Leucistic Savannah Sparrow
This appears to be a partially leucistic Savannah Sparrow, a migrant individual that I was surprised by yesterday morning. Leucism is when pigments are produced at less than normal levels or in an unexpected pattern. In this case many of the feathers on the head and throat do not have typical pigmentation. Interestingly the yellow patch on the face can still be seen, giving this unique bird an all the more fascinating look. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreVesper Sparrow
It took a while, but I finally got my fall Vesper Sparrows! My friend and sensational birder and naturalist Frank Mantlik found these two beauties in the Stratford community gardens among many other Song, Savannah, Swamp and White-throated Sparrows. They later cooperated, ever so briefly, for a couple photos. These big sparrows look so wonderful with those huge eye rings, and one was really showing off those white feathers… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreOak Sparganothis Moth
National Moth Week continues! This moth looks to be an Oak Sparganothis (Cenopis diluticostana). It is another little gem that would otherwise go unnoticed if it did not join me at the mothing lights. Putting a ruler next to some of these individuals would be helpful, but considering how jumpy some can be and how tough it can be to get set up to take a decent photo of these creatures I am going to have to wait on that. This was probably a little less than a centimeter in length. Amazingly there are some that are half the size! Even when they are right in front of you some of them can be...
Read MoreJuniper-twig Geometer
Here is the Juniper-twig Geometer (Patalene olyzonaria) moth, one that Sean and I have been spotting a bunch of lately. This is a worn individual that must have been having a good summer to be flying around still, avoiding predators or any real damage. One of the amazing things about mothing is how much the species makeup in your yard can change from week to week…or less! You never know what you will find next. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreHorned Spanworm Moth
Here is Nematocampa resistaria, the Horned Spanworm moth…does its appearance remind of you anything? For some reason all I could think of was an ancient and fraying map of sorts from another era, with intricate patterns and carefully crafted lines plotting out unique features all over those wings. Some of these spectacular little moths really make my imagination wander! When you were a child drawing all sorts of seemingly nonexistent creatures with your crayons you may have been closer to reality than you thought. Wrapping your mind around the thousands upon thousands of lifeforms on...
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