The Bee Moth
This pretty moth gave me a tough time trying to pin down an identification, but it looks to be a female Aphomia sociella – The Bee Moth. I was less enthusiastic in learning that Aphomia sociella is a non-native and often pest moth that was likely introduced from Europe via the colonists and bee hives. They often end up destroying those hives from the inside out. Everything has its place, I suppose… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMany-lined Carpet Moth
Here is the Many-lined Carpet Moth (Anticlea multiferata) on a recent evening…can’t imagine why they call it that, huh…
Read MoreGrape Leaffolder (Desmia funeralis) Moth
Last year I started looking more at the seemingly endless world of moths, a Roger Tory Peterson tradition and passion when he was a small boy in Jamestown. Day and night, cloudy or clear, cool or hot, forest to shore – there are moths everywhere, and their flight seasons are always changing throughout the spring, summer and fall. I intend to continue to do some mothing this year when I can find a little time here or there. On Friday evening I found several new (to me) and unique moths including this Grape Leaffolder (Desmia funeralis) moth. I will keep doing my best to identify all...
Read MoreBlue Jay
This Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) was in the shade on a sunny April day, nevertheless showing off blue hues against a blue sky and flying around with its mate. In this case the blues are not as blue as they could be because they are not actually blue. Huh? Their feather barb cells are specially modified scatter light in a way that makes them appear blue instead of what would be brown melanin, and if this bird flew into the sunlight then it would pop even more. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreLittle Rainbow
This little rainbow was a beautiful sight across the way in Milford, Connecticut as seen from Stratford Point yesterday afternoon. Scattered storms and periodic rain this month seems to be taking the place of April showers, and next month we may see May’s flowers thanks to this unbelievably historic and astonishingly warm winter. With that said, is there more snow on the way on Sunday? It’s a wild ride, but we hope you can get outdoors and enjoy nature this weekend. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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