Foliage Falling
Welcome to November! The foliage is certainly falling now. All sorts of shades covered our landscapes, and now we are entering the more monochromatic season – but will it end up more white or more brown? At the moment it seems like the former…
Read MoreFantastic Foliage
The end of October came quickly! We will be saying goodbye to the last of the fall foliage soon, but not before we enjoy some more of its beauty.
Read MoreStill Not Spring
It is not spring even though many Clouded and Orange Sulphur butterflies continue flying and feeding on nectar sources like this dandelion. Something that gives away the relative date of this photo is the low sun angle adding light from the side as we are less than two months from the winter solstice. You can also see a little bee mimic fly venturing into the flower, too.
Read MoreSavannah Sparrow
The Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) is another bird pushing south through our grasslands, fields, and farms right now. Look for their brown streaks – likely more thin and broken up than the Song Sparrow – and the distinctive yellow patch of feathers over the eye extending to their small bill.
Read MoreYellow Woodlands
Autumn certainly has a glow going on, but this week has shown us a preview of some of the cold and wet weather to come. Last year’s El Niño kept us far warmer throughout the end of 2015. However, it looks like a weak La Niña will be ready to cover these trees in snow soon enough this winter. That might be a welcome development that helps alleviate the drought in the Northeast while encouraging snow lovers to get out on the trails in our beautiful Chautauqua County. More to come on all soon…
Read MoreAutumn Meadowhawk
Here is that other fall dragonfly I was talking about earlier this week – the Autumn Meadowhawk (Sympetrum vicinum). Their common name certainly reflects when they are sighted, and fiery red males like this one add a little pop to the decaying leaves as they devour the last of the flying insects, from moths to mosquitoes. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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