy7I6mnzqN22w4DLlaio1uHXzHFhrMqkjy6bDp2G7uNtbzuvGNaXSJCkx46qHHSmQLNp3FziC5MjSKDIjOGXVo5Y2CWjEQxUsGLc5CpmTq83J8gFkivKfGbCkMT-kDQ3B1ohrADMVbxKGmPdJMgeae4ek/s1500/tiger%20swallowtail%20on%20coneflower.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1167" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT8sWz1z3WPrQjm5izK59_i-IKARsQS723WzQy7I6mnzqN22w4DLlaio1uHXzHFhrMqkjy6bDp2G7uNtbzuvGNaXSJCkx46qHHSmQLNp3FziC5MjSKDIjOGXVo5Y2CWjEQxUsGLc5CpmTq83J8gFkivKfGbCkMT-kDQ3B1ohrADMVbxKGmPdJMgeae4ek/w498-h640/tiger%20swallowtail%20on%20coneflower.JPG" width="498" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And I couldn't resist taking a picture of the nearby Coral Honeysuckle (<i>Lonicera sempervivens</i>), blooming for the first time after I planted it here last year; what a beautiful plant, and native (and yes, it was a big hit with the hummingbirds this year):</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSHjJ5mCYwAElOuSjzjY0XV0azNqiv4RNbvwpWvM5MoeV95XCw7Fac7BHlu2tzRC3EHsI5J6zOtRpnLqdoQMPCYB4hvodgVFaXroy5ueOpvTytF_wokV0b6dFjwCZhCXAaXeR6_5_NqCWrzcNU1cjPHIccS_Wbl8W_hyphenhyphenfBNNtmCiUV9LPQT59EfJueqY/s1500/coral%20honeysuckle%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1085" data-original-width="1500" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSHjJ5mCYwAElOuSjzjY0XV0azNqiv4RNbvwpWvM5MoeV95XCw7Fac7BHlu2tzRC3EHsI5J6zOtRpnLqdoQMPCYB4hvodgVFaXroy5ueOpvTytF_wokV0b6dFjwCZhCXAaXeR6_5_NqCWrzcNU1cjPHIccS_Wbl8W_hyphenhyphenfBNNtmCiUV9LPQT59EfJueqY/w640-h462/coral%20honeysuckle%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On July 19, this handsome American Robin perched on top of the Coral Honeysuckle's arbor with its beak full of honeysuckle berries, but these from the non-native bushes that grow invasively around here:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWHlmv0ofJS3xdTtjdzvQO5zHb78GsDk2B-kf39-oi2hlW-z1pJg8S5lvX7wOKoUlEcbSft9-Id8r0UMyQIasVhAIJErOw9QZsellhypTt72IrDoT8GByGlmy1tjiDoIop7qzXRmqEnUXcBf70M89qdUAlOmrB998NphQ3p-HxKb-RJ7u58kl3K7WPP8/s1500/robin%20with%20honeysuckle%20berries.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1500" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsWHlmv0ofJS3xdTtjdzvQO5zHb78GsDk2B-kf39-oi2hlW-z1pJg8S5lvX7wOKoUlEcbSft9-Id8r0UMyQIasVhAIJErOw9QZsellhypTt72IrDoT8GByGlmy1tjiDoIop7qzXRmqEnUXcBf70M89qdUAlOmrB998NphQ3p-HxKb-RJ7u58kl3K7WPP8/w640-h460/robin%20with%20honeysuckle%20berries.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are a few other assorted sights from early-mid July.</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A soaking wet Blue Jay emerging after a rainstorm on July 3:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wtp1wavT5Bf4cQa_Cg0Rn55RDcIOM3AZuUocrsCqkkr6op_RWqFiuqOl7JPci30f3bkxpogU1Tcu-ofksdWfsZ_uM9S6yO8mdSYsi7YnJJ7Xmc8H5lVPsCC3-jd6zVXwwQoqtFbNH0RCT-kJHU8JFKcXJxEyLwL9HPKtFab7WIMpqUD89vT6rZa-Q94/s1500/soaked%20blue%20jay.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1172" data-original-width="1500" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5wtp1wavT5Bf4cQa_Cg0Rn55RDcIOM3AZuUocrsCqkkr6op_RWqFiuqOl7JPci30f3bkxpogU1Tcu-ofksdWfsZ_uM9S6yO8mdSYsi7YnJJ7Xmc8H5lVPsCC3-jd6zVXwwQoqtFbNH0RCT-kJHU8JFKcXJxEyLwL9HPKtFab7WIMpqUD89vT6rZa-Q94/w640-h500/soaked%20blue%20jay.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A mother White-tailed Deer and one of her fawns (the second fawn was also nearby but outside of the frame) munching on the Black Raspberry plants (and maybe berries?) next to the house on the evening of July 6:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3391p4Ydwvbz_jrff8fqyor6rtQHawZrilf55ZF6PaQfV_6L2l8AqE1qJ2SGIE8NBDK9QN47c6Ir5exg1otTC-hxK4ry5KNeN-OXZ9w2n7iwawNrHTSVecdkdaUo1PeD_VfrcosdQZHKLmR-tDualOGBARdL1Kut3XF2mylR710h-Z3jLxZM4lzFhIH8/s1500/deer%20eating%20black%20raspberries.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1261" data-original-width="1500" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3391p4Ydwvbz_jrff8fqyor6rtQHawZrilf55ZF6PaQfV_6L2l8AqE1qJ2SGIE8NBDK9QN47c6Ir5exg1otTC-hxK4ry5KNeN-OXZ9w2n7iwawNrHTSVecdkdaUo1PeD_VfrcosdQZHKLmR-tDualOGBARdL1Kut3XF2mylR710h-Z3jLxZM4lzFhIH8/w640-h538/deer%20eating%20black%20raspberries.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A juvenile Rose-breasted Grosbeak in the apple tree near our deck on July 10:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-KWzKfvMgrReJQQ2EXsLhmEKC_t423R8EXiyMciseiD1mkoOitQiuU-7h_DawdtInyNXaXdVWVrQVKpI776gHHz-ZOiHUdlkaqGbZeBGRX9hNraduaRdFtXhJCFjG1tI7mKA9MgJLnd9z3ZDHK9WJTkEulAuHBaxfDvjprl6W4J7ja7Oq7m7PgbWeGU/s1500/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="1500" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd-KWzKfvMgrReJQQ2EXsLhmEKC_t423R8EXiyMciseiD1mkoOitQiuU-7h_DawdtInyNXaXdVWVrQVKpI776gHHz-ZOiHUdlkaqGbZeBGRX9hNraduaRdFtXhJCFjG1tI7mKA9MgJLnd9z3ZDHK9WJTkEulAuHBaxfDvjprl6W4J7ja7Oq7m7PgbWeGU/w640-h460/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This young grosbeak had a nice grooming session while I was nearby, so here are several pictures of this bird in many interesting poses, showing its lovely yellow underarms and other usually hidden features of its costume:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BFiaoySTIcuP-XrvAf_YULerPa9b1pfXwMxJF-ZLh5Ygyk9c0Zs2tvevOucHr0Sc3hn3B-q2nyDFL2CYZccRVI0EcfxJ413tbyCBkZ3zlY1NYXh-7Jh2E8q5nrqiA-eJtXV2Bqr4OtLKbBOFCkBZzEG5Qbf3gmUJXmUQ_Dbvwe2rlBwnZHFsjcI5ndc/s1500/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%203.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1089" data-original-width="1500" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BFiaoySTIcuP-XrvAf_YULerPa9b1pfXwMxJF-ZLh5Ygyk9c0Zs2tvevOucHr0Sc3hn3B-q2nyDFL2CYZccRVI0EcfxJ413tbyCBkZ3zlY1NYXh-7Jh2E8q5nrqiA-eJtXV2Bqr4OtLKbBOFCkBZzEG5Qbf3gmUJXmUQ_Dbvwe2rlBwnZHFsjcI5ndc/w640-h464/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgU5tcQGYBvE7F5luBAHdwYOCEhCNDvNDQ0j3n1U0BLLT8PzroaTt2d5askETXaxPj8ydt6msxlDaET6nDciyfi-LaejZwncckvvLADA6w3reYkvDyd4eO7rw5fmVgPNMFSv7J-nEZs-B5TBlS5MEAm4PlKWYeuN3MOk01RD1428DmRQiqCdIa4BRY8Q/s1500/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1090" data-original-width="1500" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlgU5tcQGYBvE7F5luBAHdwYOCEhCNDvNDQ0j3n1U0BLLT8PzroaTt2d5askETXaxPj8ydt6msxlDaET6nDciyfi-LaejZwncckvvLADA6w3reYkvDyd4eO7rw5fmVgPNMFSv7J-nEZs-B5TBlS5MEAm4PlKWYeuN3MOk01RD1428DmRQiqCdIa4BRY8Q/w640-h466/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQypeFFs86nKjBpy1DNGbm5AR38jYCtsqsWMCcv416TR8Bccm3uOVINC2Mcu_49UUFAIRHZPbI47RU-YXZfyT0xvEt4wpWLspa0U-zRDqkGoS8dEj_W1Y-XHazk6wa7w04X754mWsTHdtkB1AQ3RJ3MW-qEP5-Vq4_18R34kz4k3bsay3yx2Whm_NCYt0/s1500/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1500" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQypeFFs86nKjBpy1DNGbm5AR38jYCtsqsWMCcv416TR8Bccm3uOVINC2Mcu_49UUFAIRHZPbI47RU-YXZfyT0xvEt4wpWLspa0U-zRDqkGoS8dEj_W1Y-XHazk6wa7w04X754mWsTHdtkB1AQ3RJ3MW-qEP5-Vq4_18R34kz4k3bsay3yx2Whm_NCYt0/w640-h488/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbi3eACPsZRglNyfwSTFGHup2vt26UJNW8eVopwt0BXrbwn7yF_Dlh9pduzK1CHjlMfdetmvIj3hWUober8R9DVhTWJ7eT6sT46LTV7T0GfMjdYG1YQFUEsJ1kkZLtjV-DdTvMoLARsV-W7TfGCfH_kA60ntVwQ38ThfaNDTL2uBFBSP7deAPLWJbpJxQ/s1500/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%205.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1049" data-original-width="1500" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbi3eACPsZRglNyfwSTFGHup2vt26UJNW8eVopwt0BXrbwn7yF_Dlh9pduzK1CHjlMfdetmvIj3hWUober8R9DVhTWJ7eT6sT46LTV7T0GfMjdYG1YQFUEsJ1kkZLtjV-DdTvMoLARsV-W7TfGCfH_kA60ntVwQ38ThfaNDTL2uBFBSP7deAPLWJbpJxQ/w640-h448/juvenile%20rose-breasted%20grosbeak%20grooming%205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I love having families of Rose-breasted Grosbeaks around our yard every summer, even though the young birds always take some bites out of the tallest-growing plants in my garden -- especially peas and winter squashes, and sometimes they nibble on other vegetables, too. Actually, I think these birds helped me out with my squashes this year: they nipped off the growing ends of my most vigorous squash plants when they reached the top of the trellis, which made the plants send out a bunch of new growth points, and these plants ended up making way more flowers and fruit than I was expecting. Thanks, young grosbeaks!</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, here's a picture of a baby Eastern Phoebe in its nest in our shed on July 13 (there are some more babies hiding down in the nest, too); this was our phoebe pair's third nesting attempt this year, and the only successful one, after the first two attempts were parasitized by Brown-headed Cowbirds:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaUvBpJG8vFo35PLfnCpKRxvGi-ATe4WjFR89fP5F6EGk3VYb858rpHO7xcpVYQxG62LtxMTX3Z1fYEbgKXTMzavq3LnILLrhv1HqO1k5UaVQ_rJcNdC1dSrDtH11SJuPb1wuZ-eIbpnfO7PeDcnLHLNQhOqTxZrdxfKUTO3qLJCTwgtz65A1Rh_iUFE/s1500/baby%20phoebes%20(third%20brood).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1500" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWaUvBpJG8vFo35PLfnCpKRxvGi-ATe4WjFR89fP5F6EGk3VYb858rpHO7xcpVYQxG62LtxMTX3Z1fYEbgKXTMzavq3LnILLrhv1HqO1k5UaVQ_rJcNdC1dSrDtH11SJuPb1wuZ-eIbpnfO7PeDcnLHLNQhOqTxZrdxfKUTO3qLJCTwgtz65A1Rh_iUFE/w640-h446/baby%20phoebes%20(third%20brood).JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'll close this post with some video clips from the trail camera in our woods, taken on July 5-18, and featuring a Blue Jay eating Black Raspberries that were growing next to the trail, a raccoon and three babies, a Virginia Opossum, an adult Ruffed Grouse with excellent camouflage (and I think some babies rustling around in the undergrowth), a Wild Turkey, and a Gray Squirrel also munching on Black Raspberries -- a fitting end to this berry-full post:</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span>
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</p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's nice to look back at the height of summer as the days are now getting shorter and colder. And I still have more summer sights to share. More in a future post!<br /></span></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-64401200522675956902023-09-18T18:00:00.002-07:002023-09-18T18:00:48.406-07:00May-June, 2023<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've already posted about the <a href="https://woodswalksandwildlife.blogspot.com/2023/08/eastern-bluebird-neighbors.html">Eastern Bluebirds</a> who raised their families in our yard this spring and summer, but we had a lot of other cool sightings during that time, too! Here are some highlights from our property during May and June of this year.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">May is peak migration time, and it's always fun to get glimpses of the birds that pass through our yard on the way to their summer breeding grounds, near or far. Here's a White-crowned Sparrow on May 7, pausing briefly here during its journey to somewhere in northern Canada:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYajJR0igR1fcNvE0yxQzl5h2K5_ZRI9ADlKrVIkjMJyoR-WnE-7DTwvwagFbGh0zhHeayNY_hpfkybhbDeWaG2Nz6tKgbEK88xn2_B1AraK7Ifx9ZwlebfWcY55vZwkdUJ455guzNmZXaWxYPYHp2mdX5GEMPl2_jW2hpoMIQNmp5kNrbAJqb-6RAeik/s2000/white-crowned%20sparrow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1434" data-original-width="2000" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYajJR0igR1fcNvE0yxQzl5h2K5_ZRI9ADlKrVIkjMJyoR-WnE-7DTwvwagFbGh0zhHeayNY_hpfkybhbDeWaG2Nz6tKgbEK88xn2_B1AraK7Ifx9ZwlebfWcY55vZwkdUJ455guzNmZXaWxYPYHp2mdX5GEMPl2_jW2hpoMIQNmp5kNrbAJqb-6RAeik/w640-h458/white-crowned%20sparrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Migration also meant that we added three new bird species to our yard list in May this year, bringing our total list of bird species seen and/or heard on our property to 116! (Wow!) Bird #114 was a Least Flycatcher who was hunting and calling from a big apple tree in our meadow on May 7 (thanks to Merlin's sound ID feature for helping me to confirm this little bird's identity). Bird #115 was, incredibly, an Eastern Whip-poor-will who called for a few minutes after 9:00 PM on May 11; the bird was singing from somewhere beyond our property, but it was loud enough that I heard it from inside the house. (Eastern Whip-poor-wills are rare around here, and I expect that this was a once-in-a-very-long-while event.) Bird #116 was a Prairie Warbler who moved quickly through our yard, singing a few times, on May 28.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Of course it's also wonderful to come across birds that I see more regularly, especially birds who are only around during the warmer months. This Broad-winged Hawk circled overhead for a bit on May 7; I'm fairly sure that these hawks nest somewhere in the woods bordering our property, but I don't know whether this individual was here to stay for the summer, or whether it was planning to move on:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k3KKjUOlnxweJnuccPEB_V0ppTagA0Q3i-TKPFZhY9wBho8x0N-bdoa-8ReuoNQsPoBc1lTBjG3W4VaLhGKzi4-4gKzanktGyVAZeo6BpC-xX1l2aUfjaqHjaOOyIvi1wc42pLbfR7p81yAjjEG_wBqXLLJxyHCkEw2gZw9134nP9mn2kxyRtWHJQ3U/s3020/broad-winged%20hawk%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="3020" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3k3KKjUOlnxweJnuccPEB_V0ppTagA0Q3i-TKPFZhY9wBho8x0N-bdoa-8ReuoNQsPoBc1lTBjG3W4VaLhGKzi4-4gKzanktGyVAZeo6BpC-xX1l2aUfjaqHjaOOyIvi1wc42pLbfR7p81yAjjEG_wBqXLLJxyHCkEw2gZw9134nP9mn2kxyRtWHJQ3U/w640-h422/broad-winged%20hawk%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This male Common Yellowthroat was singing insistently at the edge of the meadow on May 14, perhaps establishing his territory for the season (this is another species that breeds here):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTncNwty9I70iU5-BPlV8_qBqWbsk8MyDU-sM4D7Uyto9GBjg8RLktlMUbjud2fk1R9q8Zq9AeeUjhogHLW1khNI-4ArIjILefRDuRob1dZa2xFVhPPP7pKfWbBre5-GVZhAr2nWKuFMbjaU_7ldSijQcNHqwoGLPNrV1LZVFupayh78jfSQNoTGN5aQ/s2667/common%20yellowthroat%20singing.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1842" data-original-width="2667" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMTncNwty9I70iU5-BPlV8_qBqWbsk8MyDU-sM4D7Uyto9GBjg8RLktlMUbjud2fk1R9q8Zq9AeeUjhogHLW1khNI-4ArIjILefRDuRob1dZa2xFVhPPP7pKfWbBre5-GVZhAr2nWKuFMbjaU_7ldSijQcNHqwoGLPNrV1LZVFupayh78jfSQNoTGN5aQ/w640-h442/common%20yellowthroat%20singing.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Also on May 14, this male Scarlet Tanager made a nice contrast with newly emerging Shagbark Hickory leaves and flowers:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgGfqvKKE1g72pklO4-YfnB_H5YmXonibk1kjTp9R5oleLbPsBG2LUsHrYAtrfu1UnW04co4P6MBogrJykUrlrY27ZI6Jon-J4LVLnFW8KDcJlZyIakkXoPqvJ1PRbwsPZB2vGcQbbHtXBtORsThw9JO1UB4GcnFi1LAdykZJazvyTgADIXsjdNmHgF4/s2680/scarlet%20tanager%20in%20shagbark%20hickory.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1872" data-original-width="2680" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgGfqvKKE1g72pklO4-YfnB_H5YmXonibk1kjTp9R5oleLbPsBG2LUsHrYAtrfu1UnW04co4P6MBogrJykUrlrY27ZI6Jon-J4LVLnFW8KDcJlZyIakkXoPqvJ1PRbwsPZB2vGcQbbHtXBtORsThw9JO1UB4GcnFi1LAdykZJazvyTgADIXsjdNmHgF4/w640-h448/scarlet%20tanager%20in%20shagbark%20hickory.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Just a few days after I took that picture, we had a late hard freeze that destroyed most of this Shagbark Hickory's leaves (and many emerging leaves on other plants, too). This tree and pretty much everything else recovered fine, but it was tough to see so much blackened and bare plant life in the second half of May.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 16, I got to admire this Black Swallowtail butterfly up close after it emerged from a chrysalis that overwintered in our unheated mudroom:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE4SDS_zfg7GNvAjnxsPGvBowfrIPKRw8fLm0LRcUxC0yOw0C_snV3S90zIZYTpmhiNFQ3NzxoShnh7iPywvagV9TcWr_sR5T42tKf3CZDBBoXlQS0uMJxnUR0ajDRRsLkaNqjhFFSjJVrjfktsWJYWpkYECZQpw7Rs4rqPQx3KO1rA0-PQ5zzEy7ygo/s2769/black%20swallowtail%20newly%20emerged.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2090" data-original-width="2769" height="484" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQE4SDS_zfg7GNvAjnxsPGvBowfrIPKRw8fLm0LRcUxC0yOw0C_snV3S90zIZYTpmhiNFQ3NzxoShnh7iPywvagV9TcWr_sR5T42tKf3CZDBBoXlQS0uMJxnUR0ajDRRsLkaNqjhFFSjJVrjfktsWJYWpkYECZQpw7Rs4rqPQx3KO1rA0-PQ5zzEy7ygo/w640-h484/black%20swallowtail%20newly%20emerged.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Downy Woodpeckers had a nest in a partially-dead tree at the edge of our property this year. I didn't get to see the babies, but I certainly heard them, and the parents made frequent visits. Here's the male at the nest hole on May 27:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejWv3J__spim6RiJnKt_MNKAA4lBLtWT1bqU0AmN-3_in17fWo71Hy9oIyQfJ3VHlCMhD28nlDilQs3KQsYEel2zb5tQyZaT6r7qKKd1-sqQExHRUDVJm2-vmddPEkuGyHUJIWtmhoPgq1Mu-5DpoiyMwbg7xpgRj-bAfuFXzDgcC6Qtcdv3GzxrsYSo/s2069/downy%20woodpecker%20at%20nest%20hole.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2069" data-original-width="1944" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejWv3J__spim6RiJnKt_MNKAA4lBLtWT1bqU0AmN-3_in17fWo71Hy9oIyQfJ3VHlCMhD28nlDilQs3KQsYEel2zb5tQyZaT6r7qKKd1-sqQExHRUDVJm2-vmddPEkuGyHUJIWtmhoPgq1Mu-5DpoiyMwbg7xpgRj-bAfuFXzDgcC6Qtcdv3GzxrsYSo/w602-h640/downy%20woodpecker%20at%20nest%20hole.JPG" width="602" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 30, this Eastern Chipmunk was stuffing its cheeks full of Silver Maple seeds that had fallen from the tree in our front yard:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LDNEzZFDFaUPyPMEGVr2E7lwT0GOiRpSf5vD1jtVx5wVuHCJ5vNQstIs2lp_zwbECp0rY1oWKsRgANxg8sM6IQ8X0vZ_Q7AqOyo7eMyUWp08-iHqi8NtPC7Z7i7gpntpE6UbmDjuaMsOpcySYavSh9zKNBjNlNBhUISMNPkUMjIMlLebjR64-sRlrwU/s2000/chipmunk%20eating%20maple%20seeds%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="2000" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LDNEzZFDFaUPyPMEGVr2E7lwT0GOiRpSf5vD1jtVx5wVuHCJ5vNQstIs2lp_zwbECp0rY1oWKsRgANxg8sM6IQ8X0vZ_Q7AqOyo7eMyUWp08-iHqi8NtPC7Z7i7gpntpE6UbmDjuaMsOpcySYavSh9zKNBjNlNBhUISMNPkUMjIMlLebjR64-sRlrwU/w640-h462/chipmunk%20eating%20maple%20seeds%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Those are some big cheeks! And I love this view from behind:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx9Ah62r95phwgnp64WRZ2RvN8MhlpR31fSZF0jZZXACetHS6RHwlznBh8Fk5xduaHyNoCmUmfPo6PBqVEG69xiQeOrJn-p4I24EUPULY9jT8crF5LOJ2y4MbyQWg7znKC_p5NDlknQEz_tiMQxYvvh9n-jXOW19HhQVLvsDYblO_Mi6laTGeTubmCyE/s2000/chipmunk%20eating%20maple%20seeds%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1585" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDx9Ah62r95phwgnp64WRZ2RvN8MhlpR31fSZF0jZZXACetHS6RHwlznBh8Fk5xduaHyNoCmUmfPo6PBqVEG69xiQeOrJn-p4I24EUPULY9jT8crF5LOJ2y4MbyQWg7znKC_p5NDlknQEz_tiMQxYvvh9n-jXOW19HhQVLvsDYblO_Mi6laTGeTubmCyE/w508-h640/chipmunk%20eating%20maple%20seeds%201.JPG" width="508" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 31, a swarm of Honey Bees settled briefly high up in the branches of an oak tree in our front yard:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDL5IxeeoHKl7gTbvn7GLDoz5-vgpODC--p_NAuv1gzySQScgKIddortoPr4aKz7EavqUT_OyjdUff_MwQUj2cbxZO6kZYF-FS2EgFNn8jfXEcVxo7P1HrhrsmaIBu3P83Zqhp04qMGz0Tf8QKNUo-yAHGT6i37hF3aNHLFrXNvb20ItSdLf2hnWXUdg/s2000/honey%20bee%20swarm%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2000" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguDL5IxeeoHKl7gTbvn7GLDoz5-vgpODC--p_NAuv1gzySQScgKIddortoPr4aKz7EavqUT_OyjdUff_MwQUj2cbxZO6kZYF-FS2EgFNn8jfXEcVxo7P1HrhrsmaIBu3P83Zqhp04qMGz0Tf8QKNUo-yAHGT6i37hF3aNHLFrXNvb20ItSdLf2hnWXUdg/w640-h464/honey%20bee%20swarm%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I'd never seen a Honey Bee swarm in person before! Here's a closer view -- wow, that's a lot of bees:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhI5cV4xakbRv8bHdPXnXdSx8UDH1MGSZqU4-Lxs22mES4sUOwbTdhnHf7gle9BwwiQ8oQICD-dleqiOut6RvBgr4H8M7FEaXBcDfrcQuITUpjHhSnMD2kZTVnZONJdoUmVtIBqrkpxhgJSdzK65hXA44f9wLfKEFhzIYRcLPTOTR8QPbwDF0mTmw2_Sw/s2243/honey%20bee%20swarm%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1598" data-original-width="2243" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhI5cV4xakbRv8bHdPXnXdSx8UDH1MGSZqU4-Lxs22mES4sUOwbTdhnHf7gle9BwwiQ8oQICD-dleqiOut6RvBgr4H8M7FEaXBcDfrcQuITUpjHhSnMD2kZTVnZONJdoUmVtIBqrkpxhgJSdzK65hXA44f9wLfKEFhzIYRcLPTOTR8QPbwDF0mTmw2_Sw/w640-h456/honey%20bee%20swarm%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I didn't take a whole lot of pictures of wildflowers during this time, but here's an especially floriferous Starflower plant along our woods path on June 2; I don't usually see three of these lovely blossoms on a single plant:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH8P0oO34Gz8wevSMfhugh-S0k8MgKQw3v-m8KujG7eRIguVCf0VWLlavfuI7kCsMeRhSSeT72cNtMkcOOPCV3-4JUNtCIywsHUStbyEcvcir7TVJoUdCNFLZRD3eTx0yE_7qXcITHANRq3JUUohzzvuIYkgZN1EoUtXeajAg4RQa0DXNCb30LBL8Lio/s2541/starflower%20with%20three%20blossoms.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="2541" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVH8P0oO34Gz8wevSMfhugh-S0k8MgKQw3v-m8KujG7eRIguVCf0VWLlavfuI7kCsMeRhSSeT72cNtMkcOOPCV3-4JUNtCIywsHUStbyEcvcir7TVJoUdCNFLZRD3eTx0yE_7qXcITHANRq3JUUohzzvuIYkgZN1EoUtXeajAg4RQa0DXNCb30LBL8Lio/w640-h452/starflower%20with%20three%20blossoms.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And I was pretty well blown away by the Wild Lupine display in our meadow this year. I wonder if these plants were helped along by the extremely dry May we had, or maybe they've just been really successful at increasing their population each year (despite the ever spreading goldenrod). Whatever the reason, there were more lupine flowers in the meadow this year than I've ever seen before, and it was glorious. I'm so glad these plants took off when we scattered their seeds after excavation work in the meadow in 2017! Here's a view of a small portion of the lupine show on May 31:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuFwCz4lP2dDpSJjfI5b6De22DK_np6uZohtqmEaGj8W-UWB45zZCeKENrudPMWeprBmKho6IVBhLIeIMpAPqcL01d-TCtitrvpBOg1g9r6p9CsZZMzdCJJWe5HBLRnHkap5FXtWhhkF5c40-jjVPBL0josHkUyQNeEnLZTTM8_D8NpAf92OMraxy6BQ/s2000/lupines%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1442" data-original-width="2000" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWuFwCz4lP2dDpSJjfI5b6De22DK_np6uZohtqmEaGj8W-UWB45zZCeKENrudPMWeprBmKho6IVBhLIeIMpAPqcL01d-TCtitrvpBOg1g9r6p9CsZZMzdCJJWe5HBLRnHkap5FXtWhhkF5c40-jjVPBL0josHkUyQNeEnLZTTM8_D8NpAf92OMraxy6BQ/w640-h462/lupines%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And a wider view on June 2:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrvs7upr-xBxP0ALRM_Zp1euoD8LG7oulODBkPolfZY-YgSuyt5drnUyeBvVXjxuMQrJVHY6_sZSrBYx_UrM7YSCMdifhJtizo9ivzcfkh_LHiEDG9DCjt87bwnXtchZgQn_IWp7o_YBQlSBc9E9n0iPpitzDXIlCICdNkNajcGozXIFq0AOGU4cu2wI/s2000/lupines%203.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="2000" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDrvs7upr-xBxP0ALRM_Zp1euoD8LG7oulODBkPolfZY-YgSuyt5drnUyeBvVXjxuMQrJVHY6_sZSrBYx_UrM7YSCMdifhJtizo9ivzcfkh_LHiEDG9DCjt87bwnXtchZgQn_IWp7o_YBQlSBc9E9n0iPpitzDXIlCICdNkNajcGozXIFq0AOGU4cu2wI/w640-h384/lupines%203.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I loved seeing some variations in colors among different plants, like these bicolor white-and-purple flowers on June 4:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4XyqXWcYhw8GCZbKxEuB0p8Dk3uL6HMQ1hYxDciHklyYleRi-nCJ4LEG3EIsg8ghuSJCfkOxG7t3bgjzu6mP5ppEGsGMVo2ZbfOzmEo2pfOab0EijL1H43ucjHSxvag6cbrLYWj17NB_GYNalu9i_26zj2y84xVOUdDafh1ZlkFvWxuaebJ_9T5bEpM/s2000/lupines%206.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="2000" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil4XyqXWcYhw8GCZbKxEuB0p8Dk3uL6HMQ1hYxDciHklyYleRi-nCJ4LEG3EIsg8ghuSJCfkOxG7t3bgjzu6mP5ppEGsGMVo2ZbfOzmEo2pfOab0EijL1H43ucjHSxvag6cbrLYWj17NB_GYNalu9i_26zj2y84xVOUdDafh1ZlkFvWxuaebJ_9T5bEpM/w640-h496/lupines%206.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">These flowers were a big hit with the pollinators, too. Here's a Honey Bee enjoying the lupines on June 5:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz0h-wZoaz4G1DMpiv7iyXKR-_vDWsw-h6XfbK4cl4kSl_rQwkzALeGG2-fQ8d0KumwUvG3qfg2MjJfGYRniDe2YA_lE5lgmvfe6ghR6jThKTUdHbBmD-F0h4LZ8x6cNxpBXfMrFK110eC5_HdOGh2ADjCmIXquycPfQ5ogzVQZy3_ascR8Jmpjhw9Vc/s2072/honey%20bee%20on%20lupine.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2072" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLz0h-wZoaz4G1DMpiv7iyXKR-_vDWsw-h6XfbK4cl4kSl_rQwkzALeGG2-fQ8d0KumwUvG3qfg2MjJfGYRniDe2YA_lE5lgmvfe6ghR6jThKTUdHbBmD-F0h4LZ8x6cNxpBXfMrFK110eC5_HdOGh2ADjCmIXquycPfQ5ogzVQZy3_ascR8Jmpjhw9Vc/w640-h464/honey%20bee%20on%20lupine.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This male Brown-headed Cowbird was looking fancy in newly emerging Redbud shoots on June 6 (after the tree's first attempt at new growth was entirely destroyed in the May 18 freeze):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNc8XPXuaNMW9P5rl2cmR6j0iksejO-nrtkUemtPkYEwDs02BU0NbKInRE-_dHAjS9XJZrys8DhOtiNxNxr4aAe1XzKg53kNlmiWpCMFjyIIuCYNOxI8Vy8i7KyyZ2pH7lF29S3eQaONKYfKE3fK4HKlhvuuOVzQR0m_57BImLrXV8ibqg_bCxoquN_ig/s2512/brown-headed%20cowbird%20in%20redbud.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1880" data-original-width="2512" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNc8XPXuaNMW9P5rl2cmR6j0iksejO-nrtkUemtPkYEwDs02BU0NbKInRE-_dHAjS9XJZrys8DhOtiNxNxr4aAe1XzKg53kNlmiWpCMFjyIIuCYNOxI8Vy8i7KyyZ2pH7lF29S3eQaONKYfKE3fK4HKlhvuuOVzQR0m_57BImLrXV8ibqg_bCxoquN_ig/w640-h478/brown-headed%20cowbird%20in%20redbud.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the woods on June 15, I happened to spot a Small-eyed Sphinx (<i>Paonias myops</i>). This moth was doing a very good dead leaf impression, dangling by its front legs from a Multiflora Rose stem:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgttDmYAt_BisihLv2jgyB2zuFiDjNhd_2I2UOEA8wXVJLT12qR7-i-AqYrpieFi5DV-jp45Bef7xpkgtmjVbEK4dmsCMeVaxPRZ0rDhmVenDgajx0ANi3oa_10KtRllhTsRzhiVFLvhLZPVZW2Pl5OTR-q84aPQBRJ4GoxSbGfs92UhMFf5bktU9j3S0/s2476/Small-eyed%20Sphinx%20(Paonias%20myops)%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1856" data-original-width="2476" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgttDmYAt_BisihLv2jgyB2zuFiDjNhd_2I2UOEA8wXVJLT12qR7-i-AqYrpieFi5DV-jp45Bef7xpkgtmjVbEK4dmsCMeVaxPRZ0rDhmVenDgajx0ANi3oa_10KtRllhTsRzhiVFLvhLZPVZW2Pl5OTR-q84aPQBRJ4GoxSbGfs92UhMFf5bktU9j3S0/w640-h480/Small-eyed%20Sphinx%20(Paonias%20myops)%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Up close, this moth's wings look to me like they're decorated with gold leaf; ah, so pretty, and the shapes of these wings are so interesting:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQR8iHQN1B8AaN1hVawN2VEJkBxsLuK1TMj4HQjQVjX-KyfwbmLWgRIwJ9fbcq8oe7ywmBgUeRq2fk0YYxBHgRq_8LYNveImOCkN5uZKUItYfeX5dGc8iJiacTb2JGLznhB1tZ8EQnVyBPR9V52W6sFLQgNMRSNSQ6yTOX-rcgmbPTBqx4aVuWK5XRms/s2268/Small-eyed%20Sphinx%20(Paonias%20myops)%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1836" data-original-width="2268" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGQR8iHQN1B8AaN1hVawN2VEJkBxsLuK1TMj4HQjQVjX-KyfwbmLWgRIwJ9fbcq8oe7ywmBgUeRq2fk0YYxBHgRq_8LYNveImOCkN5uZKUItYfeX5dGc8iJiacTb2JGLznhB1tZ8EQnVyBPR9V52W6sFLQgNMRSNSQ6yTOX-rcgmbPTBqx4aVuWK5XRms/w640-h518/Small-eyed%20Sphinx%20(Paonias%20myops)%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">(Incidentally, Multiflora Rose is one of those nasty invasives that I'm trying to gradually remove from the property; there's quite a lot of it out there, but it hasn't totally taken over any areas yet, and I've been making slow but steady progress each year. My strategy this year was to cut some plants to the ground and place a wide flat rock over each stump, and that actually seemed to work pretty well, as long as the rock was wide enough. Last year, I tried cutting down plants and treating the stumps with triclopyr, which mostly worked, but some of the plants still regrew. We have an abundance of wide flat rocks on the property, so I'll likely keep going with that strategy for now.)<br /></span><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On June 21, I saw one of our Eastern Phoebes hunting in the meadow, using young trees as convenient perches:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dvdjc4noTLuddfDa1lDE53NrVRP79p7qaD25LG837pI9zlm35XKI-yV6DlyqaG0-I9yXdUSAoIHEntS1te-g02Pt1qxaWXOZj9Mc_3rTka9_61SJ9_msfAce81MTna74A3vX_2XXQ4YwYk26buw9L-zv0AAYZnQ4pdujQtJhdnAwetLLrpLUSoQK_TU/s2000/phoebe%20in%20meadow%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="2000" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6dvdjc4noTLuddfDa1lDE53NrVRP79p7qaD25LG837pI9zlm35XKI-yV6DlyqaG0-I9yXdUSAoIHEntS1te-g02Pt1qxaWXOZj9Mc_3rTka9_61SJ9_msfAce81MTna74A3vX_2XXQ4YwYk26buw9L-zv0AAYZnQ4pdujQtJhdnAwetLLrpLUSoQK_TU/w640-h422/phoebe%20in%20meadow%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's another picture of this lovely bird perched on a small hawthorn sapling:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Hlwz2Z0f-VbYjz_0gZtThduDtWWAx5e6r7tYv7lIr5M0opixoPQUo1sdJcxBTWEbfFq2vNqN525xrT0_rwJfBCXlboDd_2tKLy0mOTHg9iSXF8rmCRpUEpvsT2pCdGJ086wSBHaszT4Q5CfSy35upV-GhXLIwjcSkg9sK_t0KKSZD541mEQsKz-EbM/s2363/phoebe%20in%20meadow%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2363" data-original-width="1674" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4Hlwz2Z0f-VbYjz_0gZtThduDtWWAx5e6r7tYv7lIr5M0opixoPQUo1sdJcxBTWEbfFq2vNqN525xrT0_rwJfBCXlboDd_2tKLy0mOTHg9iSXF8rmCRpUEpvsT2pCdGJ086wSBHaszT4Q5CfSy35upV-GhXLIwjcSkg9sK_t0KKSZD541mEQsKz-EbM/w454-h640/phoebe%20in%20meadow%202.JPG" width="454" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">(I wonder how long it will be before this area is no longer quite a meadow, with small trees and shrubs moving in. I don't feel the need to maintain this strictly as a meadow, and I'm very curious to see how this landscape will change over the years.)</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Also on June 21, a couple of Ovenbirds in the woods came near me and made sharp sounds and generally made it clear that I wasn't welcome -- I think they may have had a nest somewhere near the path. Yes, you are bold little birds, and also adorable:<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOAVwkYiqcItAI7XB-YwXVFptDvsca5MzlsMemrkgj67RWip8vGNbA7i_4PaPlQS0nZf9D09NzE-P4AoOiQh-fEf7QdIZsCrPhpJr9RaLyQQMkjF1UWVHCqA_KYxU0mhspX-FbmjC-fPfmvxazuwDtZ3kSx1CgH-9e2RWkDFXomBORkgpYOeb69Qve4E/s2000/alert%20ovenbird%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1487" data-original-width="2000" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOAVwkYiqcItAI7XB-YwXVFptDvsca5MzlsMemrkgj67RWip8vGNbA7i_4PaPlQS0nZf9D09NzE-P4AoOiQh-fEf7QdIZsCrPhpJr9RaLyQQMkjF1UWVHCqA_KYxU0mhspX-FbmjC-fPfmvxazuwDtZ3kSx1CgH-9e2RWkDFXomBORkgpYOeb69Qve4E/w640-h476/alert%20ovenbird%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of adorable, here's a young Tufted Titmouse at the edge of the meadow (also on June 21):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLUr_TDcvjy16l7B7zPRh1qBlTviUVLf-zpL0yF5cdpP73ynH0nqFoO-83i2vD34jMh8ZmZeBhD39alfPZ61VaJHcuzhSIemNsIp8zQ5KRC4i91eRBUUtou-hen8sYCYc4oQYekoSSMBMLhyvtDFtO4yNEXEJl9kMUNYV6WjhKzA2xzyJJUJIMDjHluw/s2592/young%20titmouse.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1867" data-original-width="2592" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinLUr_TDcvjy16l7B7zPRh1qBlTviUVLf-zpL0yF5cdpP73ynH0nqFoO-83i2vD34jMh8ZmZeBhD39alfPZ61VaJHcuzhSIemNsIp8zQ5KRC4i91eRBUUtou-hen8sYCYc4oQYekoSSMBMLhyvtDFtO4yNEXEJl9kMUNYV6WjhKzA2xzyJJUJIMDjHluw/w640-h460/young%20titmouse.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On June 29, I was surprised to see a juvenile Dark-eyed Junco grooming itself right in the middle of a small table on our back deck:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDVfXEQKYADNu2tSl-LgKUMgAfKKiH2tW4iZBkjehO9EANmpF3wonAnvpFHwykXzP0hl2CQCybiyk1WzeK5BEpyLgNsPq8g7IsoeO2eMCC9d3tbkRx9TY2HIFXIq6DLOM_dldsWjAbpq8NpZsshYquYAY1vp_u8DKhxpSxrDm9s5xYXxtSXjzG4cvNOM/s2000/young%20junco%20on%20deck%20table%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="2000" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqDVfXEQKYADNu2tSl-LgKUMgAfKKiH2tW4iZBkjehO9EANmpF3wonAnvpFHwykXzP0hl2CQCybiyk1WzeK5BEpyLgNsPq8g7IsoeO2eMCC9d3tbkRx9TY2HIFXIq6DLOM_dldsWjAbpq8NpZsshYquYAY1vp_u8DKhxpSxrDm9s5xYXxtSXjzG4cvNOM/w640-h430/young%20junco%20on%20deck%20table%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This little bird then sat on the table for several minutes, apparently resting -- it didn't seem to be hurt, and it flew away after a little while, but it was definitely strange to see this young bird lounging on our deck furniture:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK1RM5D5zbENC7PzHtH0BXfv9AuMracCxs53XqylXuNt2GYuLUst5IfcoHqZrmNauseM2yYcUnfssioyGIvfOiddNkXs7L5TO4Q4TVN312vhm_NgyHZHxXW3LdaIZQemtRHxObqMf4UyT8IlJaroAgQnJY3HWV6vRtqCjIiKCN2EqDo1dONrH274UGfE/s2000/young%20junco%20on%20deck%20table%202.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="2000" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPK1RM5D5zbENC7PzHtH0BXfv9AuMracCxs53XqylXuNt2GYuLUst5IfcoHqZrmNauseM2yYcUnfssioyGIvfOiddNkXs7L5TO4Q4TVN312vhm_NgyHZHxXW3LdaIZQemtRHxObqMf4UyT8IlJaroAgQnJY3HWV6vRtqCjIiKCN2EqDo1dONrH274UGfE/w640-h416/young%20junco%20on%20deck%20table%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, our trail camera in the woods picked up several cool sightings in June, so here's a small selection of clips, featuring: </span><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Our first sighting of an American Mink on our property. This was a surprise, because I've only seen mink around water before! But this mustelid-type creature was too big to be a weasel and too small to be a Fisher (both of which have appeared on the camera in this spot in the past), and there are wetlands just a little further downhill from here; and it sure looks like a mink.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">An Ovenbird doing its chicken-like walk across the log.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">A mother White-tailed Deer and her twin fawns.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">A Raccoon with two babies (and sounds!). <br /></span></li></ol><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5fNgAOTxlEo?si=9ToEouiYT5bwe-Wj" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p><br /><div><span style="font-family: arial;">And that's it for May and June! As I'm writing this, the fall season is arriving (yay, fall!), but the next posts on this blog will feature summer sights. Next up: July!</span><br /></div>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-37499728137814758102023-08-12T13:10:00.002-07:002023-08-12T13:10:31.255-07:00Eastern Bluebird Neighbors<p><span style="font-family: arial;">In 2018, we installed two bluebird boxes on the edge of our meadow and yard, and this year we finally had our first successful Eastern Bluebird tenants! The boxes have gotten plenty of use over the years, and they've helped to produce many baby birds: Tree Swallows have used one of the boxes almost every year (but not this year, sadly, and I've so missed having these birds around), Black-capped Chickadees successfully raised a brood here one year, and House Wrens nested in one of the boxes for a few years. Aside from a brief failed nesting attempt in 2019, though, bluebirds have declined our offer of housing... until this year! A pair of bluebirds showed up in April and stuck around, raising two broods and eight babies total in one of the nest boxes. I've so enjoyed the opportunity to watch these beautiful little thrushes while they were regular fixtures in our yard this spring and summer. What a treat! And yes, I took lots of pictures. :)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first bluebird egg appeared on April 20, and we ended up with five eggs in this first brood. When I peeked into the nest box on May 6, the female had arranged the eggs into this neat little circle:<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzPZOB_NcqKVu3bXSB2crjNPoswph9gas_6LPICCPmHZGs1pO-rnpOFdGmD-NhroLGCCCCIfLOSJcDO4bK2KwQM0EXSkOgjMaJyjqatJAvcYqUZ1wYwLbPvMizOrocLLFDYXIGu_75Q9nfWjzksXgi595ObYiUFk1TP1-5dLEjLjjgOh5Itv_6BUxrMk/s2000/bluebird%20first%20brood%20eggs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1735" data-original-width="2000" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzPZOB_NcqKVu3bXSB2crjNPoswph9gas_6LPICCPmHZGs1pO-rnpOFdGmD-NhroLGCCCCIfLOSJcDO4bK2KwQM0EXSkOgjMaJyjqatJAvcYqUZ1wYwLbPvMizOrocLLFDYXIGu_75Q9nfWjzksXgi595ObYiUFk1TP1-5dLEjLjjgOh5Itv_6BUxrMk/w640-h556/bluebird%20first%20brood%20eggs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 10, the nest held five tiny bluebird babies, maybe a day or so old:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mzmP-bnGFc1UUec5vO9tYs8c8fq4RAXXNTrQ3uduNX633RpjvmmRiGYAw93TLDqZM4r8cPK35PIqeM6Y74t81-Yd_NgmRYd19Fp4n-z2thDc52d4MEuuAA_CO6E060HfTeeQu1p08QAEwBU4WUNTEDng3pWwcJzoqGhSwouqAaEJpueh2dmPF7blz10/s2000/bluebird%20first%20brood%20approximately%201%20day.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1803" data-original-width="2000" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8mzmP-bnGFc1UUec5vO9tYs8c8fq4RAXXNTrQ3uduNX633RpjvmmRiGYAw93TLDqZM4r8cPK35PIqeM6Y74t81-Yd_NgmRYd19Fp4n-z2thDc52d4MEuuAA_CO6E060HfTeeQu1p08QAEwBU4WUNTEDng3pWwcJzoqGhSwouqAaEJpueh2dmPF7blz10/w640-h576/bluebird%20first%20brood%20approximately%201%20day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are those same babies on May 21, much bigger and so fluffy:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpM5yAbiWDQm1352xNTTrKWA35ag16vjBbHVHeJ4T0aPWJiZ7tsT75AeSOffcnh0_ZPgekh_Zbw77CDC0DXmpQjJONUOhzJEgH74Epb1NKlPKEBjBewfFsshfrj92TKfoaumhe93IxULWi5bhpDJkg60Z9dwQnHVEs_L_kgaBuheGEZyCPMLFUQoieLo/s1795/bluebird%20first%20brood%20approximately%2012%20days.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1795" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrpM5yAbiWDQm1352xNTTrKWA35ag16vjBbHVHeJ4T0aPWJiZ7tsT75AeSOffcnh0_ZPgekh_Zbw77CDC0DXmpQjJONUOhzJEgH74Epb1NKlPKEBjBewfFsshfrj92TKfoaumhe93IxULWi5bhpDJkg60Z9dwQnHVEs_L_kgaBuheGEZyCPMLFUQoieLo/w534-h640/bluebird%20first%20brood%20approximately%2012%20days.jpg" width="534" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">While the babies were growing in the nest, the parents did a whole lot of hunting in our yard to keep these little creatures fed. I was worried about this family when we had a late heavy freeze on May 18 (down to around 25 degrees F) that was severe enough that a lot of the emerging plants were damaged, but these birds made it through just fine. Good job, parents!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's the female bluebird on May 14 bringing a big brown caterpillar to the nest:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNRSItxMxUM3JXHNbLRfCPh0FDHNlt5aluxibw0Wu6cdp2DT3szoOsygP3bGzJ88cZGNI4oIXxMlrVWAw6evcKAR17W3xQslrYB7USkMm0uaQkZ1Cf0_eXVEdAV4EeApMG7XoC64rHONFC-sDTyfbd-Uay6ymKpi_hdFC4dqFu1ak93Ig5Ynx9RIryUQ/s2315/female%20bluebird%20with%20caterpillar.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="2315" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieNRSItxMxUM3JXHNbLRfCPh0FDHNlt5aluxibw0Wu6cdp2DT3szoOsygP3bGzJ88cZGNI4oIXxMlrVWAw6evcKAR17W3xQslrYB7USkMm0uaQkZ1Cf0_eXVEdAV4EeApMG7XoC64rHONFC-sDTyfbd-Uay6ymKpi_hdFC4dqFu1ak93Ig5Ynx9RIryUQ/w640-h446/female%20bluebird%20with%20caterpillar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Big larvae like this seemed to be a popular food item. Here's the female again on May 27 with another big brown larva delivery:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Xg4lVl6naHXjzWIPCGsWp8Ft2SOmRI_sTcA_D3s_OaU7Q5gSVJigK7FtgIatYiukOaZk3fPIcR_aUhqkuhVRSECvfzzOny1x5Odvnn1QmSkZecp6BHyoKsWB7zjMfHlj3if5GH7j2mIlg8gLVCB6lQAqLj5SlZnPt1e3GZh7Bed228lzQTCIYYqRx6E/s1994/female%20bluebird%20with%20caterpillar%20at%20box.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1576" data-original-width="1994" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Xg4lVl6naHXjzWIPCGsWp8Ft2SOmRI_sTcA_D3s_OaU7Q5gSVJigK7FtgIatYiukOaZk3fPIcR_aUhqkuhVRSECvfzzOny1x5Odvnn1QmSkZecp6BHyoKsWB7zjMfHlj3if5GH7j2mIlg8gLVCB6lQAqLj5SlZnPt1e3GZh7Bed228lzQTCIYYqRx6E/w640-h506/female%20bluebird%20with%20caterpillar%20at%20box.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 25, I sneakily peeked my camera lens through our open living room window and used the house as a blind while the male bluebird hunted from the small Eastern Redbud tree between our house and driveway -- my car is a not-so-natural backdrop here, but is this guy gorgeous or what?</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnqhBuE2KXt9nGm7g8gbCBcxhfMhsmd9vggYoBa0RfZS-FYoG-6nYHLGOuSE3BXN2HvdFFeTfZrh5qTiMwrh0z9idxTxaMHAynZIzcdPkvyPAsj2w3IqJSgrlNGyShF7ot-9ybr1W35LRLBoa38wOgwQd91uu5BRT5T7RlonQUVp-7xu-cuIbP6jOAks/s2414/male%20bluebird%20in%20redbud.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1706" data-original-width="2414" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnqhBuE2KXt9nGm7g8gbCBcxhfMhsmd9vggYoBa0RfZS-FYoG-6nYHLGOuSE3BXN2HvdFFeTfZrh5qTiMwrh0z9idxTxaMHAynZIzcdPkvyPAsj2w3IqJSgrlNGyShF7ot-9ybr1W35LRLBoa38wOgwQd91uu5BRT5T7RlonQUVp-7xu-cuIbP6jOAks/w640-h452/male%20bluebird%20in%20redbud.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">(This redbud tree's emerging buds were all blasted in the late freeze, and it took a while for the tree to start growing again. The bare tree wasn't pretty, but it did make for a clear view of the birds!)</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Bluebirds hunt by perching and watching the ground below, and then fluttering down on top of their prey. Here's one of this guy's successful catches during this hunting session -- it's another big brown caterpillar!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ukDGYZh8aApq1Abo3WvbrTTF8MBeawojaTDbqJxgRwh_lI6otJ_bjUDpkc4KroUWXQEaayevw-rq80TCPARO2cu-Ir0gmXAea6Y6ZTWnoSXWfCPdAZOHY3qzxwqE473gvRvFeBgGqTEa2pUb-ZvxfhueWgz-0GPluyHQOpponlAx4QDGan5JELzKH30/s2000/male%20bluebird%20with%20caterpillar.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1477" data-original-width="2000" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1ukDGYZh8aApq1Abo3WvbrTTF8MBeawojaTDbqJxgRwh_lI6otJ_bjUDpkc4KroUWXQEaayevw-rq80TCPARO2cu-Ir0gmXAea6Y6ZTWnoSXWfCPdAZOHY3qzxwqE473gvRvFeBgGqTEa2pUb-ZvxfhueWgz-0GPluyHQOpponlAx4QDGan5JELzKH30/w640-h472/male%20bluebird%20with%20caterpillar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Soon enough, the baby bluebirds fledged, and we had a bunch of juvenile bluebirds in the yard! Here's one of the juveniles with the male on June 5:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQexg2g5q9z75rrQJp6AJsnUXCaaGEiU2sAmKZW03IzxFaCxrtDFOZMAn9BhnT46_q2vWfVxOAUZQfWLADm7UO3TGwQ2JeeX41o7CRpKq23JjWsNlCbvkJMdpy20Z-GBqrPG2gM0yprnenNsYvKqZ18-jPNFekvwLujbPh5sJbVPQ9agoi1WiovS7-jh8/s2000/male%20and%20juvenile%20bluebird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="2000" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQexg2g5q9z75rrQJp6AJsnUXCaaGEiU2sAmKZW03IzxFaCxrtDFOZMAn9BhnT46_q2vWfVxOAUZQfWLADm7UO3TGwQ2JeeX41o7CRpKq23JjWsNlCbvkJMdpy20Z-GBqrPG2gM0yprnenNsYvKqZ18-jPNFekvwLujbPh5sJbVPQ9agoi1WiovS7-jh8/w640-h360/male%20and%20juvenile%20bluebird.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And wonderfully, the bluebird pair went ahead and started a second brood in the same nest box, which meant that the whole family stayed around! (I didn't clean out the old nest, so I think the female just added a bit more nesting material and reused the old structure.) I think these young birds are so very pretty, with their blue-edged wings and tails, and their spotted backs and shoulders. Here's one of these juveniles on June 8:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJow12VpKDIYotApLH267RPvZXITLJIMm5bPUXdgcg5V2MDsB9-_-KL1LYw4aOW84IQjXCgPea8QBzz0ExFeqWe4Un9Ura0e7r_FsyBAhljwpxC5cyTUO2pHkyxCiZGVVkaeGijtxonS7CVOQNjgDaLRWDL9ZNytaYLNWFE99ZuilqmwJbsM9xN1T8eE/s2357/juvenile%20bluebird%20in%20apple%20tree%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="2357" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJow12VpKDIYotApLH267RPvZXITLJIMm5bPUXdgcg5V2MDsB9-_-KL1LYw4aOW84IQjXCgPea8QBzz0ExFeqWe4Un9Ura0e7r_FsyBAhljwpxC5cyTUO2pHkyxCiZGVVkaeGijtxonS7CVOQNjgDaLRWDL9ZNytaYLNWFE99ZuilqmwJbsM9xN1T8eE/w640-h492/juvenile%20bluebird%20in%20apple%20tree%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And this same bird from another angle; so pretty!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvPFqWb2wb8AD6x1kj-4pLK_dqeqfxZlJVjM6ZGgiyFWXTF3KoD5jWSEe1J_pytBi_9ra6vpmsk4DrVP8n0owE81voI7RPQdDCCgPUQ9jpDMpKUGi06qNVWZN9Rewzl6x2mcc9HFBBvc9XzqDGnIyutEQ3bu3X3l5T3s9Z9QhRJRyb-Zy4-9tmBw11wE/s2643/juvenile%20bluebird%20in%20apple%20tree%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1821" data-original-width="2643" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvPFqWb2wb8AD6x1kj-4pLK_dqeqfxZlJVjM6ZGgiyFWXTF3KoD5jWSEe1J_pytBi_9ra6vpmsk4DrVP8n0owE81voI7RPQdDCCgPUQ9jpDMpKUGi06qNVWZN9Rewzl6x2mcc9HFBBvc9XzqDGnIyutEQ3bu3X3l5T3s9Z9QhRJRyb-Zy4-9tmBw11wE/w640-h440/juvenile%20bluebird%20in%20apple%20tree%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's another of the siblings (or possibly the same one?) after I was able to sneak a bit closer to the tree where they were hanging out, also on June 8:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ3ZJWTWCo9ZxyQmnk_CjaL0Un8hIxsxbbm9ybk3QfvnAZJ4NQ4KP-x-gpBI0l9o59qySC8tIELFT7nOWy-RUGs6vLkzNIxHNc8pas4uY5F5S5F2_XiZ1JUAfveKTZ1Wc4SBscRk5y4kYSrowi9q_hwR1cf1ikTAryTFPEeEMxpVkxQBseoBwvDZ9xAo/s2419/juvenile%20bluebird%20in%20apple%20tree%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1747" data-original-width="2419" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOZ3ZJWTWCo9ZxyQmnk_CjaL0Un8hIxsxbbm9ybk3QfvnAZJ4NQ4KP-x-gpBI0l9o59qySC8tIELFT7nOWy-RUGs6vLkzNIxHNc8pas4uY5F5S5F2_XiZ1JUAfveKTZ1Wc4SBscRk5y4kYSrowi9q_hwR1cf1ikTAryTFPEeEMxpVkxQBseoBwvDZ9xAo/w640-h462/juvenile%20bluebird%20in%20apple%20tree%203.