tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49972507946634999762024-02-07T03:04:05.427-05:00Life on The EdgeNews, discoveries, and events from the Richard & Lucile Durrell Edge of Appalachia Preserve System.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger96125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-14435586260481560722022-05-27T13:31:00.000-04:002022-05-27T13:31:55.693-04:00BIrd Surveys 2022<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKKcM7saQTuXP1Cgc4w5fyw7Z7unInXIUUwB73jrWLnqAUftAcNnDGsfQOcWiRAejEOM1dnNOgmtMCQoUv7fAKHnlNFxFhcbp6m7Br2cvnCTV_37gIP_M-KcsZFFboVd7Qv-OG8jcpRZkhAIVvkD9I6fWMFa2QDkxcHhrqs8_OtcHTKdmBjES1Y9HDg/s3839/barred%20owl%20close%20051222rmc.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3455" data-original-width="3839" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFKKcM7saQTuXP1Cgc4w5fyw7Z7unInXIUUwB73jrWLnqAUftAcNnDGsfQOcWiRAejEOM1dnNOgmtMCQoUv7fAKHnlNFxFhcbp6m7Br2cvnCTV_37gIP_M-KcsZFFboVd7Qv-OG8jcpRZkhAIVvkD9I6fWMFa2QDkxcHhrqs8_OtcHTKdmBjES1Y9HDg/w400-h360/barred%20owl%20close%20051222rmc.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barred owl photo by Rich McCarty.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Now that May is coming to an end, its time to share some bird observances from this years return of breeders that left last fall, and migraters passing through.<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2lsM-WkyXHlqvZ-nPmjYfJtVBpw3Tv0UVgwamejwnfEvveDZ5PXdgkfQdj4KN3Q9ml4Qu63YjjhCdMlTn15Ea6bLdMCMEje3mWcRHZR53GsMGXUCytC4ECUaLtJC5ZpzfWwUWgWYjbEBjqBYDsypVdL0KV4_G570j615ARFbG9Pw2G720PD1aAMN9w/s2189/DSC_1066%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1243" data-original-width="2189" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2lsM-WkyXHlqvZ-nPmjYfJtVBpw3Tv0UVgwamejwnfEvveDZ5PXdgkfQdj4KN3Q9ml4Qu63YjjhCdMlTn15Ea6bLdMCMEje3mWcRHZR53GsMGXUCytC4ECUaLtJC5ZpzfWwUWgWYjbEBjqBYDsypVdL0KV4_G570j615ARFbG9Pw2G720PD1aAMN9w/w640-h364/DSC_1066%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ovenbird sneakily searches the forest floor for food.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Many of the breeding warblers like ovenbird, worm-eating and hooded warblers arrived to their breeding grounds right on time. </div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFtBLr__vSEgaz8-bHn4F1hTXGdhObL_Qm4ZyGk07IbkGT7MQXKQJd4ibwNw6dsxBLB_NiU3a1xA2q9egLuSsRSHVUE05YJxyCGA7sKjfpLdZWpo8LbYsnEXOsLo1Z_haURZ1mAWJIVYNn9QN2IkRtDANhJg9wjaj0NTMZGrnCpeCORnC1TUHiJHdVg/s1825/DSC_0962%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1825" data-original-width="1501" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGFtBLr__vSEgaz8-bHn4F1hTXGdhObL_Qm4ZyGk07IbkGT7MQXKQJd4ibwNw6dsxBLB_NiU3a1xA2q9egLuSsRSHVUE05YJxyCGA7sKjfpLdZWpo8LbYsnEXOsLo1Z_haURZ1mAWJIVYNn9QN2IkRtDANhJg9wjaj0NTMZGrnCpeCORnC1TUHiJHdVg/w526-h640/DSC_0962%20(2).JPG" width="526" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Worm-eating warbler returns early to its breeding ground.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuibJJIDk2axYrQCMlu4i_LsRuS-G2ox-Dov85eT6hd-L9dfgJPOrHL6q4EFJkJAVWRL9nwANURSX18CIQ0xmj5zndJqbWmZ-bb3n-f_G0bS8N6USL6AkI_IT7dECSUMy3ZlmLh7zZZelCAKX2no21adUYOxal9F2puwXJyK3vsafVUT_x0sjXzDvr8A/s1606/DSC_0915%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1268" data-original-width="1606" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuibJJIDk2axYrQCMlu4i_LsRuS-G2ox-Dov85eT6hd-L9dfgJPOrHL6q4EFJkJAVWRL9nwANURSX18CIQ0xmj5zndJqbWmZ-bb3n-f_G0bS8N6USL6AkI_IT7dECSUMy3ZlmLh7zZZelCAKX2no21adUYOxal9F2puwXJyK3vsafVUT_x0sjXzDvr8A/w640-h506/DSC_0915%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hooded warbler also breeds on the preserve.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Early breeding birds like blue-gray gnatcatcher's, black and white warblers and Northern parula's produce welcoming songs which let us know that winter is over and spring is beginning. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyGJLC6H5FKv4zQCbK96P7LagZLKzGWL2DThR4tPtRNyg2jQZswe6lHvRxwKeEHWDI66XyN3n9fP12csQL3PhPODFQS7vyO7kq40ejYKOukmwwDRdFeoI53V05h8Kt2Zx2qjG5usGiSdloD55b82dVZ0A_0PFphNX-S2Mf9okYnW24lMVEbi3cSXOog/s1594/DSC_0977%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1507" data-original-width="1594" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPyGJLC6H5FKv4zQCbK96P7LagZLKzGWL2DThR4tPtRNyg2jQZswe6lHvRxwKeEHWDI66XyN3n9fP12csQL3PhPODFQS7vyO7kq40ejYKOukmwwDRdFeoI53V05h8Kt2Zx2qjG5usGiSdloD55b82dVZ0A_0PFphNX-S2Mf9okYnW24lMVEbi3cSXOog/w640-h606/DSC_0977%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue-gray gnatcatcher</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqBeR99nOBPFmDYQy80rpx2hOIa3-62j7JuCkAUiMTgPLZ3P_l17GbnKjXU8kw4kXq-v5j697iOB8md9bknbCm89Q01tfGHwLvQea7HNKgG9tws68--Sp-7rRClh17aGej6e5n2SW0MUXUodkQm9YCjTPKOY10trVIP1w_5v89TDZqciiSAFmbD4r9g/s1434/N%20parula%201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1225" data-original-width="1434" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqBeR99nOBPFmDYQy80rpx2hOIa3-62j7JuCkAUiMTgPLZ3P_l17GbnKjXU8kw4kXq-v5j697iOB8md9bknbCm89Q01tfGHwLvQea7HNKgG9tws68--Sp-7rRClh17aGej6e5n2SW0MUXUodkQm9YCjTPKOY10trVIP1w_5v89TDZqciiSAFmbD4r9g/w400-h341/N%20parula%201.