Summer Thunderstorm
This week’s persistent heavy rain and frequent thunderstorms are providing a great deal of relief to a drought-stricken region after a difficult summer. Much of the Northeast is in need of several inches of rain or more, and these storms are providing a lot – almost too much – in a short period of time. It will take a while for the water table to fully recover, but these sorts of stormy days and nights are necessary for the health of our environment and all the wildlife in it…including us. Be safe and remember, “turn around, don’t drown” and that,...
Read MoreSpot-winged Glider
I finally captured a Spot-winged Glider (Pantala hymenaea) on the wing, and in this case it while the dragonfly was ovipositing – laying eggs in this pool. You can clearly see the basal spots on the inside of the hindwings along with some wear. Flying around the world must get a bit tiring… Scott Kruitbosch Conservation & Outreach Coordinator
Read MoreSpotted Sandpiper
The Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) is one of our easier to identify shorebirds from any distance, and their unique behaviors make them a stand out from the crowd – literally. While you may run into large flocks of shorebirds numbering in the dozens, hundreds, or even thousands heading south in the summer along lakes, in marshes, or on the Atlantic coast, you will very likely find only one or two or a handful of Spotted Sandpipers at a time. Even if multiple Spotteds are present in one place they will probably be on different flocks, not bumping into one another or seeking the...
Read MoreAmerican Goldfinch Bath
It must feel splendid to take a warm bath in the summertime as opposed to trying to clean the feathers in the ice and snow all winter long. Go you, American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)! Soak it up!
Read MoreStar Set
The sun has never looked more like a star than in this sunset! I recently photographed the bright glowing globe in these shots by aiming the camera at it rather than looking through the viewfinder, and thankfully the horizon helped make it a bigger target. As it dropped behind the trees it slowly lost intensity and became a perfect orange orb. Aren’t we lucky to have such a close friend? It is obvious, but it is unfathomable how perfectly our neighborhood sorted itself out. It is our job to make sure we take care of our house here on the Earth, and we have to start doing better! We...
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