While strolling down the boardwalk into the Wetlands you may have heard the cheery song of a cardinal. If you had stopped to admiral the bright red bird singing from the bare-limbed Bald Cypress on your right, you might have noticed that the bird was balding, or missing feathers from around its eyes and part [...] Read the rest of this entry »
Winter Posts
Mourning Cloak and Bluebirds
March 17th, 2011The Mourning Cloak (nymphalis antiopa) in the above photo was not the first of its species to be seen at the Museum this season, but it was the first that allowed a close enough approach to be photographed. Before this butterfly posed for its picture, it had been fluttering about the upper branches of an elm [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Early Blooming Willow and Violet
March 12th, 2011There are willows currently in bloom on the north side of the Wetlands. Not the Black Willows which will be in flower next month and which dominate the Wetlands, but much smaller trees of a different species. There are only five of these slender trees on the property. Each year as these trees come into [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Time to Nest
March 10th, 2011If there was any doubt as to whether or not winter is behind us, the cheerful singing of the cardinals, titmice, Song Sparrows and chickadees should belay those thoughts. Woodpeckers and nuthatches are working on drilling nest-holes, and titmice and chickadees, who are not as well equipped for drilling into wood, are hunting for old [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Gray Squirrel Goes Out on Limb
March 10th, 2011Having never tasted the little fruit of an elm tree I can’t vouch for its flavor, but each year the squirrels are at it as soon as the fruit forms on the trees. . . . . . . . . . . The fruit is apparently better when still green, like peas or snap [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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The Big Gray Bird Nesting on the Island!
March 9th, 2011If you happen to be walking down the boardwalk into the Wetlands and see a large gray bird sitting on what looks like a nest… look closely at the bird. The bird is a Great Blue Heron, and it’s resting, not nesting. The resident heron sometimes retires to the island to rest during the day. [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Falcate Orangetip!
March 9th, 2011Yesterday, after writing about the early butterflies that have been showing up recently, I happened upon a Falcate Orangetip (Anthocharis midea). And, I was lucky enough to get a photo the little butterfly. Falcates don’t sit still for long as they zip along the woodland understory so it’s always exciting to be able to get [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Female or Male?
March 8th, 2011Female Hooded Mergansers have yellowish bills which are slightly darker on the upper surface and towards the tip. They also have brown eyes. It was pointed out to me by sharp-eyed Ranger Kristin that one of our “female” Hooded Mergansers has an all dark bill. The bird in question also has bright yellow eyes. The [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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Butterflies are flying!
March 8th, 2011On Saturday, March 5th a Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis) landed on one of the river rocks that make up the border around the U-shaped pond in Catch the Wind. I’ve been seeing butterflies for several weeks, but this is the first one that sat long enough for me to get a photo. And, if they [...] Read the rest of this entry »
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