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Northern parula</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53ajX3ozOGfN8qTGVRE21xE1EM4DCoCZDNtTVrjzEaXFx7ODd-2_zbwMMG3OU0qL03WHhEWjtgWKorJWgXjfiliefzg3qNiZns4yR0n55n4BZaNZDUizsuhorm_WNXMSVoN1HBEKibZ5I2UCpDBegyAZgUMV-Vb2iIbvUKAKAkUGMUKx8xtzdFt8N8g/s1627/black%20and%20white%20warbler%201%20042220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="1627" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj53ajX3ozOGfN8qTGVRE21xE1EM4DCoCZDNtTVrjzEaXFx7ODd-2_zbwMMG3OU0qL03WHhEWjtgWKorJWgXjfiliefzg3qNiZns4yR0n55n4BZaNZDUizsuhorm_WNXMSVoN1HBEKibZ5I2UCpDBegyAZgUMV-Vb2iIbvUKAKAkUGMUKx8xtzdFt8N8g/w640-h600/black%20and%20white%20warbler%201%20042220.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black and white warbler photo by Rich McCarty</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Weekly surveys allow us to know which birds have returned and the dates. Many birds arrivals are predictable, as they are similar every year within a few days. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mWBQZxsY7DVtTwjFWrV6i9WtKBbUgwgc5vNv6jcHxzwx_XkihL6A9nRucXqekdUwPcdg6cmIreis3-RLQBnjVI5qov7GM12buM_Pkh9xVxYYBuNTpA2__fnz2mgkbTiTjMvKI8xXXjpE9ADxe5xJdR0yf8vLDYZ-7cE0SUDH-HYl8LiVgq5SlQfP_Q/s4397/northern%20oriole%20051222rmc.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3439" data-original-width="4397" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mWBQZxsY7DVtTwjFWrV6i9WtKBbUgwgc5vNv6jcHxzwx_XkihL6A9nRucXqekdUwPcdg6cmIreis3-RLQBnjVI5qov7GM12buM_Pkh9xVxYYBuNTpA2__fnz2mgkbTiTjMvKI8xXXjpE9ADxe5xJdR0yf8vLDYZ-7cE0SUDH-HYl8LiVgq5SlQfP_Q/w640-h500/northern%20oriole%20051222rmc.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Baltimore oriole photo by Rich McCarty.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Some bird species stick around throughout the winter, but their numbers may increase as relatives from the north need to move south to areas like ours where water doesn't freeze solid. Wood ducks may seem more abundant during migration, but the residents remain and breed near our rivers, creeks and lakes.</span></div><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLn3pLzvcYRd0bq2ZbeavyymhoM_jhNHx4wu_7uueXJugDfPWhPWIdGLscJEtGTfutFJhV4_OzRGDak_tu_kqNvhVnqS073SPp1oLN_Pl0OBguWN3EM6CVk-Nav_Lsy_Yw59QDBf6H9geMZ1JrDc4zTZqjQLcH1So6eMtVRjlKfDpRIK0p-6wIubrRw/s3904/wood%20duck%20male%20051222rmc.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3266" data-original-width="3904" height="536" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLn3pLzvcYRd0bq2ZbeavyymhoM_jhNHx4wu_7uueXJugDfPWhPWIdGLscJEtGTfutFJhV4_OzRGDak_tu_kqNvhVnqS073SPp1oLN_Pl0OBguWN3EM6CVk-Nav_Lsy_Yw59QDBf6H9geMZ1JrDc4zTZqjQLcH1So6eMtVRjlKfDpRIK0p-6wIubrRw/w640-h536/wood%20duck%20male%20051222rmc.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood duck photo by Rich McCarty.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_W5E2qd_-2WLuWwwM23AKz43rSA8k6v7HVw1yYkhdpgxdzSLWTPTMZmDJ8jGWiVc4iZe4w5kig3gC2Vf4Y0jVxT23KRv-Ip54eSVp9L89DykHzxSdgf_SqPxVmhuT_UviTwqzLVWti109zbBM5q9RhSXeQG07-aeCkG19av-eYEorxmVfuW8RifVzw/s2771/DSC_1371%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1794" data-original-width="2771" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8_W5E2qd_-2WLuWwwM23AKz43rSA8k6v7HVw1yYkhdpgxdzSLWTPTMZmDJ8jGWiVc4iZe4w5kig3gC2Vf4Y0jVxT23KRv-Ip54eSVp9L89DykHzxSdgf_SqPxVmhuT_UviTwqzLVWti109zbBM5q9RhSXeQG07-aeCkG19av-eYEorxmVfuW8RifVzw/w640-h414/DSC_1371%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Male and female wood ducks hiding along the waterway.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>All habitats are searched to survey possible species. Forests, grassy fields, croplands, old fields, neighborhoods and any body of water should be visited as many species are specific to where they live. An Eastern kingbird will be found along wires and fences in the farmlands, where shorebirds like the solitary sandpiper needs any place with shallow water to forage.