Fieldnotes
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Here Come the Magic Cicadas Again
Through the magic of the social networks (thanks, Xris and Erin), I’ve learned that there will be a nearby emergence of 17-year cicadas this year. Brood V of Magicicada genus cicadas will be emerging on Long Island, as well as into Ohio and Virginia, this spring. Brooklyn may be on the western end of Long…
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Of Happiness
Sialia sialis. Alternate titles of this post: On Happiness, O Happiness.
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Nymphalis antiopa
My first butterfly of the year, the not unexpected Mourning Cloak, soaking up the sun in Green-Wood Cemetery today. The velvety wings dotted with blue/purple spots and edged in gilt are a most welcome sight.This may be our longest-lived species of butterfly, 10-11 months as an adult. They tuck themselves away somewhere to overwinter —…
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Sunset Park Elm ~ Breaking
A reddish tinge about the great tree means that the buds have started to break.Just barely anyway. For a fine old specimen, it’s low swooping arm — how has it survived generations of hangers-on? — means you can get unusually close.These photos were taken yesterday on my lunch break. It was in the high 50s.I’ve…
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Turtlelicious
The afternoon shine off this wet carapace alerted us to this Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) at Great Swamp NWR.The swamp is waking after its winter slumbers.Not even any Skunk Cabbage in evidence, but was it ever mild, nearly 60. That sun must feel good to a turtle. And the frogs, too, were starting to celebrate.…
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The Red-Shouldered League
There are more Buteos in heaven and earth then are dreamt of in our philosophy. Or at least here on earth, which is graced with some 29 species. These are, generally, medium-to-large hawks with broad wings and short tails who typically soar overhead. The Red-tailed Hawk (B. jamaicensis) is the most common in North America.…
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I Dream of Winter
Winter this year consisted of two brief cold snaps and a couple of snowfalls. One storm was substantial, but it had no follow-through, and was preceded by spoiling absurdities of municipal and media hype. Yesterday, when I took this photo on Union Street, we’d had a little bit of snow, but it was mostly gone…
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6th Anniversary Highlights
Just a smattering of posts from the 1,925 I’ve published since March 3rd, 2010. That time a Bald Eagle broke the branch in Green-Wood. The Ladybug Who Came Home, but didn’t stay. The Case of the Headless Mouse, A Central Park Mystery. Yeah, we got whales: a big-winged New Englander in the Bight. Ouroboros. Some…
Backyard and Beyond 