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I especially loved seeing these birds perched on posts in my garden; this looks like a good spot to practice searching for meals in the plants below! This picture is from June 21:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiWUbQ97PWbStqSk9VqQIBbVYqK8rQu4OrVVRAc22HYoe1EZPKzeW_xcff-cWT00KBpSp0VC3YFqXxpDvVFGVuNhNVml7goANcsE3dWU8lWYzQsD_0JC35kYcDWFgAHP3paVdzTYvvz6nFa7V0OYyX8dkYEgyCVtIq4lqUK7VcNrkP5S8q6uQg3mUqQU/s2483/juvenile%20bluebird%20on%20garden%20post.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1766" data-original-width="2483" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiWUbQ97PWbStqSk9VqQIBbVYqK8rQu4OrVVRAc22HYoe1EZPKzeW_xcff-cWT00KBpSp0VC3YFqXxpDvVFGVuNhNVml7goANcsE3dWU8lWYzQsD_0JC35kYcDWFgAHP3paVdzTYvvz6nFa7V0OYyX8dkYEgyCVtIq4lqUK7VcNrkP5S8q6uQg3mUqQU/w640-h456/juvenile%20bluebird%20on%20garden%20post.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's the female and a juvenile perched on top of my pea trellis on the same day:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0JbVxY1xL-Da__RVfyIBWJUmJhIGsJCHhXvAmU1v68PxcagOuJGMBEN4PEDofwVZOUXYdKyE8KigvIA0Jq2K5dMZf3ZxlgwFPtU_HcIFgy5S6jNcxVmz2OamCj2TFtnGsXHzraN_OOrFxZHhYFiSXr3Ar1IAdUTsR5ei0H04Nqpcgiu3qv6Z-rl8niQ/s2128/female%20bluebird%20and%20juvenile%20on%20garden%20post.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1674" data-original-width="2128" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0JbVxY1xL-Da__RVfyIBWJUmJhIGsJCHhXvAmU1v68PxcagOuJGMBEN4PEDofwVZOUXYdKyE8KigvIA0Jq2K5dMZf3ZxlgwFPtU_HcIFgy5S6jNcxVmz2OamCj2TFtnGsXHzraN_OOrFxZHhYFiSXr3Ar1IAdUTsR5ei0H04Nqpcgiu3qv6Z-rl8niQ/w640-h504/female%20bluebird%20and%20juvenile%20on%20garden%20post.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">OK, here's one more picture of one of the juvenile bluebirds, hovering above berry-laden Black Raspberry plants on July 10 (I have many more pictures of other birds and creatures enjoying the berries this summer, too, but that will be another post):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A62dZ2f52-hhavk8waWEDoMjQMiD6ZyY7-ec7OPb9GaNTtvlb7b2_L7C97k1YT6TUlN0FniSUgQkl9trf1hp2BI7jTV0-Gn8Yjim_hMRW1DvRNmNxgKk7rwr2U4KUhRQ1Ffj6lJsiYG_Bo6cOFCplbxx8SFvSpiLb_wvlZ587JAPeTddWOjdFm6bas0/s2000/juvenile%20bluebird%20hovering.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="2000" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7A62dZ2f52-hhavk8waWEDoMjQMiD6ZyY7-ec7OPb9GaNTtvlb7b2_L7C97k1YT6TUlN0FniSUgQkl9trf1hp2BI7jTV0-Gn8Yjim_hMRW1DvRNmNxgKk7rwr2U4KUhRQ1Ffj6lJsiYG_Bo6cOFCplbxx8SFvSpiLb_wvlZ587JAPeTddWOjdFm6bas0/w640-h460/juvenile%20bluebird%20hovering.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, a second batch of siblings was growing in the nest. Three of these five eggs hatched into brand new babies, pictured here on June 24:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2A4UR3D2U8ujK-99tfZBw9gxzn-fnN8l3g9kQlCETmbtGnQzBg1_NJm1ivRGBeZ4tFd1YBOWA5S9V2K-_tswAbTSkS4QPOzX30QhM_uFQHtMQ18PJLa-IYPEYy7yVpjrvrR3cqwRdhaAtkydvoOwbSr7xy1AW4iK-NnwV1c0dSkgTQYjGMzThzVUQjk/s2000/bluebird%20second%20brood%20approximately%201%20day.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1483" data-original-width="2000" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR2A4UR3D2U8ujK-99tfZBw9gxzn-fnN8l3g9kQlCETmbtGnQzBg1_NJm1ivRGBeZ4tFd1YBOWA5S9V2K-_tswAbTSkS4QPOzX30QhM_uFQHtMQ18PJLa-IYPEYy7yVpjrvrR3cqwRdhaAtkydvoOwbSr7xy1AW4iK-NnwV1c0dSkgTQYjGMzThzVUQjk/w640-h474/bluebird%20second%20brood%20approximately%201%20day.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's the second brood on July 5, with open eyes and emerging feathers:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBlYY3gBVL7K1ZOYLDpxIVtWJfmPWpK9a_5JpXbaN73FVSU3uPg0oU9pZmI0YiDM45SEmPQCnUotnZFZopVCMPQAkWBQNT-wX_I1mKownlf9IOcPLUFy1Du0pFCx3kNdb87fPMN-mIB8JBs-YKAmETf4ap68GfvQhCeYx-IuXOUDe1XA6IL5LXZTcgKk/s1859/bluebird%20second%20brood%20approximately%2012%20days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1859" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoBlYY3gBVL7K1ZOYLDpxIVtWJfmPWpK9a_5JpXbaN73FVSU3uPg0oU9pZmI0YiDM45SEmPQCnUotnZFZopVCMPQAkWBQNT-wX_I1mKownlf9IOcPLUFy1Du0pFCx3kNdb87fPMN-mIB8JBs-YKAmETf4ap68GfvQhCeYx-IuXOUDe1XA6IL5LXZTcgKk/w516-h640/bluebird%20second%20brood%20approximately%2012%20days.jpg" width="516" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Since the second brood fledged, the family of bluebirds hasn't been around nearly as much, and we see them only occasionally now. I'm really glad that this pair decided to raise their families in our yard this year! It's been so cool to have these lovely birds around for a few months. Good luck out there, little ones!<br /></span><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-1651348868498657452023-07-19T20:05:00.000-07:002023-07-19T20:05:03.367-07:00January-April, 2023<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh look! Somehow it's been another half-a-year since I last posted sightings from around our property on this blog. :) I seem to be falling into a pattern of gathering pictures on my computer for months and then sharing these highlights in bursts -- but ah well, better late than never! It's time to start catching up with 2023!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first few months of this year were especially busy, and I'm sure I missed a lot of the goings-on in our yard, meadow, and woods (sadly). But even so, I got to see many cool things, <i>and </i>I've had a lot of fun getting to know my brand new camera (thank you, family, for the Christmas gift!). My old, much-loved, 10+ year old DSLR camera simply wasn't working very well anymore, and it was time for an upgrade. So I've been playing around with this new toy, learning some new things, and so enjoying having a fully functional camera again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In this post, I'll share some highlights from winter and early spring -- January through April -- and then I'll have much more to share from the rest of spring and early summer in later posts. Here we go!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On January 8, I wandered through our meadow and woods, admiring the sunny blue sky and snow-free ground. Most of this year's winter was quite mild; it's strange to see our meadow in January without snow:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT4-4MjWTNZvTsbumEXLZXC00sqqg3fUkTr3up9nTLIiXtTM3SRYm9Q57q3Zr8AZGdYccIf24rCLWue49tiCy0_oqyrqzWef6zkL52R6z5YP0lxZ9ZUuAYKKTOoYAI0QmXaqt5xo_RJVlikMBTPh_jN3K9Tvn8hKxQYMbgfp16A--9N7K4w1KaCINOME/s2000/sunny%20January%20meadow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvT4-4MjWTNZvTsbumEXLZXC00sqqg3fUkTr3up9nTLIiXtTM3SRYm9Q57q3Zr8AZGdYccIf24rCLWue49tiCy0_oqyrqzWef6zkL52R6z5YP0lxZ9ZUuAYKKTOoYAI0QmXaqt5xo_RJVlikMBTPh_jN3K9Tvn8hKxQYMbgfp16A--9N7K4w1KaCINOME/w640-h480/sunny%20January%20meadow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the woods, I was having too much fun taking pictures of the jungle of moss on this fallen log:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LM_QohLV0SgUKrQH5XF5NcDBMIoHrGeKjOyE46DlRfP-ucJ6bTmsHrCNk8gWhb0qKtwYw9OInR-x83Kr7bnIUGbOcJ_TVRRJsJfA4f0O_klTVBfC6jrOmiVD-zCdaLelK7mYpsuv5FQsZE6sxE3wYzqx0XW77zwYIkTDF_cBLfIKQZkUOieAUmUfeuQ/s2000/January%20moss%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="2000" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1LM_QohLV0SgUKrQH5XF5NcDBMIoHrGeKjOyE46DlRfP-ucJ6bTmsHrCNk8gWhb0qKtwYw9OInR-x83Kr7bnIUGbOcJ_TVRRJsJfA4f0O_klTVBfC6jrOmiVD-zCdaLelK7mYpsuv5FQsZE6sxE3wYzqx0XW77zwYIkTDF_cBLfIKQZkUOieAUmUfeuQ/w640-h438/January%20moss%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I spent some time figuring out how up-close I could get to another patch of moss with my new camera (much closer than my old camera could go!) -- I also love the tiny ice crystals in this next picture, showing that yes, it is really winter:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOd85LfqyjLMtdLBNRZtLkxkbFj68hWCGK6rg06MV12LakEj3eY8FK-AF1811Ooh4rEDVL9JoJlp5sZ3_FI18oJd19--ZywprUmTU7N7KqFGtQhRto2IpGwFLDNHc7MISj8YkhTKZ55ThMnqYGpvtZd0VJFcrKxv7egtboIkb9XYsCxvOlGAwGXLohbHU/s2000/January%20moss%204.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="2000" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOd85LfqyjLMtdLBNRZtLkxkbFj68hWCGK6rg06MV12LakEj3eY8FK-AF1811Ooh4rEDVL9JoJlp5sZ3_FI18oJd19--ZywprUmTU7N7KqFGtQhRto2IpGwFLDNHc7MISj8YkhTKZ55ThMnqYGpvtZd0VJFcrKxv7egtboIkb9XYsCxvOlGAwGXLohbHU/w640-h454/January%20moss%204.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We did have some snow in January, although not a lot. Here's a crisp wintry view of the hills across the valley from our house on January 16:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1muSrkm6s-XKJlQcQekQiOS9gbYc5AZ5B04slXHxvlDIXCNYEJ4Vs2AjGsug2NkpVkJELHnjeUQIgJFYO9SRbwGiEaiKDoByDogU_sR1OHC6O6FjjmNgh2KulqatwQB6E-df6aiUTH5LxEp_Iy7JQBlMIuDBwmKBxYLS-Y60uBaASNzQTl4sCtJIPFcs/s2000/wintry%20ridge%20view.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="2000" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1muSrkm6s-XKJlQcQekQiOS9gbYc5AZ5B04slXHxvlDIXCNYEJ4Vs2AjGsug2NkpVkJELHnjeUQIgJFYO9SRbwGiEaiKDoByDogU_sR1OHC6O6FjjmNgh2KulqatwQB6E-df6aiUTH5LxEp_Iy7JQBlMIuDBwmKBxYLS-Y60uBaASNzQTl4sCtJIPFcs/w640-h408/wintry%20ridge%20view.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This male Downy Woodpecker was in the apple tree outside our window during a light but driving snowfall on January 13, and I can't resist sharing this picture of this cute little bird with his heart-shaped cap:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil7DUlwRABk_qcIXhSDtxX8BM0uCPaclstKiEwaSWtDQAz04kbUYgRVcQ0xyqrmFF5qCK7ZS5hAZBj-35gLdUivmkyBnR3g7lErSqZFUoZknIdSgjs5aTvaL-t5Qa2jIroRKZOwM_tJjRXzlFYGaWf5Ji4jWPaqyQRQpLxIQZNkSMN-0QJOSj-Mi23JQ/s1920/downy%20woodpecker%20in%20snowfall.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1920" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil7DUlwRABk_qcIXhSDtxX8BM0uCPaclstKiEwaSWtDQAz04kbUYgRVcQ0xyqrmFF5qCK7ZS5hAZBj-35gLdUivmkyBnR3g7lErSqZFUoZknIdSgjs5aTvaL-t5Qa2jIroRKZOwM_tJjRXzlFYGaWf5Ji4jWPaqyQRQpLxIQZNkSMN-0QJOSj-Mi23JQ/w640-h480/downy%20woodpecker%20in%20snowfall.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On February 12, without snow on the ground in which to build their usual network of tunnels, this Meadow Vole was foraging around a wood pile, quite exposed. Be careful, little vole:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tdyoxPl_UP5yTfiMcVu3NQV7Vy34KyCqmCSwkUwP91xJ1hXEwIguhN-Tcd8iRZNZ7RlC3d8iBSSYIpAYuYq-lNEz_N2qs6OZxO8pAthcEST7uWNlQ5R7gX7qIa5jd36JYC6WT46MAJF9zf7e7onz0qhP6Hr0J8soN5crqmmJBFfwBQnJWwFbVw24ROU/s2912/meadow%20vole%201.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2128" data-original-width="2912" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6tdyoxPl_UP5yTfiMcVu3NQV7Vy34KyCqmCSwkUwP91xJ1hXEwIguhN-Tcd8iRZNZ7RlC3d8iBSSYIpAYuYq-lNEz_N2qs6OZxO8pAthcEST7uWNlQ5R7gX7qIa5jd36JYC6WT46MAJF9zf7e7onz0qhP6Hr0J8soN5crqmmJBFfwBQnJWwFbVw24ROU/w640-h468/meadow%20vole%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearby, I was surprised to see a spider out and about in the sunshine, climbing on a peach tree twig (I think this is some sort of Long-jawed Orbweaver, genus <i>Tetragnatha</i>):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFjhshfuZWw3pw3qk821R9Dxg_UFcBCqdY9zBSH3CydYBCtCxtBhDwCvDlt25r-mg43ay2VUwLf6QgEwSd51P6CtkcoY03_HmY27DzzcOWV3sp4B5jeE3dB2p-ThXB2rv7TRgU03MMbBXGw5W-m3Kj9QMyK44WJs1om2Gg-BcsHT2YIGCPcvl_LeplMQ/s2688/Longjawed%20Orbweaver%20(Tetragnatha%20sp)%20on%20peach%20bud.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1954" data-original-width="2688" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFjhshfuZWw3pw3qk821R9Dxg_UFcBCqdY9zBSH3CydYBCtCxtBhDwCvDlt25r-mg43ay2VUwLf6QgEwSd51P6CtkcoY03_HmY27DzzcOWV3sp4B5jeE3dB2p-ThXB2rv7TRgU03MMbBXGw5W-m3Kj9QMyK44WJs1om2Gg-BcsHT2YIGCPcvl_LeplMQ/w640-h466/Longjawed%20Orbweaver%20(Tetragnatha%20sp)%20on%20peach%20bud.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">There usually isn't anything blooming here in February, but with all the mild weather and lack of snow, our Snowdrops bloomed on February 16, a good three weeks earlier than I'd seen these flowers bloom before, in the six years we've lived in this house.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And although they're not actually flowers, I also loved seeing the little flower-like bracts on the American Witch Hazel shrub in our front yard; the bracts are left over from last year's blossoms, and they'll host the expanding seed pods in the coming months. Here's a picture of these bracts from February 12:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ouni05EYcqmWmgwgjpFdvGbk9M8xQa52PS4lm5f2ScptHr9TjsB0gttBXySH77M-Bs6ReGfo-Hpxa02zYW8FfmOE1qTWhewZgxYF3nGGceZDx4Vvj7iqWjCCqFrzJ3U3YfvkT51kz3eFPkPNIHdkSHah2ZPALodLPnpAHwr8xxh0DNvE7v2EpIjk5bI/s2848/witch%20hazel%20bracts.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1995" data-original-width="2848" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_ouni05EYcqmWmgwgjpFdvGbk9M8xQa52PS4lm5f2ScptHr9TjsB0gttBXySH77M-Bs6ReGfo-Hpxa02zYW8FfmOE1qTWhewZgxYF3nGGceZDx4Vvj7iqWjCCqFrzJ3U3YfvkT51kz3eFPkPNIHdkSHah2ZPALodLPnpAHwr8xxh0DNvE7v2EpIjk5bI/w640-h448/witch%20hazel%20bracts.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On March 5, I spent some time admiring some of the birds hanging out in our yard. I love how the underside of this Mourning Dove's tail seems to glow:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ODxXx3iEYKFE4zJxDD_ZxZMN3OFT3ShbEdOFgtd7I4uEKGVXLLJE8pqCsfGVAHQ62_Po2VHmN0sIOdxqETCgIF2Q-ssP76U7-_ahXsdQa2v1_jbbPkXMKiWvlA1p6O0Z9VKf2RfuhO1yiYe3ExBTrygyt-09Z0HB-_4E7chF--mg8gYkc238Ju0dW3U/s2696/mourning%20dove.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2016" data-original-width="2696" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9ODxXx3iEYKFE4zJxDD_ZxZMN3OFT3ShbEdOFgtd7I4uEKGVXLLJE8pqCsfGVAHQ62_Po2VHmN0sIOdxqETCgIF2Q-ssP76U7-_ahXsdQa2v1_jbbPkXMKiWvlA1p6O0Z9VKf2RfuhO1yiYe3ExBTrygyt-09Z0HB-_4E7chF--mg8gYkc238Ju0dW3U/w640-h478/mourning%20dove.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A male Red-bellied Woodpecker and Pileated Woodpecker sat in the same tree across the meadow from our house for several minutes, preening and apparently keeping watch over the territory (this tree was sooo far away from me -- yay, camera!):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUJyXjKsWhan6se-IaI10_8RGpq0T0DUjj9ACr0Zfv3kqJQyCKYq_Laf3pZD_mQie6O-QFLGlUPEiyVCm_w3XtiUrgRdzpv8VDStHo92bIJkOQGug0tCzkG0Xw8RMNJR84ZCUdil1m_rLDaA3GxaH5Z2UhgVsTRa8L5miVG0V11azIhwFoBgamYaPGO8/s3150/pileated%20and%20red-bellied%20woodpeckers%20across%20meadow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3150" data-original-width="1852" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqUJyXjKsWhan6se-IaI10_8RGpq0T0DUjj9ACr0Zfv3kqJQyCKYq_Laf3pZD_mQie6O-QFLGlUPEiyVCm_w3XtiUrgRdzpv8VDStHo92bIJkOQGug0tCzkG0Xw8RMNJR84ZCUdil1m_rLDaA3GxaH5Z2UhgVsTRa8L5miVG0V11azIhwFoBgamYaPGO8/w376-h640/pileated%20and%20red-bellied%20woodpeckers%20across%20meadow.JPG" width="376" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A male House Finch looked handsome in the branches of a fir tree in our yard:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1n74MZFZ9PVkW2YthLGhllZRW31DwZZWH5j9GTfJsdWwX07z5rPmHH3hZUztKxPWXfi3irCOmP3qx-_FHMaI4ifDCs_FpLFKh0pzXWpKpEWvsu9zXY9MuDAr3LGxsxtcqrttCKabxYAvCFLGhOhY19mVC5ZuayHya9uvhq7ldHyDqB2b5sWM-gi7maM/s2596/house%20finch%20in%20fir.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1603" data-original-width="2596" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc1n74MZFZ9PVkW2YthLGhllZRW31DwZZWH5j9GTfJsdWwX07z5rPmHH3hZUztKxPWXfi3irCOmP3qx-_FHMaI4ifDCs_FpLFKh0pzXWpKpEWvsu9zXY9MuDAr3LGxsxtcqrttCKabxYAvCFLGhOhY19mVC5ZuayHya9uvhq7ldHyDqB2b5sWM-gi7maM/w640-h396/house%20finch%20in%20fir.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's another (or the same?) male Downy Woodpecker in the apple tree again, this time without a window pane between us:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFJEiFSd2G2rKkcy7-PMY8kL5JXemJFER4wa288Qpb4j9mUWwrPT4fQoABqMqXHLcqQ4x9PY8TCrdmAeT-NA-sKPRPk7hWodoQTKCybZ2Rv5t3NT-UTQ2bel1f_5l1jKn9058mdI7PhXdjzV40_vvlBZirUy2WYA80xlnGYoVevyOiej1mHaYedqLKJ4/s2778/downy%20woodpecker%20in%20apple%20tree.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1854" data-original-width="2778" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFJEiFSd2G2rKkcy7-PMY8kL5JXemJFER4wa288Qpb4j9mUWwrPT4fQoABqMqXHLcqQ4x9PY8TCrdmAeT-NA-sKPRPk7hWodoQTKCybZ2Rv5t3NT-UTQ2bel1f_5l1jKn9058mdI7PhXdjzV40_vvlBZirUy2WYA80xlnGYoVevyOiej1mHaYedqLKJ4/w640-h428/downy%20woodpecker%20in%20apple%20tree.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On March 12, a few inches of puffy wet snow made a pretty frame for this American Goldfinch:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4VQ1WjYnwo3awapXxUlk0Y6R48hvkSkUTzA7uIu4oSPRVkmlGTAFPPl4Sw4l9FyZEquNiAsy1sTA3hFDO_IQLs8wJc-smHk4Bz0DSEgfZapA3g3npWlT9Vs_qDdEPUBNKQcT3HAB062TaIKHMVjfWzmkOV0QZ7mvPaHqSW0F20xjf9ZKLSkyTEvJ4Tw/s3332/goldfinch%20in%20puffy%20snow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2328" data-original-width="3332" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW4VQ1WjYnwo3awapXxUlk0Y6R48hvkSkUTzA7uIu4oSPRVkmlGTAFPPl4Sw4l9FyZEquNiAsy1sTA3hFDO_IQLs8wJc-smHk4Bz0DSEgfZapA3g3npWlT9Vs_qDdEPUBNKQcT3HAB062TaIKHMVjfWzmkOV0QZ7mvPaHqSW0F20xjf9ZKLSkyTEvJ4Tw/w640-h448/goldfinch%20in%20puffy%20snow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And some mammal's tracks led the way through the pristine snow into our woods trail:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDatDg63M6mGdxpB67kFXG9lBZ1w3r6_4sVxayt0hIxYOEbvG-kJni1nehXNVmHhDwCWyuVgOfITUMKQOFEQOOqDqIwsiiY067UF1oZvtQYnEDH_am4O6zj1ez_r7jr9V4iQDQytanuzSiBENjlMymOtbwRm6aR5h6uTyfJgFB7rSRkeuSuet6kvI8VMo/s2000/snowy%20woods%20entrance%20with%20tracks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDatDg63M6mGdxpB67kFXG9lBZ1w3r6_4sVxayt0hIxYOEbvG-kJni1nehXNVmHhDwCWyuVgOfITUMKQOFEQOOqDqIwsiiY067UF1oZvtQYnEDH_am4O6zj1ez_r7jr9V4iQDQytanuzSiBENjlMymOtbwRm6aR5h6uTyfJgFB7rSRkeuSuet6kvI8VMo/w480-h640/snowy%20woods%20entrance%20with%20tracks.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of mammals in the woods, here's a selection of mammal sightings from our trail camera in February and March; the camera was watching a spot just a little further down the path in the picture above. This video includes six brief clips, featuring a Gray Fox carrying an unknown object (something hard? a bone?), our very first Fisher recorded on our property, a Raccoon, an Eastern Cottontail Rabbit, a White-tailed Deer, and a Red Fox with a mouthful of voles:</span><p></p><p>
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EfWE28AI1_0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's so amazing to be able to see these creatures as they passed through our woods!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On March 26, our American Hazelnut shrubs were blossoming, with tiny female flowers:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9IaLsL2sv5MVxXBGI7RHlZWRHCRk5rtD1HZsgT1kcCTzxnJPLeo-0mi7ONfhERe56ZxexFXawowDLAuX_Em5226IRTcNtF6jXm751yHoDIAE1Pi7SjvyyT4aPGh2ka6rU3W_NN3vW-Z0sNam460nzIVvrKUOSFLbUBcNnUQFoOgXQNa2gzCtmtTdAbM/s2910/american%20hazelnut%20female%20flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="2910" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK9IaLsL2sv5MVxXBGI7RHlZWRHCRk5rtD1HZsgT1kcCTzxnJPLeo-0mi7ONfhERe56ZxexFXawowDLAuX_Em5226IRTcNtF6jXm751yHoDIAE1Pi7SjvyyT4aPGh2ka6rU3W_NN3vW-Z0sNam460nzIVvrKUOSFLbUBcNnUQFoOgXQNa2gzCtmtTdAbM/w640-h434/american%20hazelnut%20female%20flower.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And dangling male flowers:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd-7ZnnyJOduvJjSTGMZX9Ssbe1KMVfO79iXswqvFZjFAzomTd15534S6Vn7RyEcFC66Yy3IiNviv3Wg5yJokblWAjDFc1PywKMNSJMijVRtzc6BLsSPpp3DP1S3RfUV1ZljcZPTOhI5XF9oJpD7ALD1LmvfOc3hjKDpn6gA9A615V-iXnAodsk7eeps/s2353/american%20hazelnut%20female%20and%20male%20flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2353" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAd-7ZnnyJOduvJjSTGMZX9Ssbe1KMVfO79iXswqvFZjFAzomTd15534S6Vn7RyEcFC66Yy3IiNviv3Wg5yJokblWAjDFc1PywKMNSJMijVRtzc6BLsSPpp3DP1S3RfUV1ZljcZPTOhI5XF9oJpD7ALD1LmvfOc3hjKDpn6gA9A615V-iXnAodsk7eeps/w408-h640/american%20hazelnut%20female%20and%20male%20flowers.JPG" width="408" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">That evening, as it was starting to get dark, this fancy male Dark-eyed Junco spent some time displaying right at eye-level in the blooming Silver Maple in front of our house:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR-1wYqnoUnNdHedcMp0hCkq98kvXDpy_wTYo50JNq9ndQTQFZE1tvxxc3dshIwYC5KJYcHBTcypG1L9rbUHJy4IeVM1FKsTmLgM2DHt0ExBs8qP48YcCFwfgG01OkfEuJ6NoEZQkwXPwC777A2t-1Z4T409C2ZVqnScwiSMBzNZ2GOZroQ7oQIqXDWE/s2000/junco%20displaying%20in%20silver%20maple%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="2000" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbR-1wYqnoUnNdHedcMp0hCkq98kvXDpy_wTYo50JNq9ndQTQFZE1tvxxc3dshIwYC5KJYcHBTcypG1L9rbUHJy4IeVM1FKsTmLgM2DHt0ExBs8qP48YcCFwfgG01OkfEuJ6NoEZQkwXPwC777A2t-1Z4T409C2ZVqnScwiSMBzNZ2GOZroQ7oQIqXDWE/w640-h456/junco%20displaying%20in%20silver%20maple%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What a puffy, handsome fellow!</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWsGN3-Cz3POpn7H0hONvbIzpDIO5NdltLpxjmK5GQuTZxpXMjOciY6wR8mNiML7nm2mqxscc8mnIjeYSvYzBWfM7NNPsBXlcxKLNAoFzbXlvH5Z3gomAuqCMA5mKk22_N_LcRq6fab7lPDPC0YTIFpUGdeCLuVhENdEZj34YBGRm4S3lGa9WjT-94iI/s3416/junco%20displaying%20in%20silver%20maple%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2296" data-original-width="3416" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEWsGN3-Cz3POpn7H0hONvbIzpDIO5NdltLpxjmK5GQuTZxpXMjOciY6wR8mNiML7nm2mqxscc8mnIjeYSvYzBWfM7NNPsBXlcxKLNAoFzbXlvH5Z3gomAuqCMA5mKk22_N_LcRq6fab7lPDPC0YTIFpUGdeCLuVhENdEZj34YBGRm4S3lGa9WjT-94iI/w640-h430/junco%20displaying%20in%20silver%20maple%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A burst of warm weather in April meant that a lot of the early spring flowers bloomed and faded quickly, and I missed many of them this year. Fortunately, I was at least able to grab a view of these Bloodroot flowers at their very brief peak, since they grow in our front yard (next to emerging Virginia Bluebell buds):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTcz8O75-_zbr8L5rQRPbYU_TRkzuoyZKzezBocALeImGL6GiXl21PomliWp_L5f8yEsGEI-QcHF4pb_6L9obmYTx92VdxB_P0cQqvrgrky7Lij1MswsOCoWUAVt3OWoPxV4OrXcb6mRhyA4D2Gbni2-IsRrIwXkE_ZnJVSwsNG1BmBrZ4kLaxtbbf-w/s2000/bloodroot%20and%20bluebell%20buds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTcz8O75-_zbr8L5rQRPbYU_TRkzuoyZKzezBocALeImGL6GiXl21PomliWp_L5f8yEsGEI-QcHF4pb_6L9obmYTx92VdxB_P0cQqvrgrky7Lij1MswsOCoWUAVt3OWoPxV4OrXcb6mRhyA4D2Gbni2-IsRrIwXkE_ZnJVSwsNG1BmBrZ4kLaxtbbf-w/w480-h640/bloodroot%20and%20bluebell%20buds.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And I was very happy to get to see our one Red Trillium blossoming in the woods on April 19:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6IzaqQ_lP2mgTUtgP2JyIzJwikVT55rHHOylA6tZKzReeMtQQvmZoG6pk9IYn6fRg5QKWr-P4DgP-T1KIOENPNArtn-_b9zZjP-LqxkQQmA43NZ_NU8eZoHCclNDsDNQdo17_fU4w0yHBXHC_cobWWJF55o4f9b7gbSDQfGPROBbfM3iVTSdSihh1Go/s2000/red%20trillium.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="2000" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6IzaqQ_lP2mgTUtgP2JyIzJwikVT55rHHOylA6tZKzReeMtQQvmZoG6pk9IYn6fRg5QKWr-P4DgP-T1KIOENPNArtn-_b9zZjP-LqxkQQmA43NZ_NU8eZoHCclNDsDNQdo17_fU4w0yHBXHC_cobWWJF55o4f9b7gbSDQfGPROBbfM3iVTSdSihh1Go/w640-h472/red%20trillium.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">April was also the time when our neighborhood birds started building nests and laying eggs. This is the second year in a row when the Eastern Phoebes declined to build a nest in their traditional (and as far as I've seen, always successful) spot over our front door, so I suppose that time has finished. Instead, they nested in our old shed again, where they were parasitized by Brown Cowbirds. The phoebe's April nesting attempt failed -- they actually removed the cowbird egg, but then they didn't continue on with that nest.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In happier April bird-nesting news, this was the first year since we put up bluebird boxes in 2018 that we've actually had an Eastern Bluebird family come and stay! (A pair of bluebirds made a brief attempt in 2019, but they disappeared after they laid one egg.) It's been so wonderful to have bluebirds as a common fixture in our yard this year -- usually they're only infrequent passers-through here. I don't have any pictures of the bluebird family from April, but don't worry, I'll have plenty of pictures of them in the next posts.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On April 19, I was surprised to see a Black-capped Chickadee checking out the nest box containing the fully-constructed bluebird nest (the first egg appeared the very next day):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBSYPCdet72yS2f1HIPYho0RVjbR6WANZZcmomTy-a7FpT3229b0dIAd5uC7bYgbtw4wqWOGSXS82sYGXO7Gh926qPALrKjk17sCwIa7CFc3c_JJMnZ2j1qa_1YIN2WE9Q9B9z9DlvBj1XjeRxxms7AQkBLw0rlcMhgUPBQtOn8coRRGdAx8ZEQWeReQ/s2500/chickadee%20checking%20bluebird's%20nestbox%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1816" data-original-width="2500" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJBSYPCdet72yS2f1HIPYho0RVjbR6WANZZcmomTy-a7FpT3229b0dIAd5uC7bYgbtw4wqWOGSXS82sYGXO7Gh926qPALrKjk17sCwIa7CFc3c_JJMnZ2j1qa_1YIN2WE9Q9B9z9DlvBj1XjeRxxms7AQkBLw0rlcMhgUPBQtOn8coRRGdAx8ZEQWeReQ/w640-h464/chickadee%20checking%20bluebird's%20nestbox%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The chickadee even went inside the box to take a look around, but it left again quickly:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFVu1O72zUk8F3dCfih2Q_rnNh-l6s3EoMF9c2LSChQqGsVzTWy7z9RUMrMIHmcvhIsKbvL-XCF9o4BaV128PZDxfZmmoK89svrwU1QvfvustYGkASXz3m2IEBrytrjOUn5Ya_RW76xKN79P7KF8bZ2CMvIXu3hH4RYIXztLR39jNxburQLxodRyZlr4/s2397/chickadee%20checking%20bluebird's%20nestbox%20%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="2397" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFVu1O72zUk8F3dCfih2Q_rnNh-l6s3EoMF9c2LSChQqGsVzTWy7z9RUMrMIHmcvhIsKbvL-XCF9o4BaV128PZDxfZmmoK89svrwU1QvfvustYGkASXz3m2IEBrytrjOUn5Ya_RW76xKN79P7KF8bZ2CMvIXu3hH4RYIXztLR39jNxburQLxodRyZlr4/w640-h456/chickadee%20checking%20bluebird's%20nestbox%20%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Sorry, chickadee, this spot is taken.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And that's it for 2023 up through April! I've got lots more to share from spring and summer so far this year, so more will be coming later. :)<br /></span></p><p></p><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-36044472081579411642022-12-31T15:16:00.000-08:002022-12-31T15:16:32.285-08:00The Rest of 2022, Part IV: Insects and Plants<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Whew, I guess I did have a lot to share from 2022, since this is the fourth post wrapping up this year's sightings from our property. But really, this is what I get for letting things pile up since March. In any case, here are some final assorted highlights from 2022, featuring insects (and spiders) and plants!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The first significant wave of spring flowers always makes me very happy, and our show started in late April this year. I was especially happy to see flowers that I've planted in front of our house in recent years (mostly thanks to our local native plant nurseries!). A small bee was enjoying these Bloodroot flowers on April 24 as much as I was:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkddSPT4CIRGhpMPlVwk3mkyuCKENQvgjA0gnRS1gpPTjruFd8rA4YVEu1mj0Qs-hgXVJaIG_NyzfmvlJnhD0Knr8GZuMeKEFuSlkXq0ySgBU2vihXy_wmk-HuSA4fcaQV2oAKI4oCEW1ex11InUC4y3RhD9XN7VEi5QV6Cj1a-2u6v4IpCQec125/s2728/small%20bee%20on%20bloodroot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2728" data-original-width="1818" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkkddSPT4CIRGhpMPlVwk3mkyuCKENQvgjA0gnRS1gpPTjruFd8rA4YVEu1mj0Qs-hgXVJaIG_NyzfmvlJnhD0Knr8GZuMeKEFuSlkXq0ySgBU2vihXy_wmk-HuSA4fcaQV2oAKI4oCEW1ex11InUC4y3RhD9XN7VEi5QV6Cj1a-2u6v4IpCQec125/w426-h640/small%20bee%20on%20bloodroot.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearby, the Wild Ginger I planted last year was opening its first flowers at ground level:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtqXK7AYnFDV1vS5OX71PO6gDMl7L8jBk18A4-Hvmkd1vjwi8n5ln5k6WB0ChCqBRwPvsA-BiDO_3kGkW3eIs8zY627STaVAEFzrp_zaVzLZULxXuQuNRZ1AshCcrkiZi8zocdD4MdArMIj3ZUX6h3EzCfzEefLyh5-2IJhsWO22Iv6Gy_KXhLXJA/s2531/wild%20ginger%20flower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1687" data-original-width="2531" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRtqXK7AYnFDV1vS5OX71PO6gDMl7L8jBk18A4-Hvmkd1vjwi8n5ln5k6WB0ChCqBRwPvsA-BiDO_3kGkW3eIs8zY627STaVAEFzrp_zaVzLZULxXuQuNRZ1AshCcrkiZi8zocdD4MdArMIj3ZUX6h3EzCfzEefLyh5-2IJhsWO22Iv6Gy_KXhLXJA/w640-h426/wild%20ginger%20flower.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And I was super excited to see the first flower buds on a Virginia Bluebells plant that had been in the ground here for a couple of years and that I was starting to think might never bloom:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJsE7ZMm0Rahd3ZK4av7QtY5FdkYXj86FRpQL8yc_JtHuNXLpeujt5BEYAA9F3pcEFsBcEcGgzE0dzUF-iukPTUrxHoQzWZoWlTKChaOQ6HBPy-ORL1_kTjmlVTemHyJN365Zbr91WzW4m7cZEEFkKf96FeLskPXU4gyrrfFbgQ2bscxc3zDmL0ac/s2021/virginia%20bluebell%20buds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="2021" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjJsE7ZMm0Rahd3ZK4av7QtY5FdkYXj86FRpQL8yc_JtHuNXLpeujt5BEYAA9F3pcEFsBcEcGgzE0dzUF-iukPTUrxHoQzWZoWlTKChaOQ6HBPy-ORL1_kTjmlVTemHyJN365Zbr91WzW4m7cZEEFkKf96FeLskPXU4gyrrfFbgQ2bscxc3zDmL0ac/w640-h426/virginia%20bluebell%20buds.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are the Virginia Bluebells on May 7, open and accepting pollinators:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTDN8zLkXL4-ixveiLakNHPYhw1UJLBBame66iycd_Do9CKv0Al3TsNamqBuvpH3P-mtGcYm6atODVds17BUU99V5L9z4u9iLvGr9E3XiE07EMMg5Pa8b6PFFJK7WJ9Ffm29ULfCwmDDJP5ZZs4mA7znhwuWYueX3LgMRtlDJ8SJ6flik2cPlPE9u/s2694/virginia%20bluebells.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1980" data-original-width="2694" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbTDN8zLkXL4-ixveiLakNHPYhw1UJLBBame66iycd_Do9CKv0Al3TsNamqBuvpH3P-mtGcYm6atODVds17BUU99V5L9z4u9iLvGr9E3XiE07EMMg5Pa8b6PFFJK7WJ9Ffm29ULfCwmDDJP5ZZs4mA7znhwuWYueX3LgMRtlDJ8SJ6flik2cPlPE9u/w640-h470/virginia%20bluebells.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 12, I finally identified the spider species that builds intricate double-layered webs throughout our meadow every year as a Bowl and Doily Spider (<i>Frontinella pyramitela</i>); what a cool creature:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MshAoFwIxqT09fiDitXQ2Hmp4lc_EsFkPr51IL-OY272uYIlBbsIzuQT7sCivuqdAPSnxzYM5aHoyTNTxtvjzlqfKBoUKMDqFaS1JiXCeQi11WQCJ0GsEXnfjkvJ5f-u1gruTNbVtdmkfXCXT3JLQmGlQSlV8Ru9NkrR_8trgaIg9c0vV9nz52Is/s2008/Bowl%20and%20Doily%20Spider%20(Frontinella%20pyramitela).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1338" data-original-width="2008" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8MshAoFwIxqT09fiDitXQ2Hmp4lc_EsFkPr51IL-OY272uYIlBbsIzuQT7sCivuqdAPSnxzYM5aHoyTNTxtvjzlqfKBoUKMDqFaS1JiXCeQi11WQCJ0GsEXnfjkvJ5f-u1gruTNbVtdmkfXCXT3JLQmGlQSlV8Ru9NkrR_8trgaIg9c0vV9nz52Is/w640-h426/Bowl%20and%20Doily%20Spider%20(Frontinella%20pyramitela).JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's the meadow lit-up with Bowl and Doily Spider webs on May 16:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi2SdZwVYpKeAJ9JP0aadIthJNjvol4-6ZwWP8OwI9exSDaCYw-8cyn9u93pDkDpgrnhPWfWlxYJiQmzvVq_ti0Q7QCESSJ3gbYXkX6lTn6TCW_WArio_WWL7xABeRMvcasaLguI8BcYPB5L--42L7ZFVxQC6qqxPuxq3QMY0EKUthgxFxfk277Hf/s2105/meadow%20full%20of%20bowl%20and%20doily%20spider%20webs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="2105" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi2SdZwVYpKeAJ9JP0aadIthJNjvol4-6ZwWP8OwI9exSDaCYw-8cyn9u93pDkDpgrnhPWfWlxYJiQmzvVq_ti0Q7QCESSJ3gbYXkX6lTn6TCW_WArio_WWL7xABeRMvcasaLguI8BcYPB5L--42L7ZFVxQC6qqxPuxq3QMY0EKUthgxFxfk277Hf/w640-h334/meadow%20full%20of%20bowl%20and%20doily%20spider%20webs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been so happy to see the meadow's progress over the past few years, since we needed to have some excavation done in late 2017 and scattered a mix of native seeds over the disturbed portion. This year, the meadow settled into basically three waves of dominant flowering plants (with other species joining the show to a lesser extent). Beautiful Wild Lupine (<i>Lupinus perennis</i>) took the first wave, and here's the lupine-filled meadow on May 30:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrIVcWQQxRjJV37ZwCcPBeDjQEb0CUvuQxJJI1pFdGKHgW4BbfnstoEoMKqa4C4k62yhejTgyANdmqDdRuR7M92f4Lncrp5p1a8RCCUrmCtpfFuFxlVNxz9283mDwzgDW_QJlDtlTbKA8k0lpUKE1iM_DSbEa2o2Pq-_5W3bqhxk63ApBhu23OcCM/s1500/lupine%20in%20meadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="860" data-original-width="1500" height="366" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfrIVcWQQxRjJV37ZwCcPBeDjQEb0CUvuQxJJI1pFdGKHgW4BbfnstoEoMKqa4C4k62yhejTgyANdmqDdRuR7M92f4Lncrp5p1a8RCCUrmCtpfFuFxlVNxz9283mDwzgDW_QJlDtlTbKA8k0lpUKE1iM_DSbEa2o2Pq-_5W3bqhxk63ApBhu23OcCM/w640-h366/lupine%20in%20meadow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">By late July, Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) was the star, casting a pale purple wash over the meadow (the gradually increasing presence of Common Milkweed also helped); here's the same portion of the meadow on July 28:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xSL4iaz6l8fpXndsFGTQa1-S_UqHcrraZ45MR29MVABOae_rRFKBwvlcqnb6Qpv3Ynpp_tW3pQK8Q48jCskvOqBbjS4MvvxI4YKZTgOV-yO0svPKCuExd4aJn9nseZ3fueFhbrxkpWBH3bvY7QrPSG0_z0vQce-5SG5e_YplbRQQuEDOyh3_266k/s1500/meadow%20with%20monarda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="1500" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xSL4iaz6l8fpXndsFGTQa1-S_UqHcrraZ45MR29MVABOae_rRFKBwvlcqnb6Qpv3Ynpp_tW3pQK8Q48jCskvOqBbjS4MvvxI4YKZTgOV-yO0svPKCuExd4aJn9nseZ3fueFhbrxkpWBH3bvY7QrPSG0_z0vQce-5SG5e_YplbRQQuEDOyh3_266k/w640-h428/meadow%20with%20monarda.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">September is the time of goldenrods and asters here, and goldenrod in particular turned the meadow overall golden this year; this is a view from a different point in the meadow on September 4, but this view was similar in other parts of the meadow as well:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawdJc2pAkh4Dvw8lvvyELvO5rCZY0k4vUBx2YtNY7wEFUvuWdyTub_xVuyhd92bw0GEvYvdbyLHZo5cUFmtblwRHOrk1-sB66hU2MO4OnuCJRT-iMIOOq7m-Kq3JOgtT-Qcf-5HvnL4z-F1-EZ3VlzLdB0QugZoRKKWTHeUZo47BedrfBGkB_OuwN/s1500/goldenrod%20in%20meadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiawdJc2pAkh4Dvw8lvvyELvO5rCZY0k4vUBx2YtNY7wEFUvuWdyTub_xVuyhd92bw0GEvYvdbyLHZo5cUFmtblwRHOrk1-sB66hU2MO4OnuCJRT-iMIOOq7m-Kq3JOgtT-Qcf-5HvnL4z-F1-EZ3VlzLdB0QugZoRKKWTHeUZo47BedrfBGkB_OuwN/w640-h480/goldenrod%20in%20meadow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I will be very curious to see how the meadow progresses in future years. I mostly expect the goldenrod to take over from other plants, but who knows, perhaps the lupine and bergamot will be able to hold their own and continue to add their waves of color in future years as well. We'll see!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Speaking of goldenrods and asters, here's a scene from the edge of our property on September 14. Our place really is at its most decadent in September, with blankets of flowers covering every unmown surface -- what an absolute treat, and a total surprise, since those plants were all there waiting for someone to stop mowing them so they could burst into bloom:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFwI4eG-IH9jd-MoWFO96JwFvBrWNpN_GdimnBiw4FGbA6SajzcGXMg_Ix0KE7ZnjrazLM5rsR11_PcGJFrhuHuaiiJsBx70j02V_MTtrfVoFMa_vXbVJvg4_GF9PpAIGhPlIj9-4yCfaGb8n4KO-tAbITJrnXwFDEYKKYVEuoRFCcqwQurWz9Qg6/s1500/aster-lined%20path%20to%20shed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1078" data-original-width="1500" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFwI4eG-IH9jd-MoWFO96JwFvBrWNpN_GdimnBiw4FGbA6SajzcGXMg_Ix0KE7ZnjrazLM5rsR11_PcGJFrhuHuaiiJsBx70j02V_MTtrfVoFMa_vXbVJvg4_GF9PpAIGhPlIj9-4yCfaGb8n4KO-tAbITJrnXwFDEYKKYVEuoRFCcqwQurWz9Qg6/w640-h460/aster-lined%20path%20to%20shed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A few other new flower combinations in the front beds made me especially happy this year. Here's amazing Cardinal Flower (<i>Lobelia cardinalis</i>) with Whorled Mountain Mint (<i>Pycnanthemum verticillatum var. pilosum</i>) and Obedient Plant (<i>Physostegia virginiana</i>) peeking in on the side, all blooming profusely on July 27:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGn3DOmhRvGuu56zoxFWdOJduxuWM7QmD1gmnJysReixwlaw0a6A1EQf6D2GfG-Td2h7jWAkwbXiJdmtR35q3zBGnUFlkfnfmb-qEilcK3U8KTb3M3SWmu45mpHZbtfY6ceE3Qp9uf2g2C67bjh0Xact_9O-X7onVRr3IZsYTWB5civ9t9XaL58f5/s1500/cardinal%20flower%20and%20mountain%20mint%20and%20obedient%20flower2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1075" data-original-width="1500" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGn3DOmhRvGuu56zoxFWdOJduxuWM7QmD1gmnJysReixwlaw0a6A1EQf6D2GfG-Td2h7jWAkwbXiJdmtR35q3zBGnUFlkfnfmb-qEilcK3U8KTb3M3SWmu45mpHZbtfY6ceE3Qp9uf2g2C67bjh0Xact_9O-X7onVRr3IZsYTWB5civ9t9XaL58f5/w640-h458/cardinal%20flower%20and%20mountain%20mint%20and%20obedient%20flower2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's Brown-eyed Susan (<i>Rudbeckia triloba</i>) together with Blue Mistflower (<i>Conoclinium coelestinum</i>) on September 10:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBphZBmBXdshzlB728dtDcXM52jMQ_k1xYbBM3G5Tup29HjhxYSqhUbvD1F13DFKY2pcwlzJd1v5v4dy2hC-bF5HRAxJ1CB_lXBtZBgr5yOIH9niKSN2rtN3hVWdw7R902BuE9PgFEvUaaT1ivrR8pagjkWftn7qgSLO7qRZQqEJ5lcLsROoZdJKYG/s1500/brown-eyed%20susan%20and%20blue%20mistflower%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBphZBmBXdshzlB728dtDcXM52jMQ_k1xYbBM3G5Tup29HjhxYSqhUbvD1F13DFKY2pcwlzJd1v5v4dy2hC-bF5HRAxJ1CB_lXBtZBgr5yOIH9niKSN2rtN3hVWdw7R902BuE9PgFEvUaaT1ivrR8pagjkWftn7qgSLO7qRZQqEJ5lcLsROoZdJKYG/w640-h480/brown-eyed%20susan%20and%20blue%20mistflower%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I so love adding plant diversity to our yard, and the pollinators seem to like it, too. I plan to keep expanding and diversifying in future years!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Jumping over to insects, here's a dragonfly in the yard on June 11, an aptly named Dot-tailed Whiteface:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelsc1_FYGmHEtx0ktiQYOeO2ffuXcwC20BquuGmGC3YWfjMzy1hVH2YiKjwk6g6qXCH7Y2zzTfZ3qnQh5avi7NlhpCrkuLgB9LK-lslTumZbJ4_0XE5PnlRrujD2_a3s_51wZC8y4qsMYZqRg5x1IR7wdHsYJNzoR63yH6F26elsFVN-_tqwga3WL/s2018/dot-tailed%20whiteface%20(Leucorrhinia%20intacta).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1345" data-original-width="2018" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhelsc1_FYGmHEtx0ktiQYOeO2ffuXcwC20BquuGmGC3YWfjMzy1hVH2YiKjwk6g6qXCH7Y2zzTfZ3qnQh5avi7NlhpCrkuLgB9LK-lslTumZbJ4_0XE5PnlRrujD2_a3s_51wZC8y4qsMYZqRg5x1IR7wdHsYJNzoR63yH6F26elsFVN-_tqwga3WL/w640-h426/dot-tailed%20whiteface%20(Leucorrhinia%20intacta).JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We found this Maple Spanworm caterpillar (<i>Ennomos magnaria</i>) pretending to be a stick on the mailbox on June 16:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOnPjoIU96FUBHUYZEUb5xEOvxeNAy2zNdLnFSTVFiG31kWGySo7XEU00Jhm_Votlf4I7UOs1m8lL2zLVn0GeYvnLj9llJrl1pzefT0woOIBQCQSNjnNc9uwgckl-hF3xM5F3dDpF5CH63CoRRDnrT5GWGuPduOFmEwG9twhsSszNX0KsGuHpiXuJ/s2063/Maple%20Spanworm%20caterpillar%20(Ennomos%20magnaria)%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1529" data-original-width="2063" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKOnPjoIU96FUBHUYZEUb5xEOvxeNAy2zNdLnFSTVFiG31kWGySo7XEU00Jhm_Votlf4I7UOs1m8lL2zLVn0GeYvnLj9llJrl1pzefT0woOIBQCQSNjnNc9uwgckl-hF3xM5F3dDpF5CH63CoRRDnrT5GWGuPduOFmEwG9twhsSszNX0KsGuHpiXuJ/w640-h474/Maple%20Spanworm%20caterpillar%20(Ennomos%20magnaria)%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Is that an incredible stick mimic or what? It looked especially at home when I put it on a Silver Maple twig (one of its many food plants):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihodvcdgcOi2nrP_QnmNrmdBvWm6W2864o362EEIWTwMOBzGFsuJ3y1E2EP6XCv-ctWvm4AzZNFRIlVLBDb-23O8QMEGgFGohH26vHjisymhYHuU72Qh0AcbxIOYvXBF9TMrVVMM7qa5xvM9-8yS5GYIStqPIpEosmUHP6-H9V9s08Xf04CJjUAJRJ/s1781/Maple%20Spanworm%20caterpillar%20(Ennomos%20magnaria)%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1781" data-original-width="1336" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihodvcdgcOi2nrP_QnmNrmdBvWm6W2864o362EEIWTwMOBzGFsuJ3y1E2EP6XCv-ctWvm4AzZNFRIlVLBDb-23O8QMEGgFGohH26vHjisymhYHuU72Qh0AcbxIOYvXBF9TMrVVMM7qa5xvM9-8yS5GYIStqPIpEosmUHP6-H9V9s08Xf04CJjUAJRJ/w480-h640/Maple%20Spanworm%20caterpillar%20(Ennomos%20magnaria)%202.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I planted some Pearly Everlasting (<i>Anaphalis margaritacea</i>) in the front flower bed last year, and this year a whole bunch of American Lady caterpillars (<i>Vanessa virginiensis</i>) showed up to munch on the leaves and developing buds. These caterpillars are cool and the butterflies are pretty, but they also ate a lot of the plant, so if they show up again next year I'll likely relocate most of them:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw00FUH7XeEsAOSr77AetFWy0I3VP5y9Xabj1MBPq7M-pPSS8vVtu2yGC1-40tqlVBUIyWV6GawLkwMlXQBfokscsOi8D53FuSw7DXZm5P_cSrRiKu4rNfn_Vg-_8ZvIf7bv7ZAf7KHWI5cYNpmn4nyAhf5ue6WD9GfAC3VnxB_4CU9Nf9qdcCj_O/s2008/American%20Lady%20caterpillar%20(Vanessa%20virginiensis)%20on%20Pearly%20Everlasting.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2008" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIw00FUH7XeEsAOSr77AetFWy0I3VP5y9Xabj1MBPq7M-pPSS8vVtu2yGC1-40tqlVBUIyWV6GawLkwMlXQBfokscsOi8D53FuSw7DXZm5P_cSrRiKu4rNfn_Vg-_8ZvIf7bv7ZAf7KHWI5cYNpmn4nyAhf5ue6WD9GfAC3VnxB_4CU9Nf9qdcCj_O/w640-h426/American%20Lady%20caterpillar%20(Vanessa%20virginiensis)%20on%20Pearly%20Everlasting.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Purple-flowering Raspberry (<i>Rubus odoratus</i>) is a native plant that already had a strong foothold in a semi-shaded area near our house when we moved in, and it's continued to expand in this area in recent years; these pictures are from June 23:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN_73c3auX8zVpQUzrq6n4vUt3g-iv_IhonITgoT1cvmf5IorVp7h690eJb14Z8iEATRCxyzNUnBZwxWbpXNE5IBnfV21HY8Lfzf1a_M9dnLrUA6_6YfFkIPLQgjXGRc49J7bwLVkkqVWDNVaCW5KCz-94i8mzzOIInfSA0mLVG56s2wnUmK3bdvP/s2996/purple-flowering%20raspberry%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2996" data-original-width="2711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN_73c3auX8zVpQUzrq6n4vUt3g-iv_IhonITgoT1cvmf5IorVp7h690eJb14Z8iEATRCxyzNUnBZwxWbpXNE5IBnfV21HY8Lfzf1a_M9dnLrUA6_6YfFkIPLQgjXGRc49J7bwLVkkqVWDNVaCW5KCz-94i8mzzOIInfSA0mLVG56s2wnUmK3bdvP/w580-h640/purple-flowering%20raspberry%201.JPG" width="580" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I love this plant's crinkled purple flowers:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEI8Aw5M1YOUbDl-TYX04KUX11Q7kPv_FVm7viQ0p0-AjUJiVWZnIUgqDZt7ElFbd887ItUy5cPHsYngvNMDozK3KuKh2w6EIL1aHZErMrNz0o4j10U4glrFSMe1n9p1qghQCp0wMV1OZHxZ3bl0zE0sidjr8RVk8P8JPulO4xWIIWVghcwBuAkJbh/s2348/purple-flowering%20raspberry%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="2348" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEI8Aw5M1YOUbDl-TYX04KUX11Q7kPv_FVm7viQ0p0-AjUJiVWZnIUgqDZt7ElFbd887ItUy5cPHsYngvNMDozK3KuKh2w6EIL1aHZErMrNz0o4j10U4glrFSMe1n9p1qghQCp0wMV1OZHxZ3bl0zE0sidjr8RVk8P8JPulO4xWIIWVghcwBuAkJbh/w640-h426/purple-flowering%20raspberry%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I still haven't been able to identify the species of fritillary butterflies we have in our yard every year, but this individual was looking especially pretty on July 17 on Purple Coneflower:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaNsAxr2g1iHoixyFCkyGYzKRnNJsFR2CH4qdWkEpjxZDuCwNR3RtaLTu8GlRgjnrlSpf3ilTRXDzV_4ZQP0neBUGZEI9bGnkP8iRI2s1_kU7VF0l6GGT0reN3vC7SLdLUHnCFL13qcJGki0ymzoMWBp2pAJtHAHWfcYTEnXl6pIW1vupWqZzcI2C/s3409/fritillary%20on%20purple%20coneflower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2395" data-original-width="3409" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaNsAxr2g1iHoixyFCkyGYzKRnNJsFR2CH4qdWkEpjxZDuCwNR3RtaLTu8GlRgjnrlSpf3ilTRXDzV_4ZQP0neBUGZEI9bGnkP8iRI2s1_kU7VF0l6GGT0reN3vC7SLdLUHnCFL13qcJGki0ymzoMWBp2pAJtHAHWfcYTEnXl6pIW1vupWqZzcI2C/w640-h450/fritillary%20on%20purple%20coneflower.