Monarch Caterpillar (next to dime)
Photo by Midimatt from Saukville WI
Matt Matt gave permission to post this picture on the blog and is truly an amazing picture. The monarch’s eggs hatch after 4 days and the caterpillar will consume its eggshell after being born. They will then feed on milkweed till it is ready to pupate into its chrysalis stage. Rarely do we get to see the early stages of the monarch butterfly and the dime helps to put its size into perspective! Thanks again Matt and love the photo!
Post has been created with my iPhone!
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Scenes from Lake Erie
Snow dunes at Presque Isle
By: Pat Coate
A few random winter shots of Lake Erie while waiting for spring……..
Flying Red Tail
This morning walked outside to almost 8 inches of snow on the ground. Ugg . . then looked up and had a Red-tailed Hawk fly over my head and then over the house!
Post has been created with my iPhone!
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The CROSSLEY ID GUIDE [Book Review]
I was surprised this week with a copy of the new “The Crossley ID Guide: Eastern Birds” sitting at my door step. I remember when Sibley came out with his new guide and everyone thought “it’s too big and it could never replace the Peterson’s guide”!! Instantly we find ourselves buying not one but multiple copies (one for the house, car, office, banding bag . . . etc.). Could the same thing happen with this guide?? My first impression of the Crossley ID Guide is WOW and I know for sure it will be used in my library but I have doubt it will replace Sibley or any of my iPhone apps. It is a “BIG” guide and probably why they are not calling it a Field Guide!! To the right birder, it is possible The Crossley ID Guide will be grabbed for help before the more traditional “painted” guides but it is defiantly a picture reference guide more than our traditional “Field Guides”.
Evening Grosbeak
Outstanding Day . . . was out in the field this morning (long story) and what did I think I hear . . . Evening Grosbeaks!!! I pulled my iPhone out and called them closer to ID for sure!!! Sure enough it was 3 females and 2 male Evening Grosbeaks! (CHECK) What a great day when you find these guys while working here in Allegany State Park, NY!!
(Photo was from 2007 when we banded one in my back yard).
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Spring Azure
Expecting a thaw this weekend but we are still over a month away from our first Spring Azures to emerge. I know it will take a while for the multiple feet of snow to finally melt. However, spring is moving closer and I have spring fever happening !!!
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Bonaparte’s Gulls
Bonaparte’s Gull with fish
By: Pat Coate
While recently visiting the Dunkirk Harbor on the eastern edge of Lake Erie, I was able to observe a flock of Bonaparte’s gulls feeding near the docks. There were at least 30 birds flying very near the dock. With good regularity, one would plunge down into the water and come out with a small fish. It would immediately fly away from the flock to try and enjoy its meal in peace. Only once did I observe another gull give chase and successfully make the hunter drop its prize. Neither gull ended up with the fish – clearly making it the true winner.
Pileated Woodpecker
Yesterday had a wonderful opportunity to watch a Pileated Woodpecker work up and down a tree. They are such great birdies! (more…)
Bear Joke
Your Every Day Happenings in Allegany
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Christmas Count Hits the Road
Touch down! (WI)
By: Pat Coate
Inspired by the Audubon Christmas Count, on a recent trip to the Midwest with my daughter we decided to count the number of species of birds we saw while traveling. In keeping with time-honored traditions, we also decided to keep track of the various license plates we saw (trucks don’t count, Canadian provinces do) to see if the count of license plates or bird species would be higher.
Some of the highlights included:
• Bald Eagle in WNY
• Peregrine Falcon flying right down Michigan Ave in Chicago
• Red-tailed hawks all along the way, including many pairs
• Mallard pulling a Bambi on a frozen Milwaukee River
• 100s (if not 1000s) of Canada Geese in fields in IL
• “UGLE PL8” on a car with the new NY license plates
• Number of deer in Eastern IN
• Number of nests you see when there are no leaves on the trees
• Virtual tie on species vs. license plates
Ladybug
Pure Cuteness . . . . Love this bug!!
(photo by her mom Amanda P.)
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Mon@rch's Nature Blog 