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Leps on Viburnum

The viburnum here at the Museum is in bloom and when it is I scan the blossoms for early season leps (butterflies). Looking back on my records I’ve photo’d Juniper Hairstreaks on the viburnum in Catch the Wind on April 10, 2010, April 7, 2011, April 3, 2012, and the 22nd of April this year. They were a bit late this year. I think we all know the reason for that, persistent cool weather. These small butterflies with green scalesRead more

Bluebird Update 4/22/14

There have been a few changes since last week’s inspection of the six nest boxes here at the Museum. All nest boxes are occupied, as was the case last week. But now, all bluebird nests have full compliments of eggs, all are being incubated by their respective parents. And, all but one chickadee egg has hatched. There are still 5 eggs in the nest at the Cow Pasture. The female flew out as I approached which means the eggs areRead more
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A Caterpillar for the Lichen

There is a group of moths known as underwings. At rest, the forewings which are usually brown or grayish in color, cover the hindwings. The hindwing is much more colorful, often yellow, red, orange, or pink. The name underwing comes from the fact that the hindwings, which are the more colorful of the two pair of wings of these moths are hidden under the forewings. The caterpillar in the photo above is an Ilia Underwing (Catocala Ilia). Ilia was aRead more

Some Goings On

Just a handful of things that you might want to keep an eye out for while walking along the Outdoor Loop Trail this spring at the Museum of Life and Science. Whenever an “outside” pair of geese fly into the Wetlands, the resident gander takes offensive action towards the intruder. Sometimes a simple flyby suffices to send them on their way. Other times, it may get physical. Enjoy your walk!Read more

Springing Forward

There’s been so much happening in the Wild lately that it’s difficult to keep up, to stay on top of the reporting of said happenings. Here’s a quick update. If you remember, there were two successful Green Heron nests in our Wetlands last year. We’re hoping to have a repeat. Last Saturday two of the small, somewhat green herons appeared. I’ve seen one or two each day since, so maybe a redo of last year’s events is forthcoming. The firstRead more
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Baby Turtles at the Lemur House?

As I walked up to the Lemur House on a very busy Wednesday afternoon, I noticed several people looking down at the ground just off the entrance path. All involved were smiling, with looks of wonder and amazement on their faces. I knew that a female Yellow-bellied Slider had laid eggs very close to where everyone’s attention was focused. I rushed over to see if my hunch was correct. Sure enough, there in the pine needles that were spread across theRead more

Bluebird Update 4/15/14

We now have six nest boxes containing 16 eggs. Last week there were a total of seven eggs in the boxes, all chickadee eggs. There are now an additional 9 eggs, all belonging to bluebirds. There has been a change in ownership of one nest box and two of the boxes have completed nests sans eggs. Last week, the nest at the Cow Pasture was empty, no eggs. It now has five bluebird eggs. This nest, started by bluebirds and finishedRead more

Shoots

Things are changing rapidly out of doors. Early blooming trees and flowers are doing just that, blooming, and leaves are shooting out of twigs and stems. The following photos were taken just a day or two ago. They look different already. You owe it to yourself to get out there and have a look around.    Read more