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A few Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars grew nice and big on our Spicebush plants this year; here's a big caterpillar with its fancy eyespots sheltering in a leaf on July 28:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqkI7cND7LvC5sz-5je0bmxzU9VyE-DsCyZvnmvBkoE4WrB0GwrdSryQsLkFRSh2ff1OlWxThB7VPcs-38-M0oKuGPKSSOafupdSlqDLFW8XldpFxEcdpoBgIoVPmUx4wl1G0jZFvEkOqtvh8XOvJgrsXHH2Pz2T_yW9MXzeFjlKbu1mJNl74KC7A/s2318/spicebush%20caterpillar%20in%20leaf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2193" data-original-width="2318" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGqkI7cND7LvC5sz-5je0bmxzU9VyE-DsCyZvnmvBkoE4WrB0GwrdSryQsLkFRSh2ff1OlWxThB7VPcs-38-M0oKuGPKSSOafupdSlqDLFW8XldpFxEcdpoBgIoVPmUx4wl1G0jZFvEkOqtvh8XOvJgrsXHH2Pz2T_yW9MXzeFjlKbu1mJNl74KC7A/w640-h606/spicebush%20caterpillar%20in%20leaf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I also saw a bunch of Black Swallowtail caterpillars this year, both on wild Queen Anne's Lace plants and on my fennel and dill plants in the garden. Here's a big fennel-munching individual on August 17:<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3doenvIp_Wvqnog_NEVBztFge5QzfvOntJIMO7W7vI_Eugd8-8twscGzm6_Ni5fw45m-fcGr6vmTqUeyWMQjI6koer9eY1BU3H5V_t0LucDQgRYFIZOHnNUxCDkTXLWzPgZksr2YBqewt3YgsjsES5GPb519ryj2ELZC1jkVryOm_5sAueVm8QZmL/s1319/black%20swallowtail%20caterpillar%20on%20fennel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1319" data-original-width="989" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3doenvIp_Wvqnog_NEVBztFge5QzfvOntJIMO7W7vI_Eugd8-8twscGzm6_Ni5fw45m-fcGr6vmTqUeyWMQjI6koer9eY1BU3H5V_t0LucDQgRYFIZOHnNUxCDkTXLWzPgZksr2YBqewt3YgsjsES5GPb519ryj2ELZC1jkVryOm_5sAueVm8QZmL/w480-h640/black%20swallowtail%20caterpillar%20on%20fennel.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here are a couple of caterpillars on Queen Anne's Lace on August 21:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsRbu6GWVhyOsDO8fp89cbk74n-DL3S6xL0usY3gaBZvlsoUKDsgiRxKvoTS5wfkzadm2CnjcMoghddRziGl8Ov2cEYPX5vjSQ0mVUFJOs1LY1UTIHhEOGeE2F_oEOFh8CWlrVBzKF_hCfC3cF522hCIsqW9mkqrFrltonfer7ZbRTr3Bn_3lklkl/s1500/black%20swallowtail%20caterpillars%20on%20queen%20anne's%20lace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsRbu6GWVhyOsDO8fp89cbk74n-DL3S6xL0usY3gaBZvlsoUKDsgiRxKvoTS5wfkzadm2CnjcMoghddRziGl8Ov2cEYPX5vjSQ0mVUFJOs1LY1UTIHhEOGeE2F_oEOFh8CWlrVBzKF_hCfC3cF522hCIsqW9mkqrFrltonfer7ZbRTr3Bn_3lklkl/w640-h480/black%20swallowtail%20caterpillars%20on%20queen%20anne's%20lace.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It's hard for me to pass up an opportunity to take pictures of Hummingbird Clearwing moths, even though these fancy moths are quite common on our property in the summer. They're just so cool. This moth was enjoying a patch of Garden Phlox flowers on August 7:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC0lYWAIuBnzmWeEF_PBnFb0SXIsnYiBCrYpeJrT5wPJht62KJ474UpDs2YW9e8zufeae9zRojKpvjQCYIxrpMUyIELIrNlJ6I0Y-nAg4ULhDcoSx_GjI739gpIN6L4Z5mLSOKjkMXzO8YjCmUmpr7KRB5W36_hGdFs9yZsNfp22NXx3yXtTcqpov/s1929/hummingbird%20clearwing%20moth%20at%20phlox.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="1929" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDC0lYWAIuBnzmWeEF_PBnFb0SXIsnYiBCrYpeJrT5wPJht62KJ474UpDs2YW9e8zufeae9zRojKpvjQCYIxrpMUyIELIrNlJ6I0Y-nAg4ULhDcoSx_GjI739gpIN6L4Z5mLSOKjkMXzO8YjCmUmpr7KRB5W36_hGdFs9yZsNfp22NXx3yXtTcqpov/w640-h444/hummingbird%20clearwing%20moth%20at%20phlox.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And this individual was feasting from New York Ironweed (another relatively recent addition in our front flower beds) on September 3:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0PPjghNfBs7r2qa6K3bMxaZCsvVfKvF861OtNC0ZqzwcK9f6FThsdTud-Lq5qB3h0lKf3nEAM_L7tWRFQGJ0htnFf2rQetnIg9-8uLrtKybBM3AFdhRXvWR4qhjYU4JoHasvWcvKnM8zNzh_wIaT23zXYEJbvJGfEsoXUEQKoaK3kvH4uhjI8zc6/s1865/hummingbird%20clearwing%20moth%20at%20New%20York%20ironweed%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="1865" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0PPjghNfBs7r2qa6K3bMxaZCsvVfKvF861OtNC0ZqzwcK9f6FThsdTud-Lq5qB3h0lKf3nEAM_L7tWRFQGJ0htnFf2rQetnIg9-8uLrtKybBM3AFdhRXvWR4qhjYU4JoHasvWcvKnM8zNzh_wIaT23zXYEJbvJGfEsoXUEQKoaK3kvH4uhjI8zc6/w640-h426/hummingbird%20clearwing%20moth%20at%20New%20York%20ironweed%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I love the Ironweed's super curly bits in this next picture:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz_RlUZZYxQgnKZEDvnD5TUvRu-gDjdy-EBsElHT0IMT_a3xwB99NQnkflNZIlF3d3Q2ShMK77gl5OjimK1GMNIj4Wnv9sIQ-cKwTvma6AjFuhQlBjFYWjthniiIM3lyypncQ5uLV8lGiaIQtQQxXsyluq_VIVlMHC0hb5XS3OAtwkO18dulJz47k/s1614/hummingbird%20clearwing%20moth%20at%20New%20York%20ironweed%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1614" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDz_RlUZZYxQgnKZEDvnD5TUvRu-gDjdy-EBsElHT0IMT_a3xwB99NQnkflNZIlF3d3Q2ShMK77gl5OjimK1GMNIj4Wnv9sIQ-cKwTvma6AjFuhQlBjFYWjthniiIM3lyypncQ5uLV8lGiaIQtQQxXsyluq_VIVlMHC0hb5XS3OAtwkO18dulJz47k/w640-h426/hummingbird%20clearwing%20moth%20at%20New%20York%20ironweed%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">These Gray Dogwood berries were looking especially pretty on their pink stems on August 26:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJXZNqEGDPqlvzaBo4Nz5XPRDichK4bD3-TSg5JTMh4oYgdCKNv6_AZc1amK-dWxmB-45kLjxIGBJlhn9QZEBViypT9TxcqEH1tL2qNpPo_IyUFXHPDNSEusjkZdicURDmX_LXZUd6M8lleKL-EWM-TcdH7pLJiD9iKxRb2DOGrMVIrnw6nFvdbp8/s1500/gray%20dogwood%20berries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="1500" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJXZNqEGDPqlvzaBo4Nz5XPRDichK4bD3-TSg5JTMh4oYgdCKNv6_AZc1amK-dWxmB-45kLjxIGBJlhn9QZEBViypT9TxcqEH1tL2qNpPo_IyUFXHPDNSEusjkZdicURDmX_LXZUd6M8lleKL-EWM-TcdH7pLJiD9iKxRb2DOGrMVIrnw6nFvdbp8/w640-h458/gray%20dogwood%20berries.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Also on August 26, I found this cute baby White Pine in the meadow, surrounded by seedheads of what I'm pretty sure is Wild Basil (<i>Satureja vulgaris</i>):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8MY27dvpWE3DDTeY68L4jFrcrsu-zAdcGqpLfc0hiylaE9gTTafbOn3nNclbS40nCOgBey17fVlIXgxhkEp53riz88PwIaHF6o3jtaYamiPZ4lT-FBj4PXT2L-Nj7kq86vjHmC463ZPkkTiPtVn9H7UjFmrKA2a9vjR0hBzlxDJBvfTgfILNVO-E/s1500/baby%20white%20pine%20in%20meadow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil8MY27dvpWE3DDTeY68L4jFrcrsu-zAdcGqpLfc0hiylaE9gTTafbOn3nNclbS40nCOgBey17fVlIXgxhkEp53riz88PwIaHF6o3jtaYamiPZ4lT-FBj4PXT2L-Nj7kq86vjHmC463ZPkkTiPtVn9H7UjFmrKA2a9vjR0hBzlxDJBvfTgfILNVO-E/w640-h426/baby%20white%20pine%20in%20meadow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a backlit view of Wild Basil seedheads on October 14 -- these plants are common throughout the meadow:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5GMSVby7Y12huTSWHuTFUC0f3IBK1Rmx-T_Y0-laeyvEuhJuUOpAUA-SPWvLBa48NexDbh_s5PL07zAWfLqSqgBzZgtjCqPeuXo0TdrhGv3tXpasfYzXCKdm1ikKzSDRV0eZX0bI63fQmq3HR66hqXZE2YN4iafHmoQVyb-3-CSjj4hnO1g4XpZF/s2021/wild%20basil%20(Satureja%20vulgaris)%20seedheads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="2021" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5GMSVby7Y12huTSWHuTFUC0f3IBK1Rmx-T_Y0-laeyvEuhJuUOpAUA-SPWvLBa48NexDbh_s5PL07zAWfLqSqgBzZgtjCqPeuXo0TdrhGv3tXpasfYzXCKdm1ikKzSDRV0eZX0bI63fQmq3HR66hqXZE2YN4iafHmoQVyb-3-CSjj4hnO1g4XpZF/w640-h426/wild%20basil%20(Satureja%20vulgaris)%20seedheads.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the woods, a few Wild Basil plants were still flowering:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0-a1AgBHlrYecVcqtC5TM2PlXQlk-TK7vkEFEgWVUdc7TEBcZX86AMNqcVXxx4JicXWMp0AxJdnZby5px4g-bIg-l87ZCTUgTw0mDNBsLleaEfh5dYAm0rhO331ferW-jzedGWmFRAzUwwjzPFsxWomeIZMZxG8BT6i5UEbSf_g8OmM_TosRBBPl/s1734/wild%20basil%20(Satureja%20vulgaris)%20blosom%20in%20woods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1734" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0-a1AgBHlrYecVcqtC5TM2PlXQlk-TK7vkEFEgWVUdc7TEBcZX86AMNqcVXxx4JicXWMp0AxJdnZby5px4g-bIg-l87ZCTUgTw0mDNBsLleaEfh5dYAm0rhO331ferW-jzedGWmFRAzUwwjzPFsxWomeIZMZxG8BT6i5UEbSf_g8OmM_TosRBBPl/w640-h426/wild%20basil%20(Satureja%20vulgaris)%20blosom%20in%20woods.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Our White Ash trees are gradually being eaten by Emerald Ash Borer, but this year nearly all of the trees on our property had a big crop of seeds; here's a picture of the seeds on otherwise bare branches on October 14:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGCczpPELBxzSxpnPQxPlDXy7k-2qxpylj_tcR82msqmdHySPacwE0-VoYVvp98r0O3scXGtO3pGceuzNNw72Kklm8f9OoFKNu4VD1A4YtbUP-Im4mJIeB3qms5FJYlUwM9l19Uw0E0H2g7O7OSB6kwgVxxWfglK_ZjeKkHnq7gtch46A9jtwx9N6/s1500/ash%20with%20seeds%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGCczpPELBxzSxpnPQxPlDXy7k-2qxpylj_tcR82msqmdHySPacwE0-VoYVvp98r0O3scXGtO3pGceuzNNw72Kklm8f9OoFKNu4VD1A4YtbUP-Im4mJIeB3qms5FJYlUwM9l19Uw0E0H2g7O7OSB6kwgVxxWfglK_ZjeKkHnq7gtch46A9jtwx9N6/w640-h426/ash%20with%20seeds%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Also on October 14, I admired the gorgeous colors of American Hazelnut leaves, with next year's catkins and buds also in view:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCc1GKXpxsN52z3mTA8wJcu7gXyHuPpPVWQmxccYdbSxCZAvHCg9BTi0yZoWLs19mIFLcSbbv1scGbZ9zAXOU18Fr67PZmrDaxOyxAnw11cu_eMBkViRFDNvcER8jo_-hs5VtRwpBHbG2pM3deYH6N39ccdiHCyTbssBQQpnPxbyJuJxQ-Qhpgbnm/s1500/american%20hazelnut%20in%20fall%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1107" data-original-width="1500" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCc1GKXpxsN52z3mTA8wJcu7gXyHuPpPVWQmxccYdbSxCZAvHCg9BTi0yZoWLs19mIFLcSbbv1scGbZ9zAXOU18Fr67PZmrDaxOyxAnw11cu_eMBkViRFDNvcER8jo_-hs5VtRwpBHbG2pM3deYH6N39ccdiHCyTbssBQQpnPxbyJuJxQ-Qhpgbnm/w640-h472/american%20hazelnut%20in%20fall%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the woods, fallen White Pine needles had turned the surface of the little pond golden:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4W9FN2rSmbgShkxVAb1c9pF4I0A38rEKiuPMuV9KYxw5rAusHYn1WwX-lN8F0gOOjexHXoVREQGVDEzsKl3FpwJYLNdPFsNc7o43d3RdZTF2CqzX0IEWpL1y8kX9tMGWXjrNoyiYpD-VxwgmW4gUBUcNz73Z-KZCi9bcwO0aiV-j9pzhI-ejrR3_/s1500/yellow%20needles%20and%20leaves%20on%20pond.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-4W9FN2rSmbgShkxVAb1c9pF4I0A38rEKiuPMuV9KYxw5rAusHYn1WwX-lN8F0gOOjexHXoVREQGVDEzsKl3FpwJYLNdPFsNc7o43d3RdZTF2CqzX0IEWpL1y8kX9tMGWXjrNoyiYpD-VxwgmW4gUBUcNz73Z-KZCi9bcwO0aiV-j9pzhI-ejrR3_/w640-h426/yellow%20needles%20and%20leaves%20on%20pond.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This falling needle had enough force to punch through a yellowing beech leaf:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakWAT2XQhXa8G8MK-EG8U8rp4cGmjx7qEWxdQgUGGeqaL-R5HSVivyhX5zso4fINJhPUQP9h7BmJYcLIfA88uCpF_lXZvfDMCDAQwOm7zoRjKMFQoPh52lhd88h0Pf5RzvoVak_qKLl6eejF40MaMt3g8Xfy880HuoNeO8PkexH1UQSPDYpoDWQHG/s2158/pine%20needle%20piercing%20beech%20leaf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1439" data-original-width="2158" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakWAT2XQhXa8G8MK-EG8U8rp4cGmjx7qEWxdQgUGGeqaL-R5HSVivyhX5zso4fINJhPUQP9h7BmJYcLIfA88uCpF_lXZvfDMCDAQwOm7zoRjKMFQoPh52lhd88h0Pf5RzvoVak_qKLl6eejF40MaMt3g8Xfy880HuoNeO8PkexH1UQSPDYpoDWQHG/w640-h426/pine%20needle%20piercing%20beech%20leaf.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, the Virginia Creeper vines that cover the trees on the edge of our woods had dropped their leaves but were still holding on to brilliant pink stems, making the tree trunks look like they'd sprouted some weird pink growth:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuXq9fperdRqrQO__AJ8OzRUpGT4V4w8UXTp9PkqZEYg6po7mzUEX32bcFb0_RD2HRl0zlUZQVuF0tNAXt6eYEu6PDW-vEM33bY0FwkdmTTehhrJL1i8X6hIcKdd6LO8xIQRMXArW1kissS_I6eZORuUcJGO1_XgipCsXWvthR1hAqxgkmxRaOHHR/s2250/virginia%20creeper%20stems%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2250" data-original-width="1500" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAuXq9fperdRqrQO__AJ8OzRUpGT4V4w8UXTp9PkqZEYg6po7mzUEX32bcFb0_RD2HRl0zlUZQVuF0tNAXt6eYEu6PDW-vEM33bY0FwkdmTTehhrJL1i8X6hIcKdd6LO8xIQRMXArW1kissS_I6eZORuUcJGO1_XgipCsXWvthR1hAqxgkmxRaOHHR/w426-h640/virginia%20creeper%20stems%202.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And for one last burst of color in this post, here's a Six-spotted Tiger Beetle that was hiding in our front yard on October 29, until I exposed its sandy hiding place under a rock:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1wKn2nqInRFFhHDlF59P6AFjiI1lEqGOW30U-7nnnxD7JaOJprrGQIQZOtgoKMVxg08N6P2x4o7AZnJJRLhFFHoIe8_Uaa608t6QGChxy2-xYk0cEi6u5X1cwArwhjQpwSavaA6M6EGnod10J2I_OMdqRKsWLNgxuHCYCHb9ie_mVb1ipMuAOQaW/s1419/six-spotted%20tiger%20beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1419" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1wKn2nqInRFFhHDlF59P6AFjiI1lEqGOW30U-7nnnxD7JaOJprrGQIQZOtgoKMVxg08N6P2x4o7AZnJJRLhFFHoIe8_Uaa608t6QGChxy2-xYk0cEi6u5X1cwArwhjQpwSavaA6M6EGnod10J2I_OMdqRKsWLNgxuHCYCHb9ie_mVb1ipMuAOQaW/w640-h480/six-spotted%20tiger%20beetle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And those are some highlights from 2022! Happy new year! Perhaps I'll manage to post more frequently in 2023. :)<br /></span><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-12548233885915049682022-12-31T12:38:00.002-08:002022-12-31T12:38:58.498-08:00The Rest of 2022, Part III: More Birds<p><span style="font-family: arial;">We're continuing an account of sightings on our property in 2022. In addition to the birds who took up residence and
raised families here this year -- which I wrote about in a previous
post -- we had several other birds visiting our property. Here's a sampling!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b>This
bright male Yellow-rumped Warbler stopped by the small pond in our
woods on April 30, presumably on his way to northern breeding areas:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSB-4dI6-xO01WImSMubUu5wniUsE4xeQFhZ8cd_Cw82sLt_D34C9MZeayJU4UmmjOrCH1KXIums-Kt4mMz7mVo1gRGzTLOvoW9WTHsovbFlyXLSp_W6HksZcT5FynbbT2SpZS97XmHgM-1yZCsbrwycG_r0IuWev4BnJIuuWn-1nIhKw7vZF_7AJ/s1598/yellow-rumped%20warbler%20at%20woods%20pond.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1598" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqSB-4dI6-xO01WImSMubUu5wniUsE4xeQFhZ8cd_Cw82sLt_D34C9MZeayJU4UmmjOrCH1KXIums-Kt4mMz7mVo1gRGzTLOvoW9WTHsovbFlyXLSp_W6HksZcT5FynbbT2SpZS97XmHgM-1yZCsbrwycG_r0IuWev4BnJIuuWn-1nIhKw7vZF_7AJ/w640-h426/yellow-rumped%20warbler%20at%20woods%20pond.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I enjoyed watching these American Goldfinches munching on Daisy Fleabane flowers near the house on July 7:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDYCn9bbO-OTXkXPGcnK3SuZZ4ORbuNllV7yNSymH56733Bvlt5yJdWwEXjrH2Asq5qHPzc52lqVqGiKNu2ETlIYgT_bvOIcU0adVsDTBPOf-Al0ukaea3APUbbiw_a3gG6l3pvz5axARDsfELuHqYVR9qkTRqwGB4PMKuoCHfOgk9OwSGqIE3RQ8/s1500/goldfinches%20eating%20daisy%20fleabane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1500" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDYCn9bbO-OTXkXPGcnK3SuZZ4ORbuNllV7yNSymH56733Bvlt5yJdWwEXjrH2Asq5qHPzc52lqVqGiKNu2ETlIYgT_bvOIcU0adVsDTBPOf-Al0ukaea3APUbbiw_a3gG6l3pvz5axARDsfELuHqYVR9qkTRqwGB4PMKuoCHfOgk9OwSGqIE3RQ8/w640-h466/goldfinches%20eating%20daisy%20fleabane.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">On August 18, an especially unusual bird showed up in
the yard. I'd never seen a Blue-winged Warbler x Golden-winged Warbler
hybrid before, but this bird's combination of yellow cap, black eyeline,
pale throat and breast, and yellow wingbars were all the right marks;
this particular hybrid is apparently common enough to have its own name
-- Brewster's Warbler -- although it's not a distinct species. Here are a
couple of very poor (but identifiable) pictures of this fancy bird:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8cYdCVBan5HPWIvI8nLUOJYVeCKs4S6_9Q-bl7dcvjW9ev0cCNEhPC3r8pFfbeR84tl5m6vIfuDvXhW3omWuBP4EEdv7Du9eNmcSm4DAa0EYT7rzqSK2k1B8tblRhJlJ8yiZpRT95rI9mPds8hxEXua80RUK-eIttbGUL-ecngco9C9Ece1XQtAL/s1380/Brewster's%20Warbler%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1380" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8cYdCVBan5HPWIvI8nLUOJYVeCKs4S6_9Q-bl7dcvjW9ev0cCNEhPC3r8pFfbeR84tl5m6vIfuDvXhW3omWuBP4EEdv7Du9eNmcSm4DAa0EYT7rzqSK2k1B8tblRhJlJ8yiZpRT95rI9mPds8hxEXua80RUK-eIttbGUL-ecngco9C9Ece1XQtAL/w640-h426/Brewster's%20Warbler%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4w8nx5BN-LUHURuefMoUqCA6vBIO_3M3qnF_Dww9FaJLzgPidLKGD85Hw6HSTX4_tbvWsnztiqG0revSaRxT8LbKpr3UKXoSaElWmvUeMp05_MZZW5XtzSi6Qc-GeMLL2nxBBi-OW8EV7ho3njaKr4otcytTdKvuujh8OSjzvNArdZOMpX5KuvZXy/s1477/Brewster's%20Warbler%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1477" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4w8nx5BN-LUHURuefMoUqCA6vBIO_3M3qnF_Dww9FaJLzgPidLKGD85Hw6HSTX4_tbvWsnztiqG0revSaRxT8LbKpr3UKXoSaElWmvUeMp05_MZZW5XtzSi6Qc-GeMLL2nxBBi-OW8EV7ho3njaKr4otcytTdKvuujh8OSjzvNArdZOMpX5KuvZXy/w640-h426/Brewster's%20Warbler%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Also on August 18, some young Rose-breasted Grosbeaks
perched on plant stakes on the deck:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmeL3s6c45oOVhtyYMxigIoeJ_HbBU5zCu-mpXYInKVQHlK10n-7mHlSoV9YrrjXfv_s6QCNUZipBqlyp0JVnnR9edIa7FXQIZPj9wUyCCrC4Qum4HUVMlJHkQI0BP1UuaPA5T2UiX3ZJ5zjjHJPbLx-g5a5Iiwp9Se-F25Yf242HG-eoO5XBHAQ7/s2335/rose-breasted%20grosbeaks%20on%20deck%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1717" data-original-width="2335" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdmeL3s6c45oOVhtyYMxigIoeJ_HbBU5zCu-mpXYInKVQHlK10n-7mHlSoV9YrrjXfv_s6QCNUZipBqlyp0JVnnR9edIa7FXQIZPj9wUyCCrC4Qum4HUVMlJHkQI0BP1UuaPA5T2UiX3ZJ5zjjHJPbLx-g5a5Iiwp9Se-F25Yf242HG-eoO5XBHAQ7/w640-h470/rose-breasted%20grosbeaks%20on%20deck%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Although this next picture is very blurry, I'm
sharing it because I love seeing the fancy marks on these birds' wings,
including surprising rosy patches:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IbdiSvmBOeg7aoluXPstzf6sHDhsiMW0oegQYFZfRgo01iyHjOhcvj6VoVhufSHzzHOyYFZJs88f_ECTIliTipmYFzPpX9dcbp6gJeInXC4uzx_VqdLN2VhkGMoyZq7s8H_06se9VXA2iN-WOYWBjNbZka2IvPey8XbVjiJDQ-s3Z8TlUp9hrSlU/s1500/rose-breasted%20grosbeaks%20on%20deck%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="892" data-original-width="1500" height="380" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8IbdiSvmBOeg7aoluXPstzf6sHDhsiMW0oegQYFZfRgo01iyHjOhcvj6VoVhufSHzzHOyYFZJs88f_ECTIliTipmYFzPpX9dcbp6gJeInXC4uzx_VqdLN2VhkGMoyZq7s8H_06se9VXA2iN-WOYWBjNbZka2IvPey8XbVjiJDQ-s3Z8TlUp9hrSlU/w640-h380/rose-breasted%20grosbeaks%20on%20deck%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">This Chestnut-sided Warbler looked adorable under a Purple-flowering Raspberry leaf on September 3:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoK2Y8OmaBLAI84llcjoLx5mqT4byoLbpcCEuP7H3qJHphCKLrrn_ILs-J_AtzWXfEX_eKrLfYhVUfzgt_SFzlmO5kEmXUpq2vQ0ljtnDAWJjMWlJwyLMFdlDAS6EnlTeaAg2nfQ-KWjPurhD40wJ4b6SF3osXPBZcPJjxlCcwyGtDSWTMtQS5-Y9/s2522/chestnut-sided%20warbler%20under%20purple-flowering%20raspberry%20leaf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1682" data-original-width="2522" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGoK2Y8OmaBLAI84llcjoLx5mqT4byoLbpcCEuP7H3qJHphCKLrrn_ILs-J_AtzWXfEX_eKrLfYhVUfzgt_SFzlmO5kEmXUpq2vQ0ljtnDAWJjMWlJwyLMFdlDAS6EnlTeaAg2nfQ-KWjPurhD40wJ4b6SF3osXPBZcPJjxlCcwyGtDSWTMtQS5-Y9/w640-h426/chestnut-sided%20warbler%20under%20purple-flowering%20raspberry%20leaf.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">A bunch of young and/or female Ruby-throated
Hummingbirds visited the potted zinnias on our deck in late August and
early September. Here's one of these handsome birds perching on a stake
on September 4:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6CmRZK3M1XFgneqRIP0cuMeEhWLd-8aMid7JxFRF4GKewzbzo6omtIzD1VkrWBTpGjQHH45Bv0HqrTHVs_n54Q3d75YyVNdUpknkSunNlS1rkWU9n9FrOFynvrQkQIFYEu8V55Y8poIGX5zZhF51Ok2hLvY5Uopjqbjfi1hrJj2RK3EjbopzJ4sT/s1980/hummingbird%20perched%20on%20stake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1441" data-original-width="1980" height="466" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj6CmRZK3M1XFgneqRIP0cuMeEhWLd-8aMid7JxFRF4GKewzbzo6omtIzD1VkrWBTpGjQHH45Bv0HqrTHVs_n54Q3d75YyVNdUpknkSunNlS1rkWU9n9FrOFynvrQkQIFYEu8V55Y8poIGX5zZhF51Ok2hLvY5Uopjqbjfi1hrJj2RK3EjbopzJ4sT/w640-h466/hummingbird%20perched%20on%20stake.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">I love that these flowers are big enough for the hummingbirds to put a little of their weight on the petals:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXbayuV9__5JFzEmOnAWSBgCHPPNRJmlzGg5WcS7mVCwBjk5ae-A-v63pcVMxbTQNAgpwbPwoRGKiAuB87ykCEpco9H6u19__ZCtCUWxKcUKYZS6UvF69oAfmKRS1_e-3ddt27SidSle7bphqBtYjL3ViqqtIMlaxw7IZ4SNNAjEysMRB5dFIxQ4Y/s2517/hummingbird%20at%20zinnia%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1898" data-original-width="2517" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXbayuV9__5JFzEmOnAWSBgCHPPNRJmlzGg5WcS7mVCwBjk5ae-A-v63pcVMxbTQNAgpwbPwoRGKiAuB87ykCEpco9H6u19__ZCtCUWxKcUKYZS6UvF69oAfmKRS1_e-3ddt27SidSle7bphqBtYjL3ViqqtIMlaxw7IZ4SNNAjEysMRB5dFIxQ4Y/w640-h482/hummingbird%20at%20zinnia%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's another hummingbird practically perching on the petals as it drank on September 7:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYw16yiSn4_ONTJr5bMQas6MycV8JfFigo6WmTsiAxTBs3CzQ3JUJrSK4l-ezfXfDxUXosqjDZ--ahPYW-2X5oWRkXtfHlWP4G2PqBGeMa1-dQgz9HUhbFYTracugD8ymQ37INwDYBucSHqdMW18InVUOzLAmDxgkDKixhpwzLzi6YacaijRFAMtOJ/s2497/hummingbird%20at%20zinnia%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1665" data-original-width="2497" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYw16yiSn4_ONTJr5bMQas6MycV8JfFigo6WmTsiAxTBs3CzQ3JUJrSK4l-ezfXfDxUXosqjDZ--ahPYW-2X5oWRkXtfHlWP4G2PqBGeMa1-dQgz9HUhbFYTracugD8ymQ37INwDYBucSHqdMW18InVUOzLAmDxgkDKixhpwzLzi6YacaijRFAMtOJ/w640-h426/hummingbird%20at%20zinnia%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /> This Black-throated Green Warbler stopped on our deck on September 11:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjstWsji8-BnTgPryClHHbgpB7w_pzyEvivDEaEcU7YNd_EmzcMxwri5ONqXw5j-VOrx1KogkGl5mQVZog_9eo9KjBiV8VR_0mf1yrh1vvr70TWmW0yzkPtTrroiwapcITQ_9G1-MqhWb9BW_qMb0DDU74rA6U1rv722gSgdlIe3Iby04n9el-yQW/s1984/black-throated%20green%20warbler%20on%20deck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1984" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjstWsji8-BnTgPryClHHbgpB7w_pzyEvivDEaEcU7YNd_EmzcMxwri5ONqXw5j-VOrx1KogkGl5mQVZog_9eo9KjBiV8VR_0mf1yrh1vvr70TWmW0yzkPtTrroiwapcITQ_9G1-MqhWb9BW_qMb0DDU74rA6U1rv722gSgdlIe3Iby04n9el-yQW/w640-h426/black-throated%20green%20warbler%20on%20deck.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And I love seeing Gray Catbirds (perhaps one of our residents or else another bird passing through) with Pokeweed berries; this picture is also from September 11:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUT3SNLgnDv_-CFxm6g3rQffOuKIhj2gSPpGoKF534WHPMegwAtIiTt8sxYOZYm4qgh7imEvjcTRMUTB1SqVfTxui8cI1DTLDlP0ACoogbinlh8MYYR9uhLd2oB-E0_d1D5FOD3p1ATEORBjS33gazGc3JAHkDmpthaWQ7AwzazJZ4vnknMjwa-gr/s1899/gray%20catbird%20at%20pokeweed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="1899" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpUT3SNLgnDv_-CFxm6g3rQffOuKIhj2gSPpGoKF534WHPMegwAtIiTt8sxYOZYm4qgh7imEvjcTRMUTB1SqVfTxui8cI1DTLDlP0ACoogbinlh8MYYR9uhLd2oB-E0_d1D5FOD3p1ATEORBjS33gazGc3JAHkDmpthaWQ7AwzazJZ4vnknMjwa-gr/w640-h450/gray%20catbird%20at%20pokeweed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On September 18, I happened to be outside while a bunch of hawks were wheeling overhead, flying together in numbers and heading south. This one picture includes three Broad-winged Hawks and what I think is a Cooper's Hawk; there were at least a dozen more hawks in the air, and soon they all moved on:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dkEjLwIR-1byzxgjkQjpm3cJbTvNuYAHpweOMDJEiqfmgkGS67uYVG0rgYkh77t6zHuXVlHTLpQC_5A6Yp7GbaDH1vYKSXAvcL_RjDK4JhrHV2oZjzxkB-Hk8ZeOFM-smkjp7o3dM3QK8R-hqthKBURoeoU-BbXCAk271vGbcJydtqItvsOA5p-H/s2171/broad-winged%20hawks%20and%20probably%20cooper's%20hawk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2171" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dkEjLwIR-1byzxgjkQjpm3cJbTvNuYAHpweOMDJEiqfmgkGS67uYVG0rgYkh77t6zHuXVlHTLpQC_5A6Yp7GbaDH1vYKSXAvcL_RjDK4JhrHV2oZjzxkB-Hk8ZeOFM-smkjp7o3dM3QK8R-hqthKBURoeoU-BbXCAk271vGbcJydtqItvsOA5p-H/w640-h426/broad-winged%20hawks%20and%20probably%20cooper's%20hawk.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Other bird highlights this year -- without pictures -- included two new bird species for the yard: #112 was a female Common Merganser who flew overhead on May 15; #113 was a Green Heron who perched in one of the trees next to the meadow on July 16. Also, thanks to help from the amazing Merlin app's Sound ID feature, I was able to learn that I frequently hear a Northern Waterthrush calling during the summer at the back edge of our woods, which means this species probably breeds somewhere near our property.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's always exciting to see and learn new things! I have one more batch of sights to share from 2022 before this year is over. Up next: flowers and insects!<br /></span></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-28035316871681286492022-12-31T12:17:00.000-08:002022-12-31T12:17:14.064-08:00The Rest of 2022, Part II: Mammals, Amphibians, and Reptiles<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Let's keep going with 2022 sights on our property, continuing from my previous post about breeding birds! Here, I'll share some assorted highlights featuring mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. We'll still need some more posts after this. Here we go!<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Mammals</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On June 11 in the woods, I came across a female and male White-tailed Deer who, strangely, didn't run away when they saw me, but instead watched me carefully from not too far away for a few minutes. The female, in particular, was intent on watching me:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlriLDzd5D0AK6HS0nk_Fg2C6xOAiWX1PnZNOi_KNrGrHFQqSdZsgs5dOyvsCcZqXMCFcaKY0uNyIPqCtfq-5ZfOu3xNzosgpHeP5BenV0Uoon9Vbi1bV0ws79olq-QU8ol4IReARXS3-HVLiwG93AS4sAV5PZHiSCXlnJ-vKYAOTjtAulauaS20Ly/s2175/watchful%20deer%20female.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1450" data-original-width="2175" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlriLDzd5D0AK6HS0nk_Fg2C6xOAiWX1PnZNOi_KNrGrHFQqSdZsgs5dOyvsCcZqXMCFcaKY0uNyIPqCtfq-5ZfOu3xNzosgpHeP5BenV0Uoon9Vbi1bV0ws79olq-QU8ol4IReARXS3-HVLiwG93AS4sAV5PZHiSCXlnJ-vKYAOTjtAulauaS20Ly/w640-h426/watchful%20deer%20female.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The male was a little further back, and I was very impressed with the sizeable antlers he was growing:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlq46Q_PDyhMLB4XObn99jOGlmcZkpwoaElTxiMmk3uuyQnlFQx8CI1ufA_kshtnD6hPaVy5RbewA1Op1N4DKCh2YwtjuS1pfXcGhok0TlnNlchMtgQyim72p5r8vro1hHa4YVvGnpV_Sqlk9y7doatEbixEhVhZcDk2TmHyNNq2e_wuBStISqD2Nn/s2008/watchful%20deer%20male.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1339" data-original-width="2008" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlq46Q_PDyhMLB4XObn99jOGlmcZkpwoaElTxiMmk3uuyQnlFQx8CI1ufA_kshtnD6hPaVy5RbewA1Op1N4DKCh2YwtjuS1pfXcGhok0TlnNlchMtgQyim72p5r8vro1hHa4YVvGnpV_Sqlk9y7doatEbixEhVhZcDk2TmHyNNq2e_wuBStISqD2Nn/w640-h426/watchful%20deer%20male.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I wondered whether there might have been a fawn hidden somewhere nearby, but I didn't see anything, and I stuck to the path so I wouldn't accidentally disturb anyone. The deer and I watched each other for a while, and then I moved on.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Eastern Chipmunks are a common feature in our yard throughout the non-freezing months, and I couldn't resist a picture of this chipmunk on our old hollow apple tree on June 20:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaBe4SW7Q4bZFIfbi_snQQhktc76fu3CVXCU6tdW_l3vaw4tytvVsUP-zUkX9izKj0S5E3G6USMMBsYbCP01BVA4fWDfTM9MTk8x3cXIwPQL1Hqvm0qMzEPtv4W06eFAjbgFJM-AxrqYYzT0fQ3bt6sUtbCQ3yoUo8Zwfr5ByR_p-21ZqCnyu6pvH/s1500/chipmunk%20in%20apple%20tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaBe4SW7Q4bZFIfbi_snQQhktc76fu3CVXCU6tdW_l3vaw4tytvVsUP-zUkX9izKj0S5E3G6USMMBsYbCP01BVA4fWDfTM9MTk8x3cXIwPQL1Hqvm0qMzEPtv4W06eFAjbgFJM-AxrqYYzT0fQ3bt6sUtbCQ3yoUo8Zwfr5ByR_p-21ZqCnyu6pvH/w426-h640/chipmunk%20in%20apple%20tree.jpg" width="426" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Our vegetable garden is generally well-protected with tall netting to keep out deer and short metal fencing with small holes to keep out rabbits and rodents who would love to nibble on veggies. Every once in a while, though, some industrious creature finds a way through these defences, and in July this year, I returned from a trip to find whole bean plants and eggplant branches snipped off by a mysterious muncher, and only some of the leaves on those branches eaten. After a few days (and some more damage), I figured out that the culprit was a mother Meadow Vole who had found enough of a gap in my fencing and had moved her family of babies into a rock pile in the corner of my garden. On July 17, I removed the rocks and uncovered a handful of furry toddlers -- here's one of these cute and hungry creatures:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0QuET2jyH7QmOId7Bk9EEk5IYkGf9oxRn87fqanZZ4MHf3udnMRWBzULQSOYZiXPg2PEw4dAx-Mm6tp078uTP5XC7I-HREMO5TDrCtD3U97e5fP5NpCqrTneUDnVmwtrAI6dUzTKGE93LZCJGimSCmhKZl80Bj9-4Tw9ixyFGyYJDD1sP69ASxRp/s1500/baby%20meadow%20vole.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo0QuET2jyH7QmOId7Bk9EEk5IYkGf9oxRn87fqanZZ4MHf3udnMRWBzULQSOYZiXPg2PEw4dAx-Mm6tp078uTP5XC7I-HREMO5TDrCtD3U97e5fP5NpCqrTneUDnVmwtrAI6dUzTKGE93LZCJGimSCmhKZl80Bj9-4Tw9ixyFGyYJDD1sP69ASxRp/w640-h480/baby%20meadow%20vole.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Meadow Voles are numerous in our yard and meadow, but I don't often get to see them up close like this. I moved the babies outside of the garden, saw the mother make her exit, and re-secured the gap in the fencing where she was probably getting through. Unfortunately, either I didn't successfully fix the gap or the mother vole was able to climb over the ~2-foot fence -- and I read some sources that suggest that voles can indeed climb if they have enough motivation -- because she kept removing bits of the beans and eggplants over the next few days. And then when I put out a live trap in the bean row, hoping to relocate her, she got caught in the trap and died; I suspect now that the trap might have gotten too hot in the sun. I was really sad to have caused the death of this inventive and persistent creature, but it is also true that we have tons of voles here (including her new batch of babies), vole mortality is high in general, and the purpose of my little vegetable garden is to make food for people, not voles. Here's hoping the fence keeps little furry creatures out of the garden in the future; it's really better for everyone if they stay outside.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Reptiles and Amphibians</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Our first amphibian sightings this year were on March 19, when night-time temperatures were in the 50s and the ground was damp, and our first really big salamander night was on the rainy night of March 24, when we helped at least 20 Spotted Salamanders across the road near our house in a span of around 10 minutes. Amphibians were waking up and on the move! On March 26, I re-learned that it's best not to tidy up flower beds too early in the year, when I accidentally uncovered a Spring Peeper that was hunkered down in the dirt beneath some dead leaves on this freezing cold day; after taking this picture, I quickly covered the little frog back up:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> </b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvrL9yIRM2hM7aFI-Bq2nhHUUJ1mSrH9eVAl7WwAY3-lgVGehlI07ggU2NbvjiAd-LPIa4OVQq0ScLuCVBxHx6VNV5ox1TSLFXraYPqHzAc4QLr97DrYzHsObwkhD7ALZHojqA08cab3MrbQOOJrVIaL5CD5C0bVN5Mop4FY1OMArRK9dNywiI0Gw/s1913/spring%20peeper%20in%20flower%20bed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="1913" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnvrL9yIRM2hM7aFI-Bq2nhHUUJ1mSrH9eVAl7WwAY3-lgVGehlI07ggU2NbvjiAd-LPIa4OVQq0ScLuCVBxHx6VNV5ox1TSLFXraYPqHzAc4QLr97DrYzHsObwkhD7ALZHojqA08cab3MrbQOOJrVIaL5CD5C0bVN5Mop4FY1OMArRK9dNywiI0Gw/w640-h480/spring%20peeper%20in%20flower%20bed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The night of March 31 was another great time for amphibian movement. Here's a big Spotted Salamander who we helped across the road that night:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM69TKMfbyxt_SHAM_-98yeFMlYiKohdeUGY9xbAJQwNSPC-eZ3EKwIcz2DfLogL-51iik8kFn91ZSYavZbMt2hWFGgHP7M_HE0KlVYCFM1c4K-IkGkUTbiskZqRlqgIVhJAyT__j6z5g43ClX9r-0hE1ndWTBKesZui3YR5mJpIV0xlISneMGL6g/s1500/spotted%20salamander%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilM69TKMfbyxt_SHAM_-98yeFMlYiKohdeUGY9xbAJQwNSPC-eZ3EKwIcz2DfLogL-51iik8kFn91ZSYavZbMt2hWFGgHP7M_HE0KlVYCFM1c4K-IkGkUTbiskZqRlqgIVhJAyT__j6z5g43ClX9r-0hE1ndWTBKesZui3YR5mJpIV0xlISneMGL6g/w640-h426/spotted%20salamander%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's a much more awake Spring Peeper on the damp pavement that night:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGrmyvuDiL7drekwNy2sOJFWtniLxzI9AUONpO_p3HT9pMRwswVSK-TCTTLLmY7pYODUAboALQ_AeJWGhzJ8qbyWrGq8nMkJek4Jg5c8uVuSxLm7heg-XwEooKUqUHpPfgKwh55rtgUuZRWOdm3hFIfL_XBt48hqokEy47tztRlXhtiAXQXQh8Ond/s2131/spring%20peeper%20on%20rainy%20night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1421" data-original-width="2131" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKGrmyvuDiL7drekwNy2sOJFWtniLxzI9AUONpO_p3HT9pMRwswVSK-TCTTLLmY7pYODUAboALQ_AeJWGhzJ8qbyWrGq8nMkJek4Jg5c8uVuSxLm7heg-XwEooKUqUHpPfgKwh55rtgUuZRWOdm3hFIfL_XBt48hqokEy47tztRlXhtiAXQXQh8Ond/w640-h426/spring%20peeper%20on%20rainy%20night.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Although my garden fencing is (usually) pretty good at keeping out unwanted mammals, somehow amphibians and reptiles still find their way inside fairly regularly. I'm not sure how this large American Toad ended up submerged in the garden dirt on May 13, but I was very happy to have it there, and I encouraged it to please enjoy the slug buffet on offer:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXqK5iX57XSNWwXIGDIr-DTYePcEzia-c-Iw3QJ1ux-91kI8NncxeS9ESQjwnkvrZ6c-KRLSeKGESz3sdwwrvL78AokrIPX56xGx3iyo9wFxiOjy3cT0g9pGfPbIgF0wK3XbEFYiSHmhDGalC7GXDbX40IjHNj3jSnBRTJC1pUABqs7faD7Fj6jP3/s1500/toad%20in%20garden%20dirt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXqK5iX57XSNWwXIGDIr-DTYePcEzia-c-Iw3QJ1ux-91kI8NncxeS9ESQjwnkvrZ6c-KRLSeKGESz3sdwwrvL78AokrIPX56xGx3iyo9wFxiOjy3cT0g9pGfPbIgF0wK3XbEFYiSHmhDGalC7GXDbX40IjHNj3jSnBRTJC1pUABqs7faD7Fj6jP3/w640-h480/toad%20in%20garden%20dirt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This Brown Snake was living in the same rock pile in my garden as the Meadow Vole family, which I uncovered on July 17; I was surprised at this neighboring arrangement at first, but Brown Snakes are too small to pose a threat to voles, and instead this creature is also primarily a slug eater (yes, please, have all the slugs you want):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD9tBpTjFTUKR6UimUi4d_dXsBEGomNSmz0p7FWs5fZfGo6sugGiwAVZ7lrtBnTqOnwhdx-5gm_q_Psawv7ymuH6ipJUl29w0Mnx1NbPC3NxxAp3QLQJgjsj1nu6usW-mXO4sksg0gnbq0eYwpl9Mb2wqQyOttkl8u-b24Y8HKPVwNa-6elVenlSL/s1500/northern%20brown%20snake%20in%20garden%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1500" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFD9tBpTjFTUKR6UimUi4d_dXsBEGomNSmz0p7FWs5fZfGo6sugGiwAVZ7lrtBnTqOnwhdx-5gm_q_Psawv7ymuH6ipJUl29w0Mnx1NbPC3NxxAp3QLQJgjsj1nu6usW-mXO4sksg0gnbq0eYwpl9Mb2wqQyOttkl8u-b24Y8HKPVwNa-6elVenlSL/w640-h480/northern%20brown%20snake%20in%20garden%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Sometimes amphibians show up in other unexpected places as well. This small Spotted Salamander spent some time in October in a little cave-like corner of our basement, and this is actually the second year we've found a salamander in that same spot; we weren't able to reach the creature well enough to relocate it, so we just enjoyed looking at its friendly face, pictured here on October 24:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O2yMq8MZPBYWZpN4u0j6h0q2hkW6Uu5sL1xUNu6ZaFzU2PNuDvfulj5ldJQ9yAx_ymhCtXq80eJObugOdf5s9Q-XdB88TE9E6ggjdv0HQoJOUr3wcnc-PZbzREL4ZEAMpKYkL_ku9GOLf99hNXfoSwvGd5QB3PoLwJhhQ5BCihrUM0ymK2-O4GT1/s2160/spotted%20salamander%20in%20basement%20corner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="2160" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5O2yMq8MZPBYWZpN4u0j6h0q2hkW6Uu5sL1xUNu6ZaFzU2PNuDvfulj5ldJQ9yAx_ymhCtXq80eJObugOdf5s9Q-XdB88TE9E6ggjdv0HQoJOUr3wcnc-PZbzREL4ZEAMpKYkL_ku9GOLf99hNXfoSwvGd5QB3PoLwJhhQ5BCihrUM0ymK2-O4GT1/w640-h426/spotted%20salamander%20in%20basement%20corner.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope this little salamander was able to find its way back out the way it came, because I'm not sure we have enough food for it down here; and in any case, it should probably be sleeping. Good luck, little creature!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">In the next post, look for more bird sightings from 2022, followed by insects and flowers! <br /></span></p><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-38895889672503090242022-12-31T09:53:00.002-08:002022-12-31T09:53:59.462-08:00The Rest of 2022, Part I: Breeding Birds<p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here we are, on the very last day of 2022 (happy almost-new-year!), and it's finally time to catch up with this year's sightings that have been gathering on my computer since March. I took fewer pictures than usual this year, mostly because my beloved camera -- which has seen a ton of use since I got it in 2011 -- simply hasn't been working very well anymore. A new camera is now waiting in the wings, ready to take over in 2023, and I'm super excited to make good use of this new toy. For this year, though, I've made do with my declining SLR camera and the less-than-ideal camera on my phone. Even so! There were a lot of really cool animals and plants on our property this year, and I'm happy to be able to share some highlights from 2022. We had a great deal of activity from our resident summer birds, so I'll start there!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Eastern Phoebes are some of my favorite yearly neighbors, and they were back and raising babies again this year. This was the first year since we moved into this house in 2017, though, that the phoebes didn't build a nest above our front door, and I very much missed having these wonderful birds so close by. (I wonder if the female who usually built the nest at that location is no longer alive....) Instead, the phoebes re-used a nest they built a couple of years ago in the rafters of an old shed on our property, and they raised two broods this year in that nest. Well, almost two broods. The first smooth-white Eastern Phoebe egg appeared in the nest on April 24, and on April 26 there was a speckled Brown-headed Cowbird egg in the nest, too. This is the second year I've seen one of our phoebe nests parasitized by cowbirds, and cowbirds need to live, too. I mean, really, it's pretty amazing that this is their method for raising young; that is, leave it to someone else. In any case, this situation didn't work out well for the phoebes this year. On May 12, the cowbird chick hatched while the phoebes were still in their eggs:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHE44WSIQ4URqifT-xYW54h1IFS1B2q30sgiNubVQZQ6u1Zq8nmvgWEqobdEhPkO8_Hsvef9PEQs8BXqAFDmM_XthesOhCk2MGzrVLQ6wklK_u2zaNJ1ZYFclSMOqGubImP6009nqyUI-zmRCf35KSiGbuvEfXNuaDN5X2o-aucd1bPHxaoKglIj3/s1500/brown%20cowbird%20hatchling%20in%20phebe%20nest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="1500" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBHE44WSIQ4URqifT-xYW54h1IFS1B2q30sgiNubVQZQ6u1Zq8nmvgWEqobdEhPkO8_Hsvef9PEQs8BXqAFDmM_XthesOhCk2MGzrVLQ6wklK_u2zaNJ1ZYFclSMOqGubImP6009nqyUI-zmRCf35KSiGbuvEfXNuaDN5X2o-aucd1bPHxaoKglIj3/w640-h590/brown%20cowbird%20hatchling%20in%20phebe%20nest.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And on May 16, the cowbird chick was huge compared to the one phoebe chick that hatched:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJuPSd1VPWKBXk1n8-IRpgPxdNJkaPXvt3W8AP7-mCvcJE-mXhjFqjsLeBFRKyDTM7TrP1Fl1W80M6Nl-eI-tnxSpuxsbTP354FD6TG1Hsenmaj1KiyMsXgqilqXg6TrkKaht7kyBwoYE64vsxARDhdbAXTr2U2L9yD9Pp3uGCrLUCN6hsPspaxlS/s1500/cowbird%20and%20phoebe%20nestlings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1373" data-original-width="1500" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpJuPSd1VPWKBXk1n8-IRpgPxdNJkaPXvt3W8AP7-mCvcJE-mXhjFqjsLeBFRKyDTM7TrP1Fl1W80M6Nl-eI-tnxSpuxsbTP354FD6TG1Hsenmaj1KiyMsXgqilqXg6TrkKaht7kyBwoYE64vsxARDhdbAXTr2U2L9yD9Pp3uGCrLUCN6hsPspaxlS/w640-h586/cowbird%20and%20phoebe%20nestlings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">As far as I could tell, the cowbird chick grew up successfully, and no phoebe chicks made it out of that brood. Pretty much immediately after the cowbird fledged, though, the phoebe parents got to work with a new batch of eggs in the same nest. By June 19, they had a nice second brood of phoebe babies:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5fhCU4iFVq4Xh_NPVIyw6dsvNjXc5KJF9yaptMzDeY4T4rl7pdH7bBLdnDHy4k9l7mHMLDpgFHl7QhgadGkIR-aciasqp9_NaZ5Bc5zNIhq71Xlxad4fggQQHmQLlOSKQy7zlAQSQ16OEeW2Y-xgNnZKwMkdi3WLNpcDDCC5Gso4fW09svoXGNa-/s1500/phoebe%202nd%20brood%20in%20shed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1500" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW5fhCU4iFVq4Xh_NPVIyw6dsvNjXc5KJF9yaptMzDeY4T4rl7pdH7bBLdnDHy4k9l7mHMLDpgFHl7QhgadGkIR-aciasqp9_NaZ5Bc5zNIhq71Xlxad4fggQQHmQLlOSKQy7zlAQSQ16OEeW2Y-xgNnZKwMkdi3WLNpcDDCC5Gso4fW09svoXGNa-/w640-h546/phoebe%202nd%20brood%20in%20shed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">All of that second brood fledged successfully, so that's a few new Eastern Phoebes in the world, at least!</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Only one of our two nest boxes got used this year, first by a family of Tree Swallows -- I'm so happy to see these birds returning to nest in our meadow every year -- and then by a family of House Wrens after the Tree Swallows vacated the box and I cleared out their nest. Here's the lovely collection of Tree Swallow eggs in their feather-lined nest on May 14:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I3Dv5MSEFAZofUoSsBpeOJvFAPQfimtNKnYG4h5I8JhnjtZvy1yzIPeEUwNc0nqMcENFc3Q7Q9Q8zgPfAMvMHAxHGgyzHtTjalAaP6d32rHdgSwBuVAZG99-o0MGxSYo_suAyNt_b5HJ8Bcx8q-tVHFjhiMvGckq6vBKgbCIwqQH9-RDTji7AFxS/s1500/tree%20swallow%20eggs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1500" height="525" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1I3Dv5MSEFAZofUoSsBpeOJvFAPQfimtNKnYG4h5I8JhnjtZvy1yzIPeEUwNc0nqMcENFc3Q7Q9Q8zgPfAMvMHAxHGgyzHtTjalAaP6d32rHdgSwBuVAZG99-o0MGxSYo_suAyNt_b5HJ8Bcx8q-tVHFjhiMvGckq6vBKgbCIwqQH9-RDTji7AFxS/w640-h525/tree%20swallow%20eggs.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On May 10, I watched a Black-capped Chickadee gathering big beakfuls of moss in the woods and bringing them to a likely nesting spot in a hollowed-out tree right next to the path:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbh-0gw6VPn-YvY-wcRkS9ZBEwcgZvgiNujizJVs7fxzba1y9OZQu6v_ZDgA8skxAnBN49pUxVE16ycw8PG5gLuPUFFvaNZH1yBTXTbHAjrqoQiruo6Mm3sr6KcCpH6q-tudsZmgIB7NZI5fY7ovkTKaf42W1Ch-EGFgPW005KYHhgjF7aWJF3IIV/s1974/chickadee%20gathering%20moss%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1974" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQbh-0gw6VPn-YvY-wcRkS9ZBEwcgZvgiNujizJVs7fxzba1y9OZQu6v_ZDgA8skxAnBN49pUxVE16ycw8PG5gLuPUFFvaNZH1yBTXTbHAjrqoQiruo6Mm3sr6KcCpH6q-tudsZmgIB7NZI5fY7ovkTKaf42W1Ch-EGFgPW005KYHhgjF7aWJF3IIV/w640-h426/chickadee%20gathering%20moss%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">So much moss for such a little bird!</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXKcxsDFd4Ny_Gzn-aA35BnYCTvksHX_iHivS6zmBnPuynOW_1CXjR6eNLOPBydom4nTw8fsj18Tv1TdyOJ7fQh8MLWxgpWKQlBu-qSkIZWKM7rrM71-SZfIh7-0zUkCltLClrWKtLzHD94-p0UgHM9CXM15Acz0jU165HIniOAWqNp3vg6CF1i9n/s1869/chickadee%20gathering%20moss%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="1869" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXKcxsDFd4Ny_Gzn-aA35BnYCTvksHX_iHivS6zmBnPuynOW_1CXjR6eNLOPBydom4nTw8fsj18Tv1TdyOJ7fQh8MLWxgpWKQlBu-qSkIZWKM7rrM71-SZfIh7-0zUkCltLClrWKtLzHD94-p0UgHM9CXM15Acz0jU165HIniOAWqNp3vg6CF1i9n/w640-h426/chickadee%20gathering%20moss%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A hole in the chosen tree was fairly well overflowing with moss:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKsC9emXfGyeBqhFwHF8D6Ja-8ImUni9ZChDWsX65kJyyLoN0MlyAH8oupH8Iuxk2zZyF--s45TVKGQ_APDbmzDCYshRDbqhgJOcajoneWfnyr6C4w0cUYYm2FQHUxPuOtFWh_FPJwR0Rnm96tMZ5UCwRD0YEvjra3E6T-Nc2Nwln1Z8JgxFX-b3P/s2021/moss%20in%20possible%20chickadee%20nest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1347" data-original-width="2021" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKsC9emXfGyeBqhFwHF8D6Ja-8ImUni9ZChDWsX65kJyyLoN0MlyAH8oupH8Iuxk2zZyF--s45TVKGQ_APDbmzDCYshRDbqhgJOcajoneWfnyr6C4w0cUYYm2FQHUxPuOtFWh_FPJwR0Rnm96tMZ5UCwRD0YEvjra3E6T-Nc2Nwln1Z8JgxFX-b3P/w640-h426/moss%20in%20possible%20chickadee%20nest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's the chickadee perched above the moss-filled hole on May 12 (and it looks like there's some fur in there, too):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZw5dGT1sjljpScQ2TLvlz_IyHUKUvMcrb7cr6SdRMwcwQnUHvaKswUUdHfjEzNCBlAseIihpagq5GXnjcsO0IQ-t3jcSe2QCfS5ZZwm_r3xzZUs2Kd1FrM9d7TK7FFn4z6BPCmz0BEKAi9tSzEHnslFJ7TsGeQ9bEsFbaNc0myCIuGWuWS5l7147/s1921/chickadee%20at%20possible%20nest%20spot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1921" data-original-width="1433" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZw5dGT1sjljpScQ2TLvlz_IyHUKUvMcrb7cr6SdRMwcwQnUHvaKswUUdHfjEzNCBlAseIihpagq5GXnjcsO0IQ-t3jcSe2QCfS5ZZwm_r3xzZUs2Kd1FrM9d7TK7FFn4z6BPCmz0BEKAi9tSzEHnslFJ7TsGeQ9bEsFbaNc0myCIuGWuWS5l7147/w478-h640/chickadee%20at%20possible%20nest%20spot.