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.”

  • Raptor Wednesday

    A late Osprey, seen passing over Green-Wood Cemetery on November 3rd. These big birds should be long gone south by now — birds who nest in Jamaica Bay have been tracked to Colombia and back — but look at that throat. Looks like trouble.

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  • Mantids

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  • Mammal Monday

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  • Fall Butterflies

    If you’re new here, there is, in fact, a way to donate to this blog.

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  • Certhia americana

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  • Galilean Moons

    Just a reminder: Even a not too elaborate telephoto lens can capture the four large moons of Jupiter. I always forget this. E pur si muove.

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  • October Surprise

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  • Raptor Wednesday

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  • Monarch

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  • Sap Lick

    Five species of wasp, two species of butterflies, several species of flies, and at least one ant species in plentiful numbers were all over this Wych Elm last week. The tree was practically gushing sap and although it was October, there was a feeding frenzy going on.

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