Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

  • Mating Ball

    Vespa crabro, the European Hornet, was introduced to North America by the 1840s. It seems to have naturalized. This time of year, bunches of males are on the wing, waiting for females. This is a scrum of several males around around a (larger) female, hoping to mate. One succeeds. They’re attached for a few minutes.…

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    Mating Ball
  • Ouroboros & Co.

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    Ouroboros & Co.
  • Raptor Wednesday

    Across the street in the early morning. This one was jockeying with a crow for pole position on field lights: This one was being chased around by another male and a couple of Blue Jays.

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    Raptor Wednesday
  • What’s All This, Then?

    Let’s get closer… Eggs. Nymphs. Baby stink bugs?

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    What’s All This, Then?
  • Monarch Monday, etc.

    Some late summer and early fall butterflies.

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    Monarch Monday, etc.
  • Various Arthropods

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    Various Arthropods
  • Autumnal

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    Autumnal
  • October Wasps

    Why yes, that is the abdomen of a Honey Bee.

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    October Wasps
  • Poison Ivy Leaf-miner Moth

    There’s a notable blotch on this large Eastern Poison Ivy leaf. Look closer. And you can see the actual larvae of the moth Cameraria guttifinitella. Two of the four inside mining away (eating the internal layers of leaf).

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    Poison Ivy Leaf-miner Moth
  • Raptor Wednesday

    Cooper’s and Red-tail mix it up.

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    Raptor Wednesday