Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

  • They’re Here

    Spotted Lanternflies were first reported in the U.S. in Berks Co., PA, in 2014. They have since spread. Last year, there were a few sightings in Brooklyn, the westernmost part of Long Island. I saw my first on Monday near the entrance to Bush Terminal Park. Lycorma delicatula is a particularly large planthopper. Although associated…

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  • Very Green

    I tried to get all three of these fledgling Green Herons to pose together, but you’ve heard of herding cats? Imagine trying to herd fresh herons.

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  • The Joint Was Jumping

    You can leap over to the donation page if you like.

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  • Stab, Flip, Swallow

    With some greens…

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  • Cute Scute

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  • Odonata Update

    It’s rare to run into a new Odonata species in my patch. The other day, though, I noticed a large dragonfly cruising along the edges of Sylvan Water. That red abdomen was so distinctive. This turned out to be a male Comet Darner (Anax longipes). A month ago, I managed to capture an Epitheca genus…

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  • Raptor Wednesday

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  • Sparrow Ice-cream

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  • Jumping Spider

    A fabulous jumping spider, identity to be determined, seen this weekend.

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  • Dang, I Love These Things

    Readers are welcome to support this blog, mostly the cost of hosting via big bad WordPress, on the donations page.

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