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't know whether the chickadees successfully raised a family in that nesting spot, but it was really cool to see part of the building process, at least.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Northern Cardinals were super on top of the nesting process, and by May 15 they already had awkward fledglings inching out of their nest in the big fir tree in our back yard:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy23m8H77p_xmG7JtHQWKs5hNdWRpEapNPLgT_XnSqXm0N_Q7G--S_VKh9gF8UtsAOPjSEURq4eQvHp7KEvA-m9FSwHMtLxAf71pOESyOf_NJKJxGiXtdY20kMjq4Vwu7Joq3SxFi2oDxJzWIz-jRqmSzDQb_CHFo-R7DhzLr6slZ1diDRqQ1JE8kT/s1493/cardinal%20fledgling%20just%20out%20of%20nest%20in%20fir%20tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1493" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy23m8H77p_xmG7JtHQWKs5hNdWRpEapNPLgT_XnSqXm0N_Q7G--S_VKh9gF8UtsAOPjSEURq4eQvHp7KEvA-m9FSwHMtLxAf71pOESyOf_NJKJxGiXtdY20kMjq4Vwu7Joq3SxFi2oDxJzWIz-jRqmSzDQb_CHFo-R7DhzLr6slZ1diDRqQ1JE8kT/w640-h426/cardinal%20fledgling%20just%20out%20of%20nest%20in%20fir%20tree.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Wow, baby cardinals look weird! Both of the cardinal parents were on high alert in nearby trees while I was at all in the area. Here's the male cardinal keeping a close watch on me, and looking especially bright against this Shagbark Hickory's newly grown leaves: </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKcHJNANL2zg_l2S5oYXbJ9v8AIPdGytPnvqWrVlyArVmOmH2_K-cr6FlqZkrWmOHtiTTCYWtD5OfMdH2KsIivVsy6OqE2DHQl90JI1qxaUbPqsPEskwnfdIzekuUMODBMfDUxK50hyfk36HpS98g9SMHg7R0b8y1zPYFOm49PWajVgdwQq77F1ya/s1544/cardinal%20male%20watching%20fledgling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1030" data-original-width="1544" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKcHJNANL2zg_l2S5oYXbJ9v8AIPdGytPnvqWrVlyArVmOmH2_K-cr6FlqZkrWmOHtiTTCYWtD5OfMdH2KsIivVsy6OqE2DHQl90JI1qxaUbPqsPEskwnfdIzekuUMODBMfDUxK50hyfk36HpS98g9SMHg7R0b8y1zPYFOm49PWajVgdwQq77F1ya/w640-h426/cardinal%20male%20watching%20fledgling.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On June 19, the cardinals' used nest fell out of its tree, so I got to see this neat construction up close:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b5r3hGi068RyukRRlkDkEgkXzndUQemYURgSF5MoMmw7IHsF4Twrujmi2-LpwxAudChcpe6pgn8WI2eNlySecCKm0HbUO5WyYVUvUUfSdHf54-g4brRHUN_EG1bq4opFOsUZB9kx4t1VAkYCX3DWIe8rGI2KZcI7ulo95drhXQekUZe47-j1Xae7/s1500/cardinal%20nest%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1500" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_b5r3hGi068RyukRRlkDkEgkXzndUQemYURgSF5MoMmw7IHsF4Twrujmi2-LpwxAudChcpe6pgn8WI2eNlySecCKm0HbUO5WyYVUvUUfSdHf54-g4brRHUN_EG1bq4opFOsUZB9kx4t1VAkYCX3DWIe8rGI2KZcI7ulo95drhXQekUZe47-j1Xae7/w640-h468/cardinal%20nest%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's the underside of the nest, with wide bark strips from the non-native Beauty Bush (<i>Linnaea amabilis</i>) that grows nearby in the yard:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC2U_03ejqtosKy7etuUNm9aiuG9IEptgvdJOr9Rr90VCdytWDNAdmi1vKKqSpnH8GOOSaexSYYEA1KxmxhS9aa6MTYSZhS9bApa3xP509sYhkAwqdGMnkz1nDoQkb0JyxFTQxv9VR6usHwlz9AfrMQW4evH16WHSZ-nJL_6GVi_4cVCgQUg_5pFs/s1500/cardinal%20nest%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1070" data-original-width="1500" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC2U_03ejqtosKy7etuUNm9aiuG9IEptgvdJOr9Rr90VCdytWDNAdmi1vKKqSpnH8GOOSaexSYYEA1KxmxhS9aa6MTYSZhS9bApa3xP509sYhkAwqdGMnkz1nDoQkb0JyxFTQxv9VR6usHwlz9AfrMQW4evH16WHSZ-nJL_6GVi_4cVCgQUg_5pFs/w640-h456/cardinal%20nest%202.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The same fir tree that hosted the Northern Cardinals in April and May turned out to be quite a popular nesting spot this year, with both Chipping Sparrows and House Finches raising families there later in the summer.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I happened across two Song Sparrow nests on the ground in the meadow this year. I'm not sure whether either of the specific nests I saw were successful, but I saw Song Sparrow fledglings hanging out with their parents in the summer, so something somewhere must have worked out. Here's one bunch of Song Sparrow eggs in their nest on May 25:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd5pgXeVQc_uzZ5Qbpr1BZsu46PKrsKyqDVxT1jeZFf2ClSVKzkM91MqUW_SVz-4bxCuzrne9ybbXbFR7m5ejKdw4Fi4YFdS8IoLZLDKt4LcemHOjBLyGxbfs6xkUpyaPIBtnGHuZPxZtfiydeiTQ4PWme66NmjtIUsYbZJyiKgIJ4wCb-2b8dGB5/s2127/song%20sparrow%20nest%20on%20ground%202%20(different%20nest).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1595" data-original-width="2127" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisd5pgXeVQc_uzZ5Qbpr1BZsu46PKrsKyqDVxT1jeZFf2ClSVKzkM91MqUW_SVz-4bxCuzrne9ybbXbFR7m5ejKdw4Fi4YFdS8IoLZLDKt4LcemHOjBLyGxbfs6xkUpyaPIBtnGHuZPxZtfiydeiTQ4PWme66NmjtIUsYbZJyiKgIJ4wCb-2b8dGB5/w640-h480/song%20sparrow%20nest%20on%20ground%202%20(different%20nest).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A pair of Dark-eyed Juncos had a nest on the narrow strip of sloping ground between our driveway and the road, and somehow they must have managed to protect their nest from the chipmunks and snakes that I often see around here, because on June 4 a couple of baby juncos were hopping around next to our driveway with the anxious parents in close attendance. Here's one of the new babies with its wacky hairdo and tiny stubby tail:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8KKhadhq7YQbLf8kMzX0WMbtvkbKWIXEpw52IHjQGDLBQEDSyY-ALd9_0D_2HUngMf6Q58bCEmVkDAajqGUW6ECUaVyCKyBeGN6XTCkONDOMWz6zzTNz3-dr5zXeJ3gv-w2Bl49Ax5vvexyEtWDWe6GfUan_uCTcIrW3YGUjVeIHDt_xRI0Jyk4Z/s1740/junco%20fledgling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1740" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8KKhadhq7YQbLf8kMzX0WMbtvkbKWIXEpw52IHjQGDLBQEDSyY-ALd9_0D_2HUngMf6Q58bCEmVkDAajqGUW6ECUaVyCKyBeGN6XTCkONDOMWz6zzTNz3-dr5zXeJ3gv-w2Bl49Ax5vvexyEtWDWe6GfUan_uCTcIrW3YGUjVeIHDt_xRI0Jyk4Z/w640-h426/junco%20fledgling.JPG" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> <br /></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's one of the adult juncos foraging a few feet away:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgTKvw3MsYIE41Mn7zzI58KjNtzrWGiMywg9yym3YmgNWTUfwOClnuX2dVdhm3-LspJgQxBy4YbuSJ_tryWn0KrnzTq74mqy1ig9Wziw9f9zs09s4QIBOBa0UA46KL1dKV9nRJDLc75D50py252TsPoSfn1JLEf0aPpapJ13wLgI-doJvOa0MquKv/s2260/junco%20parent.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="2260" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgTKvw3MsYIE41Mn7zzI58KjNtzrWGiMywg9yym3YmgNWTUfwOClnuX2dVdhm3-LspJgQxBy4YbuSJ_tryWn0KrnzTq74mqy1ig9Wziw9f9zs09s4QIBOBa0UA46KL1dKV9nRJDLc75D50py252TsPoSfn1JLEf0aPpapJ13wLgI-doJvOa0MquKv/w640-h426/junco%20parent.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Also near the driveway, the Gray Catbirds built a nest in a tangle of chokecherry shrubs and wild grape vines. The nest was well concealed, so my biggest clue that babies were nearby was the scolding parents. Here's one of the parent catbirds carrying a plump meal to its babies on June 22, and pausing at the top of our arbor (newly added above our front path this year) to yell at me:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf7GqJ1KkC2BCa9hXgsjdN7VcFoAaVB5VPMkzhg9mH_ZVBgjfIXqLeA0dzj5OKEzOnV70fzzwYEJdDtGYJ9_TcO9ueidbUlfJxSx-voC5kafa1TUgdQ1mnKkS3D30fgCxHH2clySc0oFOuqy20I_h9UjDKCNZ6JJHTww3rj6D2gSz97DycrE1xxUC/s1602/gray%20catbird%20carrying%20food%20on%20arbor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1602" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSf7GqJ1KkC2BCa9hXgsjdN7VcFoAaVB5VPMkzhg9mH_ZVBgjfIXqLeA0dzj5OKEzOnV70fzzwYEJdDtGYJ9_TcO9ueidbUlfJxSx-voC5kafa1TUgdQ1mnKkS3D30fgCxHH2clySc0oFOuqy20I_h9UjDKCNZ6JJHTww3rj6D2gSz97DycrE1xxUC/w640-h426/gray%20catbird%20carrying%20food%20on%20arbor.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is the best angle I could find to get a glimpse at the catbird babies, and it's not exactly clear, but you can see the bright yellow beak and emerging feathers on one young bird at least; this picture is from June 23:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTqoBW6LdFeqhZqiQfvGUVtHz78rQBsFgtD0xm-sYheF0MhrQe0HQJ9vP7DqQAqPNbAMdNq2Lddwu7whWNAZvZLuc-HntupR35Qa9D-c6XlTAjEluTomtwjiaReNtLKxtFjj0G1knZW06yK2G5G3bucGytjpr-fEuZgf-FRhzNcY9wmx_NPiIwFkD/s1482/gray%20catbird%20nestlings%20in%20nest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="988" data-original-width="1482" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGTqoBW6LdFeqhZqiQfvGUVtHz78rQBsFgtD0xm-sYheF0MhrQe0HQJ9vP7DqQAqPNbAMdNq2Lddwu7whWNAZvZLuc-HntupR35Qa9D-c6XlTAjEluTomtwjiaReNtLKxtFjj0G1knZW06yK2G5G3bucGytjpr-fEuZgf-FRhzNcY9wmx_NPiIwFkD/w640-h426/gray%20catbird%20nestlings%20in%20nest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Those are all the nests I knew about for sure -- and 11 species with confirmed nests on our property is great! Some other birds also made it very clear that our yard was part of their territory, and I hoped that this meant they had families and nests somewhere nearby. The mid-sized apple tree behind our house ended up with a lot of bare branches this year, which made it a great spot to easily see birds. This male Common Yellowthroat sang his somewhat unusual song (with four parts instead of three) from this tree frequently during the summer; here he is on June 23:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RyUnKBmetvGEwRlJWTvSN2si6XPMgvHgYrxXC_yjJFZuWdY94jg9fTEaRm5FXPcItcFBDjMX8JPBY2fXHD2WaDlWmyZ1FDfO60_jNmc3CkhcEcprdqxOyLDWwglZweeiGjFrW9Qhi8da329s8vUnz2HpF45nsPa27sflTQwD4fmROnhyX-a3V-s0/s1484/resident%20common%20yellowthroat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="989" data-original-width="1484" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RyUnKBmetvGEwRlJWTvSN2si6XPMgvHgYrxXC_yjJFZuWdY94jg9fTEaRm5FXPcItcFBDjMX8JPBY2fXHD2WaDlWmyZ1FDfO60_jNmc3CkhcEcprdqxOyLDWwglZweeiGjFrW9Qhi8da329s8vUnz2HpF45nsPa27sflTQwD4fmROnhyX-a3V-s0/w640-h426/resident%20common%20yellowthroat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I also got used to seeing a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird perched at the very tip of one of this tree's branches pretty much any time I looked at this tree this summer. I don't know for sure that this was always the same individual bird, but this seemed like such consistent behavior that I'm guessing it was a single male. I find it so strange and charming to see such a tiny bird perched so prominently. Here are a few pictures from June 22 and 23:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabLB-jb142L6O3NzQz4SxYpeuDBVqdQwCw8KOCv3CR1SKkIrmx7ExWGMVj_6VnLESokq9Nd8FJ_w4xh0rk7K91hN4Z7iiiCIsv0z5nje5q3JHtowA5zgO4V_053ZZ3CF2a1dypPB3iwPe6U2bqUuetzveiZR-89fA4XxPVmAtFID9RBWW70XLLz7-/s2673/hummingbird%20male%20on%20twig%20tip%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1782" data-original-width="2673" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhabLB-jb142L6O3NzQz4SxYpeuDBVqdQwCw8KOCv3CR1SKkIrmx7ExWGMVj_6VnLESokq9Nd8FJ_w4xh0rk7K91hN4Z7iiiCIsv0z5nje5q3JHtowA5zgO4V_053ZZ3CF2a1dypPB3iwPe6U2bqUuetzveiZR-89fA4XxPVmAtFID9RBWW70XLLz7-/w640-h426/hummingbird%20male%20on%20twig%20tip%201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In this mid-stretch pose, he looks almost ferocious, but adorably so:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvbDA8gB2AzZV3tAAqekskdLlRoGlI_B1NNyNAYfNGW1AZciFPznDz5XC2jcyMf3pFwKqdldI8YM9ZfkFyTuUUJfnMVrkhzpAyC20cUHdaEKKDj7b2HP8EYc-ZvHw3Z2dPuMfwyG516cmCkM8aGN49HJXu4zNby5GFQU5NGr-s6PeTjHSJmiT6zro/s1489/hummingbird%20male%20on%20twig%20tip%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="992" data-original-width="1489" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRvbDA8gB2AzZV3tAAqekskdLlRoGlI_B1NNyNAYfNGW1AZciFPznDz5XC2jcyMf3pFwKqdldI8YM9ZfkFyTuUUJfnMVrkhzpAyC20cUHdaEKKDj7b2HP8EYc-ZvHw3Z2dPuMfwyG516cmCkM8aGN49HJXu4zNby5GFQU5NGr-s6PeTjHSJmiT6zro/w640-h426/hummingbird%20male%20on%20twig%20tip%202.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Another picture in somewhat better lighting:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEmiQtxew-5gpsc-v51WGA7OtCXU4USSovTPtlrYWWq9AUfg1INK7W37I798bZTin3lfXhx0DxVHdJ7wIamxR04b3IwpHG-ffxnQ4umIDpZ_aWLGngp5L67gFzroGO5SDr5bb2-Dc62D-wz37AlebosDiCV3dhz9d6Z9th8a-ziCFPRlSZ3hAL0PH/s1763/hummingbird%20male%20on%20twig%20tip%203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1763" data-original-width="1338" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLEmiQtxew-5gpsc-v51WGA7OtCXU4USSovTPtlrYWWq9AUfg1INK7W37I798bZTin3lfXhx0DxVHdJ7wIamxR04b3IwpHG-ffxnQ4umIDpZ_aWLGngp5L67gFzroGO5SDr5bb2-Dc62D-wz37AlebosDiCV3dhz9d6Z9th8a-ziCFPRlSZ3hAL0PH/w486-h640/hummingbird%20male%20on%20twig%20tip%203.JPG" width="486" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I couldn't get enough of this bold little guy:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFDU5yCKKqr9pa6e8RIydPjiSKXn3tjnokq7pO0xwoxAW9nQnlhWE3v3tgMcASZL86WIzbQTFY5RjFpv8wT3IlpNjMMP9M9fiw7ulKYJ9ghk8YUE9ZNkS57U2aHl1oPT7Fdgy3gbQokUoEdBMH2allL_STTLE7UJZlx3gfJfiJXyRHytripUP5nGG/s1600/hummingbird%20male%20on%20twig%20tip%205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiFDU5yCKKqr9pa6e8RIydPjiSKXn3tjnokq7pO0xwoxAW9nQnlhWE3v3tgMcASZL86WIzbQTFY5RjFpv8wT3IlpNjMMP9M9fiw7ulKYJ9ghk8YUE9ZNkS57U2aHl1oPT7Fdgy3gbQokUoEdBMH2allL_STTLE7UJZlx3gfJfiJXyRHytripUP5nGG/w640-h426/hummingbird%20male%20on%20twig%20tip%205.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's one more picture of perhaps the same male hummingbird on June 20, because I also love seeing these tiny birds perched on comparatively huge power lines, another common sight in our yard this summer:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclgSeO5gYnBAGOFRP1OvSgdSuazjqRrQNI4FT_j52PZR6kFjn69xtJsjvA-jDdUL3lHNmnwbCq98-d0gRDcaFBrjsUloSUEKOwymAIG9eGGKcDwKJ8PTd9mOJ1q1tHGwFgeveNqPNW8WeX8RDGJCl-GqX1rxVgHTe3JNGxavBLORO1uCQVKnTT_a-/s1713/hummingbird%20on%20wire.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1713" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgclgSeO5gYnBAGOFRP1OvSgdSuazjqRrQNI4FT_j52PZR6kFjn69xtJsjvA-jDdUL3lHNmnwbCq98-d0gRDcaFBrjsUloSUEKOwymAIG9eGGKcDwKJ8PTd9mOJ1q1tHGwFgeveNqPNW8WeX8RDGJCl-GqX1rxVgHTe3JNGxavBLORO1uCQVKnTT_a-/w640-h426/hummingbird%20on%20wire.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On July 17, a Blue-winged Warbler brought its fledglings to our yard while it hunted for caterpillars -- I'm not sure where this family had its nest, but I was glad to see them, since this was my first confirmation that this species breeds somewhere in our neighborhood:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1GejrqGHUQQLUSFxnYyf3yt2QOlS8OZ-Govuzzm0PhTqtyG5s52j9YPvTqpo0maQcfbd-J8JVRguk_SVVnLQ5p419rtp6tE6nvySjVHlzvuNpRpEzTIFD7UBjsvBKvnuL7l6evYVwoBbNo6GwBXSv_94_epea6_gbBGgEbHBsqJVQJ4spzYvoBzI/s1685/blue-winged%20warbler%20feeding%20young.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1158" data-original-width="1685" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd1GejrqGHUQQLUSFxnYyf3yt2QOlS8OZ-Govuzzm0PhTqtyG5s52j9YPvTqpo0maQcfbd-J8JVRguk_SVVnLQ5p419rtp6tE6nvySjVHlzvuNpRpEzTIFD7UBjsvBKvnuL7l6evYVwoBbNo6GwBXSv_94_epea6_gbBGgEbHBsqJVQJ4spzYvoBzI/w640-h440/blue-winged%20warbler%20feeding%20young.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm happy that I got to see so much activity from our summer resident birds this year, and I'm also sure that I missed a lot. Why can't I just be outside all the time? In any case, that was 2022's breeding bird highlights! I still have plenty of other sights to share from this year, so keep reading in the next post.<br /></span></p><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-1601020494505347402022-03-18T07:11:00.000-07:002022-03-18T07:11:16.505-07:00Moving Toward Spring<p><span style="font-family: arial;">February is undoubtedly a winter month around here, but then March starts to bring the first hints of movement and growth, and now we're inching gradually toward spring. (It's coming!) I love getting to witness these scattered signs of the changing seasons. I have several sights to share from our home over the past month or so, and I'll start back in wintry February.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On February 21, I wandered into our woods in the afternoon sun and ended up admiring some little living things that I would probably overlook in other seasons. This fallen branch had quite a pretty collection of lichen (I'm guessing the bright yellow one is Common Sunburst Lichen, <i>Xanthoria parietina</i>):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2L3qVfqFSMb2FYoHJrpsFktJstGLLand0wg_3yBIUQb6sxc6GvmsmsH0o65kevUTgiMeiyU1HRLAkJfuY8oa98fuV4LfidXIkZTuK45_XgAJ8dDA7oYNExfY3s6yEr9LJkYz4J10THgM73Tr_HWTHUZrHPm3L2Xin_sAAWn2byPaXXRKgH7CTVndf=s2588" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1973" data-original-width="2588" height="488" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg2L3qVfqFSMb2FYoHJrpsFktJstGLLand0wg_3yBIUQb6sxc6GvmsmsH0o65kevUTgiMeiyU1HRLAkJfuY8oa98fuV4LfidXIkZTuK45_XgAJ8dDA7oYNExfY3s6yEr9LJkYz4J10THgM73Tr_HWTHUZrHPm3L2Xin_sAAWn2byPaXXRKgH7CTVndf=w640-h488" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And I noticed the delicate tracings of some species of liverwort (genus <i>Frullania</i>) on many tree trunks:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDlBALqNqmXWpTMjwsDaNfeLUw2r8ThikGzu8BB-N6xiosKeXuLlCOH55fl6e31HRrZONdbA1VncK_paBTgNb3p5wQo0kWqv1H84XM_rvwvkXf7low2Eh4GlIUAQI6DUoJpxteqDa1vMNwG_9jf6alL-KxkdgaG1AD0CSW0U8EbBrBibN-ksSzLHtu=s3114" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3114" data-original-width="2467" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjDlBALqNqmXWpTMjwsDaNfeLUw2r8ThikGzu8BB-N6xiosKeXuLlCOH55fl6e31HRrZONdbA1VncK_paBTgNb3p5wQo0kWqv1H84XM_rvwvkXf7low2Eh4GlIUAQI6DUoJpxteqDa1vMNwG_9jf6alL-KxkdgaG1AD0CSW0U8EbBrBibN-ksSzLHtu=w508-h640" width="508" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a closer view of one of those liverworts; I wonder how long it took this tiny, tiny plant to grow to this size:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOsOwLyAekukzw2xDhQQQWK1Nu3HXc0uxdVrgqeFvXkZOUjtqfnxakpxT45Rj2rpLCuGGugCwkbXH9Ys3KA0DjoFoyCY5wem6gRukLD_9wq-dMk0FzCfK6iDfJZ-Kz4nYsOGwJqv6_MBqZFDjdmal9PPlRZIBBLK1KOQbJJYofQL_kXabFurf2a-6i=s2304" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1738" data-original-width="2304" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOsOwLyAekukzw2xDhQQQWK1Nu3HXc0uxdVrgqeFvXkZOUjtqfnxakpxT45Rj2rpLCuGGugCwkbXH9Ys3KA0DjoFoyCY5wem6gRukLD_9wq-dMk0FzCfK6iDfJZ-Kz4nYsOGwJqv6_MBqZFDjdmal9PPlRZIBBLK1KOQbJJYofQL_kXabFurf2a-6i=w640-h482" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This moss looked especially green and fuzzy surrounded by melting snow:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-4XGtgcMolCY0jjNWVgSrO7A6xJpLbAU_joDzG7dM15AVlypty_unv8rPpC6zNIQ6_t4Ae-gQ9ub4oM1Gk3zCH1rLhJEByMmr5LhyoT7xTEz4yc1Mwu1gY4Rq-MsCQBmLnMEd2bHnaB09Bk3xoCiKzLeyd372dC8WPZOPdNxEeMgTMYVRrGXSwa2y=s2594" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1823" data-original-width="2594" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-4XGtgcMolCY0jjNWVgSrO7A6xJpLbAU_joDzG7dM15AVlypty_unv8rPpC6zNIQ6_t4Ae-gQ9ub4oM1Gk3zCH1rLhJEByMmr5LhyoT7xTEz4yc1Mwu1gY4Rq-MsCQBmLnMEd2bHnaB09Bk3xoCiKzLeyd372dC8WPZOPdNxEeMgTMYVRrGXSwa2y=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This Black-capped Chickadee was checking out tree trunks, too, and it perched for a bit on an old, thick Virginia Creeper vine:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQcOChAjQT2dSVeMaaxeAp_KiyRjdhwZ6Rlr1xe8UXwcLVOwZeXa2ya9kP_3uvkvhPcJMQdAINhkaVMVNRFcsUkAxKbiYOvVodCcBEsqlZsD3Y_Gss_BEZLNUyJI2rk6hDXqK9ckFaUbHwPC4yJsj_Ezw7n_v8wLJ-W05CRsCcTq0N9TE_iZaV_USE=s2281" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2281" data-original-width="1731" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQcOChAjQT2dSVeMaaxeAp_KiyRjdhwZ6Rlr1xe8UXwcLVOwZeXa2ya9kP_3uvkvhPcJMQdAINhkaVMVNRFcsUkAxKbiYOvVodCcBEsqlZsD3Y_Gss_BEZLNUyJI2rk6hDXqK9ckFaUbHwPC4yJsj_Ezw7n_v8wLJ-W05CRsCcTq0N9TE_iZaV_USE=w486-h640" width="486" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On February 27, I stepped outside the front door to see an immature Bald Eagle wheeling over the house -- what a big bird!<br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMJFjw-QldMWL3qOWR_82567yGlyBK0W0j4ZU5kwJX-qUkogTEixFwHilAFxZcksT4wbUwnZ-F_fI9wSUBvghl1EPlswrG0c0F1dKYbEauxXGY1GrOEw_keViTlZTWZbNEn4HR981h74u4C5C4hcc4sDrRzYTZtEYIeukP3fu9ksvuZn0XIwHgO0VI=s1574" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1574" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjMJFjw-QldMWL3qOWR_82567yGlyBK0W0j4ZU5kwJX-qUkogTEixFwHilAFxZcksT4wbUwnZ-F_fI9wSUBvghl1EPlswrG0c0F1dKYbEauxXGY1GrOEw_keViTlZTWZbNEn4HR981h74u4C5C4hcc4sDrRzYTZtEYIeukP3fu9ksvuZn0XIwHgO0VI=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I also admired the sight of our Tulip Tree still carrying many of last year's dried seeds against the clear blue sky:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3MiIFsHwFBPirGHmEMzMYjO8Qf-IXEWHZPnY1DFUxwX46Zfi9kKf0rmP9kBYoORUnER85_qPfXKB8nwgnr9eX00wNkv1FST3bDUaYo4sThcHuKnm0Lx90G8tXgFhvrl1fAXpFdgbAlSj4au9XZ-uqoZGYF-E0BWOiWjsB0iDqgvp5ONBMq44Ogyz8=s3070" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2197" data-original-width="3070" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg3MiIFsHwFBPirGHmEMzMYjO8Qf-IXEWHZPnY1DFUxwX46Zfi9kKf0rmP9kBYoORUnER85_qPfXKB8nwgnr9eX00wNkv1FST3bDUaYo4sThcHuKnm0Lx90G8tXgFhvrl1fAXpFdgbAlSj4au9XZ-uqoZGYF-E0BWOiWjsB0iDqgvp5ONBMq44Ogyz8=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On March 5, there were hundreds of Snow Geese and Canada Geese streaming northward overhead in big flocks. Yes! Let the spring migration begin! I am so happy that our property is apparently right under a regular flight route, because I love seeing -- and hearing -- these travelers each year in early March. These flocks made such interesting patterns in the sky:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3NkjNf41EUDfTtNZ-8qvbCF4NZQmQy1gWbS47UJLP0mYQK_D2nQTePU69m8LMgrWgAfH1MUtNVPKutM-aHr0yKMELKTz7h8XM49uTLkM3qiGbr5KKQzU5nEQteJlKBpwIrCGbo2c5kaa_jnnAgDvIL8PjeOhEKOdbPXdqd-Xp2ewqLasxBIthImC3=s3052" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2245" data-original-width="3052" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3NkjNf41EUDfTtNZ-8qvbCF4NZQmQy1gWbS47UJLP0mYQK_D2nQTePU69m8LMgrWgAfH1MUtNVPKutM-aHr0yKMELKTz7h8XM49uTLkM3qiGbr5KKQzU5nEQteJlKBpwIrCGbo2c5kaa_jnnAgDvIL8PjeOhEKOdbPXdqd-Xp2ewqLasxBIthImC3=w640-h470" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's another big flock, this one with all Canada Geese:</span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK5UUaOWyOBfI1W0wxE30jGDFn5ADSN7hhK0PC7e3mBor44o2Wy0oie65QgGqB8iCq9HWdjVX5oqjEXlRdjcNNVQoHKuTAhaRWqh03FJMeOPVLs3jDvNLxNkqBiDQFiH9VU-Qe5hfjdlP9-jzEf0C3BCbpfx45DIKt0yQ-sE0Yk_SwSOQcpqCbIqf1=s2686" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2686" data-original-width="2636" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK5UUaOWyOBfI1W0wxE30jGDFn5ADSN7hhK0PC7e3mBor44o2Wy0oie65QgGqB8iCq9HWdjVX5oqjEXlRdjcNNVQoHKuTAhaRWqh03FJMeOPVLs3jDvNLxNkqBiDQFiH9VU-Qe5hfjdlP9-jzEf0C3BCbpfx45DIKt0yQ-sE0Yk_SwSOQcpqCbIqf1=w628-h640" width="628" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's a closer view of one of the Snow Goose flocks (with a couple of Canada Geese mixed in):</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHtv2k1h-xCTeOxPTFjtbNLq0COBngCwBVFs8uRUkKo3agWmlpr99UBEWJST9QEt6A7MVRhWHwt3SRpdFX9OrcSbIxOsDJGUWC-Lg2msai7bfiBRL6o2A0l075fVeGqs0QPBjwckz2oxv7hfGxtae4-ZG-uWlBHLf6eaUJYzD1NGeTyu0kjkiyhEj0=s2063" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1436" data-original-width="2063" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgHtv2k1h-xCTeOxPTFjtbNLq0COBngCwBVFs8uRUkKo3agWmlpr99UBEWJST9QEt6A7MVRhWHwt3SRpdFX9OrcSbIxOsDJGUWC-Lg2msai7bfiBRL6o2A0l075fVeGqs0QPBjwckz2oxv7hfGxtae4-ZG-uWlBHLf6eaUJYzD1NGeTyu0kjkiyhEj0=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, a male Northern Cardinal sang out from the top of a big spruce tree in our meadow:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMcwARUEOonyTDeS6kqPtt4dF9_BClav7fR5whi3OzTo-9_tqd9UREtSvdh-R_02ZirnSGk19NMRab0MSNDrlM8NsKDyESewfWK3CUk-HCO4TFcEclgjafx_i2XjDJSCUKmIPUXsoI8v27dCmEtB_pvuCUJgSOrzuOMaX8ZQZZFWxqhu6LTVWdx-PI=s2945" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2945" data-original-width="1948" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMcwARUEOonyTDeS6kqPtt4dF9_BClav7fR5whi3OzTo-9_tqd9UREtSvdh-R_02ZirnSGk19NMRab0MSNDrlM8NsKDyESewfWK3CUk-HCO4TFcEclgjafx_i2XjDJSCUKmIPUXsoI8v27dCmEtB_pvuCUJgSOrzuOMaX8ZQZZFWxqhu6LTVWdx-PI=w424-h640" width="424" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">We've actually had a cardinal (or maybe more than one) singing around here since December this winter, which seems very strange to me -- I'm used to hearing cardinals starting up in February. I suppose they're really interested in establishing this territory this year. Go for it, cardinal!<br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg85-J5dcf7gm2kB44do7FjENdADN8udMg5pksPYs1cIwudjTm9UoSQlEj2KNSCfuxaDQ8EEv3mWAJm9Oj3gp5kQKhfVlyhP47POd9V1U622di3dUcyvm7J826qEVZUvpu8Q9QHOtTCOl7PQEmdzAnntwpEu1kkiszkX8rkD3nrn3hcvwjf_2D1cs8g=s1375" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="983" data-original-width="1375" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg85-J5dcf7gm2kB44do7FjENdADN8udMg5pksPYs1cIwudjTm9UoSQlEj2KNSCfuxaDQ8EEv3mWAJm9Oj3gp5kQKhfVlyhP47POd9V1U622di3dUcyvm7J826qEVZUvpu8Q9QHOtTCOl7PQEmdzAnntwpEu1kkiszkX8rkD3nrn3hcvwjf_2D1cs8g=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In early March, I learned that the Entomological Society of America has adopted <a href="https://entsoc.org/news/press-releases/spongy-moth-approved-new-common-name-lymantria-dispar">"Spongy Moth"</a> as the new common name for <i>Lymantria dispar</i> (formerly Gypsy Moth), and yep, we've got this moth's spongy egg masses all over the trees in our front yard, after this invasive moth's big population boom last year; here's hoping we'll see a decrease in their numbers this year:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9IsKSA0MmGW3cO4DLaYPP90XfvhUbEhRCIMCm-1UWYkEinaCoVan6FUbOfZKzev-6lg3eKgMPwNhhDE7U4CuiMk1filkQSiX6HvCarABiayb158Qv3OPjmO2KOKz2cy3sWy-6IcflkOftU1LuvOHqptbZZJKH8Qx6y5pFD7M4alfQkoWgusVo0fD/s2557/spongy%20moth%20eggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1901" data-original-width="2557" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9IsKSA0MmGW3cO4DLaYPP90XfvhUbEhRCIMCm-1UWYkEinaCoVan6FUbOfZKzev-6lg3eKgMPwNhhDE7U4CuiMk1filkQSiX6HvCarABiayb158Qv3OPjmO2KOKz2cy3sWy-6IcflkOftU1LuvOHqptbZZJKH8Qx6y5pFD7M4alfQkoWgusVo0fD/w640-h476/spongy moth eggs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On March 6, I got to see a couple more cool birds flying overhead on a sunny and clear day. This Cooper's Hawk crossed over our house a few times; I love those puffy white feathers at the base of its tail:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIDUHN_BfLTGYMAORcWLWcvzZ-AEEJbdYKVULKzWcfJbuWFGOrE7A9kZWfBwgPB38fNh0wn0ZHbuexOmCcPQkSOYzzPeHoTOnYQdnumpLPN0dAXqYNcRIBVjcrXD7R3t9vJUuHVDrsFw-zcGEC0DOz-9MLM1Du36275YbtIG7uyI6h_I4jgVnWe17/s1381/cooper's%20hawk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="929" data-original-width="1381" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIDUHN_BfLTGYMAORcWLWcvzZ-AEEJbdYKVULKzWcfJbuWFGOrE7A9kZWfBwgPB38fNh0wn0ZHbuexOmCcPQkSOYzzPeHoTOnYQdnumpLPN0dAXqYNcRIBVjcrXD7R3t9vJUuHVDrsFw-zcGEC0DOz-9MLM1Du36275YbtIG7uyI6h_I4jgVnWe17/w640-h430/cooper's hawk.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And it was wonderful to see a Turkey Vulture in the sky again after their absence during the winter:<br /></span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfUkun9cyMMc_usEEN2q2tCGixM4SJ96q_gCIwBiKabPW_TbsCqTLydgBtXqtglLIJKdPFndhNAdwdE2RgjoiEmhdJinYFeqMlLuznifc0JJo21gGcE7G9zGcw9CYVLINj5fEp7olYdHx3gF2DE6fNZNQLDJJdHXawM2o6p3PQI3-9eifI_F3Wlr8/s1321/turkey%20vulture%20returned.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1321" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBfUkun9cyMMc_usEEN2q2tCGixM4SJ96q_gCIwBiKabPW_TbsCqTLydgBtXqtglLIJKdPFndhNAdwdE2RgjoiEmhdJinYFeqMlLuznifc0JJo21gGcE7G9zGcw9CYVLINj5fEp7olYdHx3gF2DE6fNZNQLDJJdHXawM2o6p3PQI3-9eifI_F3Wlr8/w640-h438/turkey vulture returned.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A wet snowfall on the afternoon of March 9 made for a really pretty scene on the steeply sloped woods across the street from our house:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFarfPnji02fi59N0PK0k3msp4zWBbjoCauDnVL-6w3YB2gdYsqLqJNdzPb0jtZtFwDA5r881VyoFTBzDLTiG0UvwHAcYsRxwyWONQN3zbrEY5Yqh86idnFpd8aDerWcHV3W7ay_WW-E0FPLwcPZaLJgTZSztJrT_eki7a4bAj1AbyUcJmjuVObbP/s4000/snowy%20woods%20across%20street%201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizFarfPnji02fi59N0PK0k3msp4zWBbjoCauDnVL-6w3YB2gdYsqLqJNdzPb0jtZtFwDA5r881VyoFTBzDLTiG0UvwHAcYsRxwyWONQN3zbrEY5Yqh86idnFpd8aDerWcHV3W7ay_WW-E0FPLwcPZaLJgTZSztJrT_eki7a4bAj1AbyUcJmjuVObbP/w640-h480/snowy woods across street 1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a closer view into those woods:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuB3S5Kbq4ZAIgGJT8W48V9TDM717Gn6eEDSF7gzg5J1jkYb-0MvPrhbLZEgNm285vM7mHd3Pr0mCNux1QoQ3rBAGVJ7PlHiiD8NEOq1gtSps7KeqhE_UuL4bPM_9wpfJ2HFAjFsw3XlA2wBebnlbQ307aouJa7ZEdUKM8sBEHWXtMXZ7Hay8EZ2H/s4608/snowy%20woods%20across%20street%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4608" data-original-width="3072" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuB3S5Kbq4ZAIgGJT8W48V9TDM717Gn6eEDSF7gzg5J1jkYb-0MvPrhbLZEgNm285vM7mHd3Pr0mCNux1QoQ3rBAGVJ7PlHiiD8NEOq1gtSps7KeqhE_UuL4bPM_9wpfJ2HFAjFsw3XlA2wBebnlbQ307aouJa7ZEdUKM8sBEHWXtMXZ7Hay8EZ2H/w426-h640/snowy woods across street 2.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Our first Song Sparrow of the year arrived in the midst of this snow, and it dug a hole at the base of the feeders and spent quite a bit of time feeding on dropped seeds there; I don't think I've seen a sparrow in a little snow burrow like this before:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_723K4NwMSMK7iaNkdBVrXEP2ZaXTbfyOEoDgigqNqZNtqZe6KXqmJBDneS-HtYk9WLcwXfBqoBdJttEuhVwAnZ40uSR-hh8uwiMsv3eacihCo05jfjc2b0VIfBKsRfZSEcHGx3Q7CW8ObABLLeGEno-5p38vVDQZcUlgh36_wA-ymRXkj9IIpkt/s1834/first%20song%20sparrow%20feeding%20in%20snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1309" data-original-width="1834" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX_723K4NwMSMK7iaNkdBVrXEP2ZaXTbfyOEoDgigqNqZNtqZe6KXqmJBDneS-HtYk9WLcwXfBqoBdJttEuhVwAnZ40uSR-hh8uwiMsv3eacihCo05jfjc2b0VIfBKsRfZSEcHGx3Q7CW8ObABLLeGEno-5p38vVDQZcUlgh36_wA-ymRXkj9IIpkt/w640-h456/first song sparrow feeding in snow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What an industrious little bird. It flew from its hole to a nearby shrub a few times while I watched through a window, and I can't help thinking it looks super grumpy in this picture:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwUR_IQ6Ct46rfsc1RIi_urXHpNqRCjdrC5wvCOXdkn4thC4NtXUA_luIn2Xf9Boj_luHbB7Wt4vj1jWObCfr0ZMTVPIfwXF8cbzfK8W52FXQoLEtUEcAD-Q2xjXWy5xdkJ-s6XpKBwBcmJ6GvWfF5jMaoNWoDw_hJdggr_joHw8A4cuF8pdWoLkk/s2075/first%20song%20sparrow%20in%20shrub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="2075" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqwUR_IQ6Ct46rfsc1RIi_urXHpNqRCjdrC5wvCOXdkn4thC4NtXUA_luIn2Xf9Boj_luHbB7Wt4vj1jWObCfr0ZMTVPIfwXF8cbzfK8W52FXQoLEtUEcAD-Q2xjXWy5xdkJ-s6XpKBwBcmJ6GvWfF5jMaoNWoDw_hJdggr_joHw8A4cuF8pdWoLkk/w640-h468/first song sparrow in shrub.JPG" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />The next day, it was nice to see our newly-arrived Song Sparrow (the same bird?) in the sunlight:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWc9-5aXhWSYZWWURLAbtXo6YWjFFlFxCLy0xxAsrbZNfuh65PmZszscrCld9SkEKcIYNANkX23FPsR5bHKUtKCZvpvkz-U8j49YjGIPJNFPjgpTlOEUF8DiIsrBBm4m4_Rv32KQIyzd1an8euu0LVIa5htMGfx8UfmdhcB0YGvUElGhfGlj5sGeX/s1550/song%20sparrow%20on%20sunny%20day%20after%20snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1550" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFWc9-5aXhWSYZWWURLAbtXo6YWjFFlFxCLy0xxAsrbZNfuh65PmZszscrCld9SkEKcIYNANkX23FPsR5bHKUtKCZvpvkz-U8j49YjGIPJNFPjgpTlOEUF8DiIsrBBm4m4_Rv32KQIyzd1an8euu0LVIa5htMGfx8UfmdhcB0YGvUElGhfGlj5sGeX/w640-h438/song sparrow on sunny day after snow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This White-throated Sparrow also posed for bit in a tangle of wild grape vines:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7qeSO35uA2tE36CIHeCOae4bABWCBR1WRak8wWEHtw_oACKA5wEffMBgwEN1I1ntTNThwO270htPlaJNbGngP8tOMJMSiC-oDkzmzfdUFLvDhLiZTaNgnGGmdh07ZN4NEHDZik5e7applllD_xDfpB-n8WVWxMLQjVFdyjZ8Z1H3I93Sc5XNQdEj/s1423/white-throated%20sparrow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1008" data-original-width="1423" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7qeSO35uA2tE36CIHeCOae4bABWCBR1WRak8wWEHtw_oACKA5wEffMBgwEN1I1ntTNThwO270htPlaJNbGngP8tOMJMSiC-oDkzmzfdUFLvDhLiZTaNgnGGmdh07ZN4NEHDZik5e7applllD_xDfpB-n8WVWxMLQjVFdyjZ8Z1H3I93Sc5XNQdEj/w640-h454/white-throated sparrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the woods, at least three recently awakened Eastern Chipmunks were scurrying around a snow-covered bank:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPeBI9UZ9ulsIvPuhln-8twgxeAhvi7L9kZaHcXXE8pLAza8OzZ1QpTb0MBZBtK--aqPoPXXr62wJvyZTjadqS20w2O4k4zd4hnvLm-kDcnm0_y2z9omOJgilpSBfejRx3Ef2RHadrzIBKtCiNnQ2Ex50YZpFMvKfyzYOq8z9ZLRta8ZBeDR9vcfS/s2509/chipmunk%20in%20snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1623" data-original-width="2509" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijPeBI9UZ9ulsIvPuhln-8twgxeAhvi7L9kZaHcXXE8pLAza8OzZ1QpTb0MBZBtK--aqPoPXXr62wJvyZTjadqS20w2O4k4zd4hnvLm-kDcnm0_y2z9omOJgilpSBfejRx3Ef2RHadrzIBKtCiNnQ2Ex50YZpFMvKfyzYOq8z9ZLRta8ZBeDR9vcfS/w640-h414/chipmunk in snow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And perhaps because of the extra moisture from the melting snow, the various mosses and lichens on tree trunks in the woods were looking especially bright and verdant this day:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EQjsOUwUbU54WTemgFu2Rjcn02pSTcfij0aiX9cF0-4erQPoDhHiOJN6RJuMsVI2XDfZ7UwpNFTsuwJy9k8qdOJ70JZi4K7FPRsYIQ4iQSBMaxfraUfXNmy6KNIX4xOjUjxMAkNerzMvodl6RZYznDgW7FuDvOSLIPtIC7H7bngso-7VIEZD6oPV/s3505/moss%20and%20lichen%20on%20tree%20trunk%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2444" data-original-width="3505" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_EQjsOUwUbU54WTemgFu2Rjcn02pSTcfij0aiX9cF0-4erQPoDhHiOJN6RJuMsVI2XDfZ7UwpNFTsuwJy9k8qdOJ70JZi4K7FPRsYIQ4iQSBMaxfraUfXNmy6KNIX4xOjUjxMAkNerzMvodl6RZYznDgW7FuDvOSLIPtIC7H7bngso-7VIEZD6oPV/w640-h446/moss and lichen on tree trunk 1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's another scene of tiny mosses and lichens among the crevasses of an old White Pine's bark:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfKM5vkUZVgHszvG__t-1ZY6oUPBste66-gQSG598dYGlz2xicYQgEeneAVfdI90TnWZOo0YfTUjx1Z7JKShVaSdYWc93Rzy9IaZgqWi-cmWtuk2TRE3rRJXJliHZojXLOxRtfK8J6xr9hpZvUgO6dsdK7nuj4nofy1lWIGSYZ9MrWYn25Lbw97Yf/s4137/moss%20and%20lichen%20on%20tree%20trunk%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4137" data-original-width="2747" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfKM5vkUZVgHszvG__t-1ZY6oUPBste66-gQSG598dYGlz2xicYQgEeneAVfdI90TnWZOo0YfTUjx1Z7JKShVaSdYWc93Rzy9IaZgqWi-cmWtuk2TRE3rRJXJliHZojXLOxRtfK8J6xr9hpZvUgO6dsdK7nuj4nofy1lWIGSYZ9MrWYn25Lbw97Yf/w424-h640/moss and lichen on tree trunk 2.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Many of the trees had fuzzy socks made of moss:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqCqCiDkXX1lXqpz8zDQ9l5YQrie2XcSgEuCod9qe3v053_vCpAeZAbo47XU5cHTKxjgUO1PdGO_VUzkxLb9Xx0g0NC5sIVMLgiTIPDpHx2WvO_PujluPe2Mz2nb20hCnmGH2nIWCwwE9tRg8QPjkY2BvmVgFDV0dfFdvCFZ1ZhqMHP8606PE50ow/s3413/moss%20on%20tree%20trunk%202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3413" data-original-width="2503" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJqCqCiDkXX1lXqpz8zDQ9l5YQrie2XcSgEuCod9qe3v053_vCpAeZAbo47XU5cHTKxjgUO1PdGO_VUzkxLb9Xx0g0NC5sIVMLgiTIPDpHx2WvO_PujluPe2Mz2nb20hCnmGH2nIWCwwE9tRg8QPjkY2BvmVgFDV0dfFdvCFZ1ZhqMHP8606PE50ow/w470-h640/moss on tree trunk 2.JPG" width="470" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And this moss almost seemed to be pouring out of this tree:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9piF6Oyozzl_Tc4PLbqaOstt4YxHWgeJDC4ZQyRdC0K79SDmhnuCxlqLj353m5cgRKyIUXUbe6u1hfrppeXTNh1iFqx_NVHWPQBtZJU9XtiEje_tBeWW98Gy52gBV4h57PkQn8D7gyw_toGCH4z-yTnDInnstlb0WnsOA__j0kDbC8_oOy-qYO2p/s2692/moss%20on%20tree%20trunk%201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2281" data-original-width="2692" height="542" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM9piF6Oyozzl_Tc4PLbqaOstt4YxHWgeJDC4ZQyRdC0K79SDmhnuCxlqLj353m5cgRKyIUXUbe6u1hfrppeXTNh1iFqx_NVHWPQBtZJU9XtiEje_tBeWW98Gy52gBV4h57PkQn8D7gyw_toGCH4z-yTnDInnstlb0WnsOA__j0kDbC8_oOy-qYO2p/w640-h542/moss on tree trunk 1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Back at the house, the persistent snow cover that's been around for months was receding, and our first Snowdrop buds were peeking through:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWhJhlaBYRy7RMioEHL0laCHS_mY8G7DnW1ZCbXDR5o4ei1zyyv6qs_lSm1N6gfXgAzYyR9xbjBCkKLprKP69GuxnRQmLPo-IbApSaA2_1Dtn47HryOuzHw0TzOV89TutNJ3DwK8ObAI9UMjAj5WfqEQNkP2aYsLZBO5xDHYU16L8Xmjygbgij3zK/s2533/snowdrop%20buds%20in%20snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1858" data-original-width="2533" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOWhJhlaBYRy7RMioEHL0laCHS_mY8G7DnW1ZCbXDR5o4ei1zyyv6qs_lSm1N6gfXgAzYyR9xbjBCkKLprKP69GuxnRQmLPo-IbApSaA2_1Dtn47HryOuzHw0TzOV89TutNJ3DwK8ObAI9UMjAj5WfqEQNkP2aYsLZBO5xDHYU16L8Xmjygbgij3zK/w640-h470/snowdrop buds in snow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Then a storm brought another foot of snow, delaying things a bit.... But spring is certainly coming. Red-winged Blackbirds and Common Grackles are back in the area and singing, and as I write this, we're having a stretch of 60-degree and sunny days. Right now, I can see nearly equal parts bare ground and snow, I hear a Song Sparrow singing, and a pair of Eastern Bluebirds are checking out our nest boxes. The Snowdrops are uncovered again and I think they'll open today, our first flowers of the year. Here comes spring!<br /></span><p></p><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-74665427692725282572022-02-04T20:44:00.004-08:002022-02-04T20:44:34.925-08:00A Cold and Snowy January<p><span style="font-family: arial;">It's winter, all right! This January has been a month of very cold temperatures, and all those signs of life in my previous post have been buried under a secure blanket of snow for weeks now. The landscape is all white and brown and gray, with some dark-green conifers for good measure. Here's our meadow on January 19, for example, but this picture could have just as easily been taken on most days this month:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy3qY8jpl_M6x2u19R0jEQezCw5A3cwCMVe573GuZKWLxROlI7U4AWDfrCuofN3lfSMYMQZLKaQ8Q0INtoPVU2qBD1cNw9UADHdjmPaVQrFXdcUc7xxOWkNYWoEuC0P2664W4ZQUvK8uy5SCKl_KAl1vcYCqxU6UrlERldLEEZc4JjqfEUjZNh7dMh=s4608" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="4608" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiy3qY8jpl_M6x2u19R0jEQezCw5A3cwCMVe573GuZKWLxROlI7U4AWDfrCuofN3lfSMYMQZLKaQ8Q0INtoPVU2qBD1cNw9UADHdjmPaVQrFXdcUc7xxOWkNYWoEuC0P2664W4ZQUvK8uy5SCKl_KAl1vcYCqxU6UrlERldLEEZc4JjqfEUjZNh7dMh=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There's still plenty of life and activity to see above the snow, though!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This flock of House Finches looked quite decorative, arranged as they were at the top of a fir tree in our yard on January 19 (waiting for me to leave so they could come down to the feeders, I think):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjktB-WvLIagjGOLSA79WVUjcFTf_QkN99phQ3Dbdphs7sGyP1OyymN2-DE8l9BG5A6B7l17qgHxsH1BkZT4vYOHMT-NdiLEJM7vz_JIZysgOoylHFTvwzqfWqR-JmO5cO9IEdxWxpN8dzuTG55-b44aQ8cHZM39n11Im1xscjIIrXpMNjI0_nAiIE9=s2967" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1871" data-original-width="2967" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjktB-WvLIagjGOLSA79WVUjcFTf_QkN99phQ3Dbdphs7sGyP1OyymN2-DE8l9BG5A6B7l17qgHxsH1BkZT4vYOHMT-NdiLEJM7vz_JIZysgOoylHFTvwzqfWqR-JmO5cO9IEdxWxpN8dzuTG55-b44aQ8cHZM39n11Im1xscjIIrXpMNjI0_nAiIE9=w640-h404" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Purple Finches are much less common visitors to our yard at any time of the year, but especially in the winter, so I've been happy to see a few stop by this month. I love the colors on this rosy-all-over male who perched in the apple tree outside our windows on January 23:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLTSEJon6bGj8L1y7IB9fV1VfFYsrMCYe-fktdJDz6WoGa_G__1rr8IZEm6hQgDPAU7ggWUgBHO2CGONrLULbFM2imrrKhm0NofO8SUxZkObr-NG2_5jtWKE4fhFMSBaec-4t9AXCrz9mfVVzL06fapiNJjPwpKpVJFVliFOq-ct199JSEsnQi3Yjr=s1677" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1677" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjLTSEJon6bGj8L1y7IB9fV1VfFYsrMCYe-fktdJDz6WoGa_G__1rr8IZEm6hQgDPAU7ggWUgBHO2CGONrLULbFM2imrrKhm0NofO8SUxZkObr-NG2_5jtWKE4fhFMSBaec-4t9AXCrz9mfVVzL06fapiNJjPwpKpVJFVliFOq-ct199JSEsnQi3Yjr=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been thrilled to see American Goldfinches making good use of the dried seed heads of the Purple Coneflowers that grow in a flower bed near the house. I snuck open a window on a sunny January 22 to get an unobstructed view of these little birds at work -- I especially like the spiky shadow one of the seed heads is casting on the bird in this picture:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDftqBHXDQs4yAONV9w88Z0zNsIZZYLIQEz1E-CBZuaNUNHnY6XDx5yzlD8Z1cl25y8SJ3QGUuuNCq2QVciAoe0W2xbh71aNtPZhf9ZGVQzoxou9eLjsX6DiM4NlP_bntFVa7xvMdmK4BtEE8jsrbefZFjENFpqaaBdi2GaVrv2TZRffeiDUo6-B7p=s1858" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="1858" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhDftqBHXDQs4yAONV9w88Z0zNsIZZYLIQEz1E-CBZuaNUNHnY6XDx5yzlD8Z1cl25y8SJ3QGUuuNCq2QVciAoe0W2xbh71aNtPZhf9ZGVQzoxou9eLjsX6DiM4NlP_bntFVa7xvMdmK4BtEE8jsrbefZFjENFpqaaBdi2GaVrv2TZRffeiDUo6-B7p=w640-h476" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Although the sun was shining, the air was bitterly cold, so I kept the window cracked open only long enough for a few quick pictures; here's one more:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibwd-LhvtqPrr9i6WiFDyvvG6QG2u1E6n6mqPvHxScPtHtREz5uVR66KbDc2MzYcrpMdMxMBcQgYxbVXxDzZAd86MRG6PiiIlQoPABLQTLZPCbINAKwO_dUU8qGEX1kdWKnjqyV8P-AvwITuSmA4S_Zf7FWFcF_PXX62wOocb8Ep5AaGZCqlSUNm3i=s2426" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2426" data-original-width="1514" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEibwd-LhvtqPrr9i6WiFDyvvG6QG2u1E6n6mqPvHxScPtHtREz5uVR66KbDc2MzYcrpMdMxMBcQgYxbVXxDzZAd86MRG6PiiIlQoPABLQTLZPCbINAKwO_dUU8qGEX1kdWKnjqyV8P-AvwITuSmA4S_Zf7FWFcF_PXX62wOocb8Ep5AaGZCqlSUNm3i=w400-h640" width="400" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Did I mention that this has been a cold month? When I woke up on January 22, the outside temperature was -13 degrees Fahrenheit (!), and a Blue Jay outside our windows had frost ringing its face -- it's kind of a glamorous look, but spending the night outside in those temperatures doesn't sound fun to me!