mthew
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Raptor Wednesday
When I exit Green-Wood at 4th Avenue and 35th Street, I turn left to head home. As I do so, I eyeball the Sacre-Coeur-stupa of St. Michael’s on 4th and 42nd St. From that distance, I’m looking for more of a disturbances of the Force than anything definite. Raptor, gull, corvid? As I move closer,…
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Damsel
My first sighting of an Odonata species this year was on April 28. The recently emerged adult was a Fragile Forktail. Posing here on cherry blossoms piled up on the opposite side of the pond from the trees. Nearby was an inch-long nymph or naiad stage damselfly. This could very well be another Fragile, one…
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Papa Kestrel
The male of the local nest was hanging out atop the Old Chapel when This Red-tailed Hawk entered the space. Giving a shout or two, the little falcon went after the big Buteo. I’ve been seeing this a fair amount lately. It’s nesting season, and small birds will go to great lengths to protect their…
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Bees
Andrena mining bee on Serviceberry. Complex Lasioglossum pilosum on Beach Plum. Common Eastern Bumble on Redbud. Brown Belted Bumble on Redbud. Eastern Carpenter Bee on Redbud. Very popular, Redbud. Eastern Carpenter on Garlic Mustard. The bee’s so big she pulls down the flower heads with her weight. Eastern Carpenter on Dandelion. Eastern Carpenter on Norway…
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Ravens
From below. From three avenue (long) blocks away. Pretty far. From 3/4ths of a mile away… there’s actually a little skinny neck reaching upright from the nest! Last Friday, feeding time. Saturday: confirmation that there are at least two nestlings.
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Raptor Wednesday
When I served as an alternate juror on a murder trial some years ago, our little jury room looked over Brooklyn Borough Hall and Cadman Plaza, a great big bowl of Peregrine Country. Since I no longer live in the vicinity, I’m not there very often now. But I was back recently. I can’t say…
Backyard and Beyond 