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Raptor Wednesday
On Saturday, two passes through Green-Wood Cemetery on either side of brunch came up zilch on the raptor count, so Sunday I went back in amidst the nuthatches, kinglets, and warblers. Within a ten-minute period, I’d spotted a Sharp-shinned Hawk, two Red-tailed Hawks, a Merlin, and then an American Kestrel: now, that’s more like it!…
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Picnic, Lightning
Junk food lives beyond the jaws.God-damned balloons kill and maim animals. Even good environmentalists I know continue to buy these things for their kids. Stop it, already. Your kids don’t want to choke turtles and strangle birds to death, do they?
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Woodchuck
Marmota monax keeps an eye on you.Yet another den! Do they keep moving around? This general area has been the home of at least one for a while, but I think this particular den is newish.Facing the sinking sun of another day.
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Variegated
A Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia) yesterday in the Buddleia pollinator-magnet at Green-Wood. First time I’ve seen this species here in NYC, although I’d seen one before in Arizona. They’re a southern species, uncommon here, but have been known to get up to Canada.
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Monday Meadows
Open these up.For megapixels of wonder.And speak not to me of lawns.
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Sunset Park Elm
Fall is coming! And about time, too! The state of the elm. From this southwesterly perspective, it is hanging onto the slope of the moraine with everything it has. Previous states of the elm.
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Tiger Beetle
A Common Claybank Tiger Beetle (Cicindela limbalis). Also known as the Green-margined Tiger Beetle. Spotted by a owl-eyed friend on a lichen-anchored rock on Mt. Taurus up above Cold Spring, NY, on a recent hike. Tiger beetles, in addition to being stripy are fast-moving predators of other insects. This was the view from up there.
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Monarch, Comma
Spotted two Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) in Green-Wood today.Like perfect little kites of joy.Also saw some Cabbage Whites, Orange Sulphurs, and several skippers. Pretty good for a day with temps in the high 40s at sunrise. There was also this Comma (Polygonia comma).Soaking up the sun.
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Herons
This Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) had a bum left foot. It was holding the toes curled and not putting any pressure on it. In flight, which seemed fine, it looked as if a toe was sticking weirdly upright. Green Heron (Butorides virescens), also at Crescent Water. I think it’s standing on something under there,…
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Backyard and Beyond 