Morning Dark-eyed Junco
Do you have your Dark-eyed Juncos (Junco hyemalis) back in your yard yet? I recently photographed this little returning bird with the early morning eastern sun lighting it up nicely. These variable feeder friends are moving through now after most other avian migration has wrapped up for the year. Soon enough it will be the Fox Sparrows and American Tree Sparrows, even if it does not feel like it with all of this warm weather…get your seed ready now, and keep watching for November rarities at home. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreLeucistic 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 MoreDark-eyed Junco
It’s that time again! One of everyone’s backyard favorites, the Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis), is on the way south. These cute little birds are returning to yards like yours now if you are not one of the lucky few to have them year-round. Their autumn arrival, along with that of the White-throated Sparrow, is one of the first big signs of fall to me each October. I look forward to spending six months with friends like this. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreYellow-striped Armyworm Moth
This looks like the Yellow-striped Armyworm (Spodoptera ornithogalli) moth featuring a delightfully intricate and attractive pattern on those wings. There are shapes, lines, blurry patches and designs within designs. This late August sighting knew how to show off its subtle beauty.
Read MoreExplicit Arches
While I have not posted too many moths lately, I have kept on mothing, as a young Roger Tory Peterson did, throughout the summer. It is time consuming to go through the photos that I take of what I find at my lights, especially when trying to identify eight or ten or more new species. Every couple of weeks there are different species occurring as flight seasons shift through the year. Some of that identification is going to have to wait for the winter. Nevertheless, I discovered this outrageously cool individual last night that I had to share now. Naturally it was on a shutter on the side of...
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