Dandelion Feast
The dandelion is one of the most widespread and widely known flowering plants there is, and while they may not be the best for agriculture or maintaining the “perfect” manicured lawn, they are very helpful for our early pollinators. Undoubtedly you have seen bees, butterflies and other flying insects feeding on them when there is little else blooming. Here’s to them! Besides, they’re pretty little things once you stop thinking about making the grass look “neat” and “tidy”. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach...
Read MoreRadiant Sunset
This radiant sunset is from last weekend at Stratford Point while overlooking the grasslands and soon to be pollinator meadows. It will be a very exciting year for the property as it is continually improved and studied by Audubon Connecticut, Sacred Heart University, site owner DuPont, and RTPI. We will be helping birds, insects, marine life, mammals, and so much more with multiple thrilling projects to hopefully talk about more in-depth soon. If I didn’t hate waking up at 5AM I would go snap a sunrise shot, so let’s pretend this is the rising light on a site that is about to...
Read MoreMonarch Beauty
We are winding down Monarch migration for the 2015 season, as individuals filtering through to the south now are in for a very difficult journey to Mexico. This late and beautiful butterfly was really in crisp and lovely shape, showing off the gorgeous Halloween colors while feeding. I hope he will be one of the lucky ones to make it all the way to the wintering grounds. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreMonarchs Building
Amazingly, Monarch butterfly numbers have been building still at Stratford Point in Connecticut over the last week. Mid-October is usually a busy time for the species here as they feed on goldenrod and quickly keep moving to the south. The last couple days of frigid temperatures certainly have not helped sightings, though…
Read MoreMale Monarch
This male Monarch butterfly certainly looked like it was in bad shape while it fed on this goldenrod a few days ago with a sizable portion of its wing missing. Despite its tattered and worn appearance it was still flying well, though I do not think this will be one of the individuals that makes it to Mexico. If you are passing through the Northeast in mid-October you are already late, and this sort of condition will not make the long trip any easier or faster. Nevertheless, good luck little guy. Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
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