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
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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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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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…)
Where is my Red-breasted Nuthatch?
Red-breasted Nuthatch
I find myself accustom to certain species of birds being at my feeders and take pride in finding them each day. Many of these birds are my neighbors that live here year-round and I know that because they have bands placed on their legs. One of these regulars was a family of Red-breasted Nuthatches that I could always rely on squeaking its way to the sunflower seeds.
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Nothing new along the Allegheny
Hooded Merganser photo from 2008
I made a quick stop for ducks along the Allegheny River today. Still waiting for many of the migrants to arrive but I did get some Hooded Mergansers, Common Mergansers, Buffleheads, Mallards, and Black Ducks.
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My Moo’s
I just love my moo cards!
Yesterday I got my new moo cards in the mail.
So . . . . . do you moo?
Niagara Park Butterfly Conservatory
I visited the Niagara Park Butterfly Conservancy back in 2002 and enjoyed seeing these great butterflies up close. What I remember most was that the building was soo humid that I had a hard time capturing these pictures with my point and shoot camera (the lens kept fogging up). But there were turtles in the ponds and butterflies landing all over people. If you are ever in Niagara Falls Canada . . . . you must visit this amazing place.
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Following Mammal Tracks in the Snow
Mouse tracks and Queen Ann’s Lace!
This time of the year I find my blogging opportunities are a bit more limited than during the summer months and I am looking down more than up into the tree tops! This weekend with the fresh snow on the ground, I never anticipate the many opportunities to find some exciting animal prints!
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Photo Stories [Wordless Wednesday]
White Admiral
Sometimes a photo can tell a story without using any words. Here is a series of Butterfly photos that I took and doesn’t need a description.
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Raccoon enjoying rose hips
Raccoon
I took advantage of the Presidents Day holiday to walk around Allegany State Park in search of something to photograph. Chickadees and Juncos were the most commonly found birdies flittering around Red House Lake (but I could not find any Crossbills). Along ASP Rt2, I located this blackish-gray thing up in a shrub and instantly squealed my breaks for a better look!
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Deer Watching
White-tailed Deer
I was delighted to find some White-tailed Deer lounging around in Allegany State Park today. When I first approached they were feeding in a wet spot in the woods. Anticipating them running away . . . they did the absolute opposite and one at a time laid down in the snow. I happen to be in the right position to capture a few pictures before thanking them and waving good bye. I love sunny days like this!
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Mon@rch's Nature Blog 