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A Bunch Of Cardinals
Northern Cardinals
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Haircap Moss
Haircap Moss (Polytrichum).
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Gray Catbird At The Birdbath
A Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) surprised me this morning. A bird I seldom see, it was at the birdbath quenching its thirst. This Catbird eats insects and invertebrates when they’re available, also eats fruits and berries. I’m particularly bewildered because when I do see a Gray Catbird, it is normally during the summer. This is…
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Poison Ivy In The Spring
Early April. Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) begins to emerge, ready to tackle another year. Buds that become flowers, arrive soon after the leaves. Flowers that become berries in April will delight hungry birds come winter. _______________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts, sign up here!
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Eating Poison Ivy Berries
Seems mighty strange but Poison Ivy berries are quite popular with birds. Here, a Chickadee (Paridae) enjoys a snack of what else, Poison Ivy berries. Chickadees, here at my location are just Chickadees. This area is where the range of two species of Chickadees overlap. Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) and Black-capped Chickadee (Poecile atricapillus). They…
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Lawyer’s Wig
Lawyer’s Wig (Coprinus comadtus). A fungus found in Europe, Asia and North America and commonly found in areas that suit its needs, in grassy areas, along gravel roads (which is where I found these), and waste areas. A fungus with an odd method of spore dispersal. As it matures it will slowly turn to a…
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Nitrous Bonnet Mushroom
It always surprises me when I discover a mushroom growing in late autumn, but as you can see by my photos, it does happen. This one is Nitrous Bonnet (Mycena leptocephala). A fungus with a conical cap that can get to be just a bit over an inch in diameter. That cap has a raised…
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Wilson’s Snipe
What a kick to discover a Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) here! This one showed up for a bit of a rest on November 4th on its migration south. Wilson’s Snipes spend their breeding season in northern North America and winter through the southern US, south through Central America and on to Venezuela. _______________________________________________________________________ If you…
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Phoebe in a Flowering Dogwood Tree
Look closely. In a near perfect camouflage, an Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), is sitting in a Flowering Dogwood Tree (Cornus florida). Though it would seem the perfect spot for a little bird to stock up on some berries, this Phoebe feeds on insects and arthropods. They’ll also dive into water to catch minnows and other…