<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG2qbgdRw2orCi0MlcQQ7_p5JzB8kqlbcH0PgF_C96vwrueLRncnVx6BPG71pWDpW8rV0x_KTpBMFC42p68nuq5wjfyHkskmMRF5eDZ7awrIhAdfjyIHUvrTtiDlIkZpx9DpyNoWMAKHyjXW5Nu9HwsDQooisQ2JKkIjK4pdhYnlvhpiBrqMXUtQZX=s1628" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1165" data-original-width="1628" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjG2qbgdRw2orCi0MlcQQ7_p5JzB8kqlbcH0PgF_C96vwrueLRncnVx6BPG71pWDpW8rV0x_KTpBMFC42p68nuq5wjfyHkskmMRF5eDZ7awrIhAdfjyIHUvrTtiDlIkZpx9DpyNoWMAKHyjXW5Nu9HwsDQooisQ2JKkIjK4pdhYnlvhpiBrqMXUtQZX=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This bold American Tree Sparrow came to the feeders on January 19 while I was nearby, so I got to have an especially close look at one of these very handsome birds:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSLeLK6G6-KGl6NyN5x5iDzmjhUXhPWwciwHlgFxAAG8Jzt5UH96YpDkF23dozD_XKQUxzxTnDrHG427rajafW3AeFE547jHuib8mjXsXsspUeN-a3zqk7E9ADXX5XeU0faDCP_OUyPUZ8iZixP18Jjb4NYYpPqVv1FkaBrm2zusOxtnPt4437hGRu=s2219" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="2219" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhSLeLK6G6-KGl6NyN5x5iDzmjhUXhPWwciwHlgFxAAG8Jzt5UH96YpDkF23dozD_XKQUxzxTnDrHG427rajafW3AeFE547jHuib8mjXsXsspUeN-a3zqk7E9ADXX5XeU0faDCP_OUyPUZ8iZixP18Jjb4NYYpPqVv1FkaBrm2zusOxtnPt4437hGRu=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I'd never noticed before how dark this sparrow's feet are, like it's wearing black gloves. And that's a dashing little bow tie on its chest. Here's one more picture of this fancy bird, at an angle where the rusty line behind its eye reminds me of a lightning bolt (I feel like I've just described a superhero's costume):</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4F_4cowoHnx238XHFPbv7RReMq8JvL8W0vVY-qt6TFsAj74UfS61qcpRHpUrNYuNSsOoG2_fnx8tklvnj2FhJlUUlAWK1CNlfP0b0KY7udDiull7fStMnDgzNp8azHqypWopXiDnngv5zWIfvYae6QPlpV0fMsebWnUTLaU5voBWHlVPdRBIQqXE4=s2221" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2221" data-original-width="1502" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg4F_4cowoHnx238XHFPbv7RReMq8JvL8W0vVY-qt6TFsAj74UfS61qcpRHpUrNYuNSsOoG2_fnx8tklvnj2FhJlUUlAWK1CNlfP0b0KY7udDiull7fStMnDgzNp8azHqypWopXiDnngv5zWIfvYae6QPlpV0fMsebWnUTLaU5voBWHlVPdRBIQqXE4=w432-h640" width="432" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This past summer, I first noticed what I'm pretty sure is a large Common Barberry (<i>Berberis vulgaris</i>) bush tucked back along an edge of our property; I suppose I'll need to keep an eye on this plant -- and watch out for others -- since it's non-native and can be invasive. In any case, I was surprised to see a Dark-eyed Junco munching on this plant's berries on January 19, since I'm much more used to seeing juncos eating seeds:<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1qeqz6yraAKp5n-Kx30EausW0As1dQK1Q_YBC1RKZ-R1KTA5GQe5XkxQplUjMAGzYz06Qb668AW23NdDPV0hzO8qRrHC6ONqBn42zv01d2fd1Wk_TLE13CYq-w4LcwrZtwOnuELlxvyt_1wQdjeXuE0E_PLVa1N_G9qAbhyoQc8KBq9gvASwxAIZQ=s1424" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="948" data-original-width="1424" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi1qeqz6yraAKp5n-Kx30EausW0As1dQK1Q_YBC1RKZ-R1KTA5GQe5XkxQplUjMAGzYz06Qb668AW23NdDPV0hzO8qRrHC6ONqBn42zv01d2fd1Wk_TLE13CYq-w4LcwrZtwOnuELlxvyt_1wQdjeXuE0E_PLVa1N_G9qAbhyoQc8KBq9gvASwxAIZQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Among the flock of Dark-eyed Juncos that's been hanging around our yard this winter, we have one individual with a smattering of white feathers:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgREH1mAP_Yo6kluxl8JLYjcdvmhKBnRQQhb7Ml08teb9IiKMJEDFluXKrcbcCEKFsOE1Mw5SzsRJFl3Sn-qfeuzDDFnMRNISfInjgX7vHzA2XD1DQUFqTyc7ED05md76kNF8d-ILuPZ3Ck91kCHEyO32LxAbNsY4xszfJagF0mv_u6kTLxlKM77JN9=s1593" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1593" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgREH1mAP_Yo6kluxl8JLYjcdvmhKBnRQQhb7Ml08teb9IiKMJEDFluXKrcbcCEKFsOE1Mw5SzsRJFl3Sn-qfeuzDDFnMRNISfInjgX7vHzA2XD1DQUFqTyc7ED05md76kNF8d-ILuPZ3Ck91kCHEyO32LxAbNsY4xszfJagF0mv_u6kTLxlKM77JN9=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I've been thinking of this individual as a female, because her coloring overall is browner and lighter than the starker male juncos, but I don't know for sure. Either way, she's very distinctive, and it's fun to have an easily recognizable individual bird visiting our yard:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_pe5eddN_8XzzGoit1NatnzH4FVYHHcAA5fAgfwdwLKuw7Qrlnzy8yK5gINWoJfuWC8DR8h_6jqgMvv57CsoKvqBA3uJ2X_vKji60IkW-FNC7Bhsg2g-LQn9Bv8DAt_txrZFAPbQCGsAykDBBWX3PNjZkUbwgJ-DiUeEYP8wrL3LhTLivZCzzjGYa=s1948" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1376" data-original-width="1948" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj_pe5eddN_8XzzGoit1NatnzH4FVYHHcAA5fAgfwdwLKuw7Qrlnzy8yK5gINWoJfuWC8DR8h_6jqgMvv57CsoKvqBA3uJ2X_vKji60IkW-FNC7Bhsg2g-LQn9Bv8DAt_txrZFAPbQCGsAykDBBWX3PNjZkUbwgJ-DiUeEYP8wrL3LhTLivZCzzjGYa=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I assume she's partially leucistic, which has to do with some patchy absence of pigments. The white feathers on her face look a bit like she's simply dusted with snow: <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcOvlY-t9ypSSNtb_4cNv9Wgj1ydkR4yOu-y2YG91Yk5RwTWtCRndMd7BBXJEA81qaR_xP0zSEQ3DuX_-WxmV0iE9J4YzsM_Dv4BFkMDC53Lod65JwJF4lR28l-2OAiO60JUiSmyjTBwIBkpe8BWfZBKBf2paNjKt6BWNMOLzfXMsoUbQ1_5AaooUO=s1556" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1556" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcOvlY-t9ypSSNtb_4cNv9Wgj1ydkR4yOu-y2YG91Yk5RwTWtCRndMd7BBXJEA81qaR_xP0zSEQ3DuX_-WxmV0iE9J4YzsM_Dv4BFkMDC53Lod65JwJF4lR28l-2OAiO60JUiSmyjTBwIBkpe8BWfZBKBf2paNjKt6BWNMOLzfXMsoUbQ1_5AaooUO=w640-h444" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">She even has a little white-edged feather on her wing, and the mostly-white back of her head is especially striking:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSIZ_nKvu4WtSDNI3JnnH1yVGk2Mk7GLWw_PW20PKPSVer8ow3HyihdQOWewfBJVHteLwiPsd_4RGlQXzj0g7aQvh-EezVMIEuHNH-0Au9UGUCUUxe3o5HFDZQFfeTcS7_4rS2L-6v57CtwlfJFIA1DtwX652HWPUBLq9apUwOV_2YGA4xFJj5-Pdx=s1604" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1032" data-original-width="1604" height="412" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSIZ_nKvu4WtSDNI3JnnH1yVGk2Mk7GLWw_PW20PKPSVer8ow3HyihdQOWewfBJVHteLwiPsd_4RGlQXzj0g7aQvh-EezVMIEuHNH-0Au9UGUCUUxe3o5HFDZQFfeTcS7_4rS2L-6v57CtwlfJFIA1DtwX652HWPUBLq9apUwOV_2YGA4xFJj5-Pdx=w640-h412" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Even from a distance, it's easy to recognize this bird: <br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0dpEecuPUwoctN4qrbpn6Tm2jv7xqY5WVsfO2R8EvoEqvJKW7jg2R-OCGzF3UBSp2vsNkDrAeSn-Cnztb2onuIGcUIaBRY9meKcmB2ZpG_dtY8JDRZPZaV7-cz3R3OuX0uvo7KNntRjNT3Bz0BKHTFRd2pVWZWG9z165ztYN6qJ5N5MzbCOH6lARA=s1900" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1900" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj0dpEecuPUwoctN4qrbpn6Tm2jv7xqY5WVsfO2R8EvoEqvJKW7jg2R-OCGzF3UBSp2vsNkDrAeSn-Cnztb2onuIGcUIaBRY9meKcmB2ZpG_dtY8JDRZPZaV7-cz3R3OuX0uvo7KNntRjNT3Bz0BKHTFRd2pVWZWG9z165ztYN6qJ5N5MzbCOH6lARA=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I hope that bright white patch doesn't make her a target for predators! Good luck out there, little bird, and we'll keep the feeders well stocked.</span><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't get to see all the winter activity in our yard myself, but the snow keeps a record of unseen activity (until the next snowfall at least). Here's a neat trail of White-footed Mouse tracks crossing our yard on January 19, for example:<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFiUMI2vGNuRj11nYteSB7sDs_MUL2oj7LKH2u0x16oHnTrHvRmaD5nBLb56avno8zqfaFNseTiL2VxAcLu9U5-EWERCzvBx2LDTsAF09ut73Yxyh6H5Y9RON7ZPoAvFySIQyCpWA8mInZIp2VVScLtafsEEmfOvSSgX3_3Um2afULMQ7Nd3m9PxXS=s3169" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3169" data-original-width="2376" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFiUMI2vGNuRj11nYteSB7sDs_MUL2oj7LKH2u0x16oHnTrHvRmaD5nBLb56avno8zqfaFNseTiL2VxAcLu9U5-EWERCzvBx2LDTsAF09ut73Yxyh6H5Y9RON7ZPoAvFySIQyCpWA8mInZIp2VVScLtafsEEmfOvSSgX3_3Um2afULMQ7Nd3m9PxXS=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, in our woods on January 5, I noticed this White Ash tree that's missing a great deal of its bark:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWlpNESFBxPkV5wU4LOyi_NNKttSmNv_zuMEchADG9s5ZmMwJBDE2XqOUs9YTIZDJZhepFjYZfEBnal34pqTw7JYGW_oPf70JhMQJjTB35k6Fe51mCG4s9xnz_ZqC3L0MNn6RcoircY715Z-IrLIxW-CaYX3kVxTsgJ5b5YUq5gMWpkcHA5stZxN_b=s4119" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4119" data-original-width="2656" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiWlpNESFBxPkV5wU4LOyi_NNKttSmNv_zuMEchADG9s5ZmMwJBDE2XqOUs9YTIZDJZhepFjYZfEBnal34pqTw7JYGW_oPf70JhMQJjTB35k6Fe51mCG4s9xnz_ZqC3L0MNn6RcoircY715Z-IrLIxW-CaYX3kVxTsgJ5b5YUq5gMWpkcHA5stZxN_b=w412-h640" width="412" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">After some searching online, my best guess is that this is a sign that Emerald Ash Borers are indeed on our property; apparently woodpeckers will do this type of work on a heavily infested tree to get at the beetle's larvae under the bark. I knew that Emerald Ash Borers have appeared in our county in recent years, and I figured our many ash trees would be victims sooner or later. I suppose we've reached that time. Here's a closer look at this extensive woodpecker work -- I hope the woodpeckers got a good meal at least, and maybe this tree will make a good home for other creatures after it dies:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZh99n_gfV6HsMz47fUsJPzyph-bNW82GXqODziBNKhOI42eb2OJUERGhxNjtZgiLVfc38xhtqDbvJslvJw3iKI0bfIzlXbbwrYH1SlZPttyB3N_TuUNcyu1zzxiKhCGPCErmTDaHwTjBsbCe30jhsmTq-2FO59tZx-OgzFXreAgA6TyqJlLEhIzrB=s2907" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1944" data-original-width="2907" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZh99n_gfV6HsMz47fUsJPzyph-bNW82GXqODziBNKhOI42eb2OJUERGhxNjtZgiLVfc38xhtqDbvJslvJw3iKI0bfIzlXbbwrYH1SlZPttyB3N_TuUNcyu1zzxiKhCGPCErmTDaHwTjBsbCe30jhsmTq-2FO59tZx-OgzFXreAgA6TyqJlLEhIzrB=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I wonder whether a particular one of our species of woodpeckers is mostly responsible for all that stripped bark, or whether all the woodpecker species contributed. It's hard to imagine our little Downy Woodpeckers (like the fellow below) chiseling away here, but who knows! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3XzLbZSY4uK0eC6ONlAFM8inrOVS9CErvvMqRTOa6fXgJ0A8VXULmlNPHowOoSVOkg5qgdZXjWbyJb47R0MjHY5iTSbRVr3Fxm3B9BPb3N8qTTLJQl5XVAMEBBZPPQ0chV6oUhDN-ROyxwgJdeq4V2C-iqL8OkgyCM73sOUDp3e5uKgIJKe0_wnry=s1870" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1870" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3XzLbZSY4uK0eC6ONlAFM8inrOVS9CErvvMqRTOa6fXgJ0A8VXULmlNPHowOoSVOkg5qgdZXjWbyJb47R0MjHY5iTSbRVr3Fxm3B9BPb3N8qTTLJQl5XVAMEBBZPPQ0chV6oUhDN-ROyxwgJdeq4V2C-iqL8OkgyCM73sOUDp3e5uKgIJKe0_wnry=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male Downy Woodpecker working on a tree next to the meadow on January 19<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br />The cold temperatures and snowy weather sure seem like they're here to stay for a while yet. Happy winter!</span><br /></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-66908709949536084032021-12-31T16:34:00.000-08:002021-12-31T16:34:12.479-08:00Some Signs of Life at the Beginning of Winter<p><span style="font-family: arial;">We've already had a bit of snow and some very cold days this month, but the afternoon of December 16 was relatively warm and sunny, and I took the opportunity that day to wander around outside. With such short days and long nights, and with mainly cold and snowy months ahead, I was especially looking out for signs of life as winter started to settle in.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Plants may be dormant now, but it's really interesting to see how some of the plants around here have gotten ready for next year's growing season. I transplanted Allegheny Monkey Flower (<i>Mimulus ringens</i>) into our front yard this fall, and beneath the dried stems from this year's growth, spiky purple shoots have already appeared:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhckYAt5cLwCxqMk3mbMGK-OtHdK-8MxYEVnE2R8ez1Hfu8AccPmGFRwU3_tjGI1Yaha85aN_44IM_Z0YOiWAJPGu6KbLZ_wgt9SvL23XLd4rBX1SkWwB89jtFpWtWV3uYiKgt8hgaHuJRmyZyPND7MM0brsziT6UrYQ55LGiZ0vlo_3e5uO4LkrDCx=s1906" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1346" data-original-width="1906" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhckYAt5cLwCxqMk3mbMGK-OtHdK-8MxYEVnE2R8ez1Hfu8AccPmGFRwU3_tjGI1Yaha85aN_44IM_Z0YOiWAJPGu6KbLZ_wgt9SvL23XLd4rBX1SkWwB89jtFpWtWV3uYiKgt8hgaHuJRmyZyPND7MM0brsziT6UrYQ55LGiZ0vlo_3e5uO4LkrDCx=w640-h452" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The neighboring Cardinal Flowers (<i>Lobelia cardinalis</i>) produced several tiny plantlets along their flower stalks this year, and I tucked those stalks into the dirt. Now rows of baby Cardinal Flowers are waiting through these cold and dark times -- with green leaves intact -- to start growing in the spring:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2X5eeXgs0tkYFCXY5cPadXHl7wskJpbY5jGbN2jmlAIM7bXAQYKjOoQQxtnYdYTRcGRkuQOkItpcADnwN1-hZcpiAoHyAatS1smZjyNQBc5WOE0apq9545PAOYMbi9MAI0DfI1esIMMm2vMBgRoNncNgL-JakkgYMulpjgyZHlBAjqhZDat54SL-Z=s2503" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="2503" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2X5eeXgs0tkYFCXY5cPadXHl7wskJpbY5jGbN2jmlAIM7bXAQYKjOoQQxtnYdYTRcGRkuQOkItpcADnwN1-hZcpiAoHyAatS1smZjyNQBc5WOE0apq9545PAOYMbi9MAI0DfI1esIMMm2vMBgRoNncNgL-JakkgYMulpjgyZHlBAjqhZDat54SL-Z=w640-h436" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Foamflower (<i>Tiarella cordifolia</i>) also keeps its leaves through the winter, making a carpet with colors ranging from green to rusty orange:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi13FPPLDwsI9uBcbAO7KtQs9iCBEZonvRbahNNGOU2AE2PKROyAHgJ-vGTktFTVcSGdupTf643801U0rZ0FWF7XaETNPNiUb4SQwJoxCZEULN4iWSuLFMVvrjGDBn_ddXqBZHKNt36SYPDZgP8Xu4rONOTVYcwWTheLrPLCMZvmn6RB-66yHkUhIta=s3022" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2173" data-original-width="3022" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi13FPPLDwsI9uBcbAO7KtQs9iCBEZonvRbahNNGOU2AE2PKROyAHgJ-vGTktFTVcSGdupTf643801U0rZ0FWF7XaETNPNiUb4SQwJoxCZEULN4iWSuLFMVvrjGDBn_ddXqBZHKNt36SYPDZgP8Xu4rONOTVYcwWTheLrPLCMZvmn6RB-66yHkUhIta=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The American Hazelnut shrubs have dangling catkins and little round buds that will grow and flower in the spring:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKLY1W8BTmgs7Ts8C3tYbf0ryFWORu3zz9e2-agcWAI5OdaPa4s8YQtzNo3z0QkFlTbG0PvUK3GqAyF_dICtifrV4ix0FGF9cac5eeicLZEemeQ3foWyNtHTZjheS_UirpdnlzktWKdcPUbXWZhuC4aDyY5GqZTtr7QTFOaZouecwuVug42_3TsChf=s2358" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1620" data-original-width="2358" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgKLY1W8BTmgs7Ts8C3tYbf0ryFWORu3zz9e2-agcWAI5OdaPa4s8YQtzNo3z0QkFlTbG0PvUK3GqAyF_dICtifrV4ix0FGF9cac5eeicLZEemeQ3foWyNtHTZjheS_UirpdnlzktWKdcPUbXWZhuC4aDyY5GqZTtr7QTFOaZouecwuVug42_3TsChf=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In the woods, this fern (I don't know the species yet) holds next year's fronds in coppery coverings at its center, looking like a small collection of coins:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP8Zm6absjZaF-5jc6rqaM8I3gBX-pA3Sqr2D1BrZGjP2Jl7JeJEL2NYd10fx7T4sx1NTGebWtK0MZBM5oQdI4I8d6P4hMZ3yJoEuuf9eNaaQK6kAUfBK23PTH6HKu7rxHebpic2WRetNfBPh4yk8Xm-_1xE5-u8DjjzWIhsRaUMd4LXTaevCaVaB-=s2720" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1943" data-original-width="2720" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhP8Zm6absjZaF-5jc6rqaM8I3gBX-pA3Sqr2D1BrZGjP2Jl7JeJEL2NYd10fx7T4sx1NTGebWtK0MZBM5oQdI4I8d6P4hMZ3yJoEuuf9eNaaQK6kAUfBK23PTH6HKu7rxHebpic2WRetNfBPh4yk8Xm-_1xE5-u8DjjzWIhsRaUMd4LXTaevCaVaB-=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">These Common Milkweed seeds were ready to float off and start new plants, and after taking this picture I helped them along:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFk02YGhjtBT4baLSLUY_5BIa-w4YGN1sRlj2Fab_j7DJxAuGEir4YrFu93k97faZ7VtUxo6RgOaEphD7AQlZV2MmF-OLmx885c0UvnsJvhuDArxk43AFV0wxIkzR7fIEzfyj5IKvf1R-UbqeQXlZnf92oToc2UGbWStMC0J5CrN4rBx_sm1PZzaeT=s2798" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2058" data-original-width="2798" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFk02YGhjtBT4baLSLUY_5BIa-w4YGN1sRlj2Fab_j7DJxAuGEir4YrFu93k97faZ7VtUxo6RgOaEphD7AQlZV2MmF-OLmx885c0UvnsJvhuDArxk43AFV0wxIkzR7fIEzfyj5IKvf1R-UbqeQXlZnf92oToc2UGbWStMC0J5CrN4rBx_sm1PZzaeT=w640-h470" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The Shagbark Hickory tree in our yard produced a large number of nuts this year (although strangely, most of the nuts I cracked open were empty) and a bird has stashed a hickory nut inside a crack in the neighboring Tulip Tree:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-CVGb7WOL-BK_VeBDfD9Aiv1CevtYiR_uR9Jz2RVvwneApWEEj5C971GXVxLqYiHgydX-mibF43jMoDAt4hZ6PanbOX_nUzpzaSaN0RaMJa4-5-4tVCn0xRYx7gUGNfb6djyboMWlq5ft2QKXS9UUMlTufIMu4Sm4pf_dOdv3vjRcUidFl0Nt2eQD=s2069" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="2069" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh-CVGb7WOL-BK_VeBDfD9Aiv1CevtYiR_uR9Jz2RVvwneApWEEj5C971GXVxLqYiHgydX-mibF43jMoDAt4hZ6PanbOX_nUzpzaSaN0RaMJa4-5-4tVCn0xRYx7gUGNfb6djyboMWlq5ft2QKXS9UUMlTufIMu4Sm4pf_dOdv3vjRcUidFl0Nt2eQD=w640-h470" width="640" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Because the weather was so warm on this day, I even saw a few insects out and about. This Honey Bee landed on some aster seedheads; I'm sorry, little bee, I don't think there are any flowers blooming around here right now:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbyJVXCvrEN83aQPyIPyyzM5W8a5OJ5fM2YGHRlbvZ5wkz5T9OPff1fChIQ9njAXPVjJi88qNqVFRibQG6_wJo6y7TQtTgzmm3aTh-cQfK0jvUtHkkJR4435wWVlmugl5B2fEuHhWwBQKBbID18nGMjXzv34JWjRYzN12-h0Agirfstn9QDeYOoh--=s1737" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1737" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbyJVXCvrEN83aQPyIPyyzM5W8a5OJ5fM2YGHRlbvZ5wkz5T9OPff1fChIQ9njAXPVjJi88qNqVFRibQG6_wJo6y7TQtTgzmm3aTh-cQfK0jvUtHkkJR4435wWVlmugl5B2fEuHhWwBQKBbID18nGMjXzv34JWjRYzN12-h0Agirfstn9QDeYOoh--=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">A beetle (some sort of soldier beetle?) was climbing along Little Bluestem stalks:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwkYGhOlaA4lOkaf1PxxknZwJ8SElhKUuDldQ0dNq1s1_mH7MFLXOEZA5Bc93QC8JzzXib_cAkQA__4ilOVZyyWh2ZIYQXE54YoQ9LqrM1sh29JmkzZQUwRDBmwwQvcOMW08guAAI6XTyi7XUAozKp2hZ3NBXdC8KZKhLTD88qGtw6MdzGtS8vs6Mc=s2057" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="2057" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjwkYGhOlaA4lOkaf1PxxknZwJ8SElhKUuDldQ0dNq1s1_mH7MFLXOEZA5Bc93QC8JzzXib_cAkQA__4ilOVZyyWh2ZIYQXE54YoQ9LqrM1sh29JmkzZQUwRDBmwwQvcOMW08guAAI6XTyi7XUAozKp2hZ3NBXdC8KZKhLTD88qGtw6MdzGtS8vs6Mc=w640-h482" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The beetle even opened its wings a few times and flew a bit:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtl3qYd91OL2DRS6EMLxjV-t0hWhyoiz1eT9dlXc7Ui8Y6HoAKNV39JRgAPlp04HcoCOKhBXKOn-1y5eAFyUcfeeZeIR3DHCiH6YDnpuzNa2WxrcUB9fA_1tEkcRIT9rrhGsqk0m3CUs0Ed0z7OsTXX2c4VfLdIpa27fHozr5F6biDf8EJH1VrECnb=s1749" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1749" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtl3qYd91OL2DRS6EMLxjV-t0hWhyoiz1eT9dlXc7Ui8Y6HoAKNV39JRgAPlp04HcoCOKhBXKOn-1y5eAFyUcfeeZeIR3DHCiH6YDnpuzNa2WxrcUB9fA_1tEkcRIT9rrhGsqk0m3CUs0Ed0z7OsTXX2c4VfLdIpa27fHozr5F6biDf8EJH1VrECnb=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, I watched a small caterpillar make its way up a Pawpaw stem and pause at a bud, where it seemed to nibble on the bud's outer layer:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglE6V6Px7UKAM5RHbPZcwz8KiCkFMnNz3jFXcRMqNRJY09BstwOAFbtah6tMsuqVsb5YaAkwMw7GAidvBjItfHZLP2kfqnv3nuzhYCxyvY3mD-Axqi_-UzLHZAW0u5_D2gl0jct9BOEY5E1vhPvnoidVJW9UkSL3u1OO8_vYvDjCXng1TIUPg2lK4g=s1538" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1538" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEglE6V6Px7UKAM5RHbPZcwz8KiCkFMnNz3jFXcRMqNRJY09BstwOAFbtah6tMsuqVsb5YaAkwMw7GAidvBjItfHZLP2kfqnv3nuzhYCxyvY3mD-Axqi_-UzLHZAW0u5_D2gl0jct9BOEY5E1vhPvnoidVJW9UkSL3u1OO8_vYvDjCXng1TIUPg2lK4g=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">It's nice to see signs of life in the middle of December, even as winter is settling in.</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">As I write this, 2021 is coming to a close, and 2022 is in sight. Here's to the new year! Who knows what 2022 will bring!<br /></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-4829175409980299592021-12-31T11:28:00.000-08:002021-12-31T11:28:23.542-08:00August-October, 2021<p><span style="font-family: arial;">I'm still catching up with 2021! Here are some assorted sights from our yard, meadow, and woods in August through October of this year. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Young Rose-breasted Grosbeaks were a steady presence in our yard in August, and they seemed to especially enjoy tasting a variety of plants in my vegetable garden. I would've preferred it if they <i>didn't</i> munch on the tomato and pepper blossoms -- those plants had a hard enough time already during this very wet summer -- but there were plenty of peas to go around, and I enjoyed seeing these rowdy young birds snacking away at the top of the pea trellis on August 2:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6LOc0AXmhKD2l6-Xo1qVvuZCcCwpjmyINhiIsdeMN-LUsKUKxiMoIdj4BGXoz48VIX7bWxGI2h5a7A7IMDLf0-_8WpS3OPR5lw2ZCL1R7OBFPOUHsiA5z-2YfV4RncnwtX5y6LcA2suk0M6-5q5C-xcwtA5MwsFmI0SMxigRG6cumL5RBFLxZXnQO=s2443" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="2443" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg6LOc0AXmhKD2l6-Xo1qVvuZCcCwpjmyINhiIsdeMN-LUsKUKxiMoIdj4BGXoz48VIX7bWxGI2h5a7A7IMDLf0-_8WpS3OPR5lw2ZCL1R7OBFPOUHsiA5z-2YfV4RncnwtX5y6LcA2suk0M6-5q5C-xcwtA5MwsFmI0SMxigRG6cumL5RBFLxZXnQO=w640-h364" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I think this young Rose-breasted Grosbeak may have struck a window on August 6 (a rare occurrence at our house, fortunately), because it sat for a few minutes on our upstairs balcony, allowing for some unusually close views before it flew off:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvEtlg7IcdXnAYEOOF6gxlJCJVbDcbmS45x7nbd_gOySvobCz5SAd6PW65dyUVM6pt-x8DOGIEe3yJEsT6dAkFjriKbIoBH2ETsOlUy4G6s_WBF91Vy0fFScjLKSWBXZcHZdHuAZU5XdK7WMLKu4tQfoWgofK26OH7erJGKkuh5_1P6jJ2tu1HuFM2=s2383" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1883" data-original-width="2383" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjvEtlg7IcdXnAYEOOF6gxlJCJVbDcbmS45x7nbd_gOySvobCz5SAd6PW65dyUVM6pt-x8DOGIEe3yJEsT6dAkFjriKbIoBH2ETsOlUy4G6s_WBF91Vy0fFScjLKSWBXZcHZdHuAZU5XdK7WMLKu4tQfoWgofK26OH7erJGKkuh5_1P6jJ2tu1HuFM2=w640-h506" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">For the second year in a row, American Robins nested on the front of our house, making close neighbors with the Eastern Phoebes above our front door. On August 3, the stripey robin babies were looking alert and nearly ready to leave the nest:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwoYfmAP0TYpoZCI3RqpQ4RFS6iLmcOzkh0YQMw8tSwTYpewUciPtZQz-ZN7faIkT4e5g0eG6ni29G5dbgBLE9JH_BOjio2G8VOacNLjNpWW5wmHlj1gbRn7rZjPdjIEmmNLV3MC-u-UOJ6TfD3WlP0qP9wIRrPRLyXH6Bu1YH3Z4Vt5UfVD7t4Gff=s1743" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1743" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhwoYfmAP0TYpoZCI3RqpQ4RFS6iLmcOzkh0YQMw8tSwTYpewUciPtZQz-ZN7faIkT4e5g0eG6ni29G5dbgBLE9JH_BOjio2G8VOacNLjNpWW5wmHlj1gbRn7rZjPdjIEmmNLV3MC-u-UOJ6TfD3WlP0qP9wIRrPRLyXH6Bu1YH3Z4Vt5UfVD7t4Gff=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This is actually the first year I've seen American Robins successfully produce new birds on our property -- the nests I've seen in the previous three years have all failed. And even better, there were a total of three successful American Robin broods on our property this year. Hooray for a productive year for robins!<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMEmlY5Wte1rAe9LlxdKO0Vh9lWmxxd2iK9ysXWS6QUaPzWM3kYaU0uClbAUTu-rJaIbbd0_3cqGlKIn4HnoFH6b3TW5QWMXaOdb1Adyi6R7eK_gMc3tPKwMchGAoQ5okhmkcBNczHmY69JG_CG6lnVCyhS2ODm9DINu1Pe7a2_3OX8_5Gg5IwFqGa=s1791" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1791" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhMEmlY5Wte1rAe9LlxdKO0Vh9lWmxxd2iK9ysXWS6QUaPzWM3kYaU0uClbAUTu-rJaIbbd0_3cqGlKIn4HnoFH6b3TW5QWMXaOdb1Adyi6R7eK_gMc3tPKwMchGAoQ5okhmkcBNczHmY69JG_CG6lnVCyhS2ODm9DINu1Pe7a2_3OX8_5Gg5IwFqGa=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The House Wrens were also productive this year, with two broods in their chosen nest box. Here's one of those young House Wrens on August 6:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCDfCOjBhkFWq7dOKPiFcysMMi7ZTuKYXu8oZ4Ts4Qt7ilRQpinnvrsMz-GrHs3sIJ9vXZm8MRRYJtGUt4GXq7DYenekozEQ0WSr9ifexcaIbchKPPPes0X5tXIWif4sYRUZGmL3judmrpqZTRkd-i8FQRThAaTCtTbOa2OeJUBh4hXiWyu7l9zwlv=s2159" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1660" data-original-width="2159" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhCDfCOjBhkFWq7dOKPiFcysMMi7ZTuKYXu8oZ4Ts4Qt7ilRQpinnvrsMz-GrHs3sIJ9vXZm8MRRYJtGUt4GXq7DYenekozEQ0WSr9ifexcaIbchKPPPes0X5tXIWif4sYRUZGmL3judmrpqZTRkd-i8FQRThAaTCtTbOa2OeJUBh4hXiWyu7l9zwlv=w640-h492" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On the morning of August 8, I was shocked to see a really big bird walking around next to our house. What in the world is a Great Blue Heron doing in our yard??</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiakHbKdeE_ysVHHNqlsgYkIKzjg79fe_cMs5_ctoa2I4BvthVMAXMe996aYlQjP5qg0FNFqiJI5p8BhOY9tzAokJwyInr5ruFZbhGFsoBZUWS66x6mCXZAWj6oe5iDiArHCz9lSQgoUQQmfwrdj6I5te0ofA7d_o2-CnShWROlKxQBgLzdvMnXeB3u=s3136" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2161" data-original-width="3136" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiakHbKdeE_ysVHHNqlsgYkIKzjg79fe_cMs5_ctoa2I4BvthVMAXMe996aYlQjP5qg0FNFqiJI5p8BhOY9tzAokJwyInr5ruFZbhGFsoBZUWS66x6mCXZAWj6oe5iDiArHCz9lSQgoUQQmfwrdj6I5te0ofA7d_o2-CnShWROlKxQBgLzdvMnXeB3u=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">There are ponds and streams a short flight away from here, but we have no aquatic environments in our yard at all.... As it turned out, though, this Great Blue Heron was hunting food of the small furry variety, and our yard has plenty of those. We watched through a window as the heron snatched up a Meadow Vole:</span></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMKalyEwYQOLL9Aqik93IwwEfoGD55Sfdve4Tf491kOFPIZdFe5lZpwQtZEUkYeFd1tzwX_gKRb9tD3frJ--FH3ZgAO7L4zmBjA7rLng9aM_VWYfUwEmGgMx4TXS7OB7MPozVgT066q4DvR0HsCrqM-9WO9yTR46xrpG3qAg2H31BznERQYKBp3Khn=s2841" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2209" data-original-width="2841" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiMKalyEwYQOLL9Aqik93IwwEfoGD55Sfdve4Tf491kOFPIZdFe5lZpwQtZEUkYeFd1tzwX_gKRb9tD3frJ--FH3ZgAO7L4zmBjA7rLng9aM_VWYfUwEmGgMx4TXS7OB7MPozVgT066q4DvR0HsCrqM-9WO9yTR46xrpG3qAg2H31BznERQYKBp3Khn=w640-h498" width="640" /></a></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a closer view of the vole's plight (as clear as I could get through the window):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju4PQTyZ-XIuN6FDnVEucohPpxkqYJaw7dR4w69lT2lVY4fMHWGV17fBvrnll59N-EmiDhH0c6HAJWLTUuu2k60l2UXCcWl7AimxQYtjCozKxn8-NrfTVJDGnPWMSNoaBWmh5mdPecIO_CBr0UjjZ0PPHZj8sNhDoOhtPSlK2cJRvsWpK_75s0FWoZ=s1508" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1508" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEju4PQTyZ-XIuN6FDnVEucohPpxkqYJaw7dR4w69lT2lVY4fMHWGV17fBvrnll59N-EmiDhH0c6HAJWLTUuu2k60l2UXCcWl7AimxQYtjCozKxn8-NrfTVJDGnPWMSNoaBWmh5mdPecIO_CBr0UjjZ0PPHZj8sNhDoOhtPSlK2cJRvsWpK_75s0FWoZ=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Down it goes:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7gOVQEsD-LJFPj22mxbnCOnr45qhgpa9lP4Q-GRX1l74TFiTUYQ2MBDVVG5lCoKzWZUQLr81XovZqmmoh5sUEcShwdxFnAuDl9x4COxvJhq9yJ2gdHqMcoDZ5KuZTKlo1-E--0skEuKRm2sHzR_B1-9SpfVjjLBdXNMJaOlb_Q2ptxEw10_TlOAYA=s2792" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2342" data-original-width="2792" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg7gOVQEsD-LJFPj22mxbnCOnr45qhgpa9lP4Q-GRX1l74TFiTUYQ2MBDVVG5lCoKzWZUQLr81XovZqmmoh5sUEcShwdxFnAuDl9x4COxvJhq9yJ2gdHqMcoDZ5KuZTKlo1-E--0skEuKRm2sHzR_B1-9SpfVjjLBdXNMJaOlb_Q2ptxEw10_TlOAYA=w640-h536" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The heron hunted over quite a bit of the yard. Look, there's a huge bird walking behind the cars (!):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTiWKO4JXQ6RuUgLRHysdkVnnENpAR4Vj7sDHWPHIX8RlCFgiKfeBMDzEQcitX1amIlgItoXpNqmmrgqEOTX09o58rC7sHojJ8NhTsqXTG_N4bQX9MQN9sQEEUgNq8x2mfv7yULyrlctlcGvY4DlbiYjfJLz55PYoiLaKF5OuPrGvqcvbmPO1lbuib=s3498" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2559" data-original-width="3498" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTiWKO4JXQ6RuUgLRHysdkVnnENpAR4Vj7sDHWPHIX8RlCFgiKfeBMDzEQcitX1amIlgItoXpNqmmrgqEOTX09o58rC7sHojJ8NhTsqXTG_N4bQX9MQN9sQEEUgNq8x2mfv7yULyrlctlcGvY4DlbiYjfJLz55PYoiLaKF5OuPrGvqcvbmPO1lbuib=w640-h468" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The heron grabbed one more wriggling vole from the bank between the road and the driveway:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM6pKPHVqy5YEL418FXF8eP5YBEcbOQIBXFMNs9alUwHNd6m2imppJSsry7kJ1HjcKdDRDp1hI1Uc4pJr3FCJE449U9Z_cfD2NgcGhFkKEUyGDfMX07So4D96kIn3Z_0vu-FtaVVFs_IGCXP1bKrcO4BP0wIhoTcFIc62BOSqoD5Gkqxcs45aVG_Ob=s1906" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1382" data-original-width="1906" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgM6pKPHVqy5YEL418FXF8eP5YBEcbOQIBXFMNs9alUwHNd6m2imppJSsry7kJ1HjcKdDRDp1hI1Uc4pJr3FCJE449U9Z_cfD2NgcGhFkKEUyGDfMX07So4D96kIn3Z_0vu-FtaVVFs_IGCXP1bKrcO4BP0wIhoTcFIc62BOSqoD5Gkqxcs45aVG_Ob=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And then a passing runner startled the heron and it flew away. What a cool and unexpected visitor! Now I can add Great Blue Heron to the list of predators who sometimes stop by to keep our vole population in check.<br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We had so much rain this summer that our little pond in the woods kept water in it all year, instead of turning into a big muddy patch as it has done in previous years. On August 6, I was happy to see some Green Frogs hanging out in the water:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVMR-soQBc3DQN94DmQMpFs2M3Z_m5AI4N_s8gSe1Uk2bCMSxe_zIvQR89t4Ljt3hiPsC21spHjLflFKGPl8DC8fXdNorsEcrKs-4Zgb1lczzoeNN7jqD8UMClhSUYGxwtiP9luo0Ykd8sXbjJiTAyxRe2BakSuOZ1z06tDMjEsjcBhRLla9uRXYdV=s2117" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1527" data-original-width="2117" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVMR-soQBc3DQN94DmQMpFs2M3Z_m5AI4N_s8gSe1Uk2bCMSxe_zIvQR89t4Ljt3hiPsC21spHjLflFKGPl8DC8fXdNorsEcrKs-4Zgb1lczzoeNN7jqD8UMClhSUYGxwtiP9luo0Ykd8sXbjJiTAyxRe2BakSuOZ1z06tDMjEsjcBhRLla9uRXYdV=w640-h462" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On August 8, I saw the cutest little Gray Treefrog (a young individual) in a patch of Orange Jewelweed in our yard:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmYKfGce1v5TuZ3Bs3RulDrsd19p1Bm9Eje-2rb5FD9cfP4lOVjaBL4Na5oa8MuAcj7sF_IWhxfwFBlkpzcqRbVGUNIQM7bCzLw6m6lWNVk6pirx3eL3zyNM2PYgoXOb9Jdrwf8eIg60B2LfDlw2yycLxWAJkad5n5y_zqBc_2ytaHLGdmOqD0Dcce=s1875" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1274" data-original-width="1875" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmYKfGce1v5TuZ3Bs3RulDrsd19p1Bm9Eje-2rb5FD9cfP4lOVjaBL4Na5oa8MuAcj7sF_IWhxfwFBlkpzcqRbVGUNIQM7bCzLw6m6lWNVk6pirx3eL3zyNM2PYgoXOb9Jdrwf8eIg60B2LfDlw2yycLxWAJkad5n5y_zqBc_2ytaHLGdmOqD0Dcce=w640-h434" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">I hear Gray Treefrogs frequently enough around here that they must be fairly common, but I so rarely get to see them. And this little creature was so adorable! It was climbing among the jewelweed stems, hunting tiny flying insects, and pausing long enough for a picture now and then:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbqMsVjbhpfPl0qmAcbqNkEC370izt1iYSHjyvtZg8Qr6e0PZWEvgV3fiUdCP25jBCwPQRlw6kYKQyUjT-umUrsMvHKAYUAExbhURl_N6T66qQvuLP1LzoRT6zRJWIJzruAUQBTAvnUS2564NkRS9u7OY4cHx1qU27GY_KT83EBtNhhTYCYtUxK1Yb=s2172" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="2172" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhbqMsVjbhpfPl0qmAcbqNkEC370izt1iYSHjyvtZg8Qr6e0PZWEvgV3fiUdCP25jBCwPQRlw6kYKQyUjT-umUrsMvHKAYUAExbhURl_N6T66qQvuLP1LzoRT6zRJWIJzruAUQBTAvnUS2564NkRS9u7OY4cHx1qU27GY_KT83EBtNhhTYCYtUxK1Yb=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This lovely Black Swallowtail showed up at the zinnias on our back deck on August 28:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsvw8mVFweXPonli1N67hNULdqXHbaDvsRM3LndoK6Kn40Q5DZ4qFeC_HlApTsWbkLZtMh7w7Ngslmnswn0I5LVdJcAREGPkcJ0bfc_W1QqriQGvGA-mfK0Nln-BnZLNcN5mUIt6wcxgbrup1kAIRo-JDE8jZl3REFyycRX9p-tx3ZqNs1G-h40EUG=s2244" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1551" data-original-width="2244" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsvw8mVFweXPonli1N67hNULdqXHbaDvsRM3LndoK6Kn40Q5DZ4qFeC_HlApTsWbkLZtMh7w7Ngslmnswn0I5LVdJcAREGPkcJ0bfc_W1QqriQGvGA-mfK0Nln-BnZLNcN5mUIt6wcxgbrup1kAIRo-JDE8jZl3REFyycRX9p-tx3ZqNs1G-h40EUG=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">While gardening in the front yard on September 3, I came across a couple of fun little creatures (and had only my phone's poor-quality camera to document them). This small Spotted Salamander was burrowed below ground, before I accidentally unearthed it:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzFQPL7TJnP_OsHclSIhrJUbJx0gZEKmW2GbdVMXzG-xJHNhuF-u-nAbi5MRsk1-quGC0omyOb-sibP-JEdneIdVGVW51ukImguk3tm1g_3YXDqiMfyY9NO5IH_bGSqu9cwo_CPGFDLswiW924Z_uAalKP3MDxsHm3wGcqYBdzSzYRj90ZhgRVXNvy=s2432" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1722" data-original-width="2432" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzFQPL7TJnP_OsHclSIhrJUbJx0gZEKmW2GbdVMXzG-xJHNhuF-u-nAbi5MRsk1-quGC0omyOb-sibP-JEdneIdVGVW51ukImguk3tm1g_3YXDqiMfyY9NO5IH_bGSqu9cwo_CPGFDLswiW924Z_uAalKP3MDxsHm3wGcqYBdzSzYRj90ZhgRVXNvy=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And I found a really bizarre larva on Black Walnut leaves -- at first, I assumed this was a caterpillar infected with some sort of fungus, but it turned out to be the normal larva (they're supposed to look like this!) of a species of sawfly, the Butternut Woollyworm (<i>Eriocampa juglandis</i>):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieKXB5J4Mbr9QifMFdNv6xJM1DkVpks2FeckaxiCycipkSY_Ifmn07tQPY6QUMH2zFPuWvS_olrwfAwg4mxelCvM-vI46hquBEsQU93FWoNkMml3Uso-hLAaRgxwHQT9ue1kSdyVHWcSz39uxvawAlYd5HeLq2Ll4UJcWW6ZuRg3YPzaAybZbM5cgN=s2307" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1645" data-original-width="2307" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEieKXB5J4Mbr9QifMFdNv6xJM1DkVpks2FeckaxiCycipkSY_Ifmn07tQPY6QUMH2zFPuWvS_olrwfAwg4mxelCvM-vI46hquBEsQU93FWoNkMml3Uso-hLAaRgxwHQT9ue1kSdyVHWcSz39uxvawAlYd5HeLq2Ll4UJcWW6ZuRg3YPzaAybZbM5cgN=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On September 11, I watched a flock of Cedar Waxwings feasting on Pokeweed berries:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPDYtlKLQG-pJ1HOmy-HYHUrj7kDQebGSD3EQEQS9RZLM4RAGasn0d6YnhzO2nz3rpg5Ap0GHVt9K5PkU44J1nrgq_jHtjRzT-NVrNZ5znQhrIDs_C3W9KUNf5SIkave1CS0wHJqHGd1Xf35Jyrftl0MdHBzAT-Gi4Qs6xjmQ7vkSG9ceVxwdSwIoJ=s2057" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="2057" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPDYtlKLQG-pJ1HOmy-HYHUrj7kDQebGSD3EQEQS9RZLM4RAGasn0d6YnhzO2nz3rpg5Ap0GHVt9K5PkU44J1nrgq_jHtjRzT-NVrNZ5znQhrIDs_C3W9KUNf5SIkave1CS0wHJqHGd1Xf35Jyrftl0MdHBzAT-Gi4Qs6xjmQ7vkSG9ceVxwdSwIoJ=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">These birds looked so fancy surrounded by Pokeweed and blooming goldenrod: <br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNRnfxwzDF3LA1dvy08WfBXKWAKnxZgv4X9BplRAPWSL03wn9p664mvvc_62KRezLL5ANcJ0hDmR7qClKNxfWLZjMdhMXpNzgoFCgZDsd7Wy9-lyKkPDXBKCV5__32-Wpo2Je0QVIXQ6VTPoQj9QaO8XU68OeHIWFK4LkLn-hjBSBkYOEqFyornhU8=s1828" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1273" data-original-width="1828" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiNRnfxwzDF3LA1dvy08WfBXKWAKnxZgv4X9BplRAPWSL03wn9p664mvvc_62KRezLL5ANcJ0hDmR7qClKNxfWLZjMdhMXpNzgoFCgZDsd7Wy9-lyKkPDXBKCV5__32-Wpo2Je0QVIXQ6VTPoQj9QaO8XU68OeHIWFK4LkLn-hjBSBkYOEqFyornhU8=w640-h446" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearby, an industrious Eastern Chipmunk watched me from one of the many holes in the old apple tree next to our driveway:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTPFH5zmpPTDSJoHrtiF3GMBSBFL18NFCY4VATFMbFhpKk7xjp0adlDsBtqOrFm9MBTwmgsHM-AKMTqf4B-o1vM6MAPdRLzMmyAtfgSxBzn2XjK983iud66kT74kxrioDqSphV3HR14GG4h_X3oA3BQHnzPKmGW0cpUPgsolxlJtuIjQiMy4vs9hm7=s3072" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3072" data-original-width="2147" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTPFH5zmpPTDSJoHrtiF3GMBSBFL18NFCY4VATFMbFhpKk7xjp0adlDsBtqOrFm9MBTwmgsHM-AKMTqf4B-o1vM6MAPdRLzMmyAtfgSxBzn2XjK983iud66kT74kxrioDqSphV3HR14GG4h_X3oA3BQHnzPKmGW0cpUPgsolxlJtuIjQiMy4vs9hm7=w448-h640" width="448" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Look at those stuffed-full cheeks! </span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHW6ADD2ljLobUo63nT_edFTkbeTAZeVyXtrZVjrzEgsIDS4oOt-mRnBCZMd5OptzLydnBKoaA1f3LRAVGrfLaaD82eos4g6eKFZwAONWVogqjmwqdur5axs7Y_7rALrYmB7yEq9CkY8Vdth3ARF9yVqQoNisgWo4jIL1vRWXGo2JyH2recLTuPU2_=s2183" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1594" data-original-width="2183" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHW6ADD2ljLobUo63nT_edFTkbeTAZeVyXtrZVjrzEgsIDS4oOt-mRnBCZMd5OptzLydnBKoaA1f3LRAVGrfLaaD82eos4g6eKFZwAONWVogqjmwqdur5axs7Y_7rALrYmB7yEq9CkY8Vdth3ARF9yVqQoNisgWo4jIL1vRWXGo2JyH2recLTuPU2_=w640-h468" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Also on September 11, this European Mantis (<i>Mantis religiosa</i>) was doing its best impression of a grass stem as it staked out a patch of Little Bluestem in the meadow:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSsj23n1ylwh0MBuE2JyAL5SB0PG8CkNjd1BEAvFy6Tp3BtOUCbI21TBSp4ZHyvEl0cEE3NA16Y3hlBhQZuaOKmgjWOYBIMC_BBw9TwWmiRCc1Ox5fNfO10rgP15Ef5xtefNGI0IlVGgMMeDu5SIv7kpYj10gbuX34wEpAg1MJJnBiLFFP2b-pxdR_=s2160" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1448" data-original-width="2160" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiSsj23n1ylwh0MBuE2JyAL5SB0PG8CkNjd1BEAvFy6Tp3BtOUCbI21TBSp4ZHyvEl0cEE3NA16Y3hlBhQZuaOKmgjWOYBIMC_BBw9TwWmiRCc1Ox5fNfO10rgP15Ef5xtefNGI0IlVGgMMeDu5SIv7kpYj10gbuX34wEpAg1MJJnBiLFFP2b-pxdR_=w640-h430" width="640" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This Giant Puffball made an impressive sight in our yard on September 18:</span></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxZNA_NO1033UCK7r5n5qUgcMfIv7KnARi960QST3OGbkHRWXP9_u0jnRMwIrbTGNzH-VDJxhCTzmIGRI3pOcPr4JVU5pbe2xmCJRmJlNeZcBjVVDwtTv2ndiEx2-RnC21ah1FnV5Rbf6-6a5dT3fWO_-temWpzNQEbt_xbEtBBkh69g8yDQzzR_-3=s2764" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="2764" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxZNA_NO1033UCK7r5n5qUgcMfIv7KnARi960QST3OGbkHRWXP9_u0jnRMwIrbTGNzH-VDJxhCTzmIGRI3pOcPr4JVU5pbe2xmCJRmJlNeZcBjVVDwtTv2ndiEx2-RnC21ah1FnV5Rbf6-6a5dT3fWO_-temWpzNQEbt_xbEtBBkh69g8yDQzzR_-3=w640-h462" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's a beautiful Monarch on New England Aster on September 25:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRmuzxwQJyte6avIlzuSlTM4FbTBDxBhoE9kbMpgyvfiDBOdiHsBV2U6SvM8X-SzNJHWnNDUE0JotRKIDQzSEuI5-bDSjvgAOYTsyN6C77wUTwfKhdIjHmb2PyY6D60Ys8CmJTA5kzp26L_yb0S5vPSlCXE4AwCs_AIen3C-aociITp0PFXmDLwAl2=s2467" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="2467" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRmuzxwQJyte6avIlzuSlTM4FbTBDxBhoE9kbMpgyvfiDBOdiHsBV2U6SvM8X-SzNJHWnNDUE0JotRKIDQzSEuI5-bDSjvgAOYTsyN6C77wUTwfKhdIjHmb2PyY6D60Ys8CmJTA5kzp26L_yb0S5vPSlCXE4AwCs_AIen3C-aociITp0PFXmDLwAl2=w640-h464" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And reddening Virginia Creeper leaves glowing in the sunlit woods:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF5hcGEVNp3d7hgNIMNz_5sUYv-oYQqEIAxbAOiIQYFix-BPxjTnKfL8BLr5wzJl39Tk7oh0B2OVcdQUpNlC57roexGW0qv0InF_0jjz7jShj-Wm73YuFb2di8aXaPQWkIL62idOhMKet_DEjbLh-WGJfGKo4bv1Ks8VDJSNq-2kVzVDfS1kycU3of=s2970" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2970" data-original-width="1752" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiF5hcGEVNp3d7hgNIMNz_5sUYv-oYQqEIAxbAOiIQYFix-BPxjTnKfL8BLr5wzJl39Tk7oh0B2OVcdQUpNlC57roexGW0qv0InF_0jjz7jShj-Wm73YuFb2di8aXaPQWkIL62idOhMKet_DEjbLh-WGJfGKo4bv1Ks8VDJSNq-2kVzVDfS1kycU3of=w378-h640" width="378" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Furrow Orbweaver spiders (<i>Larinioides cornutus </i>or <i>patagiatus</i>) commonly build webs across the outside of our windows throughout the spring, summer, and fall. This little individual found shelter in a leaf caught against a window in October, and it seems to now be spending the winter curled up in its home; this picture is from October 10:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFUNUtLDXB1ZuD6iGzf4OMh-dcXy255oynh0WVJIebamuiEVzCXv5XbDGS70U4_2jVBRUhor7Au17qJ00JzPc6MHWsabV9bwBkEzTWtXqEYNpTQuGsEArO6nFoaZKE2Kkd1A9xIrJMIuy0dvTToApMeaoynA3TuoB_GSRsFj0B87oaxw-RoNxdCaaN=s1375" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="981" data-original-width="1375" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFUNUtLDXB1ZuD6iGzf4OMh-dcXy255oynh0WVJIebamuiEVzCXv5XbDGS70U4_2jVBRUhor7Au17qJ00JzPc6MHWsabV9bwBkEzTWtXqEYNpTQuGsEArO6nFoaZKE2Kkd1A9xIrJMIuy0dvTToApMeaoynA3TuoB_GSRsFj0B87oaxw-RoNxdCaaN=w640-h456" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I didn't get outside much in October and November -- fall is always a busy time. I have a few more sights to share from December 2021, and that will be the next post.<br /></span><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-2741882174084770082021-12-27T12:44:00.000-08:002021-12-27T12:44:14.335-08:00June and July, 2021<p><span style="font-family: arial;">When last I shared some sights from around our property -- several months ago, oops! -- it was a green and sunny June. It feels strange to be going back to the height of summer now, when we've just recently passed the Winter solstice, but I can't very well let the second half of the year slip by without highlighting some more of this place's natural goings-on that I love so much. So here are some sights from June and July, 2021!