Brooklyn: It’s Not Just for Hipsters

A parent and young Woodchuck/Groundhog (Marmota monax). Here’s the youngster, perhaps 2/3rds the size of the adult, who is presumably the mother as males visit burrows to mate but don’t stay around. Both animals were mowing through the grasses, then this one found a nut or fruit. They are eating-machines this time of year, fattening up for winter hibernation in the ample hills — but not as ample as they used to be — of Brooklyn. A big old Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina).Giving me the beady eye. The length of neck here is arm-like, hence the serpentina. I’ll be damned if I know how a) this big reptile survives in this little pond, and b) how it gets out, which I doubt it can do, since the wall surrounding it is about 3 feet high.
A Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), look closer, maneuvers for a drink.

All in Brooklyn, and on an afternoon’s walk.