-
They’re Blooming Now
I’ve been keeping watch over a patch of Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum), looking forward to finding them blooming. That happened today. A beautiful, incredibly small flower, emerging from two mottled leaves. That bloom, no more that 1.25 inches across. Trout Lily are native to eastern North America, and such a joy to experience. _______________________________________________________________________ If…
-
Circuition
This afternoon at my little pond. Wood Frog tadpoles (Lithobates sylvaticus) getting their nourishment from a cluster of Salamander eggs. The tadpoles are for the most part herbivorous, eating algae, and decaying plants, but occasionally eating the eggs of other amphibians. What a surprise to discover. I had no idea they would eat other amphibian…
-
Cottontail
Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii). A cooperative model. Image taken at one of my favorite places in the Southwest. Three Rivers Petroglyph Site, Three Rivers, New Mexico. _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up here!
-
Apple Tree Abloom
So many things blooming in the woods now. There are even a few apple trees in the woods, planted long ago. This one though is in the front yard of my cabin, planted just a few years ago. Today it’s in full, white and pink, bloom. Pleasing the pollinators. This one a Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio…
-
An Early Lily
I knew they’d be coming up very soon, so I went out there searching. Success! Found some coming up just a few days ago. A mighty early Lily. A mighty small Lily too. Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum). Native to eastern North America. Grows to a height of 6 to 8 inches tall. My first Trout…
-
The Pink Of Spring
The pink of spring has arrived. The Redbuds (Cercis canadensis) here at my cabin are totally in bloom. If ever there were a time that the word ubiquitous would be appropriate, this would be it. Pink is everywhere. And with just a blink of the eye, or two, the pink blooms will fade making way…
-
GrandKitty Camp
We’re all having a grand time at GrandKitty Camp. Betelgeuse is being the perfect guest, politely asking for shower water, or bathroom water. That bowl of water next to her food just isn’t nearly as good as those two other choices. And she is ever so polite to ask for more food. Though I don’t…
-
Spring Molt
Like many small songbirds, the Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) goes through two molts per year. One in the autumn, a complete molt. A total replacement of all their feathers, body feathers as well as wing and tail feathers. Male and female, they go from yellow to a dull gray with just the slightest suggestion of yellow.…
-
Surprise Photo Op
Yesterday I was pleased when I got photos of a Purple Finch (Haemorhous purpureus) at one of the feeders, as it was passing through on the way to its summer breeding grounds. I figured as the day ended I wouldn’t see any more of these Finches. But I was wrong. I don’t know if this…
-
Heading North
Today’s treat was to see two Purple Finches (Haemorhous purpureus), as they stopped at one of the feeders. A very brief stop for refreshment, on their journey north, to their summer breeding grounds. I was pleased I was able to capture one of them in pixels. Purple Finches look very much like House Finches (Haemorhous…