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On June 23, I crossed paths with this male Black-and-White Warbler who snatched up a moth for processing -- I'm pretty sure that's dust from the moth's wings floating around in this picture:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-B0T0cj6UWVPgdpSjV6Y_2SgQN5hKDKJoEeB1snu17QWV8bY9QwnKNffEfnJb-2tr2fskQoypLsHxcGjHbaNXVrI1So9Hg533OYpNf51EdtX-RTUq0d69pJ4d4maAYFhT1O2EboGyyMNGm7fRn24GmDBYi2c3tPpDA9NVfFgte0QkpFpVXJEdaBwr=s1743" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1743" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi-B0T0cj6UWVPgdpSjV6Y_2SgQN5hKDKJoEeB1snu17QWV8bY9QwnKNffEfnJb-2tr2fskQoypLsHxcGjHbaNXVrI1So9Hg533OYpNf51EdtX-RTUq0d69pJ4d4maAYFhT1O2EboGyyMNGm7fRn24GmDBYi2c3tPpDA9NVfFgte0QkpFpVXJEdaBwr=w640-h454" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Little colorful creatures in the yard are always fun. Here's a male Ruby-throated Hummingbird showing off iridescent blue/green feathers along his back while visiting hosta blossoms on July 17:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-dLk7ocIiR_zE9UUtMU6NoG59N1ci45rbb_8Y3S7vcKMTlV3gVB-cM0NX9hVtjGAFvX8EKQl7EwrvAS0ZhQ9GvkOpSBxlD73sqKcIz9_Fy4U1nnFeXI40xO76NOTUXPUMgvnDFxNvDxFgqwTuwxoFB4_OtRxUBI2wqPJX7duFDWwMS97leSGV_SEz=s1857" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1316" data-original-width="1857" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-dLk7ocIiR_zE9UUtMU6NoG59N1ci45rbb_8Y3S7vcKMTlV3gVB-cM0NX9hVtjGAFvX8EKQl7EwrvAS0ZhQ9GvkOpSBxlD73sqKcIz9_Fy4U1nnFeXI40xO76NOTUXPUMgvnDFxNvDxFgqwTuwxoFB4_OtRxUBI2wqPJX7duFDWwMS97leSGV_SEz=w640-h454" width="640" /></a><br /></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's a bright Red Eft (juvenile Red-spotted Newt) making its way across the stone path in front of our house on July 18:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCNv33-1VXHxvy7EChgH0Q3dahqAxKQWRp6ExTiyml5JL-ireN1t9z1uqcbXn-jlTjAiT46I5h4NOkP547Ku4StHEguLvls9aJjYNNYXYXInH91R-5cpTP7QMej4mrRbXb1yH8VUDpLkFbxJFA89sCXup__3noFyJbSXecmZ7XYktWo0Eba4UsJkqL=s2626" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1812" data-original-width="2626" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCNv33-1VXHxvy7EChgH0Q3dahqAxKQWRp6ExTiyml5JL-ireN1t9z1uqcbXn-jlTjAiT46I5h4NOkP547Ku4StHEguLvls9aJjYNNYXYXInH91R-5cpTP7QMej4mrRbXb1yH8VUDpLkFbxJFA89sCXup__3noFyJbSXecmZ7XYktWo0Eba4UsJkqL=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The Eastern Phoebes successfully raised four babies in the nest above our front door, their second brood of the year. On July 16, the babies' eyes were starting to peek open:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipIhcb0QZoXE_sBh_MErf0irHi0gs5AOh1wNQkoAakKoZfbatKzP8yY5OZf6EHIPJ0vuX4n1EK6PDVezIEGsmvlgX0DCtCLGcMxpw3w9teR2PNN2QHxyLmsOqtt9NaVZSLx_guxY17pw6Km0cZMP10C3Y46kEKadU3uGvisoLUeI0GKvVijF5HLjKQ=s3452" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2133" data-original-width="3452" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipIhcb0QZoXE_sBh_MErf0irHi0gs5AOh1wNQkoAakKoZfbatKzP8yY5OZf6EHIPJ0vuX4n1EK6PDVezIEGsmvlgX0DCtCLGcMxpw3w9teR2PNN2QHxyLmsOqtt9NaVZSLx_guxY17pw6Km0cZMP10C3Y46kEKadU3uGvisoLUeI0GKvVijF5HLjKQ=w640-h396" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And by July 23 the baby phoebes were alert and nearly ready to leave -- I kept my distance for this picture to avoid startling them out of the nest too early; I love seeing the frumpy looks on these little birds' faces when they reach this stage each year:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEOeJniCBPhksPm6hbJlKEp6gfb_I0aVocGTHAKxF710fr2GYu36z7j1NsoflFAx_BK2eWIesOxXQaEITxS-p46IPcOFvQRUrA16xvrb4CutwEtVUbvfkPgh7TyxZitaSWGf190rPKJGRnexZjFxy7SJQvTKigTDF_wLheK-fo84lSfyF48r1KzGn2=s1919" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1919" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjEOeJniCBPhksPm6hbJlKEp6gfb_I0aVocGTHAKxF710fr2GYu36z7j1NsoflFAx_BK2eWIesOxXQaEITxS-p46IPcOFvQRUrA16xvrb4CutwEtVUbvfkPgh7TyxZitaSWGf190rPKJGRnexZjFxy7SJQvTKigTDF_wLheK-fo84lSfyF48r1KzGn2=w640-h442" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This lovely Striped Hairstreak (<i>Satyrium liparops</i>) who showed up in our yard on July 8 was a new butterfly for me:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfQdYOh6yJqPx6Tzx_ED0vgSFxuDj3tVSuybsWt3AEAcJf47XiSmnnV3fjfywmejZ3AIB3vSPBiyM5xQGH8Oqk5gZ6Fz__kuQaNYLxsMkIcv6bFcnrVWf1XJFlmbF2J-ALhe29lHq3Qe4vChdSlYRvMp7KBooNMlpJFTo5d2glfjlj3Ixbf0m4EtV7=s1476" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1476" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgfQdYOh6yJqPx6Tzx_ED0vgSFxuDj3tVSuybsWt3AEAcJf47XiSmnnV3fjfywmejZ3AIB3vSPBiyM5xQGH8Oqk5gZ6Fz__kuQaNYLxsMkIcv6bFcnrVWf1XJFlmbF2J-ALhe29lHq3Qe4vChdSlYRvMp7KBooNMlpJFTo5d2glfjlj3Ixbf0m4EtV7=w640-h462" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And I love the finely striped pattern on this Mourning Cloak butterfly who was resting on a shed wall on July 16:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpCr-wwx8WhsvDkc2VEPHYAIkXUorFnPGf2VjyGyKugklCKxsWWQ4s9IR725lJSKS-WB64OLCV4_MVIsID3EiPOJjxIJvFPnEOpixiZP__IuAevQFRiztnR6qWY-g7QqwgyS6U3rI_41Oh_VZ7pUq9xiLVDDKaYJbqI-h7XDhjdLfEIaIpJ_zlzI8X=s2626" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1713" data-original-width="2626" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpCr-wwx8WhsvDkc2VEPHYAIkXUorFnPGf2VjyGyKugklCKxsWWQ4s9IR725lJSKS-WB64OLCV4_MVIsID3EiPOJjxIJvFPnEOpixiZP__IuAevQFRiztnR6qWY-g7QqwgyS6U3rI_41Oh_VZ7pUq9xiLVDDKaYJbqI-h7XDhjdLfEIaIpJ_zlzI8X=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On July 21, I found this perfect little cache of Chokecherry berries in the middle of our yard, presumably stored away by a mouse or other little creature for later; the low grass and clover seemed like a strange place to hide food, but oh well:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwg-Abx4HcO09p8ICnTKBItvDGx6oxfj0-Z5MhxDYq5NJy01zoh2xz2PH219xLE_cBvSQye5aHwhikehA4mxCCkK857D0lc7Kl2xoHmCoi2L0F43-da3VnLUYpEHGNfx-Qd-cOFB_iVnfcj5uTCwBthyviNmsnVKrb48BCREDRHASwSLobH-b2Em87=s2448" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1751" data-original-width="2448" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwg-Abx4HcO09p8ICnTKBItvDGx6oxfj0-Z5MhxDYq5NJy01zoh2xz2PH219xLE_cBvSQye5aHwhikehA4mxCCkK857D0lc7Kl2xoHmCoi2L0F43-da3VnLUYpEHGNfx-Qd-cOFB_iVnfcj5uTCwBthyviNmsnVKrb48BCREDRHASwSLobH-b2Em87=w640-h458" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This small White-spotted Sable (<i>Anania funebris</i>) moth was enjoying some Buttonbush blossoms on July 23:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh784BMY_pZNz_5G1x69uiLAQBLGfZd3KIdc-werlibWHLZV_O7velQhgb4g4d41xiJyN9zknZlI0yUiCUyvTR9jpC_YpMcDmesd4v_jR45ysIdQrqnMO25ea7zPLCCaZ6DeNnTTjM8QzL_zAPS6W97i0Kq457E-N9aCmUgXOBOL578Fs7ZwgUOW_Zf=s2039" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1394" data-original-width="2039" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh784BMY_pZNz_5G1x69uiLAQBLGfZd3KIdc-werlibWHLZV_O7velQhgb4g4d41xiJyN9zknZlI0yUiCUyvTR9jpC_YpMcDmesd4v_jR45ysIdQrqnMO25ea7zPLCCaZ6DeNnTTjM8QzL_zAPS6W97i0Kq457E-N9aCmUgXOBOL578Fs7ZwgUOW_Zf=w640-h438" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What a fancy stripey underside this moth has:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAm_tmwRW8GyBV3qD-kDCaG-RhCsZO10EZKupeJ8Ohp5AIk_mKoh9AJ0Nt6L2civjD-qaXcA_0khywqnXbzR5OO_wN8LPjh9fJhS0UeOX3XGiAT1VCL9AoIkHdxVH9lpHiGwdqf_jTGqjMc108502wbxatzq9TBivi1KqnRtI527niHWJIbU3mOKqG=s2050" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="2050" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjAm_tmwRW8GyBV3qD-kDCaG-RhCsZO10EZKupeJ8Ohp5AIk_mKoh9AJ0Nt6L2civjD-qaXcA_0khywqnXbzR5OO_wN8LPjh9fJhS0UeOX3XGiAT1VCL9AoIkHdxVH9lpHiGwdqf_jTGqjMc108502wbxatzq9TBivi1KqnRtI527niHWJIbU3mOKqG=w640-h418" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's another White-spotted Sable on fuzzy Wild Bergamot (<i>Monarda fistulosa</i>) flowers in the meadow on July 28:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3U11EMQfibUVByfME6hmUZEPOmOg7spf0TSetyVoRwutzAkb48K2oXEofTukBkSBwCdUWwRlXeeJVrt-5YwRi0IOYgjWrf3TKU7U8lGApxP1TIqnnE6zOvTPK7q7Nm3JZ_mlZWNjZCaAtlVq5_v0tVbN-5JXYZtjSdaTmQSCRXjww0ZfjJEyZT2qm=s2008" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="2008" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3U11EMQfibUVByfME6hmUZEPOmOg7spf0TSetyVoRwutzAkb48K2oXEofTukBkSBwCdUWwRlXeeJVrt-5YwRi0IOYgjWrf3TKU7U8lGApxP1TIqnnE6zOvTPK7q7Nm3JZ_mlZWNjZCaAtlVq5_v0tVbN-5JXYZtjSdaTmQSCRXjww0ZfjJEyZT2qm=w640-h448" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Nearby, a Silver-spotted Skipper was also visiting Wild Bergamot blossoms:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqRaDhaPnMyZ4emZre4g-z2UPPHT3mfo9uOeFOb0ZB64DjKvd44eUEWHeti8z0WfDvTwd9A7FsTwhyfBuzBsyy1ohKQNwlt7UeL_Yy0jmE0NbHDVPtdqV69EgRsJG5FWIVERfMfQQ1jenLbNky6PNKpYiIHBOKJrU2fvtyyOFDYK3cB_yJqciKjlEb=s1870" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1237" data-original-width="1870" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgqRaDhaPnMyZ4emZre4g-z2UPPHT3mfo9uOeFOb0ZB64DjKvd44eUEWHeti8z0WfDvTwd9A7FsTwhyfBuzBsyy1ohKQNwlt7UeL_Yy0jmE0NbHDVPtdqV69EgRsJG5FWIVERfMfQQ1jenLbNky6PNKpYiIHBOKJrU2fvtyyOFDYK3cB_yJqciKjlEb=w640-h424" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And this Eastern Tiger Swallowtail looked extra stunning on Purple Coneflower blossoms:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEVUo-ycDxhZ7I7xt4AV7kef_bkZdhuAAfOItGw3gypr86OHFdcsQ7yIzycGdLxkNzocdfBNRaaHyn6anwPZk0VnVvhcw8szZLn36JuG-bVZFnFfbjKa834_S_o3MLD1peTLKH7wXc_8xydqBOGhuumqCYh3WMkuU8UbobvY78oSNB5bdi57r-p8of=s2581" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1774" data-original-width="2581" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiEVUo-ycDxhZ7I7xt4AV7kef_bkZdhuAAfOItGw3gypr86OHFdcsQ7yIzycGdLxkNzocdfBNRaaHyn6anwPZk0VnVvhcw8szZLn36JuG-bVZFnFfbjKa834_S_o3MLD1peTLKH7wXc_8xydqBOGhuumqCYh3WMkuU8UbobvY78oSNB5bdi57r-p8of=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Meanwhile, this Widow Skimmer hunted from a perch in the sunlit meadow:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj51kAu_Uz0s7qb6r72rnZ1CkVL4lO2SEt9_DJigzuNwUbD9XkOD1AMaRnqdp_upl8jBkt78uIpqmxYkqqq6kCQLoNPkXH1dchIAewBO2AljT-DklkTOe3Ru5N2tyXQmKhffQrw29rbw8J8sj7GbZp0-HJza3mvFCgHI_F-tJB_Gm0HN1PRkY_4R8G_=s2811" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1974" data-original-width="2811" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj51kAu_Uz0s7qb6r72rnZ1CkVL4lO2SEt9_DJigzuNwUbD9XkOD1AMaRnqdp_upl8jBkt78uIpqmxYkqqq6kCQLoNPkXH1dchIAewBO2AljT-DklkTOe3Ru5N2tyXQmKhffQrw29rbw8J8sj7GbZp0-HJza3mvFCgHI_F-tJB_Gm0HN1PRkY_4R8G_=w640-h450" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">One last series of sights from July 28: While walking at the back corner of our meadow, bordering the woods, I must've wandered into the overlapping territories of some very antsy male birds -- perhaps one bird's scolding encouraged the others to come keep a close eye on me as well. In any case, I ended up with some very close looks at three local breeders who usually stay much more hidden and/or distant from me. This male Common Yellowthroat was the first to show himself, popping out of the honeysuckle hedge at the edge of the meadow:<br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_J-TYbUBdPab95U3uf9cMbP2Wwb63bToS-TDNEKrrsrZNh6lFz7La8aIpAXczjIfqC6Pig0M8Rfl2Fj0DGmHq_RMn6nvl5x_2g8Fyd7YXYwzpTRdZGMtqjUgyu-NUjQKM3B6pUGBDNcGDFEApy-f-d2u_ca92KS7sw3csxG8Yqc3yjg7M58RHhCIj=s2069" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1340" data-original-width="2069" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi_J-TYbUBdPab95U3uf9cMbP2Wwb63bToS-TDNEKrrsrZNh6lFz7La8aIpAXczjIfqC6Pig0M8Rfl2Fj0DGmHq_RMn6nvl5x_2g8Fyd7YXYwzpTRdZGMtqjUgyu-NUjQKM3B6pUGBDNcGDFEApy-f-d2u_ca92KS7sw3csxG8Yqc3yjg7M58RHhCIj=w640-h414" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What a fancy guy:<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikyzpIfK4sL2X-zajtdCYW1OeE1BAAPRH4u53Zxxd7sPwIzic0b_vgJR-cOI_z_xNQ6ZOtm8C-9EImB-fD6xG1iBZCOZmVUQcec62ZOO-aWvH6aZGltyrZlfUBoEZbM6aTvPf0MZSHNz-kXcABn0v6kuMOd3oJcs2R0UOHot5kVThzMuKOI4WNjBxl=s2075" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="2075" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEikyzpIfK4sL2X-zajtdCYW1OeE1BAAPRH4u53Zxxd7sPwIzic0b_vgJR-cOI_z_xNQ6ZOtm8C-9EImB-fD6xG1iBZCOZmVUQcec62ZOO-aWvH6aZGltyrZlfUBoEZbM6aTvPf0MZSHNz-kXcABn0v6kuMOd3oJcs2R0UOHot5kVThzMuKOI4WNjBxl=w640-h428" width="640" /></a></span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Our resident male Indigo Bunting showed up next -- with his patchy blue-brown-white costume, I assume this is quite a young male, but I'd seen him singing in our meadow at various times this summer, so I suppose he must have successfully established the meadow as part of his territory and had a family hidden somewhere nearby:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaxSzw_OKrnITLM4sMJiP1eldzDTtxi3ykfpmYtPQinvNQpH1P7XpUgGoPQLCY4jnper9yxlS9n-lbPbdpyJ_s0ysSFvQBLmztx3lAZ2Gksyt2dInVhGWR8K-O3dKqhFx_KYHAYTi55mZ1FuhLhkK4n8ibxO3w9yv0tU4h3wLSAWjqzTFjM9b3X90P=s1846" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1846" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgaxSzw_OKrnITLM4sMJiP1eldzDTtxi3ykfpmYtPQinvNQpH1P7XpUgGoPQLCY4jnper9yxlS9n-lbPbdpyJ_s0ysSFvQBLmztx3lAZ2Gksyt2dInVhGWR8K-O3dKqhFx_KYHAYTi55mZ1FuhLhkK4n8ibxO3w9yv0tU4h3wLSAWjqzTFjM9b3X90P=w640-h422" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And then most surprising of all, an Ovenbird emerged from the woods to perch on an old moss-covered apple branch over the trail and watch me intently:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA-ny-257cAl9bCRaa8IKPa7EpCtnPZIw25-iUpCkxU6AxHGDDXqYvjJILFywOpihacmyCpHgKwK3r0J9po5_Rei_f6dmdJnIKZgMhtjmru0JYH_KEEZ9w_HSk_Wl9wyHNVZNGV-X8PlE25oNQ6gbUWcr-eKRHf7xwS_ATjk9XyhTfHW4KVy_XGlEU=s2913" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1943" data-original-width="2913" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA-ny-257cAl9bCRaa8IKPa7EpCtnPZIw25-iUpCkxU6AxHGDDXqYvjJILFywOpihacmyCpHgKwK3r0J9po5_Rei_f6dmdJnIKZgMhtjmru0JYH_KEEZ9w_HSk_Wl9wyHNVZNGV-X8PlE25oNQ6gbUWcr-eKRHf7xwS_ATjk9XyhTfHW4KVy_XGlEU=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't know for sure whether this was a male or female Ovenbird, but given that the first two birds were territorial males, I assumed that's what was going on here, too:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfmfS6oSKsAdskHpj0fYgSBzvn78v4u_xYLCJsvfzsdJlOjm-CTaSOuubfcWnN1FCUPrtqD_DvebkJHYIEIhfUmpHeAZPb6KaZfYX3trD3LlyinhENQyUwotKdpPt2SjYg42Z1qvuDnMUCtG_mY6etTXgZd1d16x3uYOHBdIPC2-0HdZzCeuynsL6v=s2062" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="2062" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjfmfS6oSKsAdskHpj0fYgSBzvn78v4u_xYLCJsvfzsdJlOjm-CTaSOuubfcWnN1FCUPrtqD_DvebkJHYIEIhfUmpHeAZPb6KaZfYX3trD3LlyinhENQyUwotKdpPt2SjYg42Z1qvuDnMUCtG_mY6etTXgZd1d16x3uYOHBdIPC2-0HdZzCeuynsL6v=w640-h440" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />Either way, this Ovenbird didn't take its eyes off of me while I was in the area, and it stayed quite close:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHIN_-W37Tlu16phhDHksAZWoNKxkRcoEPAZgAVO4Tn0eEum0W4-dJiiRnW7pVOmuIshdcX1ukNLkF4FPcJKTlYYGnGhnC6VlZaxH5zau-uf9v0OVllGePLP_YBgiyzTSCG1cB71tMzR1pO8LdDNjl2PZsutFEYRcAh6WstOTZF54vqC2_12gCfrto=s2038" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2038" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHIN_-W37Tlu16phhDHksAZWoNKxkRcoEPAZgAVO4Tn0eEum0W4-dJiiRnW7pVOmuIshdcX1ukNLkF4FPcJKTlYYGnGhnC6VlZaxH5zau-uf9v0OVllGePLP_YBgiyzTSCG1cB71tMzR1pO8LdDNjl2PZsutFEYRcAh6WstOTZF54vqC2_12gCfrto=w640-h482" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">What a treat to see one of our resident Ovenbirds so close-up, and it was being such a good lookout -- all three of these birds did a great job, really, and I felt lucky to meet them: </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJUd-bCuT7QEv5-ENwYMFIHqWZX5RUQOwEoY8I3v6Ss4YuRXJiz_Zn35Vt8SqsjbQKD88_Ws0tsRyWYWMvCMtpUtocSherNGBsi6bFSbo2MbORJdtORiEvbjm0hzjuVkv9gpfW3gcIfz06RIMYweHbA_rP4nLdVZSoGlvqX1094WCSle4Bn5IXi77Q=s2819" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2819" data-original-width="2208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgJUd-bCuT7QEv5-ENwYMFIHqWZX5RUQOwEoY8I3v6Ss4YuRXJiz_Zn35Vt8SqsjbQKD88_Ws0tsRyWYWMvCMtpUtocSherNGBsi6bFSbo2MbORJdtORiEvbjm0hzjuVkv9gpfW3gcIfz06RIMYweHbA_rP4nLdVZSoGlvqX1094WCSle4Bn5IXi77Q=w502-h640" width="502" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />I had the trail camera running in the woods throughout June and July (and then I neglected to set it up for the rest of the year), so here are a few video clips from our woods trail when no people were around:</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">1. A Raccoon pausing to survey the woods at night.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">2. A mother White-tailed Deer with her baby, the mother making soft raspy vocalizations (what was she saying?). </span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">3. A young White-tailed Deer (the same one from the previous clip?) getting close to the camera.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">4. An Ovenbird picking out a morsel (a caterpillar?) from the forest floor.<br /></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><span style="font-family: arial;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PB0jsBhc5Dc" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe>
</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Every year continues to be a mixture of increasingly familiar sights and new surprises. There's more to share from 2021, so that'll be the next post!</span> <br /></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-58032253506140853552021-06-30T20:08:00.003-07:002021-07-01T06:25:40.934-07:00May and June, 2021<p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>In the last post, I shared some highlights from our property in March and April of this year, and now it's time to catch up with May and June!</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I couldn't have asked for a better start to May than this close-up view of a male Chestnut-sided Warbler (I love these birds!) who was foraging and singing in the back corner of our meadow on May 2:</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-37Yph4MRSblCHgtgr65VhPaPVz0g70d1e8Er0gVWvoVmn0ngDOICxqtc4qrAZ-d3EbMTcjnTNDYx2ynVC6iDrg4ipmhYDZwC36Fp611_fCmHHgZKgEaJLzasrIik_ih9GYyXy4m5mk4/s1562/chestnut-sided+warbler+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1074" data-original-width="1562" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-37Yph4MRSblCHgtgr65VhPaPVz0g70d1e8Er0gVWvoVmn0ngDOICxqtc4qrAZ-d3EbMTcjnTNDYx2ynVC6iDrg4ipmhYDZwC36Fp611_fCmHHgZKgEaJLzasrIik_ih9GYyXy4m5mk4/w640-h440/chestnut-sided+warbler+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Swelling apple blossoms made a pretty stage for this Song Sparrow on May 10:</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvq75YtD8n0n3TjTnUsQhxgVchHEIvlLbmyqZ0fiAldDd-ovyjAQpFPca8D3E5TeUOuyTVkY2nYp9Qdmw18EqW-eLzQPqhuiru7PbfK1LFq1UogoPf5OkRokRIASELThXCG7ymOTqyKs/s1755/song+sparrow+in+apple+tree.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1135" data-original-width="1755" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvq75YtD8n0n3TjTnUsQhxgVchHEIvlLbmyqZ0fiAldDd-ovyjAQpFPca8D3E5TeUOuyTVkY2nYp9Qdmw18EqW-eLzQPqhuiru7PbfK1LFq1UogoPf5OkRokRIASELThXCG7ymOTqyKs/w640-h414/song+sparrow+in+apple+tree.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>Eastern Phoebes started this season the same way as last year, with a successful nest in the rafters of an old, barely-weather-proof shed on our property. The phoebes' first egg appeared on April 30, and the five babies fledged by June 7. (I don't have any pictures of that brood to share, because the light in that shed is so poor.) Hooray for more phoebes in the world! Meanwhile, an American Robin built her nest just outside the same shed, on top of a broken picnic table we had leaned up against the shed wall. Here's the robin on her neat mud-rimmed nest on May 13:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv1Lsz-JOw7DeMVQ1DFh2eHHP43ZTKlzIeIEvNmeBZJ3GQ7pudqF3hNNYuXvgwcl8AaITUIJT3CN2eIPRtoFK5u4duWaXeGA6xLNxhsq1Ir07UaP0iDzit5X1QZ4PnDh2VrKOJiiOsM4/s1912/robin+on+picnic+table+nest.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1334" data-original-width="1912" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcv1Lsz-JOw7DeMVQ1DFh2eHHP43ZTKlzIeIEvNmeBZJ3GQ7pudqF3hNNYuXvgwcl8AaITUIJT3CN2eIPRtoFK5u4duWaXeGA6xLNxhsq1Ir07UaP0iDzit5X1QZ4PnDh2VrKOJiiOsM4/w640-h446/robin+on+picnic+table+nest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>Robin babies aren't exactly pretty! Here are the little monsters on May 20:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fSgEBzDlWgwXleOf4rfIA2d60iRZSEmfN6ZTdn3mj8nnVr3BYAn8HluVqp8uLElhnQC7BULWJRvVaGCmOPXhRNIpD7tW8CFcqlN0odo0QQ8ycuFI_KVpT4dCjLQntY-zRHJMHrddXuQ/s1933/robin+nestlings+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1933" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-fSgEBzDlWgwXleOf4rfIA2d60iRZSEmfN6ZTdn3mj8nnVr3BYAn8HluVqp8uLElhnQC7BULWJRvVaGCmOPXhRNIpD7tW8CFcqlN0odo0QQ8ycuFI_KVpT4dCjLQntY-zRHJMHrddXuQ/w640-h452/robin+nestlings+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>By May 26, the young robins were covered with mottled feathers and looking just about ready to leave the nest. How nice of a parent to pose here for a family portrait:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz76xMtNxzeKhnV-ZSa4ROiGN1P92HmaDVBEuFf1vfNesEwTSS8cf0NhrMPnwkrrBTQRfBJgH2hfegFDn455XQdRuAtgWkfwfTlcfPRnEi62ddkVbxVTR35-Eqi8npW8mbvfqtIODorE/s1567/robin+nestlings+near+fledging.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1567" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcz76xMtNxzeKhnV-ZSa4ROiGN1P92HmaDVBEuFf1vfNesEwTSS8cf0NhrMPnwkrrBTQRfBJgH2hfegFDn455XQdRuAtgWkfwfTlcfPRnEi62ddkVbxVTR35-Eqi8npW8mbvfqtIODorE/w640-h436/robin+nestlings+near+fledging.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>I was careful to give these robins plenty of space, but as I walked into the meadow to avoid the very alert robins, I nearly stepped on a Song Sparrow's nest on the ground! I never would have seen the hidden nest if the adult sparrow hadn't rocketed up suddenly when I got close. I took a quick picture of the lovely speckled eggs (as best as I could get without touching the surrounding plants), and then I moved on.... I have no idea how this nest fared after our close encounter. And then a week or two later, I accidentally startled <i>another</i> Song Sparrow from her nest in the opposite end of the meadow. I've learned that I need to avoid straying from the paths in the meadow as much as possible during nesting season! In any case, here's a glimpse of the first Song Sparrow nest from May 26:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPakoEyX9OsEf1LDz94-_7Fc00B_qP_i43mzqpS0QKjtcXOyUrXwBska673Q7u5zS-HPJ7rLomDsenzgmwz6RHGKC3u_w1HEVpOcIooJzGoU1l3U95TAgpoinogkX_8vIYAq5HtibAYE/s2045/song+sparrow+nest+with+eggs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1513" data-original-width="2045" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmPakoEyX9OsEf1LDz94-_7Fc00B_qP_i43mzqpS0QKjtcXOyUrXwBska673Q7u5zS-HPJ7rLomDsenzgmwz6RHGKC3u_w1HEVpOcIooJzGoU1l3U95TAgpoinogkX_8vIYAq5HtibAYE/w640-h474/song+sparrow+nest+with+eggs.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>This Gray Catbird was putting on quite a concert on the edge of our meadow on May 13 -- I absolutely love this bird's pose with his fluffed-out butt:</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTF4cpoIjpCPP4_NZQB1iVBSB90HbkOhM032BafJhvlOUoaHoi3jpeq6O79wtGS6JFVG7gDABkk6v8h6fY82Sv2egR6AhWHICTU4rR6RJaCDjWdNXUx-B7Jls68A5SgC-aiSN5jj8WMc/s2048/gray+catbird+singing+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1400" data-original-width="2048" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivTF4cpoIjpCPP4_NZQB1iVBSB90HbkOhM032BafJhvlOUoaHoi3jpeq6O79wtGS6JFVG7gDABkk6v8h6fY82Sv2egR6AhWHICTU4rR6RJaCDjWdNXUx-B7Jls68A5SgC-aiSN5jj8WMc/w640-h438/gray+catbird+singing+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /> Here's the same bird looking somewhat sleeker from a different angle:<p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MoAYQuIce7MptzIu-aMmSBzTJ6oB78ELWk2FabvSqiLX4BFhS9VTLUONZiPrEB-5xaVSpjp5hvR4MzGbPk9KRJcKSCnylfJS8uEr8VCrBmmXcmN2EP85Wr1Obapf02B1Me1iPg8sOds/s2048/gray+catbird+singing+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1447" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4MoAYQuIce7MptzIu-aMmSBzTJ6oB78ELWk2FabvSqiLX4BFhS9VTLUONZiPrEB-5xaVSpjp5hvR4MzGbPk9KRJcKSCnylfJS8uEr8VCrBmmXcmN2EP85Wr1Obapf02B1Me1iPg8sOds/w452-h640/gray+catbird+singing+2.JPG" width="452" /></a></div><br /><span>The same as last year, we have a family of House Wrens and a family of Tree Swallows in our two nest boxes (although the birds swapped boxes compared to last year). Here's the male House Wren on May 13, bringing a spider egg sac into the box that he'd already stuffed full of twigs and egg sacs (that's a stick overflowing out of the entrance hole):</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3mf6s8deoXbur2Dzgz8SMW_1lbBNQO9ak0KN22uHZybVEmfVpKJYRI_w1kSrh-upBlUEHSd7ySyxD6hYNO-bVGWQ04wJ8fG3TuJOXPg231Jg1uhPWG_r4JaVJE4DzjEoTADOxucSy28/s1713/house+wren+with+spider+sac.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1322" data-original-width="1713" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE3mf6s8deoXbur2Dzgz8SMW_1lbBNQO9ak0KN22uHZybVEmfVpKJYRI_w1kSrh-upBlUEHSd7ySyxD6hYNO-bVGWQ04wJ8fG3TuJOXPg231Jg1uhPWG_r4JaVJE4DzjEoTADOxucSy28/w640-h494/house+wren+with+spider+sac.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>The House Wrens' nest must have been somewhere deep inside all those twigs, because I heard noisy babies eventually, but I was never able to actually see the eggs or chicks. I'm pretty sure the brood has fledged by now, but the adults are still visiting the box (perhaps gearing up for brood #2?).</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The Tree Swallows and House Wrens seem to have been fairly amicable next-door neighbors, although the Tree Swallows were a little pushy sometimes (which is probably a good thing, keeping the House Wrens in their place). Here's the male Tree Swallow keeping watch from the top of the House Wrens' box on May 21:</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCD5JiWeUhHAsff_YrlBouBxl6cXVXW8maJgJdLuf65uSHY8pThbqz4W4eUaYD7ohWrgX16nf0MRQ4i0asKv2ewyo8tUg3YIMD_W9ZpHp_O1sn9F6863Nc0rcRTGnumL43jScfh-HNRyY/s2048/tree+swallow+on+house+wren+nest+box.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="2048" height="486" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCD5JiWeUhHAsff_YrlBouBxl6cXVXW8maJgJdLuf65uSHY8pThbqz4W4eUaYD7ohWrgX16nf0MRQ4i0asKv2ewyo8tUg3YIMD_W9ZpHp_O1sn9F6863Nc0rcRTGnumL43jScfh-HNRyY/w640-h486/tree+swallow+on+house+wren+nest+box.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>At the same time, the female Tree Swallow gathered bits of grass for their nest; it was strange to see a swallow perched on the ground, but very cool to get to see this lady at work:</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMvgBo-P9d90-KRfGBAZOpLnc7RrDHQ_1GjneF_0nEOmwy7ap3zKzEBYrmYEn5soo_l3Iy9vkpn0-uFF-nCgVjHO8yk4e66eP4J5opzKhPAzoAjAnk4eY-Woh4ubbi7j339Ix8nQOQcE/s1635/tree+swallow+with+nesting+material.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1111" data-original-width="1635" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLMvgBo-P9d90-KRfGBAZOpLnc7RrDHQ_1GjneF_0nEOmwy7ap3zKzEBYrmYEn5soo_l3Iy9vkpn0-uFF-nCgVjHO8yk4e66eP4J5opzKhPAzoAjAnk4eY-Woh4ubbi7j339Ix8nQOQcE/w640-h434/tree+swallow+with+nesting+material.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>The finished Tree Swallow nest was perfectly padded with a variety of feathers. Here are the eggs in their nest on June 13:</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8hv4ObopGeycYCZVt3R2dniL1VQgAT7OBjW9d7HbHzwGey_cRlhOvi4Qzqr2ipSw9qJ8kqzJvl0VOJ3Lqgu7SnmzFUsi3y37DfMHOi_HQMIxOD9U7NDu0llsSD9n5KAHkt76WG8TGf8/s2048/tree+swallow+eggs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1972" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR8hv4ObopGeycYCZVt3R2dniL1VQgAT7OBjW9d7HbHzwGey_cRlhOvi4Qzqr2ipSw9qJ8kqzJvl0VOJ3Lqgu7SnmzFUsi3y37DfMHOi_HQMIxOD9U7NDu0llsSD9n5KAHkt76WG8TGf8/w616-h640/tree+swallow+eggs.jpg" width="616" /></a></div><br /><span>And the very next day, the eggs had turned into a batch of tiny, brand new swallows:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVySq3lAugIx6VHrUcxrIJnXWOUPfmXoi-DmuidsZOV7KawO3AoF0RRtq2ejH4NBOyJAh-IotlXvKqvcZ8eACJKbgxRYsYiCTxXU5DdsHhlbHNDFaANTcf6Tnry6ojhMjxRyKl4Y0Bj8/s2048/tree+swallow+babies.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1635" data-original-width="2048" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJVySq3lAugIx6VHrUcxrIJnXWOUPfmXoi-DmuidsZOV7KawO3AoF0RRtq2ejH4NBOyJAh-IotlXvKqvcZ8eACJKbgxRYsYiCTxXU5DdsHhlbHNDFaANTcf6Tnry6ojhMjxRyKl4Y0Bj8/w640-h510/tree+swallow+babies.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>I saw the nestlings peering out of the nest box hole today, which means the whole swallow family will probably leave us soon. The female Tree Swallow has gotten especially defensive in the past few days, and she's been dive-bombing me when she sees me in the garden or meadow. I will very much miss having the Tree Swallows as a constant feature in the yard, but I suppose it will be nice to not have a bird occasionally swooping angrily past my head.</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Indigo Buntings are likely nesting somewhere around here, because I hear a male singing fairly frequently. Here's a male Indigo Bunting (here to stay, or passing through?) surrounded by apple blossoms on May 18:</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFK4VHFeEFCp6ZBir2Px1Lw8QA8-SQU4-g7_4SDvyMqWEdQPxttn5QZ5QOd9hcO27EMt7F_W1dptx_WK8BA9OaU9B-_2VWwYNxx2fpWH-r-b0iHOtxMHTZ7owcJaPQ8DTUyQxBIhhM10/s1387/indigo+bunting+in+apple+tree.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="954" data-original-width="1387" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFK4VHFeEFCp6ZBir2Px1Lw8QA8-SQU4-g7_4SDvyMqWEdQPxttn5QZ5QOd9hcO27EMt7F_W1dptx_WK8BA9OaU9B-_2VWwYNxx2fpWH-r-b0iHOtxMHTZ7owcJaPQ8DTUyQxBIhhM10/w640-h440/indigo+bunting+in+apple+tree.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>On May 20, I was surprised and thrilled to see a female Hooded Warbler adding large dried leaves onto a nest right near the path in our woods:<br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi1neKOB6qEAYN1KjNWYIpA5JqMhMNonlzOnyQ2MlEUZoTLf-V_C3bSyMUdQdwcyDNTJfwTbVoKz89fSaJTnDbiFTRk3tw9tUL9dDi-XDZRtDO-i3mnOKGqcUWcz9Ir5XLDiJ7YRVmQ8/s1574/hooded+warbler+with+leaf.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1574" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLi1neKOB6qEAYN1KjNWYIpA5JqMhMNonlzOnyQ2MlEUZoTLf-V_C3bSyMUdQdwcyDNTJfwTbVoKz89fSaJTnDbiFTRk3tw9tUL9dDi-XDZRtDO-i3mnOKGqcUWcz9Ir5XLDiJ7YRVmQ8/w640-h432/hooded+warbler+with+leaf.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span>Here's the leaf-covered nest, set in a low Multiflora Rose bush -- I never did see eggs or other activity in this nest, so I suppose this placement didn't work out, but it was still very cool to see this delicate nest-building process, and to have proof that Hooded Warblers breed in our woods:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwkcw1zAt4hGc4OKPv4cWe-bZjleew7yQ5ocZC9Ojceh1EzvrfSNPIt5v1d2HRuz0LwDdR_-DiiddIJO5tlV-793Hb49p5ZAKmxCW3SE-pLDwAl9cI-h4ivritvIwuUYxuPNANQc5FBI/s2048/hooded+warbler+nest.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1289" data-original-width="2048" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcwkcw1zAt4hGc4OKPv4cWe-bZjleew7yQ5ocZC9Ojceh1EzvrfSNPIt5v1d2HRuz0LwDdR_-DiiddIJO5tlV-793Hb49p5ZAKmxCW3SE-pLDwAl9cI-h4ivritvIwuUYxuPNANQc5FBI/w640-h402/hooded+warbler+nest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>Our woods were practically dripping with Veeries this spring! I hear and see these lovely thrushes in our woods every year, but they have seemed to be especially numerous this year, with multiple birds singing and calling nearly constantly. Fantastically, the fallen log that our trail camera was watching happened to be something of a Veery stage in late May: the camera captured multiple videos of a male Veery perched on the log and singing, and two nearly identical videos (on different days) of Veeries mating! Here's a compiled video with (1) a Veery singing, (2) Veeries mating, (3) a very wobbly baby White-tailed Deer and its mom (oops, sorry about the typo in the video), and (4) an Ovenbird (often heard in our woods but rarely seen) walking along the log:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WLF5CviPKkI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>May was a wonderful time for flowers (of course), and here are a few highlights from May 20 and 21. Here's Red Baneberry (<i>Actaea rubra</i>), a new plant for me, whose flowers appeared along our woods path (the later red berries on this plant helped me confirm this ID and distinguish it from White Baneberry, which also grows in our woods):</span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR_9rOA-IIeOMFMVYxAny_pjxYNiWDQLvlh5wLGfzYi2M80lQmJ9lHIm-JRSTmgtG9zqSpd1kfhyRCFi7OdjF0gKQlyFV_ejbBDVZvvwRPGgDEpyufSs2gSqLs_0lJO6_ljTEvM0sv4I/s1767/white+or+red+baneberry.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1767" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixR_9rOA-IIeOMFMVYxAny_pjxYNiWDQLvlh5wLGfzYi2M80lQmJ9lHIm-JRSTmgtG9zqSpd1kfhyRCFi7OdjF0gKQlyFV_ejbBDVZvvwRPGgDEpyufSs2gSqLs_0lJO6_ljTEvM0sv4I/w640-h428/white+or+red+baneberry.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span>Here's a nice pair of Jack-in-the-Pulpit flowers:</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iToGgINv0MNsIawdrKv-7s8fffPrUKQTn_QHEeuC6xfWbt5KHkuQIZ8jhV3tLAzzr8s0BKE6eedoAGeR6qX9ntT1nPCha9ziwQffW423kIS9-J0ProLwIufgH2fk-MjNRrnQODejS74/s2048/jack+in+the+pulpits.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1334" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_iToGgINv0MNsIawdrKv-7s8fffPrUKQTn_QHEeuC6xfWbt5KHkuQIZ8jhV3tLAzzr8s0BKE6eedoAGeR6qX9ntT1nPCha9ziwQffW423kIS9-J0ProLwIufgH2fk-MjNRrnQODejS74/w416-h640/jack+in+the+pulpits.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><br /><span>And a perfect Starflower bloom, lit up by some sunlight:<br /></span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uAuvQWoB_ZCgKyxrnhOnWawMZ3UGFlkbqoS2wIE2e2h8nwMGKomQ8cKN_5Zhkjs1DM-NSJunVYTiOJHGkBBy6-6NHXmepDQYjYEqScuCgWZz8AZJI2ICqb4q1QSgqoZ_qvlAXDWMmMo/s1761/starflower+in+sun.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1761" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uAuvQWoB_ZCgKyxrnhOnWawMZ3UGFlkbqoS2wIE2e2h8nwMGKomQ8cKN_5Zhkjs1DM-NSJunVYTiOJHGkBBy6-6NHXmepDQYjYEqScuCgWZz8AZJI2ICqb4q1QSgqoZ_qvlAXDWMmMo/w640-h460/starflower+in+sun.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>And I was so happy to see this thriving patch of Foamflower in our front yard:</span><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQkkrPVmfDuCrJuEgTY3FRDWcU5YsHCoPntXO3dbxwkKg5auYjyJi27z5u7G1_D-R-boXh1I2L3VbG9GA4nNoduEluM7cT0SHtLI_Er9kDpZtCD_nHwz8DsrwLf44KBIS2v7kjevMKkQ/s1899/foamflowers+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1278" data-original-width="1899" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioQkkrPVmfDuCrJuEgTY3FRDWcU5YsHCoPntXO3dbxwkKg5auYjyJi27z5u7G1_D-R-boXh1I2L3VbG9GA4nNoduEluM7cT0SHtLI_Er9kDpZtCD_nHwz8DsrwLf44KBIS2v7kjevMKkQ/w640-h430/foamflowers+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>On June 4, a somewhat tattered but still beautiful female Promethea Moth appeared on our deck:</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X1XUAJm1Ywl6IqgAUi9Q4n8J0eWG_xDinWorcBPX0dmyrQbeFr2JVFabJm4OXnsiCjqWKHp_SA313jIJPnuC_2qg-Z8G_Qw6BipM-g0ADpzP8iLi8ax3viaA7Ole5ciL0Ir0cKgSMn0/s2048/female+promethea+moth.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1534" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5X1XUAJm1Ywl6IqgAUi9Q4n8J0eWG_xDinWorcBPX0dmyrQbeFr2JVFabJm4OXnsiCjqWKHp_SA313jIJPnuC_2qg-Z8G_Qw6BipM-g0ADpzP8iLi8ax3viaA7Ole5ciL0Ir0cKgSMn0/w640-h480/female+promethea+moth.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span>On the morning of June 8, the Spicebush Swallowtail chrysalis that I kept over the winter in our unheated mudroom turned into a butterfly! I had neglected to give the creature a suitable perch in its enclosure (I know better now), so I provided myself as a perch and kept watch over this new and very damp butterfly while it worked on expanding its wings:</span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ_HSYBsApOJmGL2ye5GeCATAH7xvbEqWFMkLToDn0GSTp9Jys5ppZZNhVt-V0SsuYB9qvYphYr80TJkVquRBBW2xgp6yYm0qvIJn4unAHTy0WwTHfDFdD8vGZRfdDAl_PWcTwnQzRkU/s2000/spicebush+swallowtail+emerging+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1635" data-original-width="2000" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzQ_HSYBsApOJmGL2ye5GeCATAH7xvbEqWFMkLToDn0GSTp9Jys5ppZZNhVt-V0SsuYB9qvYphYr80TJkVquRBBW2xgp6yYm0qvIJn4unAHTy0WwTHfDFdD8vGZRfdDAl_PWcTwnQzRkU/w640-h524/spicebush+swallowtail+emerging+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><p></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;">After about 20 minutes, it was looking pristine and perfect. Soon after this next picture was taken, I transferred the butterfly to a sheltered leaf to finish drying off, and it stayed there for a while and then presumably left when it was ready:<br /><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY3tyN4YPL_uVujwwkBBQ7zvahmEgO45twSwws9cC0S1Tt571h6Pkf8nSRTtJYtZOy1QvDZJ2mhl5DhqSGnGSkb8aBH2Fo71Ccb71xyEE6iBSI6wyObCWNHOhrTKvt78Lz2Rc9XNUwPk/s2048/spicebush+swallowtail+emerging+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1839" data-original-width="2048" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXY3tyN4YPL_uVujwwkBBQ7zvahmEgO45twSwws9cC0S1Tt571h6Pkf8nSRTtJYtZOy1QvDZJ2mhl5DhqSGnGSkb8aBH2Fo71Ccb71xyEE6iBSI6wyObCWNHOhrTKvt78Lz2Rc9XNUwPk/w640-h574/spicebush+swallowtail+emerging+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></span></div><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span> </span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Also on June 8, the largest Brown Snake (</span></span></span></span></span><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span><span><i>Storeria dekayi</i>)</span> I've seen (they're not a very big species) got stuck while trying to fit through the small mesh fence around my garden; I pulled it backward to free it, and then I got to marvel at how soft and docile this lovely creature was:</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwWsqMiNrAup5Mf2sITYQmmHrWXdvT6Xu5LNmzWdZKHFQwUCfLUIaSeUJjOCYK8_2vo9zgI7CYpsdjJ6ibq-4HVAswZ5j7m0mTXP50OGZjx8hvNPDX58-fG8xZYIoVKn9RqkuIFVAIk4/s2048/large+northern+brown+snake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1691" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRwWsqMiNrAup5Mf2sITYQmmHrWXdvT6Xu5LNmzWdZKHFQwUCfLUIaSeUJjOCYK8_2vo9zgI7CYpsdjJ6ibq-4HVAswZ5j7m0mTXP50OGZjx8hvNPDX58-fG8xZYIoVKn9RqkuIFVAIk4/w528-h640/large+northern+brown+snake.jpg" width="528" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span>This Red Eft (a juvenile Red-spotted Newt) was super photogenic in our yard on June 21:</span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouTz1e-3sXw2cULDUzonqO9tkNtSVohLPzqfahg4yXGDebin1rHU8DHN1mg6azs_r57xieThcetAT8injWNnDLF_pHAWDzN0iyIjVo2ty4DPn-qWJfaO1JhNLyhRPl9qrWFWDuDmPQeU/s2048/red+eft+on+leaf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1669" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjouTz1e-3sXw2cULDUzonqO9tkNtSVohLPzqfahg4yXGDebin1rHU8DHN1mg6azs_r57xieThcetAT8injWNnDLF_pHAWDzN0iyIjVo2ty4DPn-qWJfaO1JhNLyhRPl9qrWFWDuDmPQeU/w522-h640/red+eft+on+leaf.jpg" width="522" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span>And finally (back to nesting birds again), the Eastern Phoebes are currently well into their second brood in their traditional nesting spot over our front door. I really love having these birds as neighbors, and I'm so glad they decided to nest in this spot again. Here are the eggs in their moss-and-grass nest on June 25:</span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6v0w9wmVb39b6j7hUnLuIjZ6-hx6h77I4jbmH0B2_9kZubqSSotho8-2KQb6XeBQu3HHSJtmc7uUQQsi1HBwjTbhk__LUWqqPPXgvlek0816KkznuPmaxbp9LJ4CtKyB4hv763ygjIaI/s2048/phoebe+eggs+over+door.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6v0w9wmVb39b6j7hUnLuIjZ6-hx6h77I4jbmH0B2_9kZubqSSotho8-2KQb6XeBQu3HHSJtmc7uUQQsi1HBwjTbhk__LUWqqPPXgvlek0816KkznuPmaxbp9LJ4CtKyB4hv763ygjIaI/w480-h640/phoebe+eggs+over+door.jpg" width="480" /></a></span></span></span></span></div><span><span><span><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><span>Here's to a wonderful spring and beginning of summer!<br /></span></span></span></span></span><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-43884231444694514842021-06-21T19:55:00.001-07:002021-06-21T19:55:25.543-07:00March and April, 2021<p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Here we are, already on the first day of summer as I write this! Spring is always a busy time, and this year's spring was indeed busy, but it was also wonderful. Unlike last year's chaotic spring (oh, 2020), this year's past few months have been relatively smooth, at least around here. We've had a fairly even transition from snowy frozen winter into warmer weather and rain and sun. And I've been able to wander outside and keep up with a lot of the plants and animals in our yard, meadow, and woods as their populations have grown and shifted. I played a game where I tried to know the name of every plant (native and non-native alike) as it flowered on our property this spring, and I made it all the way to the end of May before I had to admit defeat! (Maybe next year I'll make it even further.)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>I have a bunch of sights to share from the past few months. This post will cover only the months of March and April (May and June will come later). It's time to go back to snowy days!<br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>We must have had a big boom in our population of Meadow Voles over the winter, because the melting snow in March revealed lots of these rodents' nests in the meadow (and later, extensive tunnels across the ground, damaged plants, etc.). Here's one of the Meadow Vole nests and its perfect melted circle in the snow on March 11:</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3izK_9zkins7enlpRlotHgSZmvVB4SnHHfO8RL4zELYa9da9TSbZR-D-qmftQkNysDvfhm2BYma76Oa4j-vQT36_bTTDYnlFFp0UuvtUwKoL4BFZnVO97noOpEfLufCHfFotY5jayfA/s2048/vole+house+in+melting+snow.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1540" data-original-width="2048" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3izK_9zkins7enlpRlotHgSZmvVB4SnHHfO8RL4zELYa9da9TSbZR-D-qmftQkNysDvfhm2BYma76Oa4j-vQT36_bTTDYnlFFp0UuvtUwKoL4BFZnVO97noOpEfLufCHfFotY5jayfA/w640-h482/vole+house+in+melting+snow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>Big flocks of migrating Snow Geese and Canada Geese crossed the sky -- heading North -- fairly frequently in March. This flock of Snow Geese passed overhead on March 9:</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"><span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8G93h1imRCf2b28TaidRgmTd23NhBaq6pN5944zQJ6lkrk_G6JKCrm98PpuCzKHzsaebQFoP-NXcqEs3WA_Zbs2DFNII0tYE_-_SoNqGTRL1yhsOxizxG-LpiVz5nLj8yIVe2QZsKrs/s2048/snow+geese+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1363" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu8G93h1imRCf2b28TaidRgmTd23NhBaq6pN5944zQJ6lkrk_G6JKCrm98PpuCzKHzsaebQFoP-NXcqEs3WA_Zbs2DFNII0tYE_-_SoNqGTRL1yhsOxizxG-LpiVz5nLj8yIVe2QZsKrs/w640-h426/snow+geese+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span>Also on March 9, I saw this Red-tailed Hawk with what looked like a very full crop (I guess somebody found a big meal):<br /> <br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhtQJn_M3jLM4e9uj7YZtOftNkrY6zU6RMvzSDzJyGEt7EcxYAhcSYAZxNw969c3f2MYW8Hrfs7Kqkydw6o7_WGOj1EU7DWTdYGoLvplW9alH3nfSQoABKpLoOBm2e9jX0VXG-iOZ4e8/s1182/red-tailed+hawk+with+full+crop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="851" data-original-width="1182" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhtQJn_M3jLM4e9uj7YZtOftNkrY6zU6RMvzSDzJyGEt7EcxYAhcSYAZxNw969c3f2MYW8Hrfs7Kqkydw6o7_WGOj1EU7DWTdYGoLvplW9alH3nfSQoABKpLoOBm2e9jX0VXG-iOZ4e8/w640-h462/red-tailed+hawk+with+full+crop.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">On March 21, I was surprised to see a Pileated Woodpecker clinging to our little suet feeder! I'd never seen one of these big birds at our feeders before, and I guess this setup doesn't look super comfortable:</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ajI0yiqZFcV14Uxyax4-QsrFSIdrF83d55pq9Jt_JCrITX0QwLjbaXJdASr4DPTRlbeW0VdMV-3nL8dLGLuQ5WUQYFmxFRAOyLHwHQbCPxkHlTJ1z3um2qR5PxgjChLClZvbstEcESg/s1722/pileated+woodpecker+at+suet.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1552" data-original-width="1722" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ajI0yiqZFcV14Uxyax4-QsrFSIdrF83d55pq9Jt_JCrITX0QwLjbaXJdASr4DPTRlbeW0VdMV-3nL8dLGLuQ5WUQYFmxFRAOyLHwHQbCPxkHlTJ1z3um2qR5PxgjChLClZvbstEcESg/w640-h576/pileated+woodpecker+at+suet.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">April 11 was a big amphibian night (it was rainy and warm), and we saw Spotted Salamanders and Red-backed Salamanders galore (but no good pictures of those awesome amphibians), plus a couple of big Pickerel Frogs that I didn't recognize at first because I'd never seen them during breeding season before:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHST9_pDhgbgrrBVl7f9YfBmPOPcbKOA5XxLiaULoApkszQqnjwdkrH0XYDIulJr1QfvuqYJQ8NcfDORTgnHg3unryW5knfn8faD_IHjrmh0FxXX2urwNPVM9-Q3ZkNNjczO_eYTev45g/s2048/pickerel+frog.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1412" data-original-width="2048" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHST9_pDhgbgrrBVl7f9YfBmPOPcbKOA5XxLiaULoApkszQqnjwdkrH0XYDIulJr1QfvuqYJQ8NcfDORTgnHg3unryW5knfn8faD_IHjrmh0FxXX2urwNPVM9-Q3ZkNNjczO_eYTev45g/w640-h442/pickerel+frog.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Lots of Spring Peepers were also out and about on the night of April 11, including this little peeper who perched on our doormat:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTqfyQGtXje08bALxP0dZzDdr0xE_-jG3pAhLBhCsr4Oj1SB1LresfEPfrR5ZewaPvUZ7BZ1mP1MaUHrzZ48L2vGzE5nb0tWu3yiN5sXzdUJIW-fWZHRGfD1x8qeO9XOQBLTrF5aHfB0/s1810/peeper+on+door+mat.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1159" data-original-width="1810" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTqfyQGtXje08bALxP0dZzDdr0xE_-jG3pAhLBhCsr4Oj1SB1LresfEPfrR5ZewaPvUZ7BZ1mP1MaUHrzZ48L2vGzE5nb0tWu3yiN5sXzdUJIW-fWZHRGfD1x8qeO9XOQBLTrF5aHfB0/w640-h410/peeper+on+door+mat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And this peeper who posed nicely on the blue background of our front door:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheh3qJObAuSK0SbR7-8vhor9C_SqnfPKI5bcyqPEmlvl3sTjyDfvDQxxTMc-rJIUCdCzMcyCBsQkGaB7D5y4PokMtnRc9-vBUAUjmDnTYuKHk69TEmuFmusErqq2BTqTheSxRGiXxpyE/s2027/peeper+on+blue+door.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="2027" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgheh3qJObAuSK0SbR7-8vhor9C_SqnfPKI5bcyqPEmlvl3sTjyDfvDQxxTMc-rJIUCdCzMcyCBsQkGaB7D5y4PokMtnRc9-vBUAUjmDnTYuKHk69TEmuFmusErqq2BTqTheSxRGiXxpyE/w640-h432/peeper+on+blue+door.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This was a great spring for flowers! Here are several pristine Bloodroot flowers in our front yard on April 14:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI90oOEp2MuWU5yPsElTC7s5b0dtlrq7bM7N5p6jF6s3t5JoxLWAkwUHR6Mqi3Ow6M5Q_x87TPMu21QXMJQHRy2dTlP0IRIV7fG_yO0-5EFkYX_nECX9DjgDMOO6iH7i-m0Xwg55xCdJk/s2048/bloodroot.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="2048" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI90oOEp2MuWU5yPsElTC7s5b0dtlrq7bM7N5p6jF6s3t5JoxLWAkwUHR6Mqi3Ow6M5Q_x87TPMu21QXMJQHRy2dTlP0IRIV7fG_yO0-5EFkYX_nECX9DjgDMOO6iH7i-m0Xwg55xCdJk/w640-h476/bloodroot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And female Spicebush flowers on the same day and only a few feet away:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9564t6JplfndksEklS4qh_3JX6hH_hYrofWv688o6PIXN-ax2nkEm-sT93fQUeXI4ORm4VCCGWbQHKkoce2yXF4Na0l59UzDG1i33qkJwjeOVwv0Ckehg8u3WHVOLVctj706goG-hrZQ/s2048/spicebush+female+flowers.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1443" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9564t6JplfndksEklS4qh_3JX6hH_hYrofWv688o6PIXN-ax2nkEm-sT93fQUeXI4ORm4VCCGWbQHKkoce2yXF4Na0l59UzDG1i33qkJwjeOVwv0Ckehg8u3WHVOLVctj706goG-hrZQ/w640-h450/spicebush+female+flowers.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Here's American Golden Saxifrage (<i>Chrysosplenium americanum</i>), also on April 14, and a totally new plant for me. These flowers are no more than tiny rings of orange dots, and I only thought to look closely at these plants in the pond in our woods after I read about these flowers in another blog (thanks, <a href="https://saratogawoodswaters.blogspot.com/">Saratog</a></span><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://saratogawoodswaters.blogspot.com/">a Woods and Waterways</a>!):</span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkW-iinVmVN9zE_l1u5o4aNKZBtWKoIe7ndei5bK5QLiqz35rwMeEEEjmFpm_fOVzdX5jHEn5Kc49uMX-WK7vpvyYKHbpr875VcAHwNMDXN2uDpkTkhXPCfX6SvjADzBWpI9MNL-CaF0/s1598/American+Golden+Saxifrage+%2528Chrysosplenium+americanum%2529+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1598" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDkW-iinVmVN9zE_l1u5o4aNKZBtWKoIe7ndei5bK5QLiqz35rwMeEEEjmFpm_fOVzdX5jHEn5Kc49uMX-WK7vpvyYKHbpr875VcAHwNMDXN2uDpkTkhXPCfX6SvjADzBWpI9MNL-CaF0/w640-h440/American+Golden+Saxifrage+%2528Chrysosplenium+americanum%2529+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />I found this next flower in the protected public land across the street from our house (which I've learned is especially rich in spring wildflowers!), rather than on our property. But I was so thrilled to see these Sharp-lobed Hepatica flowers, which I haven't seen up close in many years! Here's one of these beautiful purple flowers on April 19:<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pTAsg3RTWUcAePpc4KmqUulgmXDXRCkHV09vzVFztk6cE5YPV3WPXK7JdxxsecRaEecZwiABGkPweLhfyfm_Dx2KmYWTJ9mUzeYUZumn083hNU-JdJqOi0lNVUilxv94sBRTHSwktQA/s1912/sharp-lobed+hepatica+%2528Hepatica+acutiloba%2529+across+street+1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1315" data-original-width="1912" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-pTAsg3RTWUcAePpc4KmqUulgmXDXRCkHV09vzVFztk6cE5YPV3WPXK7JdxxsecRaEecZwiABGkPweLhfyfm_Dx2KmYWTJ9mUzeYUZumn083hNU-JdJqOi0lNVUilxv94sBRTHSwktQA/w640-h440/sharp-lobed+hepatica+%2528Hepatica+acutiloba%2529+across+street+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This patch of the woods had lots of white h</span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">epatica </span>flowers, too, and I thought these were just as beautiful as the purple ones:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO3Q4WqV980BmJFvkTzrD7-nxs742m0YDIDGNUWuV0vfcykv6kHVj0eeWgjNT0WiuVIfQ9myRngtXGbbBWBYTIE-zJWKmssGtgaNCRrrzCwdp-Z2I_sprtInGNBAUefI2Mu3e8AwtHm8/s2048/sharp-lobed+hepatica+%2528Hepatica+acutiloba%2529+across+street+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1413" data-original-width="2048" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxO3Q4WqV980BmJFvkTzrD7-nxs742m0YDIDGNUWuV0vfcykv6kHVj0eeWgjNT0WiuVIfQ9myRngtXGbbBWBYTIE-zJWKmssGtgaNCRrrzCwdp-Z2I_sprtInGNBAUefI2Mu3e8AwtHm8/w640-h442/sharp-lobed+hepatica+%2528Hepatica+acutiloba%2529+across+street+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Back in our woods, I was super excited to find our first Red Trillium blossoms (after noticing what I <i>thought</i> looked like trillium leaves in previous years), right next to the path. This picture is from a rainy April 29:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8P0CnTyk-J56qhwQ64aS7xS5eZ2MFSi77HF2z8bV9oXm5JLEAB3KC-K39mf0mk6oh-tBE3xZzJky7BkEe2XSV6y43Hk1-ujPq8-RqGWntTAxv5IP0_10Vhq3vJ2Fe0wUF9U4sJpl4iw/s2048/red+trillium.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA8P0CnTyk-J56qhwQ64aS7xS5eZ2MFSi77HF2z8bV9oXm5JLEAB3KC-K39mf0mk6oh-tBE3xZzJky7BkEe2XSV6y43Hk1-ujPq8-RqGWntTAxv5IP0_10Vhq3vJ2Fe0wUF9U4sJpl4iw/w640-h436/red+trillium.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">To round out a few more April sightings, here's a very handsome White-throated Sparrow on April 19:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMee88cfLF-JkYHqHL-Bi7RDaC-NgeSylhUvqVvZLDNkFM785EVuuS5aS2xSuMSakG0fGwMnyrVExthwSxqu8h7X-JWPIX4FmWpvgThOfv_Syxsb2pf-0cUsE4JhlWVyFjRSHrH-B0Ck/s1876/white-throated+sparrow.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1304" data-original-width="1876" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMee88cfLF-JkYHqHL-Bi7RDaC-NgeSylhUvqVvZLDNkFM785EVuuS5aS2xSuMSakG0fGwMnyrVExthwSxqu8h7X-JWPIX4FmWpvgThOfv_Syxsb2pf-0cUsE4JhlWVyFjRSHrH-B0Ck/w640-h445/white-throated+sparrow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And here's a quite early Garter Snake </span><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-family: arial;">(also on April 19) </span>who sat perfectly still on the forest floor while I pulled up an invasive honeysuckle bush nearby (notice the large red Velvet Mite on the right as well):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA_ttck_kDTUzyjTl-5Q9JAPF8xK5rAptomZvDHtchsiX3C73IfRQndZ8-KlED5YM81oLzNwHrd9JcCRgIYhIFdGZkJ0S6ulqnhoXXNPO7Z_8nyuIZ2L7KqzBjKYF4KFYkZxm1cRdIj4/s2048/garter+snake+and+velvet+mite.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1416" data-original-width="2048" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwA_ttck_kDTUzyjTl-5Q9JAPF8xK5rAptomZvDHtchsiX3C73IfRQndZ8-KlED5YM81oLzNwHrd9JcCRgIYhIFdGZkJ0S6ulqnhoXXNPO7Z_8nyuIZ2L7KqzBjKYF4KFYkZxm1cRdIj4/w640-h442/garter+snake+and+velvet+mite.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">A Common Raven stopped by several times to pull chunks off of a road-killed Raccoon across the street from our house, so we had front row seats for its shopping trips (perhaps it was feeding a family nearby?). Here's the raven visiting on April 22 (yes, that's snow):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzzqaPfrOyhb6qSzTuKKB0g5HcOaYK_i9dQhBKnIWxf8ARCttreYhVIByjZLIneS3zHQs8nmIHSkHWruGBDjKrvtGrrjakd-QXbUZTzsDRoasYLerTxjZ3nuRSL6tMLWMtGBQVa3Q-xk/s2048/raven+at+raccoon+carcass+2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOzzqaPfrOyhb6qSzTuKKB0g5HcOaYK_i9dQhBKnIWxf8ARCttreYhVIByjZLIneS3zHQs8nmIHSkHWruGBDjKrvtGrrjakd-QXbUZTzsDRoasYLerTxjZ3nuRSL6tMLWMtGBQVa3Q-xk/w640-h414/raven+at+raccoon+carcass+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Throughout March and April, our trail camera let us see some goings-on in the woods. Here's a compilation of a few video highlights from those months:</span><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial;">A Raccoon feeling for critters in the small pond in our woods.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Two Virginia Opossums walking together.... I've never seen two opossums at the same time before, so I wonder whether there might have been some thoughts of mating.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">For a few days in April, I happened to set up the trail camera in what turned out to be a White-tailed Deer's bedroom, and I ended up with many, many videos of deer sitting around and chewing. Here's one of those videos.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Also from the deer-bedroom set, there's this video of the sleepy deer standing up, walking next to the camera, and audibly yawning. I think it's really cool to get to hear a deer's yawn.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">At the fallen-log spot that was so productive last summer, a Long-tailed Weasel.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">A beautiful Gray Fox.<br /></span></li></ol><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qGt2LVlQld0" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">And that's March and April! May and June are up next!</span><br /></p><p></p><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-50940806916082955292021-03-09T19:42:00.002-08:002021-03-09T19:42:20.909-08:00Goodbye Winter!<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span>OK,