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPbnegxBM7CFaIHz0Of3QZJuiik2UalSURGy8-i2F9kJDzI8HIk4oS8T1N3L3jafqZdkLPKdnyLQiBTEDF77MqvWKg-XyZ5ftceiyWLFrkV2pLMrSGMimkXMTaQhQhKEcngHdGcTw-Ign2jDoMeYfwcq9zSNld2WpO3SjWy-Z9XVBeaGmLx_RQbzWyQ/s3554/eastern%20kingbird%20051322rmc.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3364" data-original-width="3554" height="606" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiPbnegxBM7CFaIHz0Of3QZJuiik2UalSURGy8-i2F9kJDzI8HIk4oS8T1N3L3jafqZdkLPKdnyLQiBTEDF77MqvWKg-XyZ5ftceiyWLFrkV2pLMrSGMimkXMTaQhQhKEcngHdGcTw-Ign2jDoMeYfwcq9zSNld2WpO3SjWy-Z9XVBeaGmLx_RQbzWyQ/w640-h606/eastern%20kingbird%20051322rmc.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern kingbird photo by Rich McCarty.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEknml8mQrlX6WV8RacAhelm3jYs4nW-cUcYk9S6E6Vk-P9GWDVuImy-dST_wd0mQ-Vkxvak0WZ44d-23SeByZZjWtwYytkcY6GeKTvQtkjrpLqGlejobUBaRwd0NAdn4LycAFLKbzy6LM7zOnFPv4-pYnpw9ID-JqfNelcigizPkmzjrNOCDU7_bHA/s3364/solitary%20sandpiper%20051222rmc.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2956" data-original-width="3364" height="562" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGEknml8mQrlX6WV8RacAhelm3jYs4nW-cUcYk9S6E6Vk-P9GWDVuImy-dST_wd0mQ-Vkxvak0WZ44d-23SeByZZjWtwYytkcY6GeKTvQtkjrpLqGlejobUBaRwd0NAdn4LycAFLKbzy6LM7zOnFPv4-pYnpw9ID-JqfNelcigizPkmzjrNOCDU7_bHA/w640-h562/solitary%20sandpiper%20051222rmc.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Solitary sandpiper photo by Rich McCarty.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>The real fun for anyone doing bird surveys is the possibility of finding rarer migrants passing through. Non-breeding migrants that are moving north start singing their songs as they travel. This gives bird surveyors a chance to hear something unusual, and possibly catch a glimpse of the rarities. </div><div>This year produced a few unusual birds we rarely get to see or hear, like this Canada warbler. At least 4 Canada warblers were found together one morning. </div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaspIvOaWqf2pyvyz0aQAwvg3iQXIIS7E7oUUt6VPkjJTh6iiNG7CZ5EC6jV6jeWEqODhKb7_yGrzzS55EE29wxKjcgg67_ryXEqWFyhisjGxWDbN1SKfoNtWF1AIVbSwLyr1T9rcdtHGqv41Fcoa0cvyVfxDf2Yo0Xst0hUrdPfWGm8IneiHzrejqQ/s2599/canada%20warbler%202.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2599" data-original-width="2305" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaspIvOaWqf2pyvyz0aQAwvg3iQXIIS7E7oUUt6VPkjJTh6iiNG7CZ5EC6jV6jeWEqODhKb7_yGrzzS55EE29wxKjcgg67_ryXEqWFyhisjGxWDbN1SKfoNtWF1AIVbSwLyr1T9rcdtHGqv41Fcoa0cvyVfxDf2Yo0Xst0hUrdPfWGm8IneiHzrejqQ/w568-h640/canada%20warbler%202.JPG" width="568" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada warbler found along Ohio Brush Creek.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Other rarities are found and heard every year during migration, but their striking plumage never gets old.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbzzJR32VMlTscymmsnxlx1KBXNbdzKit39xkRZIzw7ZcDj6UqNK9QuqWUZkd3eHMqkNLV0sWfllnnlNKbwgECZ6cMYLZpAuztflWr2f4VluCKmUJG-6yYOpYWzc7P1_NyfE1ytLc8Ja8k94n8cQQgsdzFBX0w93voMKlVPNQN2Xo_7B0DdxDOHCWqg/s2157/DSC_1247%20(3).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2157" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitbzzJR32VMlTscymmsnxlx1KBXNbdzKit39xkRZIzw7ZcDj6UqNK9QuqWUZkd3eHMqkNLV0sWfllnnlNKbwgECZ6cMYLZpAuztflWr2f4VluCKmUJG-6yYOpYWzc7P1_NyfE1ytLc8Ja8k94n8cQQgsdzFBX0w93voMKlVPNQN2Xo_7B0DdxDOHCWqg/w640-h490/DSC_1247%20(3).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackburnian warbler</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwLPfYr-8qzeeka_TmupTf11_sFo48JJU-QLzGKdDF2SsUQmapA7l0sP-fd9NHTKGbfjJGt6qGH7V0dDqQCfgN7FZIw1uA10DIy_ArS7v0BtVIWV0tIEG6fShLjV70m1vfOJw5l24kdVMq1R7OK5p6-oYjxTPe70lwEPQfqDMtrDg66d6SX9eGOcNPw/s2381/DSC_1093%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="2381" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcwLPfYr-8qzeeka_TmupTf11_sFo48JJU-QLzGKdDF2SsUQmapA7l0sP-fd9NHTKGbfjJGt6qGH7V0dDqQCfgN7FZIw1uA10DIy_ArS7v0BtVIWV0tIEG6fShLjV70m1vfOJw5l24kdVMq1R7OK5p6-oYjxTPe70lwEPQfqDMtrDg66d6SX9eGOcNPw/w640-h520/DSC_1093%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black-throated blue warbler</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>A couple of very hard to find birds were photographed this year. Philadelphia vireos were verified this year. Its the first time in at least 25 years this bird was seen. This is one of 3 separate Philadelphia vireos photographed this year.