Inner Beauty of Nature [Book Review]
The most recent book that I was asked to review is the “Inner Beauty of Nature: X-Ray Photography” who was written by Bert Myers, 2007. The beginning of the book discusses the history and techniques used regarding X-Ray photography and how the author started his interest in this kind of photography. The highlight of the book is the multiple X-Ray photos captured in black and white, then includes some of these images being processed with color.
By Bert Myers
Nature Haikus – Frogs
By Young Naturalist C
Frogs
The frogs are cheerful
Hopping onto lily pads
With a plip and plop
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Salamander Migration 2009
Wednesday night was about the Salamanders with the blue-black body and distinct overlaid rows of yellow spots along its sides, back and tail. Its scientific name is Ambystoma maculatum and since “maculatum” means spotted . . . . . we call these guys the “Spotted Salamander”. But predicting the movement from their wintering holes to their breeding pools can be sometimes is a little tricky.
Smiling Spotted Salamander
Last Nights Salamanders
You need to be fast for the perfect Salamander photo!
By 8pm the migration had not started yet . . . . . but our sprinkles were quickly turning into heavier drops!! We investigated the Vernal Pools again by 10:30pm and were welcomed by a few amphibians just starting their migration! The migration of the Spotted Salamanders only happen a few nights a year when we receive the first warm rain of the season. I am busy with my time right now but promise my next post will include the full details on our amazing night!! Here are just a few teaser photos for everyone!
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Bluebirds are in the yard!
Female Eastern Bluebird from my 2008 photos!
I heard my first Eastern Bluebird singing around the nest boxes in the backyard today. It is amazing how a simple little song can get someone so excited! I suddenly went into dream-land thinking about what I should be expecting throughout the summer in my boxes . . . .
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Cootest Wordless Wednesday Ever
American Coot
This fun American Coot was walking the runway for me on Saturday and I thought it would be the Cootest Wordless Wednesday to publish!
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back to birding
Common Goldeneye
I took advantage of the sunny day on Saturday with a great day of birding with 51 different species observed! I have been a little busy the past few weeks and this birding adventure was very much needed (what can I say, I am a birder!)! I started the morning over at Chautauqua Lake outlet in Celoron and ran into a few birding friends (great seeing Bob and Jim).
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Streams and Creeks
The main waterfall at Bridal Falls
Just a few random steam and creek photos that I have taken over the years from the Allegany State Park area!
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CHECK [Wordless Wednesday]
Tundra Swans (CHECK) 3/10/09
Just catching up with my first of the years for 2009 (all older photos)!
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Snapping Turtle walking on the Ice
Yes that is a Snapping Turtle on the Ice
You always need to be ready to expect the unexpected and last Friday was one of those days. I have seen Amphibians climbing over the ice and snow to get to their vernal pools (which should be happening soon) . . . . but I never thought about Reptiles enjoying winter sports!!! Friday I found this Snapping Turtle ice skating across Red House Lake in Allegany State Park and so I asked this turtle, “Dude . . . . what are you thinking?”
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Nature Haikus – Moon
By Young Naturalist C
Moon
Shining upon us
Glowing pale yellow with stars
In the blue darkness
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Balls of Fuzz
Muskrat
It was such a beautiful day out today with warmer sun-rays striking my face! I enjoyed a spectacular walk around Red House Lake and it seemed like the Chipmunks were dancing around their holes saying hello!! This was my first of the year Eastern Chipmunk for me (CHECK) . . . . about time they wake up!
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Woolly Bear
Wooly Bear
Yesterday I had found my first of the year Woolly Bear (CHECK) in the grass! These fuzzy caterpillars are regularly seen during the fall and spring before becoming an ugly moth . . . . Many know the woolly bear for the superstition of forecasting the severity of the coming winter by the amount of black on the caterpillar’s body. Hmmm does this guy reflect your winter?
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Temporary Tattoos
The official monarchbfly.com tattoo!
Temporary Tattoos are the coolest things in the world and a few weeks ago you’re never going to guess what crazy thing I did! I found this place that produces commercially made temp tats and I spontaneously ordered a thousand monarchbfly.com tattoos to be used as a fundraiser for the banding station (for new mist-nets!) The long wait is over and today they finally arrived in the mail! CHEERS . . . . . !
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Addicted to Spring
Waterfowl and Gulls at Chautauqua Lake
I am addicted to this spring time sunshine and ended up with 7 first of the years birds to report this weekend! CHEERS! Patty has been showing me all of the hot spots around Chautauqua Lake and although we were not successful in relocating the Tundra Swan she had earlier in the day . . . . . we still had a great time together on the outlet!
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Sunbathing Kitties
The kitties enjoying the sun together!
It has been a while since I posted some kitty pictures! This morning they were sunbathing and thought it was the most perfect opportunity to capture what they did best!
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Hungry White-tailed Deer
White-tailed Deer
Over the winter the White-tailed Deer have been feeding on seeds, pine needles and other leafy buds that they have encountered. Now that the snow is slowly melting, we are finding the deer more visible and spending a great deal to time feeding on the grasses that are being exposed again. I have noticed over the past few days they have allowed me the opportunity approach closer than I can normally get without spooking them. I figured these pictures of these deer eating would be perfect for a night that I am out enjoying the most perfect Friday Night Dinner! (more…)
First Bat of the Year
Big Brown Bat
Temperatures have been in the 40’s°F over the past few days and I am sure that all critters have been enjoying the melting snow. Today I had a report from a friend that they saw their first Chipmunk and many others reported skunks being seen (or smelled) around their homes! I noticed that many of us humans have also been celebrating these wonderful signs of spring and that is exactly what happened with Adele, Young Naturalist C, Young Naturalist E and myself this evening! While dodging perfectly packed snowballs flying through the air . . . . . . . we looked up into the sky and Adele yelled “BAT”!! OMG . . . we only saw it for two passes but that was a Big Brown Bat flying around the lights! (CHECK) my first Big Brown Bat for 2009!
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Blog Achievement [300,000 views]
It is hard to believe that with all my babbling I do on this blog . . . you guys keep returning to hear about my adventures! I am honored that you have helped me make the 300,000 view achievement in about 2 1/2 years!
Mon@rch's Nature Blog 