The Cycle Continues

Eastern Tent Caterpillars have hatched and are busy building their tents in the crotches of the cherry trees around the Museum grounds.

Spring is moving right along here at the Museum. More insects are being seen, frogs and toads breeding, and turtles are out basking with ever more frequency.

It can’t be stopped. There’s no turning back. It’s cold and rainy today (3/31), but once the low pressure system (two lows, in fact) that’s causing all of this wet weather passes our area, spring will continue the way it always has. The trees will proceed to leaf-out, birds will arrive from their winter quarters and insects will be buzzing and crawling around everywhere you look!

Here’s only just some of what has turned up in the past week or so.
The leaves are just emerging on the cherries and the caterpillars are ready to start munching on them.
The first Six-spotted Tiger Beetle (3/22/11).
This fishing spider was on Smartweed in the Wetlands. It looks to be a Six-spotted Fishing Spider (Dolomedes triton). The spots referred to in the name are on the underside of the spider, six black spots (3/24/11).
The toad eggs discovered in the U-shaped pond in Catch the Wind have hatched. This photo was taken on March 24, one week after the eggs were first discovered (3/17/11).
An Eastern Musk Turtle forages for Smartweed. Musk turtles, or Stinkpots as they’re sometimes called, are not seen as often as the other turtles that reside in our Wetlands. It’s always a treat to spot one of these small turtles (3/24/11).
This little Eastern Painted Turtle was spotted crossing the pavement in Explore the Wild. The tiny turtle has gathered several young human admirers (3/24/11).
A small hand holds a small (quarter-sized) turtle. The turtle was released into the Wetlands.

Tomorrow, April 1st, the high temps are suppose to return to normal, the sixties. Watch how quickly things move along now!

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