Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) on False Queen Anne’s Lace (Ammi majus)
Attractive August butterflies are all around us at the moment! This pairing was photographed in Connecticut by Sean – that’s a Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops) on False Queen Anne’s Lace (Ammi majus).
Read MoreIdentify this silhouette at a distance
I spotted this bird at RTPI today from a distance without binoculars and knew its identity immediately. Standing in our garden I could see the basic silhouette and how it had positioned itself. Those two clues plus the date should help you determine the species as well. Any ideas? If you do not want to know the answer don’t keep reading…did you figure it out yet? It’s…an Olive-sided Flycatcher! I had one of the uncommon southbound migrants last August as well but it was my first of 2014. I watched it feeding for a while as I looked for butterflies, the bird grabbing...
Read MoreOrange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme)
When we have had dry conditions here in Western New York during the first days of August I have seen a lot more butterfly activity with both common and scarcer species emerging and becoming more abundant. It’s always a terrific month to find butterflies on the wing while some of our breeding birds are already beginning to migrate to the south. Here’s an Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) from the gardens at RTPI.
Read MoreSevere hail Jamestown yard
Here are a few photos of Twan’s yard in the aftermath of the severe thunderstorm that hit the Jamestown area last evening. The hail was enough to leave dents in Twan’s car! It had very localized intense and dangerous conditions with some folks having this severe hail, others gaining an inch or two more of rain on top of one to two inches already had by most, some with stronger gusts of wind or more lightning than others. Later tonight I will post a video of this hail dumping down from the sky. Early August in the Northeast is a busy time for severe weather in recent years in my...
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