Great Swamp
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Join, Or Die
Some of the Water Snakes (Nerodia sipedon) seen recently soaking up the sun at Great Swamp NWR. Relax, it’s harmless — it’s just yawning.My title is a reference is to Ben Franklin’s 1754 cartoon of the colonies in the shape of a dismembered snake, for today is primary day here in New York. Normally, the…
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Moon and Pear Blossoms
At least we thought they were pear blossoms, a trio of trees perhaps leftover from some old farm.
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Feeder Birds
This White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) kept flaring its wings in an attempt to scare off an implacable Mourning Dove taking up under half of the feeder space. This is another one of those doves, Zenaida macroura.Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis): the woods were not full of these birds this winter without a winter. No need for…
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Of Happiness
Sialia sialis. Alternate titles of this post: On Happiness, O Happiness.
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Turtlelicious
The afternoon shine off this wet carapace alerted us to this Painted Turtle (Chrysemys picta) at Great Swamp NWR.The swamp is waking after its winter slumbers.Not even any Skunk Cabbage in evidence, but was it ever mild, nearly 60. That sun must feel good to a turtle. And the frogs, too, were starting to celebrate.…
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Great Swamp
And so much lichen! The whitish looking parts of these trees are actually lichen in the bright sun. Lichen needs fairly clean air to grow, which is why it is generally — but not completely — absent from NYC.
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Meadowhawks
It was a bright, cool day at Great Swamp NWR on Saturday. Insect life was particularly subdued; it is almost December, after all. I saw a fly and heard a cricket. There were a few Autumn Meadowhawks (Sympetrum vicinum), though, and presumably they are eating something. Above is a male.Here’s a a female, not nearly…
Backyard and Beyond 