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Monthly Archives: August 2014
Chestnuts roasting on an …
… August day. Whoever first looked at the spike-covered fruit of a Chestnut tree (genus Castanea) — the arboreal analogue of a sea urchin — and thought it might harbor something remotely edible was a true culinary daredevil.
Posted in Flora, Joe Palaia Park, Trees & Shrubs
Tagged Castanea, chestnut, Chestnut tree, nature, nature photography, park, tree
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The frog comes on little splat feet
Pale and marked with a few stripes, including the telltale ‘X’ on the back, this Northern spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) was hard to spot as it hopped across the tops of grass leaves on its padded-toe feet. Smaller than your … Continue reading
Aquatic pick-me-up
Flanked by their large, lily-like leaves, pointy purple clusters of Pickerelweed (perhaps Pontederia cordata) are flowering along the water’s edge at Franklin Lake Park in West Long Branch.
Taking a powder
This delicate damselfly — perhaps a Powdered Dancer (Argia moesta) — found a nice fern frond to rest on in Thompson Park. Its long, segmented abdomen looked like a decorative piece of dark bamboo.
Posted in Fauna, Insects & Spiders & Stuff, Thompson Park
Tagged Argia moesta, damselfly, insect, nature, nature photography, park, Powdered Dancer
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Campion gear
Drooping on the stem like a jellyfish with filament feelers or an upturned water sack, this small Bladder campion (Silene vulgaris) stands out among its splay-petaled neighbors.
Posted in Flora, Flowers, Weltz Park
Tagged Bladder campion, nature, nature photography, park, Silene vulgaris, wildflower
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The Vertical Day in the Sun
Not at his preferred eating establishment at the moment, but certainly nearby, this Red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus) flew and climbed his way around a group of several large plants.
Three-form display
This one stem of Soapwort or Bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis) simultaneously showed several stages of its flower form: from unopened umbrella to full throttle propeller, ending with deflated balloon.
Posted in Flora, Flowers, Weltz Park
Tagged Bouncing bet, nature, nature photography, park, Saponaria officinalis, Soapwort, white wildflower, wildflower
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Chlorophyll to the brim
Almost up to his oversized eyeballs in a soupy mix of Common duckweed (Lemna minor) and algae, this frog looked quite comfortable and right at home. (Earlier post about a similar frog.)
Posted in Aquatic & Marsh Plants, Fauna, Flora, Joe Palaia Park, Reptiles & Amphibians
Tagged Common duckweed, duckweed, frog, Lemna minor, nature, nature photography, park, pond, swamp, wetlands
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Solar-powered dairy case
Cooked by the summer sun, a few orders of Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris) brighten the main entry path of Weltz Park.
Posted in Flora, Flowers, Weltz Park
Tagged Butter-and-eggs, Linaria vulgaris, nature, nature photography, park, wildflowers, yellow flower, yellow wildflower
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Glider hang out
This somewhat stubby dragonfly — a Globe skimmer or Wandering glider (Pantala flavescens), I think — was taking a brief break from his travels to rest on some tall marsh grass.