I'm being a little optimistic here. We still have a substantial layer
of snow covering the ground (which has been the case for at least the
past two months), but that snow is getting slushy, and we're starting to
get the year's first well-above-freezing temperatures. The 50 and 60
degree F temperatures predicted this week seem practically impossible
after months of frozen landscapes, but here we are!<br /></span></span></div><p><span style="font-family: arial;">Before the winter's accumulated snow melts away, and before spring really starts to peek in, I'll say goodbye to deep winter by sharing some sights from these first frozen months of 2021.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">The cold weather made for some really beautiful and interesting landscapes this winter. On January 8, a layer of frost appeared only on the topmost portion of the ridge visible from our house, as if deposited by low clouds:</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOscEiocnw1jaDh-lAMy4LibW_6jKt-4kJjtgDPrvlVknVtN4jLhUr_SfEQKEdJ6DxQaPMRzJYDhglpHZeIH0O8j0e1doQXQ4zKLWLG6YIArHMAasCOIasMxXZGLnqEIMxrvPcbjPR8d0/s2048/frost-topped+ridge+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1209" data-original-width="2048" height="378" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOscEiocnw1jaDh-lAMy4LibW_6jKt-4kJjtgDPrvlVknVtN4jLhUr_SfEQKEdJ6DxQaPMRzJYDhglpHZeIH0O8j0e1doQXQ4zKLWLG6YIArHMAasCOIasMxXZGLnqEIMxrvPcbjPR8d0/w640-h378/frost-topped+ridge+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On February 26, some combination of melt, freeze, fresh snow, and winds produced these intricate lines across the surface of our meadow:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemCWFKZoZ77uHu8FkFse6zzBSkiZzMcSwCaNJLe_4nPPuh2KympImmN8Xt_b3bgeHJTvHXmV2TdbcViM_Jz_ViozKtFqSfhFyZiWeQHYgqSMyP0jNtPWsk6RRHUN9JF6B-7jOmZSQ67g/s2510/snowy+meadow+with+melt+lines.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1253" data-original-width="2510" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjemCWFKZoZ77uHu8FkFse6zzBSkiZzMcSwCaNJLe_4nPPuh2KympImmN8Xt_b3bgeHJTvHXmV2TdbcViM_Jz_ViozKtFqSfhFyZiWeQHYgqSMyP0jNtPWsk6RRHUN9JF6B-7jOmZSQ67g/w640-h320/snowy+meadow+with+melt+lines.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">In our woods and meadow, winter plants have made for similarly stark and interesting views. I'm always struck by these Black Cherry trees (wrapped in Virginia Creeper vines) that grow on the edge of our woods, and on this January 22 afternoon, it seemed to me that the gray winter sky was a river between these trees' reaching branches:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0TIqnp7tKimNstY4NVcvMS9CJGbG7yCBJDUzJun1g8mC_5ckLhnezvAEFWu-LXux65rublPeL3YQp2lzSuYE8PB3ca1I1dCv8UNilm3GNqlm6Oz1WOsmBCwUObZ6qYALxxhD4fnfn-o/s2048/black+cherry+trees+and+winter+sky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1391" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0TIqnp7tKimNstY4NVcvMS9CJGbG7yCBJDUzJun1g8mC_5ckLhnezvAEFWu-LXux65rublPeL3YQp2lzSuYE8PB3ca1I1dCv8UNilm3GNqlm6Oz1WOsmBCwUObZ6qYALxxhD4fnfn-o/w434-h640/black+cherry+trees+and+winter+sky.JPG" width="434" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">These seedheads of Virgin's Bower (<i>Clematis virginiana</i>) are one of the few soft things in this landscape, and they were lit up by a rare bit of sunlight on January 9:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2WcWgnUT-W0Hs7E3sUJGO1ZeiOUqq1VwOScLb9X-7Y0jq1ZPO5obVvbI6goTowKJM80dASaChmHRIHA2NfcncI_WWwD9-mECZLzuWfXJZaRfgby9p-RN5lXk8tjKD4h0XTqbcL2ogeg/s2048/virgin%2527s+bower+seedheads.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="2048" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2WcWgnUT-W0Hs7E3sUJGO1ZeiOUqq1VwOScLb9X-7Y0jq1ZPO5obVvbI6goTowKJM80dASaChmHRIHA2NfcncI_WWwD9-mECZLzuWfXJZaRfgby9p-RN5lXk8tjKD4h0XTqbcL2ogeg/w640-h420/virgin%2527s+bower+seedheads.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">We've been happy to see our familiar animal neighbors this winter -- and some surprising visitors, too! We've kept our feeders well stocked with sunflower and niger seeds and suet, and the birds have certainly made good use of our offerings! Here's an American Goldfinch on January 9 (with blue sky!):<br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmLVeOUFA8qtWfmSO1CkA5MPxvbn_3ERQi8JOtOBVg9ThD2yTzE6A6djLrt2fDbNv59NfJJYQr7BDid2LySE3WRyUdcrgauIKLceiUiAT0kcISQ0BGRrCZLDbm458XFcZnpRWDnRBXDo/s2048/goldfinch+on+top+of+fir.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1515" data-original-width="2048" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGmLVeOUFA8qtWfmSO1CkA5MPxvbn_3ERQi8JOtOBVg9ThD2yTzE6A6djLrt2fDbNv59NfJJYQr7BDid2LySE3WRyUdcrgauIKLceiUiAT0kcISQ0BGRrCZLDbm458XFcZnpRWDnRBXDo/w640-h474/goldfinch+on+top+of+fir.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This handsome House Finch was checking out the snowy roof just outside one of our windows on January 22:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8aR3kgg6EFrAOhfi8QUSjjbZZPPQqrrdLDH4FXMRKzsHT9xZGnWiQykK3jtC6oRHnlYbuioyncuUZ4V2sbQsJ-nXDeC904_HTUSF-nRrcEBfKZz02do4CiBzHLyRE98fNTfF32-bsBU/s2048/house+finch+on+roof.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1330" data-original-width="2048" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-8aR3kgg6EFrAOhfi8QUSjjbZZPPQqrrdLDH4FXMRKzsHT9xZGnWiQykK3jtC6oRHnlYbuioyncuUZ4V2sbQsJ-nXDeC904_HTUSF-nRrcEBfKZz02do4CiBzHLyRE98fNTfF32-bsBU/w640-h416/house+finch+on+roof.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">I love seeing Blue Jays add their fancy costumes to otherwise bare winter scenery (this picture is also from January 22):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgtDzMBjxwz_1jqFDor-KgkrvX-_9nzTjnLKjpqnsGH16JIXvfxTe5CeKcOwGtMzvSWyR3soTMQIgFoIyO7DVDIXGwHEaeX7RccZe8cZShoyIsfiLq8V2YebRQXa4m5nh5VZajxskhFc/s1821/blue+jay+in+winter.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1821" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghgtDzMBjxwz_1jqFDor-KgkrvX-_9nzTjnLKjpqnsGH16JIXvfxTe5CeKcOwGtMzvSWyR3soTMQIgFoIyO7DVDIXGwHEaeX7RccZe8cZShoyIsfiLq8V2YebRQXa4m5nh5VZajxskhFc/w640-h422/blue+jay+in+winter.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">When the snow got deeper, the Red Squirrels started making tunnels to get to the feeders. Here's one of these industrious creatures popping out of its tunnel on January 29:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPiaLAzMbg770iGCA-62NAsH5NfFRvhqYzYFSq_wgL4ff-7h4yUCAY8D3CeQ2gQalhXZ3Y-XQnutmO8ONtcGMxk5yzO3d_CokQWpDsJwooXnIXKlWvanwzNF4ylnbglmg25d14CX7Inw/s2048/red+squirrel+snow+tunnel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPiaLAzMbg770iGCA-62NAsH5NfFRvhqYzYFSq_wgL4ff-7h4yUCAY8D3CeQ2gQalhXZ3Y-XQnutmO8ONtcGMxk5yzO3d_CokQWpDsJwooXnIXKlWvanwzNF4ylnbglmg25d14CX7Inw/w640-h426/red+squirrel+snow+tunnel.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">This flock of Mourning Doves spent some time resting in one of our trees on February 5:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVWcswTPCyixwuO9ooSrXGe_hKkrygIAHo8XRBcvSsTWtMuKBszFpiEiQryETMjH3O-nE75QJ7YsW1v_9Ynr0GJLNUgiw7o0lsh7yXGAqzLlc2N8Z5LkVLdKgPFSRWgcdAoPnWkrWIC8/s2048/mourning+dove+flock.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1291" data-original-width="2048" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVWcswTPCyixwuO9ooSrXGe_hKkrygIAHo8XRBcvSsTWtMuKBszFpiEiQryETMjH3O-nE75QJ7YsW1v_9Ynr0GJLNUgiw7o0lsh7yXGAqzLlc2N8Z5LkVLdKgPFSRWgcdAoPnWkrWIC8/w640-h404/mourning+dove+flock.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">On February 22, I watched our three most common woodpeckers -- one individual of each species -- cling motionless to the branches of an apple tree near our house while a bitterly cold wind and snow blew in. The three woodpeckers were each hunkered down on the same side of their given branch, getting some protection from the wind. Here's the Downy Woodpecker (a male):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuVxCPoaZquVCSaI2E4doiJe-CdfJF3bLoQQYOyQMQtl6LhNh3Tx-PSylZVGr1ho__71JP00HEp3yeT8GyKcWpGrlZrNDxuSkyT4hcf1lBqUvJxo7cMBCw7f7_Q8jK7Nc1iYJZFIjDuo/s1937/male+downy+woodpecker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="1937" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFuVxCPoaZquVCSaI2E4doiJe-CdfJF3bLoQQYOyQMQtl6LhNh3Tx-PSylZVGr1ho__71JP00HEp3yeT8GyKcWpGrlZrNDxuSkyT4hcf1lBqUvJxo7cMBCw7f7_Q8jK7Nc1iYJZFIjDuo/w640-h428/male+downy+woodpecker.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The larger Hairy Woodpecker (a female):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTso_Tca-wK8byB__EAIhbJmPze-VLz48vc77t0ze8jwouEYpgBJtfTW4FUHzEE2dPY3Bpubmd6qA3G9BanpZGN_Q1iwshgjfOhurFxGpC0SXs1iPMOjBtVcFsXNtQTWPMGmPthx_70E/s1816/female+hairy+woodpecker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1816" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWTso_Tca-wK8byB__EAIhbJmPze-VLz48vc77t0ze8jwouEYpgBJtfTW4FUHzEE2dPY3Bpubmd6qA3G9BanpZGN_Q1iwshgjfOhurFxGpC0SXs1iPMOjBtVcFsXNtQTWPMGmPthx_70E/w640-h446/female+hairy+woodpecker.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And the Red-bellied Woodpecker (a female):</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJAtvpPifYBflOb0F9Cyk1JUe2UswOKlhVZ-AbxNPSs9nX4iomsED024aVwWs1aMPqOvmg_yvQ5G0G0K9vNOgxCwg_HWeBQCwYTz1Y3ZUJtLflZ_JaKnf6Tu4TAM3XmhWJiYAXC93VXc/s1858/female+red-bellied+woodpecker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1858" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaJAtvpPifYBflOb0F9Cyk1JUe2UswOKlhVZ-AbxNPSs9nX4iomsED024aVwWs1aMPqOvmg_yvQ5G0G0K9vNOgxCwg_HWeBQCwYTz1Y3ZUJtLflZ_JaKnf6Tu4TAM3XmhWJiYAXC93VXc/w640-h478/female+red-bellied+woodpecker.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: arial;">This winter has brought two species of birds to our yard that have been rare visitors to our property in past years, but this year they've become regulars! Red-breasted Nuthatches are not especially uncommon in this general geographic area, but I'd only seen one of these birds in our yard once before, in April 2018.... But then this winter I've seen one or two Red-breasted Nuthatches every week since mid-November. I love these dainty little birds! They work over trees in our woods, and more recently they've been snatching sunflower seeds from our feeders. None of these birds has given me a great opportunity for a picture, so here's the best I've been able to manage (on February 19):</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN6mQXsAu1VX5iT7ryoDDcNducO-MPzOU-Dkp5B5Q_7Dtaz5y2rESq346laItca8LuClSaZeLA0LDCzbeHBvdqt3x0Ub1V8Pk6DgusixdoETIZhpVPLeCUWp_41-Iv3ca7KGhyphenhyphenzpoBwQ/s1755/red-breasted+nuthatch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1755" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhN6mQXsAu1VX5iT7ryoDDcNducO-MPzOU-Dkp5B5Q_7Dtaz5y2rESq346laItca8LuClSaZeLA0LDCzbeHBvdqt3x0Ub1V8Pk6DgusixdoETIZhpVPLeCUWp_41-Iv3ca7KGhyphenhyphenzpoBwQ/w640-h418/red-breasted+nuthatch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">And then there's Common Redpolls! Again, I'd only seen one of these birds in our yard once before, in December 2018, but -- incredibly -- we've had up to three Common Redpolls at once visiting our feeders every week since early February! Here's one of these fancy northern finches on February 18:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_AYjG_zVVEKLN9F0fs70xSLyytBBUqsfOyzpYcAwZp29GpnrVpf3kqAea_uOTH0pXhKmfktdw0ICUFVUX_kPIl_UNDn7vUriqfra6BgvCC7ejsoI3dA3qzTZ5lQAhL-orSoylBP2T5g/s1750/common+redpoll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1750" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj_AYjG_zVVEKLN9F0fs70xSLyytBBUqsfOyzpYcAwZp29GpnrVpf3kqAea_uOTH0pXhKmfktdw0ICUFVUX_kPIl_UNDn7vUriqfra6BgvCC7ejsoI3dA3qzTZ5lQAhL-orSoylBP2T5g/w640-h444/common+redpoll.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">The birds are starting to gear up for spring. Male Northern Cardinals started to sing from the tops of trees back in February, and Black-capped Chickadees, Tufted Titmice, and Dark-eyed Juncos have since joined in. Here's a cardinal taking the stage to sing on March 3:</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUDQgCTK-tXniUzEiqI_xx2rCXiv_OOezE8eJAxgT1kyQePFQWaMcZebA5e1Eocaf56ZTvRlGT854wviQpOwDxFiYfTnB0qb5wsCgqLy2RH9czC3oZEKIxIQ_9vUVoBr0MFkWtV9ExUo/s2048/male+cardinal+in+ash+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1498" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYUDQgCTK-tXniUzEiqI_xx2rCXiv_OOezE8eJAxgT1kyQePFQWaMcZebA5e1Eocaf56ZTvRlGT854wviQpOwDxFiYfTnB0qb5wsCgqLy2RH9czC3oZEKIxIQ_9vUVoBr0MFkWtV9ExUo/w468-h640/male+cardinal+in+ash+tree.JPG" width="468" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">With the warm temperatures this week, it's going to be hard to keep me inside! I love each season, and I'm ready for the change -- goodbye, winter!<br /></span><p></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-15148722709361576802020-12-31T16:51:00.001-08:002020-12-31T16:53:38.678-08:00Catching Up with 2020, Part II: Mostly Birds, Insects, and Plants<p>I feel so lucky to live in a place with abundant and fascinating natural variety just outside my door. Even during stretches like the past few months when I only rarely got to wander around our woods and meadow (ugh, what a sad time), interesting wildlife kept showing up right around the house, so there was basically always something cool to see. Here are some highlights of creatures and plants that captured my attention in August through December of this year!</p><p>Quite a few interesting insects showed up around the house toward the end of summer and into fall. Here's a Lettered Habrosyne (<i>Habrosyne scripta</i>), a super fancy moth that visited our porch lights on August 6:<br /></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fX0phPVQQY3d2gmdPI8T3MqP3cPogu4VacUQ90JqSve3ZqU1i472D4pbHHx9CFLPuXmW2eBOKIudDjdXRBdUBa0Ekn9AxL32tN70fyPI8C1W6C4n3UCscU6grlSDqZmHZ_g2HiiQaio/s2048/Lettered+Habrosyne+%2528Habrosyne+scripta%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1299" data-original-width="2048" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fX0phPVQQY3d2gmdPI8T3MqP3cPogu4VacUQ90JqSve3ZqU1i472D4pbHHx9CFLPuXmW2eBOKIudDjdXRBdUBa0Ekn9AxL32tN70fyPI8C1W6C4n3UCscU6grlSDqZmHZ_g2HiiQaio/w640-h406/Lettered+Habrosyne+%2528Habrosyne+scripta%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p>Throughout August, every time I walked past a small American Witch Hazel shrub I planted in our front yard earlier this year, I would see several of the same small winged creatures perched on this plant's bare twigs. These turned out to be tiny robber flies (genus <i>Holcocephala</i>, I think), and I suppose this plant must have made for a perfect perch from which to hunt other nearby insects. Here are a couple of these little hunters on August 14:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScbCJaGLW7mgdRPOe4z35nrVflvsyJucbtrKj3kPAo3z6mZaLQgf8YhpYBIQkdYQaltYAFzRbqrs9rVtfJLQQCzJYgcD3EvhVZBLvbgxM3pxfeVcA2zNB53KW4ZxdacOeYc1TpZVuTn4/s2048/small+robber+flies+on+witch+hazel+%2528Holcocephala+sp%2529+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1438" data-original-width="2048" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScbCJaGLW7mgdRPOe4z35nrVflvsyJucbtrKj3kPAo3z6mZaLQgf8YhpYBIQkdYQaltYAFzRbqrs9rVtfJLQQCzJYgcD3EvhVZBLvbgxM3pxfeVcA2zNB53KW4ZxdacOeYc1TpZVuTn4/w640-h450/small+robber+flies+on+witch+hazel+%2528Holcocephala+sp%2529+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And here's one of these small robber flies with an even tinier insect-y meal:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBHKR3CIuwuXr8tfOgbzNbU6mOVZV7cfrXssHaZkvZ0y5PoIdHTOyxfplrn4IKSkL1L3Dy82gNejRTIZa4cbTf9HRuxWsVp2IS1xquw2C9Wc9g6ARSDPFzxRXHcoBqzuBmNJtNTuh4ac/s1828/small+robber+flies+on+witch+hazel+%2528Holcocephala+sp%2529+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1249" data-original-width="1828" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBHKR3CIuwuXr8tfOgbzNbU6mOVZV7cfrXssHaZkvZ0y5PoIdHTOyxfplrn4IKSkL1L3Dy82gNejRTIZa4cbTf9HRuxWsVp2IS1xquw2C9Wc9g6ARSDPFzxRXHcoBqzuBmNJtNTuh4ac/w640-h438/small+robber+flies+on+witch+hazel+%2528Holcocephala+sp%2529+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>On August 21, a Giant Swallowtail -- only the second individual of this species I've seen -- stopped by to feed from the large zinnias on our deck. Even with most of one wing missing, this big butterfly was an impressive sight:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vjebz1Z4fIqkN11kPgVPdklMW_3GSURoFD2f27Lmhi_GFPchC0EwRmICV3p1_HC8sd7vWVvtXmtWL_sAkVzTrV_APq2NQTbuWNoOC4rg3X7z5xFcQSPdKk7UZ0SJyJi6sA5BLuXKnJw/s2048/giant+swallowtail+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1431" data-original-width="2048" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vjebz1Z4fIqkN11kPgVPdklMW_3GSURoFD2f27Lmhi_GFPchC0EwRmICV3p1_HC8sd7vWVvtXmtWL_sAkVzTrV_APq2NQTbuWNoOC4rg3X7z5xFcQSPdKk7UZ0SJyJi6sA5BLuXKnJw/w640-h448/giant+swallowtail+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The Spicebush plants in our front yard were once again host to a few Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars this summer. Last year, all of the Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars on our bushes were eaten, so this year I brought two of these amazing creatures inside the house so they could munch on fresh Spicebush leaves in safety, and so I could see them grow into their awesome snake mimic costumes. Here's one of these caterpillars on August 22 -- I temporarily held open the leaf tunnel it had pulled around itself so I could take this picture:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1MCmLb6SCucy5tq2aoTH6J0QLEg0SWnvykv3QMKkpidvgZrO0pXvKb1IWQHrqY4v0Bh4jJh7-99dih9hLET0Kf2Cie86omq18UV_AXRDJoIvOvpjAM2xeuJ9nfO8R5yfVNXbNHKGy70/s1960/spicebush+swallowtail+caterpillar+in+leaf+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1960" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1MCmLb6SCucy5tq2aoTH6J0QLEg0SWnvykv3QMKkpidvgZrO0pXvKb1IWQHrqY4v0Bh4jJh7-99dih9hLET0Kf2Cie86omq18UV_AXRDJoIvOvpjAM2xeuJ9nfO8R5yfVNXbNHKGy70/w640-h424/spicebush+swallowtail+caterpillar+in+leaf+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>When the Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars were ready to pupate, they changed from green to yellow -- ah, so pretty:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4y_mfRPT7DC55mq5gKUX1Yer6M1U8vEfMs5OviznmkQBozVSt-s4mUPsI5BCMRY4GYTID0Itw-KsJgqMHRDghdCb1_KBD7s4LGZeukeiistgwCj6tEq8sNRTCgHsFChjnwWFhsShKDA/s1767/yellow+spicebush+swallowtail+caterpillar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1219" data-original-width="1767" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr4y_mfRPT7DC55mq5gKUX1Yer6M1U8vEfMs5OviznmkQBozVSt-s4mUPsI5BCMRY4GYTID0Itw-KsJgqMHRDghdCb1_KBD7s4LGZeukeiistgwCj6tEq8sNRTCgHsFChjnwWFhsShKDA/w640-h442/yellow+spicebush+swallowtail+caterpillar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>The caterpillar in the above picture actually died in the process of forming a chrysalis, and I'm not sure why that happened. But the second caterpillar successfully transformed into a neat little leaf-like structure -- with rows of blue dots just like its caterpillar form -- and this chrysalis is now safely tucked away in an unheated room attached to our house for the winter. If all goes well, a butterfly will emerge from this structure in the spring:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_X4KgG1Rhmj4yO9TRHQqGHIpyu9sPzcEb-R60ovsob9D0dNTsTJPRY37qyBpngzbYrara3pNYZfjdRZYYxNqYFeAWBW7hZry7vq4BMjgrOp9Ngx4cEFhEpxqA-gJbo5_0s9Uo3UfzC5w/s2020/spicebush+swallowtail+chrysalis+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1370" data-original-width="2020" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_X4KgG1Rhmj4yO9TRHQqGHIpyu9sPzcEb-R60ovsob9D0dNTsTJPRY37qyBpngzbYrara3pNYZfjdRZYYxNqYFeAWBW7hZry7vq4BMjgrOp9Ngx4cEFhEpxqA-gJbo5_0s9Uo3UfzC5w/w640-h434/spicebush+swallowtail+chrysalis+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>On September 2, a White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillar (<i>Orgyia leucostigma</i>) climbed up the wall on the front of our house and made its cocoon right on our window. I didn't think to take a picture of this caterpillar when we first saw it wandering onto the wall -- it's a wild-looking one, but we see them fairly frequently. I was excited to have this view into a caterpillar's silken cocoon as it went about pupating:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjbYGUt7uRZss0lvfp8uPIGggv6airuwK_IKCVuQYw0cMw0wgInesC8ndeRGal-qBU5HFxLfvgCv77fVudpKGeSUSMdVL5JWDnAVU_PDr16OOr6z0LuTs8bf4wP48y9IaDZ14I1dJdMc/s2048/White-marked+Tussock+Moth+caterpillar+making+coccoon+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1426" data-original-width="2048" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjbYGUt7uRZss0lvfp8uPIGggv6airuwK_IKCVuQYw0cMw0wgInesC8ndeRGal-qBU5HFxLfvgCv77fVudpKGeSUSMdVL5JWDnAVU_PDr16OOr6z0LuTs8bf4wP48y9IaDZ14I1dJdMc/w640-h446/White-marked+Tussock+Moth+caterpillar+making+coccoon+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>A little over two weeks later, on September 19, the adult White-marked Tussock Moth emerged from her cocoon. It turns out White-marked Tussock Moths are a species where the females are wingless:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyr9IvI_qORhQhcDFm37c_u89ksrBzUbKNJAXXIYBIIcOsk5DRH3O-m6DPrXji9NcZVnSE4wOUXTIawi_g4w-57PsC9RvnHsjF1NLBjTlbNY-4QXQCeweAoxSh08wnq6RlVOtpNoIbZw/s2048/White-marked+Tussock+Moth+emerged+female.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1449" data-original-width="2048" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioyr9IvI_qORhQhcDFm37c_u89ksrBzUbKNJAXXIYBIIcOsk5DRH3O-m6DPrXji9NcZVnSE4wOUXTIawi_g4w-57PsC9RvnHsjF1NLBjTlbNY-4QXQCeweAoxSh08wnq6RlVOtpNoIbZw/w640-h452/White-marked+Tussock+Moth+emerged+female.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This female never left the remains of her cocoon, and on September 22 she laid a frothy mass of eggs right there:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R9WKnRfPw8A6MUjC_ZCHr520PjZE7KIAOJn6QA4l_FEF-UU6Kn4qrQTHMrSl982EvkIOVpBCW4yvwEw7EljmpCvYfp8XIj34v-3mE3Pv7FZkloELt3tPG4Iv_txjGVsQbcZH0tCcAp0/s1918/White-marked+Tussock+Moth+female+laying+eggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1918" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3R9WKnRfPw8A6MUjC_ZCHr520PjZE7KIAOJn6QA4l_FEF-UU6Kn4qrQTHMrSl982EvkIOVpBCW4yvwEw7EljmpCvYfp8XIj34v-3mE3Pv7FZkloELt3tPG4Iv_txjGVsQbcZH0tCcAp0/w640-h452/White-marked+Tussock+Moth+female+laying+eggs.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And then she died soon afterward. What a fascinating glimpse into this species' life cycle.</p><p>I planted several new native plants in our front yard this year (I love being able to gradually increase the diversity of this place), and this Brown-eyed Susan (<i>Rudbeckia triloba</i>) became one of my favorites; here's a picture of this plant's wall of cheery flowers on August 14:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6k1rb7X1In0f6-mBCITRHxB7NLS2rdTgmlzjFlaHzZxNxORtbU65dDCutT-DBVAjHAK_U8pQ08x2FZwhclQLI7ukZDgbsgpSf-jaaFtdXt-3L-32CLP7Dfb1rHChEkW_9JKanS4ERck/s2048/brown-eyed+susan.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="2048" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6k1rb7X1In0f6-mBCITRHxB7NLS2rdTgmlzjFlaHzZxNxORtbU65dDCutT-DBVAjHAK_U8pQ08x2FZwhclQLI7ukZDgbsgpSf-jaaFtdXt-3L-32CLP7Dfb1rHChEkW_9JKanS4ERck/w640-h414/brown-eyed+susan.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here's one of the Common Yellowthroats that lived in our yard and meadow this summer (this picture is from August 21):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzz-xVdlE1H7rHW3nD-vX7EiEsZWnv_WVv5eXx-RfJQL3R6CeaQrYBnwl8TAuC443rEOZJlvGTS1eikWzQXp6hsYvsQNmFdSIeE6x8g5sw-V5Mg-Vcphv9zW36JNlrov3LTLqRhYMA0g/s1761/common+yellowthroat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1761" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIzz-xVdlE1H7rHW3nD-vX7EiEsZWnv_WVv5eXx-RfJQL3R6CeaQrYBnwl8TAuC443rEOZJlvGTS1eikWzQXp6hsYvsQNmFdSIeE6x8g5sw-V5Mg-Vcphv9zW36JNlrov3LTLqRhYMA0g/w640-h456/common+yellowthroat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And here's a large Eastern Garter Snake that was sunning next to our driveway on August 24:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj347OqvtihthSaSmLtUgefB8ilweFwknuPVZxtyLvw2ZpdbjJ1PhWGZIFxz3vyUBSYmzhc6RNZtT87bzZED9iyDZAhtXrq0hOp0qlsuE7fxzeJFYIdrQhQhAZeBmQjqDy6Jxo9b2Aj6-I/s1918/garter+snake+closeup+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1213" data-original-width="1918" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj347OqvtihthSaSmLtUgefB8ilweFwknuPVZxtyLvw2ZpdbjJ1PhWGZIFxz3vyUBSYmzhc6RNZtT87bzZED9iyDZAhtXrq0hOp0qlsuE7fxzeJFYIdrQhQhAZeBmQjqDy6Jxo9b2Aj6-I/w640-h404/garter+snake+closeup+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>On September 27, I walked out into our meadow and woods to admire the fantastic fall colors. This was an especially wonderful year for colorful foliage! The Virginia Creeper leaves had turned a deep red, which was beautiful on smaller individual vines:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcJ6va3o6b5e6bcyvDznHTPXZLTEwxdTW3r5A6P7nwGdmGjZ4e-V_dhutc_k763aRHzpMoGzzj649xJzhzRo8berWi436JwigeZErbTm_SfpSzTHOZMASOy_0eSQZyw8B8tAoX8DWNTM/s2048/red+virginia+creeper+leaves.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1473" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkcJ6va3o6b5e6bcyvDznHTPXZLTEwxdTW3r5A6P7nwGdmGjZ4e-V_dhutc_k763aRHzpMoGzzj649xJzhzRo8berWi436JwigeZErbTm_SfpSzTHOZMASOy_0eSQZyw8B8tAoX8DWNTM/w460-h640/red+virginia+creeper+leaves.JPG" width="460" /></a></div><p></p><p>And the Virginia Creepers were even more stunning where they covered the trunks of Black Cherry trees at the edge of our woods:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3fxeyriCTHy3L-DS23zsPs6EEf3lhri0EAVo1NF6u4PlP4kMsaxhfe-TNNZjqoRFdw0VsmQKIzNYT-HlElFcSue1n4NcGJJChIhXrYsdvopKalR7kz9xww5DnFXTW_WnXVwK4Ly_-AU/s2048/red+virginia+creeper+on+black+cherry+trees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1358" data-original-width="2048" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE3fxeyriCTHy3L-DS23zsPs6EEf3lhri0EAVo1NF6u4PlP4kMsaxhfe-TNNZjqoRFdw0VsmQKIzNYT-HlElFcSue1n4NcGJJChIhXrYsdvopKalR7kz9xww5DnFXTW_WnXVwK4Ly_-AU/w640-h424/red+virginia+creeper+on+black+cherry+trees.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Here's our house nestled between colorful ridge and meadow:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwNJ6l_sdMKMU4KetnrGt8c1kbIxaIyZc5_fJPv_3lFlbNkwWZfqLyem5EAncgRkFloJquzoilAPN2vXO2ovOujctdz7tDKuFTWUGckw2rWu7hKwAYUFHQbH0JJalwrRyG7V7wPontjA/s2048/house+and+fall+ridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtwNJ6l_sdMKMU4KetnrGt8c1kbIxaIyZc5_fJPv_3lFlbNkwWZfqLyem5EAncgRkFloJquzoilAPN2vXO2ovOujctdz7tDKuFTWUGckw2rWu7hKwAYUFHQbH0JJalwrRyG7V7wPontjA/w426-h640/house+and+fall+ridge.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>This sumac at the edge of the meadow was sporting a bizarre (yet strangely festive?) gall formed by a little aphid, <i>Melaphis rhois</i> (there's an aphid on the bottom of the gall in this picture):</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bWZ1BinDda9J77xJUmW5CWXTqdUbI6GidXhvLIwQcyenPu_lCqPGLw3jpFOI4_fyc2pdRLeSy1TVJjEYsS3YzpKgm_z8XKSwRoMupj9qiPEyagKcmjS6AyOnC8QQmosGS4SquxzGA1w/s2048/sumac+aphid+gall+%2528Melaphis+rhois%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="2048" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1bWZ1BinDda9J77xJUmW5CWXTqdUbI6GidXhvLIwQcyenPu_lCqPGLw3jpFOI4_fyc2pdRLeSy1TVJjEYsS3YzpKgm_z8XKSwRoMupj9qiPEyagKcmjS6AyOnC8QQmosGS4SquxzGA1w/w640-h458/sumac+aphid+gall+%2528Melaphis+rhois%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the meadow, goldenrods and asters were putting on a fantastic show, with New England Aster as the star. I'm so happy that these beautiful plants have made a stronghold in our meadow after we spread seeds over the disturbed areas in 2017:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnW0sm3k7lM-jfcPOpib5KrbFSuiZkeryDMqbneo_1zpGaUVhkqIap_fX7v0drassrU1Cjk7rXewuEyqIVIKWEOwRgJauZHjnzbjqeQ2xASwciPrLwJW28prFfm_yx6McBkAdx-2GEnE/s2048/new+england+aster+two+colors.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1451" data-original-width="2048" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQnW0sm3k7lM-jfcPOpib5KrbFSuiZkeryDMqbneo_1zpGaUVhkqIap_fX7v0drassrU1Cjk7rXewuEyqIVIKWEOwRgJauZHjnzbjqeQ2xASwciPrLwJW28prFfm_yx6McBkAdx-2GEnE/w640-h454/new+england+aster+two+colors.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>A Banded Argiope spider (Argiope trifasciata) had strung a web among goldenrod in the meadow:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyocdWqMF0mYUKZMhE9phyWEWqAwHbXkQOERnf_v7I0AyTvZ700pzLnAN1rItEjMLgRatNTzJB-N2oqH96fI-bmZ7fUX77YUF3V_f4ShF280qA_KRRHkN1bN-b7eMiLcSAU-ujHnqITTk/s2048/Banded+Argiope+%2528Argiope+trifasciata%2529+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1293" data-original-width="2048" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyocdWqMF0mYUKZMhE9phyWEWqAwHbXkQOERnf_v7I0AyTvZ700pzLnAN1rItEjMLgRatNTzJB-N2oqH96fI-bmZ7fUX77YUF3V_f4ShF280qA_KRRHkN1bN-b7eMiLcSAU-ujHnqITTk/w640-h404/Banded+Argiope+%2528Argiope+trifasciata%2529+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Here's a closer look at this fancy big spider:<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfY-nimzUh1J5j7u-BUFPGMVkZPJ5a0DvCGiizYlmqYCr5RzkReujDYOepzx5S913_mfJ0diW0_bRRcdwhBPR3DLC1nvDhT7ZDM9cwLK3naknvGP4DmVjY3lL50moOSSZoqP-tzBtB7c/s2048/Banded+Argiope+%2528Argiope+trifasciata%2529+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1453" data-original-width="2048" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRfY-nimzUh1J5j7u-BUFPGMVkZPJ5a0DvCGiizYlmqYCr5RzkReujDYOepzx5S913_mfJ0diW0_bRRcdwhBPR3DLC1nvDhT7ZDM9cwLK3naknvGP4DmVjY3lL50moOSSZoqP-tzBtB7c/w640-h454/Banded+Argiope+%2528Argiope+trifasciata%2529+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>In the woods, I was surprised to come across an Ovenbird. These loud little birds bred in these woods during the summer, but I expected that they would all have been gone by now. This little creature watched me quite close-up for a little while -- perhaps it was surprised to see me, too:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBZUtlIZ8nKoJ3y29TzmkdiVY9yDWo6ZZq0VVSKwB-J8Spcp2RiYrIAPllXL6kKPqyYJrTnvJYRodwF-18HC4lELZrq05Mi-Nt7ivnP3NTm3zXe2BpN0oZAnikJJb3F7SgVpDlUPLtr8/s2048/ovenbird+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1417" data-original-width="2048" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmBZUtlIZ8nKoJ3y29TzmkdiVY9yDWo6ZZq0VVSKwB-J8Spcp2RiYrIAPllXL6kKPqyYJrTnvJYRodwF-18HC4lELZrq05Mi-Nt7ivnP3NTm3zXe2BpN0oZAnikJJb3F7SgVpDlUPLtr8/w640-h442/ovenbird+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>I love the row of tiny dark dots along the lower edge of this bird's fancy costume:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wy55fOYKolaCuarC9v9z9lQPNFaoKrKLx0X1DoOAABZe7ctNTilLwQIGd4aS1zPVlV9351JONZOEODEAiu8krVdpi4PobzhW6nRPDzMoPRMSzpSGPp9CoKLYM7yei6K16zX7lfeFA9I/s2044/ovenbird+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="2044" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Wy55fOYKolaCuarC9v9z9lQPNFaoKrKLx0X1DoOAABZe7ctNTilLwQIGd4aS1zPVlV9351JONZOEODEAiu8krVdpi4PobzhW6nRPDzMoPRMSzpSGPp9CoKLYM7yei6K16zX7lfeFA9I/w640-h434/ovenbird+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Back up at the house, I was happy to meet up with one of our Eastern Phoebes:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSucBSzyr-fPlaw8O_-m0Zq1bIYICvjF79jVFC7dT9vpa8uQlf6rRKoG6_BoYDZcGnpzd4-GpFZ-vcf8t2VtY7-6IYyxhy8rAuZw5qUK0kc5RITV_D_bgf5TJdxMKRBPu7RrGQQoGNQDU/s1641/late+September+phoebe+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1104" data-original-width="1641" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSucBSzyr-fPlaw8O_-m0Zq1bIYICvjF79jVFC7dT9vpa8uQlf6rRKoG6_BoYDZcGnpzd4-GpFZ-vcf8t2VtY7-6IYyxhy8rAuZw5qUK0kc5RITV_D_bgf5TJdxMKRBPu7RrGQQoGNQDU/w640-h430/late+September+phoebe+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And I admired the blanket of asters nearby (these are two of the many species of asters on our property, and I need to finish identifying them one of these years):</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjownKgdSzW3N2dNj_SiXoTixxxzAm4biw-KLvMYi9GQncoEtW337Pz4rKWnrACluFEgyNyN679WCglSg51nmetHySA5BUar3SbbDsiN9xKUJBje1lW3WWPKIW9kTpkO38iP6h-4uCkf4A/s2048/blanket+of+asters+next+to+shed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1397" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjownKgdSzW3N2dNj_SiXoTixxxzAm4biw-KLvMYi9GQncoEtW337Pz4rKWnrACluFEgyNyN679WCglSg51nmetHySA5BUar3SbbDsiN9xKUJBje1lW3WWPKIW9kTpkO38iP6h-4uCkf4A/w640-h436/blanket+of+asters+next+to+shed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>On October 21 while walking through the meadow, I stopped to identify two species of insects that were making their quiet buzzy songs among the grass. Here's a Marsh Meadow Grasshopper (<i>Chorthippus curtipennis</i>), who was constantly moving from leaf to leaf close to the ground, pausing every few seconds to rasp both of its hind legs against its wings:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0Zw4VgQe8F6sreJCSmyvh2ai_jheKii1Acz9kaYcP4mGjOKdjW4CVv1PyL3yIjHL7LCZI-TAw0V3LKA-xQBi5fjt_ZnAMtFtd7thIdTyZykJ3CQ_g7CygE80QVmjdvXncw-_9zAbNoY/s2048/Marsh+Meadow+Grasshopper+%2528Chorthippus+curtipennis%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1399" data-original-width="2048" height="438" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0Zw4VgQe8F6sreJCSmyvh2ai_jheKii1Acz9kaYcP4mGjOKdjW4CVv1PyL3yIjHL7LCZI-TAw0V3LKA-xQBi5fjt_ZnAMtFtd7thIdTyZykJ3CQ_g7CygE80QVmjdvXncw-_9zAbNoY/w640-h438/Marsh+Meadow+Grasshopper+%2528Chorthippus+curtipennis%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And here's a Short-winged Meadow Katydid (<i>Conocephalus brevipennis</i>), who was sitting perfectly still and right in the open on its dried grass stalk, but it still took me quite a while to locate the source of its sound:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEBwO_vC7MnEbjPY9CRHrOqRhoBtRRf8WCekWG_9xg1ya_m6VgFyXuGUKp1SK04QPtZB99gzuOCqdLduDRBYkz-UECrzvua6_AcRq94aIohtqfdcGPNss7xcijrSAk2bb9F0lA_a5RjU/s2048/Short-winged+Meadow+Katydid+%2528Conocephalus+brevipennis%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1393" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuEBwO_vC7MnEbjPY9CRHrOqRhoBtRRf8WCekWG_9xg1ya_m6VgFyXuGUKp1SK04QPtZB99gzuOCqdLduDRBYkz-UECrzvua6_AcRq94aIohtqfdcGPNss7xcijrSAk2bb9F0lA_a5RjU/w436-h640/Short-winged+Meadow+Katydid+%2528Conocephalus+brevipennis%2529.JPG" width="436" /></a></div><p>In the woods, I loved seeing this Black-capped Chickadee foraging amidst hawthorn spines:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBwGxv9TYkSss5Tk8Wb3s11jIv_4YeDcdErADUVHMzbEvvRSAq_gITaDqLxNJl7FLjTiJvshjb4ngyIS0ciya9MVhWfyAmsLYDwf8sIfGHYBgJOnpOYzo9AdmiCQDbsdCEvuDeAIGxlo/s2048/black-capped+chickadee+on+hawthorn+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1334" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBwGxv9TYkSss5Tk8Wb3s11jIv_4YeDcdErADUVHMzbEvvRSAq_gITaDqLxNJl7FLjTiJvshjb4ngyIS0ciya9MVhWfyAmsLYDwf8sIfGHYBgJOnpOYzo9AdmiCQDbsdCEvuDeAIGxlo/w416-h640/black-capped+chickadee+on+hawthorn+2.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><p></p><p>And this Yellow-rumped Warbler in its beautiful and muted fall costume was foraging in an apple tree next to our house:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMEgYgik6QZ5g1gwo39_8YMxJHy9goJHpiBiJ6NyakY42ijWvL-1PJBVaadqmaK87Ck7IjikDg3C5QWF-RReRHBDfbhADVBke9OWxINI7Pf2RyMYSw2SVHbP96dAj2jj5unBrsMcDQFA/s1894/yellow-rumped+warbler+in+apple+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1328" data-original-width="1894" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMEgYgik6QZ5g1gwo39_8YMxJHy9goJHpiBiJ6NyakY42ijWvL-1PJBVaadqmaK87Ck7IjikDg3C5QWF-RReRHBDfbhADVBke9OWxINI7Pf2RyMYSw2SVHbP96dAj2jj5unBrsMcDQFA/w640-h448/yellow-rumped+warbler+in+apple+tree.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Fantastically, this year has brought Evening Grosbeaks to our yard again. The last (and only) time I saw these birds before this year was when they visited us in late 2018, and I thought that could have very well been a once-in-a-lifetime event. How wonderful to get to see these amazing northern finches again! Here's a small flock that stopped by our feeder on November 18, along with the first real snow of the season:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y6fZY7ZdroXLYEqKM0XDyVVALxN8yCSMkIfzbt9-W7S4Tg7K7agYs2v_AzKZfpZaZ3DILAzXOzAI99_p87_eGRF47I1z5mc096qyK5xmawtFkljiYaIaRid0T9ylx-RWh_gxw6jNBaE/s2048/evening+grosbeaks+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="2048" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4y6fZY7ZdroXLYEqKM0XDyVVALxN8yCSMkIfzbt9-W7S4Tg7K7agYs2v_AzKZfpZaZ3DILAzXOzAI99_p87_eGRF47I1z5mc096qyK5xmawtFkljiYaIaRid0T9ylx-RWh_gxw6jNBaE/w640-h400/evening+grosbeaks+3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Ah, so cool! While I was already near the feeders with my camera, I took the opportunity to photograph some of the other (more familiar, but still wonderful) birds hanging around. This Black-capped Chickadee made some dramatic poses as it worked at the sunflower seed clasped in its feet:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4kKD9-OCRbvICpxWnMOjgnC8V78RnfNSdP03boxfWuqbCMn4F5D55m3IZ1mBJ5FyobVrMx7lb33IJwk4yQSUaC3jktmSmQDpcoc-EiTR831Ip-DJ2vSxhJRIW-q5El8mSSSS9KnnA5U/s1912/black-capped+chickadee+with+seed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1364" data-original-width="1912" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4kKD9-OCRbvICpxWnMOjgnC8V78RnfNSdP03boxfWuqbCMn4F5D55m3IZ1mBJ5FyobVrMx7lb33IJwk4yQSUaC3jktmSmQDpcoc-EiTR831Ip-DJ2vSxhJRIW-q5El8mSSSS9KnnA5U/w640-h456/black-capped+chickadee+with+seed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>This American Goldfinch had the most perfect spot of white on its forehead, like a permanent resting snowflake:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSflO2IDdzL6GHOr4ITlFGvzGu-7m2toIzJSxADDVEi8W2vfnZzqBhlocgjxT1Y8TL3QUadJAWZcnqh1UCT8_bpSBGmFmq_HOya-l5plGOW8HB7scDw3JaC-jayNKsRv2Z87tPvq8AYI/s1869/american+goldfinch+with+white+on+head.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1869" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSflO2IDdzL6GHOr4ITlFGvzGu-7m2toIzJSxADDVEi8W2vfnZzqBhlocgjxT1Y8TL3QUadJAWZcnqh1UCT8_bpSBGmFmq_HOya-l5plGOW8HB7scDw3JaC-jayNKsRv2Z87tPvq8AYI/w640-h422/american+goldfinch+with+white+on+head.