Monthly Archives: June 2016

Citizen Crane

Posted on June 30, 2016 by

Dangling from the tip of a woodland fern, this Phantom crane fly (perhaps Bittacomorpha clavipes) was the picture of grace and equilibrium as it balanced itself by deftly maneuvering its slender two-tone legs.

Posted in Charleston Springs Trail, Fauna, Insects & Spiders & Stuff | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Raiser’s Fledge

Posted on June 23, 2016 by

Not long out of the nest and probably not quite ready for full flight, this little Gray catbird fledgling was hopping from low branch to low branch. After a few minutes, one of its parents came by with a snack.

Posted in Birds, Fauna, Joe Palaia Park | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Sunspot

Posted on June 20, 2016 by

A few stems of Greater celandine (Chelidonium majus) provided heady, bright highlights to a mostly shady wooded path.

Posted in Flora, Flowers, Tatum Park | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Mo’ hawk

Posted on June 16, 2016 by

Looking something like an acrobat on a high wire, this Red-tailed hawk managed to balance its hefty frame on a comparatively skinny tree by using controlled swaying and precision wing adjustments.

Posted in Birds, Fauna, Weltz Park | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bee all live in a yellow sulpherine

Posted on June 15, 2016 by

Whether or not it actually lives there, a tiny bee was enjoying the tasty offerings of this pretty pale yellow Sulphur cinquefoil flower (Potentilla recta).

Posted in Fauna, Flora, Flowers, Insects & Spiders & Stuff, Weltz Park | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Breathe deep, the gathering groom

Posted on June 14, 2016 by

Last month & earlier, the resident muskrats of the small swamp pond were hard at work, keeping longer hours than their preferred dusk-dawn shift. At first only one seemed to be gathering the greens & bringing them back to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Fauna, Mammals | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Beach blanket flamingo

Posted on June 13, 2016 by

A variety of wild rose is daubing some of the dunes at Sandy Hook with different shades of pink paint splotches.

Posted in Flora, Flowers, Sandy Hook Unit - Gateway National Recreation Area, Trees & Shrubs | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Assassination fascination

Posted on June 12, 2016 by

Waiting for some prey to glide by, this Bee assassin (Apiomerus crassipes) has a more varied diet than its name would indicate. Beetles, flies, mosquitos, and other unlucky flitters all fall onto the menu. The bright orange outline & highlights … Continue reading →

Posted in Fauna, Insects & Spiders & Stuff, Weltz Park | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Thinking outside, the box

Posted on June 10, 2016 by

Weltz Park was fairly alive with turtle action this spring. From large to small, the ever thoughtful-looking Eastern box turtles popped up in various spots along the meadow & main entrance paths. The bigger one here shows the red eye … Continue reading →

Posted in Fauna, Reptiles & Amphibians, Weltz Park | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Still magnolias

Posted on June 7, 2016 by

Magnolia warblers (Setophaga magnolia) were everywhere one spring day on Sandy Hook, including both the beach and woodland areas. The males seemed especially abundant, or at least conspicuous — and quite dashing in their bright yellow, striped waistcoats & domino … Continue reading →

Posted in Birds, Fauna, Sandy Hook Unit - Gateway National Recreation Area | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment