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.”

  • Mammal Monday

    I rarely see Chipmunks in Green-Wood, which may not be woody enough for them. But Prospect Park, where I saw this one on a warm day earlier this month, has a regular population.

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    Mammal Monday

  • Selasphorus rufus

    Last Sunday, what is presumed to be a Rufous Hummingbird showed up in Prospect Park. These photos are from Monday. On Tuesday there was a snow storm, but the bird got through it and has been seen since. This may be the first county record of this species, which breeds from the Northwest up into…

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    Selasphorus rufus

  • blue

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    blue

  • More Ducks

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  • Someone is Going to Eat ‘Em

    There aren’t that many birds around, so this sunflower collection is being picked off. Meanwhile, these ornamental cherry buds are just sitting there…

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  • Raptor Wednesday

    Eep! Don’t go into the Sun! Half an hour later, two more Red-tailed Hawks spotted.

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    Raptor Wednesday

  • Ravens From Afar

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    Ravens From Afar

  • Mushroom Monday

    I think the orange fungi is Golden Ear/Naematelia aurntia parasitizing Stereum.

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    Mushroom Monday

  • Superb Owl

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    Superb Owl

  • Ice

    Back in late January, we had a week of winter. The ice on Sylvan Water was doing cool things as it melted.

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    Ice