Fieldnotes
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First Bees of 2010!
Yesterday, I went through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, where things are still pretty quiet plant and arthropod-wise. There were, however and hallelujah, honey bees to be found in the crocuses. Apis mellifera is in the house! These are the first bees I’ve seen this year. Nothing says “spring has begun” to me more than this.…
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Field Notes: Dead Horse Bay
For a motley collection of unnatural history, Dead Horse Bay at the southern end of Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn is the place to go. It’s the city’s old refuse heap, and it is eroding into Jamaica Bay, providing archeologists studying the ruined civilization of the 20th century with many a wondrous artifact. . My ode…
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Natural object: Sweetgum pod
I’ve always liked these. The seedpod from the sweetgum tree, Liquidambar styraciflua. They are persistent; this one, one of a whole host, only recently (probably in our recent heavy snow) brought to earth. Each cavity contains many tiny seeds, which provide food for songbirds, chipmunks, squirrels, and couple things we don’t see much of in…
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Field Notes
Top, left to right, Lacebark pine, crocus, snowdrop. Bottom: Paulownia seedpod, snowdrops, sweetgum seedpods. Prospect Park, Friday morning/early afternoon. Mild weather: overcast early, clearing, little to no wind. Temperature: low 40s by the time I was done, hat off, coat unzipped. I walked half way around the Lake from the south end, and then ran…
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Honey Bee
I spotted my first Honey Bee of the year yesterday around 1pm. On the sidewalk at the bus stop on 5th Avenue and Union St. Here she is, sticking to the sunny side in the 50 degree day. Daffodils are out; willows are unwrapping their furry buds. You don’t have to consult your Farmer’s Almanac…
Backyard and Beyond 