mthew
-
Wasp Nests, Part II
Here’s another, recently taken down, presumably by cemetery maintenance staff. Here’s what this looked like in its prime this summer: The nests aren’t used again–at least by the wasps, but other creatures may find shelter in here. Basically, the whole hive dies off every fall, and only the queen overwinters, emerging in the spring ready…
-
Wasp Nests, Part I
“Aerial Yellowjacket” is a bit unfortunate for a term, because the most common Dolichovespula wasp we have here is the Bald-faced Hornet (Dolichovespula maculate), which is black and white:
-
A Visitation
Yesterday was the annual Brooklyn (Kings Co.) CBC, Xmas Bird Count, in which 128 species were seen. By others. It was a rainy day and I baked and cooked and read all day. Will link to the final count info when it comes out. The usual Sunday thing.
-
Flocking
On, under, and around: Northern Cardinals, White-thoated Sparrows, a Fox Sparrow, and a Song Sparrow grab and glean the seeds of Platycladus orientalis.
-
Waxwings
(In addition to field guides, we’re experiencing a renaissance of natural history writing. I’ve got my eye on Super Fly by Jonathan Balcombe)
-
The Golden Age of Field Guides
Coming next year: The Social Wasps of North America Princeton Field Guide to North American Spiders Let’s face it, birds, which are where I started, are ridiculously easy when compared to lichens, spiders, bees, beetles, flies (forget it), wasps, etc. And plants are a hell of a challenge. Oh, the chlorophyl crowd looks easy with…
-
Backyard and Beyond 