It was dusk, the end of the day (12/22). It had been overcast most of the day with only a brief peek of sunshine at mid day. The rain started about 3 PM, cats and dogs at times, and continued until closing. At 4:50 PM the outdoor exhibits were clear except for one family watching the bears in Explore the Wild. I had already stationed myself at the head of the Dinosaur Trail to wait for the folks in Explore the Wild andRead more
Posts filed in: Winter
‘Tis the Season…
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Bald-headed Cardinal
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 of its forehead. The first two photos of the cardinal were shot in mid February. The baldness has progressed since then. I usually see thisRead more
More Signs of Spring!
The turtles were out in force on the logs, rocks, and any other surface that lends itself to basking yesterday (3/17/11). The first Common Snapping Turtles of the season were spotted yesterday as well. The American Toad that I heard in Catch the Wind last Thursday (3/3/11) was busy in the U-shaped pond next to the Ornithopter. And, several times during the past week or so I’ve witnessed the Red-shouldered Hawks mating. There’s a lot of aerial display, loud screechingRead more
Mourning Cloak and Bluebirds
The 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 tree in Catch the Wind, apparently searching for a fresh leaf on which to lay its eggs. There were many flowers, seeds and leaf budsRead more
Early Blooming Willow and Violet
There 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 bloom I vow that I’m going to identify them once and for all. I soon put aside that vow due to all of the otherRead more
Time to Nest
If 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 nest-holes left over from last year’s spring flurry of activity by the woodpeckers and nuthatches. The photo above is of a Carolina Chickadee giving the onceRead more
Gray Squirrel Goes Out on Limb
Having 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 beans.Read more