Afternoon in France Brook
Colt’s Foot
Woke up to the sound of the irregular drumming of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (CHECK)! I love waking up to first of the year birds without even getting out of bed! I continued the day with the Eastern Phoebe’s singing most everywhere I visited. I even had one vocalizing next to my little platform on the side of the house where they use to nest!! Maybe we will have some baby Phoebes this year?
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Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
It appeared that the Great Blue Heron were in abundance at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge last weekend. They were not like my local heron that are very skittish when approaching with a vehicle . . . these guys were very cooperative.
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More Spring Arrivers
Eastern Phoebe
Since returning from Chincoteague Island, the birds have been quickly following me northward into the Western New York area. Yesterday while assisting with the stocking of Trout along some of the Steams, I finally heard my first of the year Winter Wren (CHECK) who was singing its beautiful complex song. Later in the evening I observed the American Kestrel (CHECK first of the year) as it was wagging its tail at me! Finally this morning I got my first of the year Eastern Phoebe (CHECK) was proudly yelling fee-bee . . . . fee-bee around the office! (((SMILE))) I just love this time of the year! (more…)
Stocking the Creeks
Brook Trout
April 1st is the first day of the Trout season here in New York State and this is the day that everyone is excited to catch their first Trout of the season! I was lucky enough to help the DEC on the 31st March with stocking of Brown Trout and Brook Trout along the streams in Allegany State Park!
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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge [Day 2]
Foggy Lighthouse Showing the Way
Saturday morning started with Marg and I showing up to the 6:30am bird walk and the walk being obviously canceled due to the down pouring rain. Quickly the heavy fog rolled in for most of the day and I struggled with spending my available birding time capturing photos in the fog. It was still a great bird day with many first of the years birds and another lifer to add to my list!
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Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge [Day 1]
I arrived in Chincoteague late last evening around 11pm and it had been raining cats-and-dogs the whole trip. I quickly jumped into bed after a quick phone call to Patty, anticipating what Day 1 would be like! In the morning I woke up and opened the patio door . . . . . within minutes I heard this raspy crow call and instantly said “FISH CROW”!!! CHECK . . this was my first lifer of the day! I always wondered what these guys sounded like!
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Nature Haikus – Salamanders
Spotted Salamander
By Young Naturalist C, Young Naturalist E and Adele
Salamanders
Slick salamanders
Roaming in the wet, wild woods
Looking for their love
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The Osprey have returned
Osprey photo from 2008
Sometime this morning our first Osprey for 2009 (CHECK) finally arrived. I have been looking for these guys along the Allegheny River for days and so excited that they finally arrived.
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Searching For [Wordless Wednesday]
Mourning Cloak
These are a few things that I have not seen yet and I am still searching for . . . . but is only a matter of time till they appear!
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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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Mon@rch's Nature Blog 