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>And this American Tree Sparrow was (for the moment, anyway) more interested in the abundant goldenrod seedheads just behind the feeder stand than in the sunflower seeds in the tray:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7R0sKd4zzVDHaQuR-QrxpVR5bikPl8iSK0rwCtUUwYpWdXOa0Vh1WFMjYodMtx0t3RapY1_mfvZNwYT5OoDJSHTlqo2eekFfJ-QR9qGDLCcvOxIHG4kuoD6FuXtgfZdCpjqTnn9gpVo/s1610/american+tree+sparrow+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1610" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV7R0sKd4zzVDHaQuR-QrxpVR5bikPl8iSK0rwCtUUwYpWdXOa0Vh1WFMjYodMtx0t3RapY1_mfvZNwYT5OoDJSHTlqo2eekFfJ-QR9qGDLCcvOxIHG4kuoD6FuXtgfZdCpjqTnn9gpVo/w640-h448/american+tree+sparrow+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>I've been really happy this winter to see how much the birds -- especially the Dark-eyed Juncos and American Tree Sparrows -- have been enjoying the many wild seeds on offer in our yard and meadow. Mostly this is goldenrod, and mostly this is in places where we simply... didn't mow. (Sure, the yard looks kind of messy in places, but I'm happy to justify less yard work with more food for birds!) But some of these seeds come from plants we put there on purpose, which feels great. The mixture of native seeds we spread in the disturbed part of the meadow in 2017 included Little Bluestem, and that grass has grown fantastically, even forming lovely stands on rocky ground that probably would have been barren otherwise. I've enjoyed watching the Little Bluestem plants grow and change over the past few months, from purpleish/blue stalks in mid-August:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvXKgOtjQWlXPFyrJboEZaFGHhO7IP63GE6UoVdJ7CuLcq3Y2EODO2CQgjeWzQ9Fue1EcFBGoo4g2_X5kELUYx1zCDpDaAAaDAVh4YL5EPJlbBiAIfS4kqrCzTTXHWXZIfPQh2LXBQDU/s2048/little+bluestem+stalks+mid-August.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvXKgOtjQWlXPFyrJboEZaFGHhO7IP63GE6UoVdJ7CuLcq3Y2EODO2CQgjeWzQ9Fue1EcFBGoo4g2_X5kELUYx1zCDpDaAAaDAVh4YL5EPJlbBiAIfS4kqrCzTTXHWXZIfPQh2LXBQDU/w426-h640/little+bluestem+stalks+mid-August.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><p>To purpleish/red stems in late September:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7Eo5feEATeWHW4GRCltU8H3ubN78YHw0fc7eQcA9L3C-oQEwGV1kIyTyhCdN6SkVeKE8IqxYexmqo7qlp7QTPHzJtfOCqhoGMhsIKI5aW8-FOqDFiOEapJ9btHGtoPRI7XEPwO5oJ9Y/s2048/little+bluestem+late+September.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1174" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7Eo5feEATeWHW4GRCltU8H3ubN78YHw0fc7eQcA9L3C-oQEwGV1kIyTyhCdN6SkVeKE8IqxYexmqo7qlp7QTPHzJtfOCqhoGMhsIKI5aW8-FOqDFiOEapJ9btHGtoPRI7XEPwO5oJ9Y/w366-h640/little+bluestem+late+September.JPG" width="366" /></a></div><p></p><p>And finally to reddish/brown stalks with frilly white seedheads in mid-October:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfBGS7pqQ5STuV7avn7ARHPJgRCPcyllsyAbZul1fzZ4PUWdIk7xT1QECSAPgWhoQltFZublyAlbefsXn7zNU9fpxzANaSlpadM4WSQEotrfU3aUX1M49VuZMUFcXNMMGWHcuv1M91X4/s2048/little+bluestem+stalks+mid+October.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1397" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwfBGS7pqQ5STuV7avn7ARHPJgRCPcyllsyAbZul1fzZ4PUWdIk7xT1QECSAPgWhoQltFZublyAlbefsXn7zNU9fpxzANaSlpadM4WSQEotrfU3aUX1M49VuZMUFcXNMMGWHcuv1M91X4/w436-h640/little+bluestem+stalks+mid+October.JPG" width="436" /></a></div><p></p><p>I've watched flocks of American Treen Sparrows leaping up onto these stems and weighing them down to the ground to get the seeds. When we got nearly two feet of snow in the middle of December, it became especially clear how much the sparrows were enjoying this grass's seeds. Here's a patch of Little Bluestem on December 19, with the remains of the sparrows' feasting scattered on the snow:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrgFkKXmSMfG4qP98fAAJo3xOctQeU7h-aqV4IwJEv_6-MySWxE5ByYOkt52gPRh6334ikcRZOwPKVcMCBLnmqntbq1QK4S7yXR8D9RExtNiUxxIBKOjMXhZ5KHbCkzB2BnL2eQWQrXk/s2048/little+bluestem+seeds+and+stems+in+snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1356" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrgFkKXmSMfG4qP98fAAJo3xOctQeU7h-aqV4IwJEv_6-MySWxE5ByYOkt52gPRh6334ikcRZOwPKVcMCBLnmqntbq1QK4S7yXR8D9RExtNiUxxIBKOjMXhZ5KHbCkzB2BnL2eQWQrXk/w424-h640/little+bluestem+seeds+and+stems+in+snow.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><p>I'm glad I've been able to see all these wonderful things over the past few months, but I still wish I had been outside more than I was. Ah well, we've reached the end of 2020, and who knows what the new year will bring!<br /></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-75961174637698764322020-12-31T11:36:00.000-08:002020-12-31T11:36:00.167-08:00Catching Up with 2020, Part I: Trail Camera Mammals and BirdsWow, what a blur these last few months have been. I've had very little time for outdoor wanderings since September, let alone time to share sights here. Sigh. But I have indeed been watching out for nature around our house over the last few months as best as I could, and the holiday break means I can finally catch up with sharing 2020 wildlife happenings here. Hooray!<br /><br />Our trusty trail camera captured plenty of interesting animal activity in our woods even while I was stuck inside (mostly tethered to my computer), so we'll start there! Throughout most of August, the trail camera was watching a tree trunk that had long ago fallen across our woods path, and this turned out to be an incredibly productive viewpoint. A large variety of birds and (mostly small) mammals made an appearance on these mossy logs during that time. Here's a compilation of some of the best videos from this spot, featuring:<ol style="text-align: left;"><li>A Raccoon (one of several that wandered along this path in August, usually stopping to sniff the logs). </li><li>An Eastern Chipmunk perching on the log for a thorough grooming session.</li><li>The Ruffed Grouse family who showed up on the trail camera several times this summer. Here, the adult female keeps watch while the two now-nearly-grown chicks snatch up nearby seeds. I can't believe I get to see grouse foraging in our woods, and I love the soft sounds they make here!</li><li>A Long-tailed Weasel -- the first one we've seen on our property! -- slithering along the log in what I feel certain must be scent-marking behavior. (Mmm, weasel-scented log!)</li><li>A White-footed Mouse (or Deer Mouse) with its tail held high, possibly also scent-marking?</li><li>A White-tailed Deer munching on nearby shrubs.</li><li>A Virginia Opossum moving across the logs and stopping to scratch an itch.<br /></li></ol><p><br /> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TzJQ9YAH5IQ" width="560"></iframe><br /></p><p>At the end of August, I moved the trail camera among a few other locations in the woods, which resulted in some other interesting animal videos, including our first sightings of Flying Squirrels! (These could be Northern or Southern Flying Squirrels, but I'm not sure which.) I already knew we had Flying Squirrels on our property because I found the remains of someone's Flying-Squirrel meal in September of 2018... but this is the first time we've seen these fancy arboreal rodents whole and alive. :) White-tailed Deer were (as expected) the most frequent visitors on the trail camera during the last couple of months. This last compilation video shows a brief Flying Squirrel clip, and then three clips of deer -- a male with tiny antler spikes, a male with impressively big antlers, and some deer foraging in deep snow on Christmas Eve:</p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qLSfx2SG-JU" width="560"></iframe><br /></p><p>I have a bunch more sights to share over the past few months, beyond these trail camera videos -- Part II is up next!<br /></p>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-67033182294246112552020-08-09T10:54:00.003-07:002020-08-09T10:54:49.419-07:00Mid-summer Sights<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">July and early August this year have been suitably summery, with warm days and temperate nights, some rain but not too much, plentiful vegetables from the garden (we've been eating really well), and lots of interesting summer-time animal sightings around our property. Here are some assorted highlights from the past several weeks!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The trail camera in the woods has continued to gather some fantastic glimpses of our local wildlife, including more videos of Bobcats and Ruffed Grouse -- I'm still astonished and thrilled that these animals have been such regular visitors in our woods this year. The following video compiles a few clips from the trail camera: (1) A bobcat walking on the trail during the day (our first daytime sighting!) on July 14. (I love this big cat's beautiful colors, and those white patches on the backs of its ears; and after a Blue Jay calls and the Bobcat turns back around toward the camera, I think it even opens it mouth and makes a tiny sound!) (2) Our resident Ruffed Grouse family of an adult and two growing chicks on July 11, settled down for a grooming session on the sun-soaked path. (It's too bad this video got a little over-exposed... but I still think it's really cool.) (3) A group of Wild Turkeys -- at least two adults and several partially-downy young -- foraging along the path on July 16. (4) A family of Northern Flickers foraging on the ground and making soft noises on July 30:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Speaking of Northern Flickers, on August 3, I found one of these birds' beautiful feathers on the woods trai<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">l. "Yellow-shafted" indeed:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblR0_12wMTaNL-QRx60seR1sFIjEtFkjQa9nTz8OvD3gw9KoPYW8iiAxd2PVw9rPzyyU3H6CeluVX5ol6IqW37uxiEO6pURrqQpeRR1GqHd5R2JefkSpp9Xu64riqj5BWl2AhDiFPobA/s1600/northern+flicker+feather.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblR0_12wMTaNL-QRx60seR1sFIjEtFkjQa9nTz8OvD3gw9KoPYW8iiAxd2PVw9rPzyyU3H6CeluVX5ol6IqW37uxiEO6pURrqQpeRR1GqHd5R2JefkSpp9Xu64riqj5BWl2AhDiFPobA/s640/northern+flicker+feather.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Our Eastern Phoebes successfully raised their second brood in their traditional (at least four years running now) spot above our front door. Here's one of the little phoebe faces appearing over the edge of the nest on July 12 (at 10 days old):</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKw8ALijn_g1wphJEptlrWOauIMCc4z0s3v9e7iYYYSk7FC_n12GJkvcyZ5hyphenhyphengkMcOAooIGyPYDhBv6zl3v9TB8_bzIN3As2vMx38LKQbxnA6QfrKJXCJ1qnXBsQb-tEJozwzoDYQWdEI/s1600/second+nest+phoebes+day+10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1069" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKw8ALijn_g1wphJEptlrWOauIMCc4z0s3v9e7iYYYSk7FC_n12GJkvcyZ5hyphenhyphengkMcOAooIGyPYDhBv6zl3v9TB8_bzIN3As2vMx38LKQbxnA6QfrKJXCJ1qnXBsQb-tEJozwzoDYQWdEI/s640/second+nest+phoebes+day+10.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The phoebe parents did a great job of keeping these babies fed, even throughout a particularly trying few hours one day when a group of people were doing some excavation work in our yard. The phoebes made it clear that they weren't happy about people in sight of their nest, but they were very bold, and they persevered. Here's one of the parents making a food delivery on July 13:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipW5eA4jC7c-ldfcQs-RyKuwzP4SIv8q-krXqHHcu6Ds3-4uZ86a8hVqNPVAUTN40xVjnlMz12TUsME8FGmnujhDtxvNp4yrXLW-AX_-5EBfdVdKXQ8oNKGNbwBj5mOhgqRdlHwELgcyE/s1600/phoebe+feeding+second+nestlings.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipW5eA4jC7c-ldfcQs-RyKuwzP4SIv8q-krXqHHcu6Ds3-4uZ86a8hVqNPVAUTN40xVjnlMz12TUsME8FGmnujhDtxvNp4yrXLW-AX_-5EBfdVdKXQ8oNKGNbwBj5mOhgqRdlHwELgcyE/s640/phoebe+feeding+second+nestlings.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These phoebe babies proved to be tenacious, too: A few days before they were ready to fledge, the nest suffered a major structural collapse (I don't know how this happened), yet the three babies stayed put in their partial-nest for the remainder of their nestling time. These are such good birds! Here they are on July 18:</span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoPtmWNypBbLCFS964CetLnS5ZlgvwS9iQ2anNwYN3DYORjc8upPG7UehNpGWP1A4QkkXfrHv1t3FpbhtWuDeWbObc2cqSJTqRh2HGsDqHeJ83RD8JLNOoxTOCCAvv4JtvZqkLArLRNA/s1600/phoebes+in+collapsed+nest+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1124" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvoPtmWNypBbLCFS964CetLnS5ZlgvwS9iQ2anNwYN3DYORjc8upPG7UehNpGWP1A4QkkXfrHv1t3FpbhtWuDeWbObc2cqSJTqRh2HGsDqHeJ83RD8JLNOoxTOCCAvv4JtvZqkLArLRNA/s640/phoebes+in+collapsed+nest+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Amazingly, we had a <i>third</i> Eastern Phoebe brood this year as well. I wasn't looking out for any more phoebe breeding attempts, so I was shocked to notice on July 20 that a fresh crop of fuzzy babies were jostling around in the same <i>first</i> nest the phoebes built this year (in the small shed on our property). These babies looked like they were about a week younger than the second brood (porch) babies, so the two nests must have been incubated at the same time, which I think must mean that we had two female phoebes nesting on our property at once. The <a href="https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/eastern-phoebe">Audubon Field Guide</a> suggested a single male Eastern Phoebe might sometimes hold a territory with two mates, so perhaps that's what happened this year. What drama! Unfortunately, I think the third brood failed, because I wasn't able to see the baby birds again before they would have been old enough to fledge. :( Well, two broods of phoebes -- and eight new birds total -- is still pretty great<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In other nesting news, an American Robin built her nest in a tidy nook on the front of our house, making her next-door neighbors with the phoebes. This nest also failed, but it was nice to have a robin family nearby while it lasted. Goodness, nesting is rough! Here's the mama robin on her nest on July 18:</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL_gBokL1cicT4c8oSYzNjbartyYANN-wmYKyKa0Akq6tcJB9wllW00zf1Uh3w_FrvHapefnxTF9XXLg__CxvuB-WNs4nKzIUtPfV07U3DYSNBL8I-J9VzuQDA0aeioQTRxYfFmO7b3Y/s1600/robin+nest+on+corner+of+house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1198" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNL_gBokL1cicT4c8oSYzNjbartyYANN-wmYKyKa0Akq6tcJB9wllW00zf1Uh3w_FrvHapefnxTF9XXLg__CxvuB-WNs4nKzIUtPfV07U3DYSNBL8I-J9VzuQDA0aeioQTRxYfFmO7b3Y/s640/robin+nest+on+corner+of+house.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">More happily, a pair of Gray Catbirds successfully raised a nest full of babies to fledging in the thicket of forsythia that monopolizes a corner of our property, and Cedar Waxwings have an active nest in the maple tree above the small shed. The House Wrens also have a second brood in the same nest box they used earlier this year. This place does a good job of producing baby birds!</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet";"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This male Common Yellowthroat was keeping a close eye on me on July 20 while his young family foraged nearby:</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-1_YzBWBuGDTILrEfQbdk6V1kP0dKkhvHyWu73WIb6nV3BtkyVXEAjwfaNmNdyhjujv6gIWbM27gRwJTV-eJ702pLQUnTeiNINkyGOqvzhT0W0prl1eZJr16PsTqKdkQhx84Sa8DceE/s1600/common+yellowthroat+male+mid+july.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1064" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA-1_YzBWBuGDTILrEfQbdk6V1kP0dKkhvHyWu73WIb6nV3BtkyVXEAjwfaNmNdyhjujv6gIWbM27gRwJTV-eJ702pLQUnTeiNINkyGOqvzhT0W0prl1eZJr16PsTqKdkQhx84Sa8DceE/s640/common+yellowthroat+male+mid+july.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Eastern Garter Snakes have been hanging around our yard quite a bit this summer, including this beautiful reddish individual who was lounging on a flat rock next to the house on July 13:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This has been a great summer for Red Efts (juvenile Red-spotted Newts)! Several times in the past couple of weeks, I've seen one or more of these awesome amphibians hunting in the flower bed right next to our front porch, where rain plus compost seems to attract a nicely eft-appropriate buffet of insects. I'd never seen efts actively hunting and eating before -- I usually come across them just walking from one place to another -- and I tried to capture this activity on video but ended up with footage too shaky to share. Oh well! Here are some still pictures of two efts in our flower bed on July 23 instead:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0sFOVaKz1R7zhFsq5NZbzvVnPNHvMuBZ0tk5HM6dF_3LxL-NuQHosLM37ksfrMMmRv_8cEXyO8xr4LvqCaYf8fm1IW2b0eS4uMehD7h0DhiTypX7tmDhbtZmrE4BI8Z251Dtf3lAADc/s1600/eft+hunting+in+front+flower+bed+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0sFOVaKz1R7zhFsq5NZbzvVnPNHvMuBZ0tk5HM6dF_3LxL-NuQHosLM37ksfrMMmRv_8cEXyO8xr4LvqCaYf8fm1IW2b0eS4uMehD7h0DhiTypX7tmDhbtZmrE4BI8Z251Dtf3lAADc/s640/eft+hunting+in+front+flower+bed+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the night of July 27, I noticed a small frog on the railing of our back deck. Expecting a Spring Peeper, I went to visit the little creature up close... and it wasn't a peeper, but rather a very young Gray Treefrog! Ahhh, so wonderful!! The two adult Gray Treefrogs who <a href="https://woodswalksandwildlife.blogspot.com/2020/07/spring-and-early-summer-highlights-part_10.html">showed up on our porch this past May</a> were the first of this species I'd ever seen, and it's so cool to get to see how small these creatures start out. I love this little frog's green patches and its round clinging toes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here's a Common Wood-Nymph butterfly feeding on blossoms of (I believe) Wild Basil (<i>Satureja vulgaris</i>) on July 20 in the meadow:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkkU_uxJ5wD2U4m1zibSpL9EtBUsHpRsp6u0GpbRX7O9b1k6_zCADRKuh5Axb4Z3omwxYCoVaHCr15VzIwwj80Jy4yQ2jWN7TLdg23x1TtcuJStwJM5vzGaAss9WaYjIArcTN6wtOX98/s1600/Common+Wood-Nymph+%2528Cercyonis+pegala%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkkU_uxJ5wD2U4m1zibSpL9EtBUsHpRsp6u0GpbRX7O9b1k6_zCADRKuh5Axb4Z3omwxYCoVaHCr15VzIwwj80Jy4yQ2jWN7TLdg23x1TtcuJStwJM5vzGaAss9WaYjIArcTN6wtOX98/s640/Common+Wood-Nymph+%2528Cercyonis+pegala%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And a Hummingbird Clearwing moth visiting Wild Bergamot (<i>Monarda fistulosa</i>) on August 3 -- these awesome moths have been particularly common this year, which makes me very happy:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On the night of July 14, I decided to see what would happen if I set up my camera in the meadow with a really long (30-second) exposure time amid the fantastic firefly shows we were getting during that part of the summer. I didn't try to do any fancy processing with these photos, but I think these haphazard results look pretty cool. I love how the fireflies and stars overlap in this picture:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uAB5f0lQldvgCug5rra7KA_Ta7tskSpwN5XYpj6shkeePGy8ueW2T97DVGLXWHLkIIWJCzSFYH2JyuTDt0xiHeMFodP2juMkdr8rcgSAePSyRrA7jyROMNYgGXDcU54ELbIbdGCxNME/s1600/fireflies+and+stars+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1083" data-original-width="1600" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-uAB5f0lQldvgCug5rra7KA_Ta7tskSpwN5XYpj6shkeePGy8ueW2T97DVGLXWHLkIIWJCzSFYH2JyuTDt0xiHeMFodP2juMkdr8rcgSAePSyRrA7jyROMNYgGXDcU54ELbIbdGCxNME/s640/fireflies+and+stars+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And I really like seeing the dotted trails individual fireflies make as they fly and flash across the camera's view:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Finally, these strange tracks appeared in looping trails all across our pollen-covered lawn mower in mid-July. Comparing with other pictures online, the best I've been able to figure out is that these are probably marks left by a snail or slug as it fed. So weird!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Summer is certainly an interesting time!</span>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-29958893385729008772020-07-10T17:17:00.000-07:002020-07-10T17:17:28.942-07:00Spring and Early Summer Highlights: Part III<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">OK, here's one more post catching up with April, May, and June around our house!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Yet More Birds</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The trail camera in the woods made several videos featuring cool birds this spring. The following video compiles a few especially exciting clips: First, some deer triggered the camera while a Barred Owl happened to be calling nearby -- I've heard a pair of Barred Owls calling individually and together a whole lot this year, and I suspect they've been nesting somewhere in the woods surrounding our property. Next is a video of a Wild Turkey foraging in the underbrush; it's always neat to see these big birds up close. Then, there's another deer-triggered video that captured a Wood Thrush's amazing song; I hear Wood Thrushes only occasionally around here, and getting to hear this song so clearly is such a treat. And finally, incredibly, there's a video of an adult Ruffed Grouse and two tiny chicks foraging at midday. I'd glimpsed Ruffed Grouse in our woods only a couple of times before, and then this family group wandered past the trail camera on three different days. I love Ruffed Grouse a whole lot, and I'm so happy to know that we have them as neighbors.</span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/miTdTHG3wZk" width="560"></iframe>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Amphibians and Others</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I've known for a few years now that Gray Treefrogs live around here, and I suspect that they're fairly common, because I hear them trilling every year in May, June, and July. I'd never actually seen one of these mostly arboreal and well-camouflaged amphibians, however, until this year.... On the </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">night of May 22, with warm temperatures and heavy rain -- wonder of wonders -- </span><i>two</i> Gray Treefrogs appeared right our front porch. Oh my goodness!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBYOdLT3uS9vaZJFAsA8wF9pCgzjjkcQ-UJoTVuO5hTKoY0LC9jdH0mordVNzpXsOOKQ2_raq41EFHneFJ_vB-C3qLNMx6zk4QMkDjl6z7BEtCm4lZ_mOqe3v142VfzctlpH2M9EByNs/s1600/gray+treefrog+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBYOdLT3uS9vaZJFAsA8wF9pCgzjjkcQ-UJoTVuO5hTKoY0LC9jdH0mordVNzpXsOOKQ2_raq41EFHneFJ_vB-C3qLNMx6zk4QMkDjl6z7BEtCm4lZ_mOqe3v142VfzctlpH2M9EByNs/s640/gray+treefrog+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Paul was admiring these frogs with me, and he pointed out that their skin is all bumpy and mottled, a lot like a toad. But their shape is so treefrog-y, all low to the ground and spread out, and with those big round suction-cup toes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These two treefrogs were very active -- we'd turn off the light and go inside, and then we'd look out onto the porch again a few minutes later and they'd be in entirely different spots. One of the treefrogs perched on top of our door frame, like the world's most adorable gargoyle:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The other treefrog ended up clinging to a window, which meant we got to see a treefrog belly. :)</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDTzACAxhHf_6EYg1jeFtT1mJqr8Au7xj5gxJ_hWp9FzXzmTLJbCE2QIvmtvY1y2UaNXTLyknqKfi4kSC50XSK3XvNc0KgOUpeexbvxFKFubpqaeUyWF4ifP976oPvWCEGOa5KYpAgD4/s1600/gray+treefrog+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1483" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYDTzACAxhHf_6EYg1jeFtT1mJqr8Au7xj5gxJ_hWp9FzXzmTLJbCE2QIvmtvY1y2UaNXTLyknqKfi4kSC50XSK3XvNc0KgOUpeexbvxFKFubpqaeUyWF4ifP976oPvWCEGOa5KYpAgD4/s640/gray+treefrog+6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Gray Treefrogs were the stars of the show, but tons of other amphibians also kept showing up near our porch on that warm rainy night. This little Spring Peeper was adorable and bold:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl94pBqHC7tlpNnZ8qSHHQBlivAhqiZoPSXPOJzF8SKimq7zbaFBpmOMjvG6C_1PU49W8-zNWUVSUsDg0CmZqqwtghyphenhyphen40fytNbPgohqXG-Ip5xWJxiNnMWzSujKYMLvxOXxC8uoNis1Q/s1600/peeper+on+porch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1039" data-original-width="1600" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinl94pBqHC7tlpNnZ8qSHHQBlivAhqiZoPSXPOJzF8SKimq7zbaFBpmOMjvG6C_1PU49W8-zNWUVSUsDg0CmZqqwtghyphenhyphen40fytNbPgohqXG-Ip5xWJxiNnMWzSujKYMLvxOXxC8uoNis1Q/s640/peeper+on+porch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And here's a Red Eft (juvenile Red-spotted Newt) with an American Toad hulking behind:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMOnkKUfjcpEDlnBgQGLHM3E8tJrwxoGYPh3NHRJSULBqmXvjF7tx9LocpKZUQZh23WbF0Ha61ohRhTnPnbFwdlYnOr89MSKVWV1f-KFqL_uHJpm7Gv8-0NLcCl17sZvtLR90WENDyYA/s1600/eft+and+toad+on+rainy+night.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1145" data-original-width="1600" height="456" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEMOnkKUfjcpEDlnBgQGLHM3E8tJrwxoGYPh3NHRJSULBqmXvjF7tx9LocpKZUQZh23WbF0Ha61ohRhTnPnbFwdlYnOr89MSKVWV1f-KFqL_uHJpm7Gv8-0NLcCl17sZvtLR90WENDyYA/s640/eft+and+toad+on+rainy+night.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Amphibians are awesome!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'll close this summary with a couple more sights. There have been many interesting insects around, but here's one that's entirely new to me: A male Glowworm Beetle (possibly <i>Phengodes plumosa</i>) who showed up in my garden on June 5. Apparently female Glowworm Beetles look like larvae, and both the females and the larvae are luminescent -- amazing. I'm really impressed by the antennae on this male. What a weird bug:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And finally, the Wild Lupine we planted in our meadow a few years ago put on a fantastic show in June. I love looking at these thick stands of purple and blue flowers:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Whew! OK, we're all caught up! Now onward to the rest of summer. :)</span>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-88813551542709384892020-07-08T19:54:00.000-07:002020-07-08T19:54:47.189-07:00Spring and Early Summer Highlights: Part II<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here's a continuation of the previous post, with more highlights from April, May, and June of this year. And it turns out I still have too many things to share, so this will actually have to be three posts, not two!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>More Birds</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spring was very slow to advance this year, </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">with freezing temperatures and occasional snow all the way
through mid-May. (Our last snow was on May 12.) The migrating birds still showed up in early May as usual, though, which led to some strange sights, like this male Rose-breasted Grosbeak amid falling snow:</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z4zTLjN21PdLMEJddINGN1NxwEsqkJ1hJHMyOBDfBs4rUnSN-ev6Ck9AH0SfyljTp8uDRh8Myvc-qTTp0OE16D72P5feSvBZymdZnjH-m2xhFacpSpubNEGBiCDny5pcQ5sa0MRTAwU/s1600/rose-breasted+grosbeak+in+snow.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1178" data-original-width="1600" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Z4zTLjN21PdLMEJddINGN1NxwEsqkJ1hJHMyOBDfBs4rUnSN-ev6Ck9AH0SfyljTp8uDRh8Myvc-qTTp0OE16D72P5feSvBZymdZnjH-m2xhFacpSpubNEGBiCDny5pcQ5sa0MRTAwU/s640/rose-breasted+grosbeak+in+snow.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A flowering quince shrub in our yard bloomed fairly early in May despite the cold weather, and its blossoms were a big draw for some nectar-seeking birds. Here's a female Ruby-throated Hummingbird enjoying these blossoms on May 17:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Bare branches on another nearby shrub made great perches for little hummingbird feet in between trips to the flowers -- I love how sassy she looks in this photo:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH3Cu9XOCK5UJ6PQPC7XgV21Onl0tqObMAb7U0flpwu5oBua3D_KLAVGomX6paIcpDOgStLPF5HG7s7Zb5peKFcVg1BD4s_ZE9eYpQaY5mbfOCC_FYPSlDXbJkK3jnUrS9KLmjjD67wI/s1600/female+hummingbird+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1550" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFH3Cu9XOCK5UJ6PQPC7XgV21Onl0tqObMAb7U0flpwu5oBua3D_KLAVGomX6paIcpDOgStLPF5HG7s7Zb5peKFcVg1BD4s_ZE9eYpQaY5mbfOCC_FYPSlDXbJkK3jnUrS9KLmjjD67wI/s640/female+hummingbird+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A male hummingbird was hanging around, too, and actively courting the female. I didn't get any pictures of his fancy dives, but he was also nice enough to perch for a couple of photos in between trips to the flowering quince:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In this next picture, I love how the light bouncing off of his feathers has turned the underside of his beak red:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70FjUJP-poOEDdJnJ-4ABo2Hx0FOzI_yUogjTBs38dq6oOZHv29Q-P7eK3XEtUOwGImBbgBjBQemrlXWpXKlQRt-W2fcr8fl69aJRiVDM2C1iuD0bVj_1QjlF49h90svmihNrb4iFErY/s1600/male+hummingbird+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1117" data-original-width="1550" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70FjUJP-poOEDdJnJ-4ABo2Hx0FOzI_yUogjTBs38dq6oOZHv29Q-P7eK3XEtUOwGImBbgBjBQemrlXWpXKlQRt-W2fcr8fl69aJRiVDM2C1iuD0bVj_1QjlF49h90svmihNrb4iFErY/s640/male+hummingbird+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Baltimore Orioles were also frequent visitors to the quince blossoms; here's a brilliant male from May 16:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The number of bird species we've seen or heard on our property has continued to climb. Birds #107 and 108 (I still can't believe we're in the 100s!) were the two cuckoo species: Yellow-billed Cuckoo and Black-billed Cuckoo. In previous years, I've suspected that I was hearing cuckoos calling occasionally, and this year in early June I finally learned and confirmed these two species' calls. Confirmation of these species by ear was about as much as I thought I could hope for, but then a day or two afterward, both species each flew out into clear view and showed themselves. I didn't have my camera handy for the Yellow-billed Cuckoo (a bird I'd only seen once before, way back in 2011 in Connecticut), but here's a distant and partially-obstructed picture of the Black-billed Cuckoo, a totally new bird for me:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I managed to wander outside and look/listen for migrants nearly every day in May this year (a definite benefit of working from home). Ruby-crowned Kinglets were common and surprisingly loud visitors. Here's one of these cute little birds on May 1:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm-bmJYN2tS9IMaZljU97uU85AiTFPsnolzodn9ofFZcRLvFXeaY5fVPvYGthcoKLgrmh10jSd-uDN7FPc3jCjthaAJQjXV6cFn9oh7iYexc0tMJIbSpaoPPE2OtPd9q95DAWCkQ8dVE/s1600/ruby-crowned+kinglet.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1129" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm-bmJYN2tS9IMaZljU97uU85AiTFPsnolzodn9ofFZcRLvFXeaY5fVPvYGthcoKLgrmh10jSd-uDN7FPc3jCjthaAJQjXV6cFn9oh7iYexc0tMJIbSpaoPPE2OtPd9q95DAWCkQ8dVE/s640/ruby-crowned+kinglet.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Black-and-white Warblers are so fancy, and I saw them fairly frequently this spring (and at least one pair has stuck around over the summer and is probably breeding somewhere out there). This male was foraging on a fallen tree in the woods on May 2:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClRCCWl30b8OLO-NpSt2Y8qVpgiQLfFR1X4JCAjf3ZX7wJ3tnJd2s8nwHcNTJmWQLxmNAEPoQSic92q8dATIesjrjZDvaJl3VCXxK0JxPwHeEgdQyH8IJ0ygQsTPyUneXiYYHmu5B9yY/s1600/black-and-white+warbler+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1556" height="458" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClRCCWl30b8OLO-NpSt2Y8qVpgiQLfFR1X4JCAjf3ZX7wJ3tnJd2s8nwHcNTJmWQLxmNAEPoQSic92q8dATIesjrjZDvaJl3VCXxK0JxPwHeEgdQyH8IJ0ygQsTPyUneXiYYHmu5B9yY/s640/black-and-white+warbler+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And here's a male on May 16 showing off his gravity-defying tree-climbing skills:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVylgi-EDHU6VyvCtM3BJK998JvLId14OueFQXo9tOK-CbNEglmpjoAd4KzQMTN9uelXwjzRFVqiP-XWoObiPQCmrQZM81EBWoGoy3M82p66C5-ljEIYoKLCyFLkFfclO9Km_TIOa1djQ/s1600/black-and-white+warbler+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="1600" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVylgi-EDHU6VyvCtM3BJK998JvLId14OueFQXo9tOK-CbNEglmpjoAd4KzQMTN9uelXwjzRFVqiP-XWoObiPQCmrQZM81EBWoGoy3M82p66C5-ljEIYoKLCyFLkFfclO9Km_TIOa1djQ/s640/black-and-white+warbler+4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These birds are gorgeous, but I think they look really strange when viewed head-on:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A flock of male Yellow-rumped Warblers lit up the still leafless woods on May 10:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A male Cape May Warbler foraged in a pine tree next to our driveway on May 17:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And on May 15 I felt extremely lucky to come across a male Black-throated Blue Warbler foraging right at ground level in the woods, and near the path. I suspect this is the closest I will ever get to one of these handsome birds, and is that not the most perfect color of slaty-blue on his head and back?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">That's enough for now, but we're still not done catching up with spring and early summer! Stay tuned for Part III!<br /> </span>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3902702129791011785.post-58611501913085492792020-07-06T11:13:00.000-07:002020-07-06T11:13:08.991-07:00Spring and Early Summer Highlights: Part I<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm starting to figure out that April, May, and June are some of the busiest months of the year around here! Between work (especially in April and early May), gardening (yay!), and other time-sensitive outdoors tasks (the Garlic Mustard battle continues...), this is the third year in a row when I've let nature sightings accumulate on my computer for most of these months, which means I end up making a big summarizing blog post after spring has finished. So here we go!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">After three years living on this property, I'm getting a pretty good sense of what's normal around here in terms of wildlife. So instead of providing a comprehensive summary this year, I'll share some highlights of especially exciting or new-to-me sightings in our yard, meadow, and woods. There have been a lot of wonderful surprises in the past few months! (Even with just the highlights, this is going to have to be two posts!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Mammals</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The trail camera has continued to provide an amazing glimpse into the goings-on in our woods, including views of several mammals that we almost never (or actually never!) get to see otherwise. One of the coolest results from the trail camera this spring was the first confirmation that we do indeed have Bobcats in our woods! It's so exciting to see a wild feline up close (even remotely) as it traveled our trails, and the wild canines (Coyote and Gray Fox) that also made close-up appearances on the trail camera are super amazing, too. Sightings of a Virginia Opossum and a troupe of Raccoons were nice bonuses. :) Here are some cool mammal video clips, all from April and May:</span><br />
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<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QR3U1LKBFmE" width="560"></iframe>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Birds</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Several birds have made their homes on our property this year, and there's been plenty of nesting drama. Our Eastern Phoebe pair is going for two broods again (same as last year), and they're doing a fantastic job so far. After starting a mossy/muddy foundation for a nest above our front door in April, the female Phoebe changed her mind and built a nest in the rafters of an old shed on our property instead. Here she is bringing nesting material to her construction site on April 24:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This shed is pretty run-down, and it's not really weather-proof, but I suppose it keeps enough of the rain away to protect a nest. We were worried about birds hitting the windows in this shed, so we hung up some branches and other random items to block the glass, and that seems to have worked. It was cool to see the phoebes swooping through this doorway, making themselves at home -- I'm glad someone's making good use of this old building!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The first Phoebe egg appeared on May 3, and by June 8 the five (or so) babies were looking alert and just about ready to leave the nest:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">While the first brood was still in the shed, the female phoebe went ahead and built her second nest over our front door. Feeding and incubating two broods simultaneously must be a lot of work, and these two birds sure seem to make a great team! Here's one of the parents (probably the male) feeding two still-needy youngsters from their first brood on June 27 on top of a trellis in my garden:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And here are the new arrivals in the second nest on July 3 (that third egg hatched sometime after I took this picture):</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Yay, phoebes!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A pair of Black-capped Chickadees claimed one of our nest boxes (which are theoretically for bluebirds) and built a lovely nest of moss, grass, and fur by the end of April. Here's one of the prospective chickadee parents peering out of the box on April 24:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But then in early May, a male House Wren arrived and pulled apart the chickadees' nest, emptying out the box for his own use. Sigh, poor chickadees. I saw chickadees working on nests in a couple of spots in tree limbs around the property later on, but I don't know if any of those other spots have been successful either. Being a cavity-nester seems like a really rough time! Here's a chickadee at one possible nest hole in the woods on May 10:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I wasn't especially happy about the male House Wren's arrival, even apart from his destruction of the chickadees' nest. House Wrens are native birds, and they're really cute and gregarious (plus, they're a species that I hadn't seen breeding on our property yet)... but I've also read that House Wrens are very aggressive, and they sometimes attack other birds' nests in their territory, even when they already have a nesting spot of their own. I was worried that the House Wren would hurt the Tree Swallows who were starting to nest in the other box right nearby. Here's the male House Wren depositing tiny sticks into the now-empty nest box on May 17 -- I love how these birds always approached the nest hole from above, swinging down over the rim of the roof:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For several days, I tried to deter the male House Wren -- or at least keep him busy -- by removing the twigs he kept bringing to the box. But he was very persistent, and soon a female House Wren joined him, and then an egg appeared in the box, and that was it, the box was definitely theirs. They ended up with eight little speckled eggs in their nest:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">On June 19, those little eggs started producing tiny proto-birds:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And here's the whole fuzzy family at four days old, on June 22:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The adult House Wrens always kept a <i>very </i>close (and noisy) watch whenever I checked their nest box:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLKBLxlpmL7Wrwx1Uz92g9SzNDcJmkvVeoQUnwFCvaxOZg_jUw1gOsfdiZJUDK6_i4PHThrGbBr7-NGZFD_1c-xYRY_P1-JNLEKb_ANOXwfMRSxY3nu0P_dhyleP24jACIAKOM6cbvqQ/s1600/house+wren+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1184" data-original-width="1600" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLKBLxlpmL7Wrwx1Uz92g9SzNDcJmkvVeoQUnwFCvaxOZg_jUw1gOsfdiZJUDK6_i4PHThrGbBr7-NGZFD_1c-xYRY_P1-JNLEKb_ANOXwfMRSxY3nu0P_dhyleP24jACIAKOM6cbvqQ/s640/house+wren+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Close enough for a portrait, even:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1c4F4X_0dAeR_7jfPi2pCqsd1yZVvcL6a8QEvZQL2E3EgW_CCRmMO-XoJKp_lfCiwHyBMMVzx3fs7qx14oZErVHlFfYMBalHb6xEe1lD04EjqgWkbJHcytYWlqunW4TtwqIHP2pt_Dk/s1600/house+wren+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1026" data-original-width="1423" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT1c4F4X_0dAeR_7jfPi2pCqsd1yZVvcL6a8QEvZQL2E3EgW_CCRmMO-XoJKp_lfCiwHyBMMVzx3fs7qx14oZErVHlFfYMBalHb6xEe1lD04EjqgWkbJHcytYWlqunW4TtwqIHP2pt_Dk/s640/house+wren+2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, the Tree Swallow pair built their lovely feather-lined nest and raised their babies in the other box. Here's the male keeping watch while the female brings nesting material to the box on May 17:</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZiQUZ9H-qeldguuTnM65tYqEhb9CiH_zXZocUjger6n2eZu0XKX9Zls48cAYGEoSUUqCwV-LdJ5gygddsRoji6_LtSrF6lekGDAK42JY3TPY_AbrzaCPr2VLrzVnqja8T24C5Pj4uA0/s1600/tree+swallows+building+nest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZiQUZ9H-qeldguuTnM65tYqEhb9CiH_zXZocUjger6n2eZu0XKX9Zls48cAYGEoSUUqCwV-LdJ5gygddsRoji6_LtSrF6lekGDAK42JY3TPY_AbrzaCPr2VLrzVnqja8T24C5Pj4uA0/s640/tree+swallows+building+nest.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I love having Tree Swallows as a consistent presence in the yard while they're nesting. Also on May 17, I was able to grab some pictures of these beautiful birds while they hunted for flying insects (and kept an eye on me) against blue skies over the meadow:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Everything seems to have turned out OK, and the House Wrens and Tree Swallows have all fledged successfully. I'm glad these two bird families were able to be amicable neighbors, and I'm happy that our nest boxes helped to add a dozen or so insect-eating birds into the world this spring. The Tree Swallows have now departed, but the male House Wren is still hanging around and singing, even though his nest is empty.... I wonder if there's still time for a second brood this year. (Going into next year, I'll need to decide whether I'm going to try to deter House Wrens from using our nest boxes again. There are a few other things I can try, so we'll see how it goes.)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This spring's nesting season has brought a couple of other complete surprises as well. Field Sparrows usually pass through our property every spring, but this year a pair of these little birds stuck around and raised a nest of babies somewhere under the vegetation in the meadow. I never saw the nest, but I saw the adults carrying food and acting agitated when I was nearby. I've read that Field Sparrows usually avoid nesting in areas near human habitation, so I feel super lucky that these two birds chose our little meadow for their family. Here's one of the adult Field Sparrows on May 16:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And, wonderfully, a pair of Great-crested Flycatchers decided to build a nest in a cavity in the old apple tree next to our driveway. Again, these are birds who have passed through our yard only occasionally in past years -- usually at treetop level -- so it was amazing to see them around nearly constantly, hunting in my garden, and so on. Here's the female flycatcher with a beakful of nesting material, ready to deposit it into the cavity on June 17:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">And here's her mate keeping watch<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">These seem to be tough birds. On June 27, I saw one of the flycatchers sitting on a power line in the rain, and a Mourning Dove landed practically on top of the flycatcher. There was a tussle, and the flycatcher came away with one of the dove's feathers:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tough as they are, though, the flycatchers' nesting attempt didn't work. On July 1, I watched as a chipmunk emerged from the flycatchers' cavity and dropped an egg to the ground. Ugh. Nesting in cavities really seems to be a rough situation, and incredibly risky. Honestly, though, I'm surprised the flycatchers made it so far into their nesting attempt in the first place, since I see chipmunks and squirrels in that tree so frequently. The Great-crested Flycatchers left our yard after that. I hope they're able to find a new and better nesting cavity somewhere else. :/</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There's more to share, but that's enough for one post! More coming soon.</span>Elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03819156307414077158noreply@blogger.com2