</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLGNymNrDmDLjhiHiArImzNt-LJ0FQVYz_uDM17CK7HmpuGLaKnUy1AENR4Hk7polpXtWw0GkTwyvnxljtpbGFxjqys7KdmZWLJ_hgaUelekQnLG0-EtwuOUyreuRLuZ9vc_qjc1szk-xScLFw4A-U070nqH3Qk0sW60CGHQ9ahaBJGKtvIV8_aIS5A/s2382/philadelphia%20vireo1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1991" data-original-width="2382" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoLGNymNrDmDLjhiHiArImzNt-LJ0FQVYz_uDM17CK7HmpuGLaKnUy1AENR4Hk7polpXtWw0GkTwyvnxljtpbGFxjqys7KdmZWLJ_hgaUelekQnLG0-EtwuOUyreuRLuZ9vc_qjc1szk-xScLFw4A-U070nqH3Qk0sW60CGHQ9ahaBJGKtvIV8_aIS5A/w640-h534/philadelphia%20vireo1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First Philadelphia vireo we have seen on the preserve.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1STpE6WvktqDdrxdGgE_VKv4ZNLzAAv2C-KfikcQQWbWcnn0I-vf0awkDQptDmnYhmWKlVLcvDAoRgESNtPu7tCiMWT3fZaeQJTMo79KJUx_4A6asuvQ3uZpvZyL_jMUs6XmOpHrbG9cPj3ugGYHg6CwDvMKcWXbSLwTMouUaXTzfAB0Z8f5QWFQ2Vw/s3856/DSCN2945%20(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3455" data-original-width="3856" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1STpE6WvktqDdrxdGgE_VKv4ZNLzAAv2C-KfikcQQWbWcnn0I-vf0awkDQptDmnYhmWKlVLcvDAoRgESNtPu7tCiMWT3fZaeQJTMo79KJUx_4A6asuvQ3uZpvZyL_jMUs6XmOpHrbG9cPj3ugGYHg6CwDvMKcWXbSLwTMouUaXTzfAB0Z8f5QWFQ2Vw/w640-h574/DSCN2945%20(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Second Philadelphia vireo found. Photo by Rich McCarty</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Also this spring, a singing mourning warbler was found along Ohio Brush Creek. A very difficult bird to see, let alone photograph, this bird stays low in shrubs, barely giving glimpses for identification.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeAdUDn44z9RAGO2I3ALkoVRatYAkAuTt9LIjel0tYpvsy-U5wkAytjAeyquYUTMkIxA04jQjNcK9TFTFflC9f_ocAJP6TmRMFvDjKe2Yi1TXrOjfuB6HDJLmte6VyJRQxafw1j7dF-8WwejG_Y8l6jSwpau6xA9NXeP4TIFf6CNDA7zeDsA-ogcnYw/s1527/mourning%20warbler1.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1317" data-original-width="1527" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJeAdUDn44z9RAGO2I3ALkoVRatYAkAuTt9LIjel0tYpvsy-U5wkAytjAeyquYUTMkIxA04jQjNcK9TFTFflC9f_ocAJP6TmRMFvDjKe2Yi1TXrOjfuB6HDJLmte6VyJRQxafw1j7dF-8WwejG_Y8l6jSwpau6xA9NXeP4TIFf6CNDA7zeDsA-ogcnYw/w400-h345/mourning%20warbler1.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mourning warbler characteristically hides in bushes not letting us get clear looks.</td></tr></tbody></table>.<br /><div>All the breeding birds have returned, and the passing migrants have made their way north. The yearly trek made by these birds is an amazing feat, and the opportunity to observe this event never disappoints. The large and diverse landscape of the preserve supports such a wide variety of birds, its no wonder why so many people visit us to look for our feathered friends. <br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-73051739407099102972022-02-25T12:05:00.005-05:002022-02-25T14:18:00.263-05:002021 Christmas Bird Count<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggmD89QehKg2INMgw72HcmmhyTpI37bHp1QOf1BNXWeHeS5GZChP2HyYC1fhu_wsUPRosbB6GQZyDK5zzsiYIcajBw7P59IQo_ZDDp2OXwvIwDtVfmvLAaVHWvISLbklffxtQHrV9R20FJL4-KyM8yitOmwmgnLdE09SfPtgBMOfwgHSc27pRnNGgsxQ=s2749" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2439" data-original-width="2749" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEggmD89QehKg2INMgw72HcmmhyTpI37bHp1QOf1BNXWeHeS5GZChP2HyYC1fhu_wsUPRosbB6GQZyDK5zzsiYIcajBw7P59IQo_ZDDp2OXwvIwDtVfmvLAaVHWvISLbklffxtQHrV9R20FJL4-KyM8yitOmwmgnLdE09SfPtgBMOfwgHSc27pRnNGgsxQ=w640-h568" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American kestrel</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p>The 2021 Christmas Bird Count was very productive this year. Closing in on the counties record of 84 species found in one day, the 20 plus participants counted every bird within a 24 hour period the weekend before Christmas and observed 81 species and 15,954 individual birds.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicsn943F4pzDeUbblhzwBeh7xuqsbZQ8Rp64rdQR1fJxH26j-QeU1tinti7QiluKNIw_ECcGSUpMSRiSpW6RvkJqryH20b-FChuxyHYL0zXQPiN_C0KEGcBvHv52eF8AqFi8P5iQtkMlHNTUa2fed6XSHi38qd4x4rAa5BThaluFgLKNX-DzUJ3ZFM7w=s2523" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="2523" height="636" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicsn943F4pzDeUbblhzwBeh7xuqsbZQ8Rp64rdQR1fJxH26j-QeU1tinti7QiluKNIw_ECcGSUpMSRiSpW6RvkJqryH20b-FChuxyHYL0zXQPiN_C0KEGcBvHv52eF8AqFi8P5iQtkMlHNTUa2fed6XSHi38qd4x4rAa5BThaluFgLKNX-DzUJ3ZFM7w=w640-h636" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A hermit thrush sneakily hiding deep in the brush</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This count gives the Audubon Society long term data of bird populations in the winter for many of the counties in the United States. Adams County, Ohio has been counting bird species around this same time of year for the Audubon's Christmas Bird Count since 1974.