Mon@rch's Nature Blog

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White-marked Tussock Moth

By Young Naturalist D

My Dad found a caterpillar on a plum tree during the last days of summer (August 27th). It had a red head with black antennas. At first glance they appeared twice as long as they really were because of all the long black hairs on them. The caterpillar also had four white clumps of hair sticking up along the upper part of its back. Starting at the second hairy white clump there was a yellow stripe on either side running down its back. It also had white clumps of hair around every leg. Overall it had a light green body. Dad thought something so strange looking might not be good for his plum tree so he brought it inside and asked us four kids to figure out what it was.

White-marked Tussock Moth photo by Young Naturalist H.

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Posted by mon@rch | 29 November 2007 | Categories: bugs, Kids, Nature | Tags: , Home School, moth, project, White-marked Tussock Moth | 25 Comments

Pishing [video]

Pishing is when birders are “trying” to attract the attention of some little birdie by doing a “phhhhh phhhh – psst psst psst” sound. So many times I have found myself with a few non birding friends . . . then break out a few pish sounds after seeing a chickadee in the brush! My friends just don’t understand and I find myself explaining why I made those strange sounds and that “I am not going crazy”!

Black-capped Chickadee (Sep 2006).

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Posted by mon@rch | 28 November 2007 | Categories: Birds, Blip.tv, Nature, video | Tags: chickadee, pishing | 37 Comments

Wordless Wednesday – Wet Feather

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Posted by mon@rch | 27 November 2007 | Categories: Nature | Tags: Birds, Feather, photography, Wordless Wednesday | 26 Comments

Nature Haikus – Road Kill

Opossum that wasn’t roadkill.

By Young Naturalist C

Road Kill
Blood is everywhere
Unlucky small animal
Torn into pieces Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 26 November 2007 | Categories: Kids, Mammals, Nature | Tags: haikus, Kids, mammal, poem, roadkill | 24 Comments

Bullfrog Studio

Tree Swallows staying warm.

Most everyone will remember the above photo from this springs (Tree Swallow Acting Cute) post that I did. Sherri from London Ontario also saw this post and contacted me about using the picture for a painting she was creating. I was so honored that I inspired someone . . . . I said “YES YES YES, PLEASE!!” A few weeks later I received an email with a photo stating that she had finished the painting. I was soo happy that I told her whenever she had a webpage developed . . . . to PLEASE let me know so that I could help her promote it! This weekend she surprised me with a huge package from Canada that had a beautiful print of that Tree Swallow Painting! Read the rest of this page »

Posted by mon@rch | 25 November 2007 | Categories: Birds, Nature, photography | Tags: Art Work, Bullfrog Studio, Painting, Pencil Sketch, photography | 31 Comments

Butterflies and Kids

Summer Azure

Children are naturally attracted to butterflies and moths, just as they are to birds. However, unless you have a busy bird feeder or larger raptors flying around, it can be difficult for kids to locate birds in the wild. Songbirds do not typically sit still long enough to be seen and can quickly disappear as fast as they arrive. I myself have a hard time seeing many of the birds I hear fluttering around the trees and shrubs.
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Posted by mon@rch | 24 November 2007 | Categories: bugs, Butterflies, Kids, Nature, photography | Tags: Home School, Kids, learning, naturalist | 23 Comments

Allegany by Moonlight

The Administration Building.

You keep asking if my Owl season is over! The answer is No but . . . I have run into many reasons for needing to keep the station closed for the past two weeks. Which include fog, rain, high wind, snow, lake effect and tonight temps being around 20 degree F. If I was open this evening . . . . I would be battling the bright moon that is out (see photos). As much as I miss catching and banding these fluff balls . . . . their safety is our first priority. Maybe even with the bright moon tomorrow . . I can open some nets?? Till then I will be trying to get out to take some new pictures!
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Posted by mon@rch | 23 November 2007 | Categories: Allegany State Park, Flickr, Nature, Owls, photography, Weather | Tags: Moon, Moonlight, Night, Night Time Photography, Stars | 25 Comments