Green-Wood
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Mourning Cloak
One of the earliest butterflies of spring, the mourning cloak, Nymphalis antiopa. Appropriately enough for its mournful name, this one was photographed today in Green-Wood Cemetery.
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In Green-Wood
I have a confession to make: I’ve been cheating on Prospect Park. Yes, yes, I know, I know — how could I? Olmsted & Vaux & Stranahan’s great park, which beats the knickers off Central, is so lovely and sweet, but I guess Man isn’t made to be park-monogamous. It’s not like I feel good…
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In Green-Wood
Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery is a remarkable place year ’round, but this is the richest season for its natural history. The blush of a crab apple. An Alien-like cicada exuvia. Green frog in the Valley Water. Feral honey bee hive. Cautious frog. I’m not sure of the species. The Valley Water has green frogs (big), bull…
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In the Valley Water
The Valley Water is one of four water bodies in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery. It is the closest to the 5th Avenue entrance and a regular stop on our excursions through the place. We stopped by over this last weekend. The joint was jumping: bull frogs, green frogs, and a smaller species, with plenty of big…
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More snails
I found this little specimen in North Andover, MA. I think it’s Oxyloma retusum, the blunt ambersnail. This is a fairly similar animal, but I’m not sure it’s the same species since the shell is not glossy or amber. What do you think? I found this one on Nantucket, MA. Is that snail turd there?…
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Great Egret
Ardea alba in the Valley Water, Green-Wood Cemetery. Once nearly exterminated for their feathers, which plumed ladies’ hats.
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Field Notes: First Damselflies
We saw our first damselflies Sunday at the Valley Water in Green-Wood. The very first one we noticed, alas, was dead. All four wings can be seen clearly here. Mid-April is early for damselflies in these parts (and it was a rather cool day). Most species emerge later in the year, mid-May and after. The…
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Field Notes: Blooming Brooklyn
A walk around Brooklyn yesterday found these colors: Cherry in Green-Wood. Columbine in Prospect. Eastern redbud in Clinton Hill. Royal Paulownia in Clinton Hill.
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Snail Tales, part III
For a change of pace, a fresh water gastropod, which means I did not find these in the Back 40. The species is a Brooklyn resident, however: I took this photo at the Valley Water in Green-Wood. I think the snail is Viviparus malleatus, the Chinese mystery snail, a.k.a. the Japanese trapdoor snail. (Like many…
Backyard and Beyond 