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkMaAO5U2sMufniTl2RWWz3UCgqLu1nPEYRzaUT1lHzNaps0E80ALhADR7FP3LHzRNTLZPB1W5gHpX49gSQ2k7NLyuFI72n6mXbB77T3sXogfq4mvIpqRT4hkzuDEGD53YgqJQZwltecgyTboNBR8y58TL28OO3jbJOx4HpHvHMNzprESPZRLsAiAKDg=s1523" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="1523" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgkMaAO5U2sMufniTl2RWWz3UCgqLu1nPEYRzaUT1lHzNaps0E80ALhADR7FP3LHzRNTLZPB1W5gHpX49gSQ2k7NLyuFI72n6mXbB77T3sXogfq4mvIpqRT4hkzuDEGD53YgqJQZwltecgyTboNBR8y58TL28OO3jbJOx4HpHvHMNzprESPZRLsAiAKDg=w640-h460" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-breasted nuthatch photo by Rich McCarty</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Many birds encountered are very common and birds that live in the area year round. Others are winter visitors like red-breasted nuthatch, hermit thrush, winter wren, fox sparrow, purple finch, most ducks and many more. But some are rare visitors that only get recorded once every several years like Merlins, ruby-crowned kinglets and rusty blackbirds, all of which were found this winters count.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH3v0cQOJ1qiQyD_l_q6qJCIDMEQVBd8QHL6b-3ponR7JAhxBZcQlaGyJwyVnuj8DXynL_PoCbNwJ4mpWsSi_PTcFT2yfRRqa3btKicTtsf_eUPAHWxYzvz3QOnaPqJhX26S5FzBD0Cw9rTDu0ByE8m32v7lOge2MWLTqQPlA9A_7XNQo0-JK-nN9LCQ=s2898" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2759" data-original-width="2898" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgH3v0cQOJ1qiQyD_l_q6qJCIDMEQVBd8QHL6b-3ponR7JAhxBZcQlaGyJwyVnuj8DXynL_PoCbNwJ4mpWsSi_PTcFT2yfRRqa3btKicTtsf_eUPAHWxYzvz3QOnaPqJhX26S5FzBD0Cw9rTDu0ByE8m32v7lOge2MWLTqQPlA9A_7XNQo0-JK-nN9LCQ=w640-h610" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern screech owl gives away its roosting spot by calling back to our imitating whistles<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Below are the 81 species found on this years Christmas Bird Count. The number represents how many individuals.</div><div><br /></div><div>Red-winged blackbird <b>613</b></div><div>Rusty blackbird <b> 1</b></div><div>Eastern bluebird <b> 116</b></div><div>Bufflehead<b> 1</b></div><div>Northern cardinal <b>186</b></div><div>Gray catbird <b>1</b></div><div>Carolina chickadee <b>166</b></div><div>American coot <b>6</b></div><div>Brown-headed cowbird <b>1</b></div><div>Brown creeper <b>4</b></div><div>American crow <b>236</b></div><div>Mourning dove <b>555</b></div><div>Rock dove <b>132</b></div><div>Ring-neck duck <b> 100</b></div><div>American black duck <b>6</b></div><div>Ruddy duck <b>1</b></div><div>Wood duck <b>6</b></div><div>Bald eagle <b>6</b></div><div>House finch <b>32</b><br />Purple finch <b>57</b></div><div>Northern flicker <b>32</b></div><div>American goldfinch <b>177</b></div><div>Canada goose <b>387</b></div><div>Common grackle <b>538</b></div><div>Northern harrier <b>5</b> </div><div>Cooper's hawk <b> 6</b></div><div>Sharp-shinned hawk <b>2</b></div><div>Red-shouldered hawk <b>38</b></div><div>Red-tailed hawk <b>27</b></div><div>Great blue heron <b> 9</b></div><div>Blue jay <b>226</b></div><div>Dark-eyed junco <b>80</b></div><div>American kestrel <b>41</b></div><div>Killdeer <b>6</b></div><div>Belted kingfisher <b>13</b></div><div>Gold-crowned kinglet <b>31</b></div><div>Ruby-crowned kinglet <b> 1 </b></div><div>Common loon <b>1</b></div><div>Mallard <b>63 </b></div><div>(<i>Continues</i>)</div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIviYyZrz7k_eIWZsMtoZP-AOctgsLsTiPfVVObSQPBbqPrDAnJqtDC-SfZCqVmMM-0VGhx5PKDgtLNMeOqlW-oJ4LJNQc75SGbY7sdz7kCNOyvqup3UsyKQJ9hgrmvqEnkeQRYKXCJ0MQ9UX2JcNQgk-jAY36NZ_roCX4zWd1_eoPAj13pA_sUnMolg=s3200" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3200" data-original-width="3177" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIviYyZrz7k_eIWZsMtoZP-AOctgsLsTiPfVVObSQPBbqPrDAnJqtDC-SfZCqVmMM-0VGhx5PKDgtLNMeOqlW-oJ4LJNQc75SGbY7sdz7kCNOyvqup3UsyKQJ9hgrmvqEnkeQRYKXCJ0MQ9UX2JcNQgk-jAY36NZ_roCX4zWd1_eoPAj13pA_sUnMolg=w636-h640" width="636" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-bellied sapsuckers are the only winter woodpeckers that do not breed here<br /> photo by Rich McCarty</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>(<i>continued</i>)</div><div>Eastern meadowlark <b>45</b></div><div>Hooded merganser <b>18</b></div><div>Merlin <b>2</b></div><div>Northern mockingbird <b>15</b></div><div>Red-breasted nuthatch <b>3</b></div><div>White-breasted nuthatch <b>70</b></div><div>Barred owl <b>3</b></div><div>Eastern screech owl <b>6</b></div><div>Great horned owl <b>2</b></div><div>Ring-necked pheasant <b>2</b></div><div>Eastern phoebe <b> 1</b></div><div>American Robin <b>4046</b></div><div>Yellow-bellied sapsucker <b> 8</b></div><div>Lesser scaup <b>70</b></div><div>Wilson's snipe<b> 1</b></div><div>Field sparrow <b>30</b></div><div>Fox sparrow <b>9</b></div><div>House sparrow <b> 51</b></div><div>Song sparrow <b> 119</b></div><div>Swamp sparrow <b>20</b></div><div>American tree sparrow <b> 6</b></div><div>White-crowned sparrow <b>10</b></div><div>White-throated sparrow <b>234</b></div><div>European starling <b>5804</b></div><div>Green-winged teal <b>19</b></div><div>Brown thrasher <b>1</b></div><div>Hermit thrush <b>11</b></div><div>Tufted titmouse <b>74</b></div><div>Eastern towhee <b> 19</b></div><div>Wild turkey <b>5</b></div><div>Black vulture <b> 218</b></div><div>Turkey vulture <b>71</b></div><div>Yellow-rumped warbler <b>159</b></div><div>Cedar waxwing <b>311</b></div><div>American woodcock <b>4</b></div><div>Downy woodpecker <b>52</b></div><div>Hairy woodpecker <b> 18</b></div><div>Pileated woodpecker <b>17</b></div><div>Red-bellied woodpecker <b>86</b></div><div>Red-headed woodpecker <b>2</b></div><div>Carolina wren <b> 40</b></div><div>Winter wren <b>3</b></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPCNNHSSrUgnLAgmDzXhNXfhkA3uDKWTzzFYl7FZ2grZ6tT_JmF-lj8rcH0xiU15xKIxHXfbIkHAdgerGOq54Lv_3zhJOk-R8ckCNmHIh-9oBdG1JDMT8sTdOvDl0w2W8ubMfZZDgzVvL3HL9gvLjyO-_aa1TrLlL9Z_aBQupsxEPsAiXZa12gIkC8LA=s4608" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjPCNNHSSrUgnLAgmDzXhNXfhkA3uDKWTzzFYl7FZ2grZ6tT_JmF-lj8rcH0xiU15xKIxHXfbIkHAdgerGOq54Lv_3zhJOk-R8ckCNmHIh-9oBdG1JDMT8sTdOvDl0w2W8ubMfZZDgzVvL3HL9gvLjyO-_aa1TrLlL9Z_aBQupsxEPsAiXZa12gIkC8LA=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cedar waxwings hang around in groups but are usually found by hearing their high pitch whistles<br />photo by Rich McCarty</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>It varies year to year, mostly depending on the weather of the day, on how many birds are found. Adams Counties CBC has been lucky to have a dedicated group of returning volunteers that count the same territories each year, which helps gather a more accurate census of which birds are within the count circle.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPjzZT53npDvt4UIb9FTy8-aPxXU-dye95VyP1YgEMfEf_kJyY3Ky7F7LSwLUfRpchvew7U6p2-BM_Uc-Pc2IXkyQFhZux8mJd025RSJ1NTX2N4eBdmrg-LbatjOGJjRTy2o-pRWmeDckMa9urjFp95Ydi3TX8NEEvE3FarmuoUIxFqTlDjQJ-t77MVA=s2817" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2416" data-original-width="2817" height="548" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPjzZT53npDvt4UIb9FTy8-aPxXU-dye95VyP1YgEMfEf_kJyY3Ky7F7LSwLUfRpchvew7U6p2-BM_Uc-Pc2IXkyQFhZux8mJd025RSJ1NTX2N4eBdmrg-LbatjOGJjRTy2o-pRWmeDckMa9urjFp95Ydi3TX8NEEvE3FarmuoUIxFqTlDjQJ-t77MVA=w640-h548" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some common birds like Mourning doves can have high numbers during the count</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo0izI3ymtecIzWLdDOJ_HlDtpPGZnHO6pAKasG0Wjp68GpdemiParSN3KSjrghbJg0Yiij815RoXRa_uAXfv860yqmNX2X0tuxfYZ_BDrMfkjkjaxzd7DdKlGaMUMZX8DVkIo2ujNZcI2Bxdx8Ho1t2aZidpldHN3sqjP5JJElIiHOGN7H75gzwQCEQ=s1428" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1183" data-original-width="1428" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo0izI3ymtecIzWLdDOJ_HlDtpPGZnHO6pAKasG0Wjp68GpdemiParSN3KSjrghbJg0Yiij815RoXRa_uAXfv860yqmNX2X0tuxfYZ_BDrMfkjkjaxzd7DdKlGaMUMZX8DVkIo2ujNZcI2Bxdx8Ho1t2aZidpldHN3sqjP5JJElIiHOGN7H75gzwQCEQ=w640-h530" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fox sparrows seem to like the ragweed fields along the floodplain of Ohio Brush Creek</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Thanks to all that participate in the Adams County Christmas Bird Count, and for spending an entire day close to Christmas immersing themselves in an intense count!