October Sunset
Here’s a sunset that was certainly a sailor’s delight, and with as much of an October, autumn and Halloween feel as possible for a few beautiful moments. We will not have those maple or oak or any leaves for long…
Read MoreCanada Warbler
It was a strong morning for migration in my neighborhood with oak trees holding Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler, and my first of year Blackpoll Warbler among good numbers of the regulars. For the most part birds were high and far in the tops of the trees, but this Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) was a little more cooperative highlight. For a bird I am happy to see one or two of each spring…I will take it! Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreCommon Ravens
Common Ravens (Corvus corax) are known to be incredible fliers, soaring high in the sky and almost floating among the clouds, drifting and banking and turning and flipping with an endless array of aerial acrobatics. If you spend enough time hawk watching you will undoubtedly see them looking like a sizable raptor until fanning out that tail, showing off that bill and letting you hone in on that all black body. I watched these two Common Ravens interacting from afar as they dropped in altitude over a few minutes, croaking out their calls and interacting in every aerial maneuver one could...
Read MoreCommon Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
You have to love the beautiful colors on the feathers of this Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), one of the most encouraging and uplifting signs of spring here in the middle of winter. The bright sunlight lit up this glossy iridescence at just the right angle for me. This February bird was with several others of its species looking for snacks on and pausing in this oak tree. They were all chattering away, as always. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreFall Fun Facts
Have you ever noticed how some deciduous trees retain their leaves while others around them are bare? I learned some interesting facts the other day about why that might be. Trees such as this gorgeous oak tree may retain their leaves once they die, referred to as marcescence, for a number of possible reasons. For one, retaining dried up, brown leaves could help protect the oak’s acorns or buds from bitter frost. It could also protect the growing buds from getting nipped by whitetail deer early in the spring. In addition, I’ve heard that for saplings it could be important to...
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