Mon@rch's Nature Blog

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The Day of Exploring New Territory

Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

This was a wonderful day today! Weather was perfect and I was given many photograph opportunities. I was invited to join two inspirational biologists in search of some fall wildflowers in an area of the park that I have never explored before. Here I would like to include a few other photos from our hike trip up into the woods.

These two flowers (Zigzag Goldenrod and Crooked-stem Aster) were located along the forest edge. They both have that Zig n Zag feel to them and its ironic that they were growing together. The Zigzag Goldenrod was a wildflower that I never took the time to identify until this trip.

This Magnolia Warbler was showing off its yellow coloring which let me get a quick photo or two before disappearing into the shrubs. There were a few Magnolia’s flying around but most of them were high up into the canopy. Some Common Yellowthroats, Chickadees and a Thrush species was in the same area with the Magnolia.

While leaving, we came across this Green Heron in the wet grass while searching for some shorebirds. Was wonderful it would pop its tuft up and get a grasshopper or two. We were lucky to have watched it for about 4 minutes before disappearing into the grass.

Posted by mon@rch | 17 September 2006 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Birds, Nature, Snake, Wildflowers | Tags: discovery | Leave a comment

Nodding Ladies’ Tresses Orchid (Spiranthes cernua)

While checking out the other wildflowers – we happened to come across these Nodding Ladies’ Tresses Orchid Spiranthes cernua!! They are such interesting looking Orchids with the flowers spinning around in spirals. The pictures tell it all!

Posted by mon@rch | 17 September 2006 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Nature, Wildflowers | Tags: discovery | 1 Comment

Young Woodturtle Found

Found a very tiny Wood Turtle Clemmys insculpta along the Horse Trail here in Allegany State Park. No one in the group had seen this species this small before. Its measurements was 110mm by 80mm which is very tiny (check this photo Adult Woodturtle to see the typical size that I see them). Also, this turtle had an older cracked shell incident which we are guessing was caused by a horse stepping on it (shape and size). It is probably a few years of age and appeared to have survived the accident with the cracked shell (starting to grow together). But, this turtle did have paralyzed hind legs and would drag it with its front legs!

Posted by mon@rch | 17 September 2006 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Nature, Turtle | Tags: discovery | 3 Comments

Closed Gentian

Here is Closed Gentian which the purple or blue flower is commonly found here in AlleganyState Park in the woods or wet meadows.

This flower is unique that there is a white form of this plant. An interesting fact which we learned about Closed Gentian is that the only insect which can successfully pollinate this flower is the bumblebee (Flora of Michigan). We are double checking to make sure this isn’t a different species but its leaning towards being the white form of Closed Gentian.

Posted by mon@rch | 17 September 2006 | Categories: Allegany State Park, bugs, Nature, Wildflowers | Tags: discovery | Leave a comment

Some time between rain showers

September is appearing to be the month of rain! I took the opportunity to get out and take some pictures between the rain showers.

This Winter Wren was hanging out around the Bova area where I was looking for some snakes. What was interesting about this bird was the way it would pop up (look for an insect) and then dart back into the shrubs. Few seconds later it would come back (eat its insect) then dart back into the shrubs! Between all that I was able to get a few photos!

This Bull Frog was located while hiking down ASP Rt. 2. I typically encounter a splash or see a quick movement when walking along any wet area. Rarely do I encounter or visually get a good look at these squishy little critters. But, today was an exception. I happen to encounter it just before the big jump and started to move slowly. With a blink of an eye it disappeared into the water but just after a few clicks of the camera.

Snapping Turtles are sometimes encountered along the roadside in the spring laying their eggs. In September you’re more than likely to find them along the waters edge looking for food. This snapper was spending most of its time with its head underwater moving very slowly. It seemed to peak its head out of the water, check me out and continue what it was doing.

Posted by mon@rch | 16 September 2006 | Categories: Birds, Frog, Turtle, Weather | Leave a comment

Friday the Monarch Emerged

Friday morning the office had another Monarch Butterfly born. This individual was taken care of by PG who the one holding this butterfly in the hand. She also hatched another butterfly over the weekend!! This has been such a wonderful Monarch year!!

Posted by mon@rch | 15 September 2006 | Categories: Butterflies | Leave a comment

Visit to Jamestown Audubon

Today I visited Jamestown Audubon for their exhibit grand opening. The day was truly joyful and I was able to visit with many friends. Before the Audubon opened, I took a walk around the big pond and this is what I saw.

Posted by mon@rch | 11 September 2006 | Categories: Birds, Butterflies, Dragonfly, Turtle, Wildflowers | Leave a comment

Nashville Warbler

Nashville Warblers are always fun to find. Not my best shot in the world but this bird just wouldn’t come out of the pines for a clear picture! I think part of my problem was that I tried to get the right angle and while hand holding the 400mm – I just couldn’t hold it still enough for the sharp image! I learn with each picture that I take! You can see some of the chestnut brown streaks on this birds head with the photo on the right! Not the best photos in the world but was happy to have photographed it!!

Posted by mon@rch | 9 September 2006 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Birds | Leave a comment

Deer More Interested in Apples than Me

These White Trailed Deer let me walk right up to them and take their picture! I do get to see the deer feeding on these apples quite often but these really did not care that I was there.

Posted by mon@rch | 9 September 2006 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Mammals, Nature | Tags: discovery | Leave a comment

Helping an Injured Monarch

One of the guys from the 3rd floor brought down an injured Monarch which they found along the road!! It would fly a short distance but sat on the desk for most of the day! We let it go over the weekend.