</div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQDh7gT4tLzVZiImGiR8uazHokcJew7xdjjJB1-PDvcvUIiQIfMkr2ZnvFCDKWkmiTfaPSGzDYMDYMbZ-M9fMIXTIqxBoEpkLO_8G6KUh2LDzXiv0yDYGSbkCJEtXFl0QbxO76qamCLNgqoHAmGRo9Ka95WiMRztQU6W-HM4ZZ6TAGcvd8ghk2Ij7nsQ=s2223" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1898" data-original-width="2223" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQDh7gT4tLzVZiImGiR8uazHokcJew7xdjjJB1-PDvcvUIiQIfMkr2ZnvFCDKWkmiTfaPSGzDYMDYMbZ-M9fMIXTIqxBoEpkLO_8G6KUh2LDzXiv0yDYGSbkCJEtXFl0QbxO76qamCLNgqoHAmGRo9Ka95WiMRztQU6W-HM4ZZ6TAGcvd8ghk2Ij7nsQ=w400-h341" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common grackle bullies other birds at a feeder during the count</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /><div>Posted by Mark Zloba<br /><div><br /><div><br /><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-47481811207245900162021-02-02T16:31:00.001-05:002021-02-03T16:43:13.290-05:00Samuel James<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj898NfYkdnCB7NT_sY2lSAv1GrS414Ue60i5hldSbgHJMJoQbByAfMo0UHNe1te57aiYiVysrEgw0iRtc6JtdMquZfvMiuFujk1n0FfTwLFRiUiHx9AbqJDCIaMggK-6kQW_MT3JOR9H0c/s2048/2.+Ambystoma+jeffersonianum+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2048" height="628" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj898NfYkdnCB7NT_sY2lSAv1GrS414Ue60i5hldSbgHJMJoQbByAfMo0UHNe1te57aiYiVysrEgw0iRtc6JtdMquZfvMiuFujk1n0FfTwLFRiUiHx9AbqJDCIaMggK-6kQW_MT3JOR9H0c/w640-h628/2.+Ambystoma+jeffersonianum+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ambystoma jeffersonianum © Samuel James</td></tr></tbody></table> <br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">You've seen his stunning photographs on this blog before, but who is he? Sam is an incredibly talented professional photographer who has become a wonderful friend to the preserve and those of us who live and work here. Sam and his family found their way into the Ohio Brush Creek Valley in 2019. We quickly made their acquaintance and the rest is history!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sUhtvWPd9U1wc5SI4XU-rYH9zp5fLfZNuAjDnH9Rvep94YRTwZ7YOuvdnbPZJgVPfW3zQmcesEGeTzPgLLZfUSNT03f9cMT0u1vR8eAzqBDKNLzjZWcH_F-lUab5hT60LcBGXzBYgeZZ/s2048/Frontinella+pyramitela+3+%25C2%25A9+Samuel+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sUhtvWPd9U1wc5SI4XU-rYH9zp5fLfZNuAjDnH9Rvep94YRTwZ7YOuvdnbPZJgVPfW3zQmcesEGeTzPgLLZfUSNT03f9cMT0u1vR8eAzqBDKNLzjZWcH_F-lUab5hT60LcBGXzBYgeZZ/w640-h426/Frontinella+pyramitela+3+%25C2%25A9+Samuel+James.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frontinella pyramitela © Samuel James</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Sam has a deep love for learning and has spent the past few years literally absorbing any and all knowledge about the preserve and the Eastern Forest and all of its inhabitants: plant, animal and other. I have yet to meet another human being with such a thirst to know about the natural world. It is continually a pleasure to explore aspects of natural history with Sam. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDy_MIy1ZYdS2j537wuFYsAB5INt9NP3K10QM9NMKWagw1exqVObToZHCCA5xi3-avfs4X4jDx4W2lIM5EkEDHf4od69ZBOWF4rAK8nl5GqXRaOhhudELGdsOrjG0AhJlM0VPBLQrSs1_/s2048/8.+Pyractomena+angulata+and+Photinus+carolinus+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDy_MIy1ZYdS2j537wuFYsAB5INt9NP3K10QM9NMKWagw1exqVObToZHCCA5xi3-avfs4X4jDx4W2lIM5EkEDHf4od69ZBOWF4rAK8nl5GqXRaOhhudELGdsOrjG0AhJlM0VPBLQrSs1_/w640-h426/8.+Pyractomena+angulata+and+Photinus+carolinus+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pyractomena angulata and Photinus carolinus © Samuel James</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">I think this is just one reason why Sam's photographs are so captivating. Sam's ability to immerse himself in whatever subject matter he is making photos of comes through like a shining beacon. Then, of course, there are some photos that for whatever the reason, are just ridiculously excellent. There is one such photo of Sam's that is being featured in an exhibit opening this Friday at Cincinnati Museum Center. It is part of a series of mind-blowing, long exposure shots of fireflies. If I didn't personally know Sam, I would have had a hard time being convinced that the photo was the real deal. You'll really have to see it for yourself. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pPzK0R4AAPdlM52VKu-vq4aU9PUrrVXPuGPtzxiTYCgyaMnwgEc5GL2bSnjhp0BkBhIGATHQYAhdnMWHN8h2siX2RUjg6F4s12WZS9yk0TmZILa3q85Mutp_v_udp-4BdybAGYXoTvfy/s2048/4.+Cladonia+cervicornis+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1372" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8pPzK0R4AAPdlM52VKu-vq4aU9PUrrVXPuGPtzxiTYCgyaMnwgEc5GL2bSnjhp0BkBhIGATHQYAhdnMWHN8h2siX2RUjg6F4s12WZS9yk0TmZILa3q85Mutp_v_udp-4BdybAGYXoTvfy/w428-h640/4.