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Beetlemania
Zane York‘s superb rhinoceros beetle now joins my natural history wall. (This photo was shot through the glass of the frame, so forgive the reflections.) I’ve known Zane for several years and have written here about his work. So there are now two beetles on the wall. A throw pillow with a mass-produced beetle pattern…
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That’s Rough: The Stinkbug is a BMSB
Wednesday’s spike in temperature began the process of bringing the invertebrates back into action. Earlier in the day, I spotted my first butterfly. Later, back in the home office, I noticed this little armored critter on an inside window. I thought at first it was one of the rough stink bugs of the genus Brochymena.…
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Mourning Cloaks
The forest at NYBG was full of Mourning Cloaks over the weekend. Some were butterfly-flitting about and some were perched in the sun.
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Midtown Woodcock
Bryant Park, in the midst of Midtown, is not one of nature’s wonders. It does, however, tend to capture a surprisingly rich assortment of bird life. This is because it’s a trap, a vortex of bright lights and reflections that confuse, a glass cage that stuns those it doesn’t kill outright.One of the park’s typical…
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Whalers, Ho!
During the First World War, whale oil was used to make glycerin for explosives. The irony here is leviathan: huge numbers of whales were killed so that parts of them could be used to slaughter huge numbers of humans. Other fats could be used for glycerin, but the British didn’t want to use these other…
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Springing All The Sudden
This is the time of year when spring rushes in and overwhelms: your blogger ends up with a full heart and full camera and not enough days in the week.Silhouettes of Cedar Waxwings amidst the blooming maple. More Acer.Amongst the many signs (and sighs) of spring, the Eastern Phoebe’s pumping tail surely ranks near the…
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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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Backyard and Beyond 