Barred Owl (Strix varia)
This Barred Owl (Strix varia) saw me long before I saw it, monitoring my movements from afar while perched in this tree on a cloudy May morning. Those enormous dark eyes tracked me in a relaxed fashion as I was still rather far away when I noticed it. I had been watching several warblers and a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher before my eyes stumbled on this slightly larger species. Barred Owls are, of course, usually snoozing during the day, but not always – and the spring season is when I have seen them the most active diurnally. This bird did not wake up because I was there, nor was it sleepy....
Read MoreCosta Rica Night Sky
Spending long nights in the rainforest hunting rare frogs has its perks…apart from spending long nights in the rainforest hunting frogs, that is… Twan Leenders RTPI President
Read MoreStarry Sky
It can be very difficult to see many of the stars or much of the night sky in many parts of Connecticut with far too much light pollution surrounding us, but I liked this view from last night. Orion can be seen well to the lower left of center. Birds use the North Star, or Polaris at the moment, during migratory flights as it is in a fixed position. Thankfully it can be seen regardless for the millions upon millions of birds that will be moving up our coast soon. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMoon Craters
I took this shot of the Moon early Saturday night. It is not quite full yet, but with its current phase and a nice spot low on the horizon it provided a great view of many of its notable and named craters. I think it’s awesome that a camera in a backyard can take a photo of the Moon and show how rugged its surface is. As Galileo first discovered it is certainly not a perfect sphere. It was the first of many future 2016 nights that forced you outdoors to enjoy the temperate and inviting evening air. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSnake Caterpillar?
While transferring photographs from my recent Panama trip onto my computer, another quick pick jumped out at me. This large caterpillar was found by Dave Huth on our first night in Cocobolo Nature Reserve and the longer I watched it, the more its resemblance to a snake blew me away. The indication of scales in just the right places, spots suggesting nostrils, even the white ‘catchlight’ in its fake eyes…and it moves in just the right ways too! I know my Central American snakes pretty well, but even a cursory glance at this caterpillar tripped all sorts of alarm bells in my...
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