+Cladonia+cervicornis+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" width="428" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Cladonia cervicornis © Samuel James</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p style="text-align: center;">The aforementioned exhibit, A Year on the Edge, is getting a reboot by focusing on the nocturnal happenings on the Edge of Appalachia Preserve System. The stars of this exhibit are Sam's immersive photos of a vernal pool and it's inhabitants, nocturnal and bizarre-looking caterpillars, a superhero version of a spider and the dizzying array of firefly species found on the preserve. These amazing photos are complemented with a diverse display of nocturnal animals from CMC collections that are found on the Edge. The exhibit opens this Friday, February 5, 2021. <a href="https://www.cincymuseum.org/" target="_blank">Click here</a> for information on visiting CMC.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzqnoaTILxKg85JtJKLFLJ852TH9HILVgCXIWAbZtwH6_g6D8CjoW_iO3bPvP3PJNz_eXv_elLQJZlUaD_m2VU0ysu48J7jAZbczlbn8wzs101IddqNtExhl5w6QDBibsf3-jQUOnirbc/s2048/5.+Terrapene+carolina+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2031" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzqnoaTILxKg85JtJKLFLJ852TH9HILVgCXIWAbZtwH6_g6D8CjoW_iO3bPvP3PJNz_eXv_elLQJZlUaD_m2VU0ysu48J7jAZbczlbn8wzs101IddqNtExhl5w6QDBibsf3-jQUOnirbc/w634-h640/5.+Terrapene+carolina+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" width="634" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrapene carolina © Samuel James</td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;">Sam has given a tremendous amount to the preserve and to all of us who have had the pleasure of viewing his art and spending time with him. Please take a moment to see more of Sam's work at his website, <a href="http://www.samueljamesstudio.com" target="_blank">http://www.samueljamesstudio.com</a>/.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8fR-qkTpx9Ew-zoIl59dqIpIvcpaqXMWiYqR0RBZvLxvQz1JC4vrzhvhiKc0szbR3e1teTyvfYIimSZk4yGecRGZMWUNeIrqhMmBWUHix9Huktno98cU3gWOo2Nkc6rvUeR73MV_EZuy/s2048/7.+Cercis+canadensis+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2045" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq8fR-qkTpx9Ew-zoIl59dqIpIvcpaqXMWiYqR0RBZvLxvQz1JC4vrzhvhiKc0szbR3e1teTyvfYIimSZk4yGecRGZMWUNeIrqhMmBWUHix9Huktno98cU3gWOo2Nkc6rvUeR73MV_EZuy/w640-h640/7.+Cercis+canadensis+%25E2%2594%25AC%25E2%258C%2590+Samuel+James.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cercis canadensis © Samuel James</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Posted by: Robyn Wright-Strauss</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-1060788391856766332021-01-20T01:00:00.001-05:002021-01-20T01:00:07.197-05:00Crystallofolia<p style="text-align: center;">The other day a friend and I happened to be at the right place at the right time. We got to see something that is a cold weather phenomenon known by several names.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ9K9qTy-h_aCImS8up3Ng_cRGUC_6WqfctsTXjOEs_AyEzIt_xy2b4MuduB0UMxES7B8r0LOSE7ASJEbAsys-5vQAdq_R32GGJBa5i46wULPLQLZxu5jkPtuGD0-tCeHKUNI3UmvQn_P/s2611/20201219_104324.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1204" data-original-width="2611" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzZ9K9qTy-h_aCImS8up3Ng_cRGUC_6WqfctsTXjOEs_AyEzIt_xy2b4MuduB0UMxES7B8r0LOSE7ASJEbAsys-5vQAdq_R32GGJBa5i46wULPLQLZxu5jkPtuGD0-tCeHKUNI3UmvQn_P/w640-h294/20201219_104324.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crystallofolia on dittany (<i style="text-align: justify;">Cunila origanoides</i><span style="text-align: justify;">). All the following photos show this phenomenon on the same species of plant shown here.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ice doodles, frost flowers and ice ribbons are all names that have been attributed to these beautiful and ephemeral frozen sculptures. Not all these terms are the most accurate as these have nothing to do with frost and they really aren't flower or ribbons, though the names are very descriptive. Professor Emeritus Robert T. Harms (1932-2016) from the University of Texas at Austin, proposed the name, crystallofolia. Taken from Latin and Greek roots, it simply means "ice leaf". He does not take credit for this as original thought though. He points out that the term "eisblatt", which means the same thing, was used in the past by German botanists.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHNAaknQD2xKOS2TzIwQGIQxZyv3AsjWLqQCkVlLVsdwWfI0K14slyIWuJLXZKg_qaPhruC7ns9vOMWbJ5mYRe4BXlFK4xfGuNghEqyAOfWGZcs7g7jO7rmGtBu2-HMn1JzolKX1_-KDL/s2048/20201219_103631.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1310" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHNAaknQD2xKOS2TzIwQGIQxZyv3AsjWLqQCkVlLVsdwWfI0K14slyIWuJLXZKg_qaPhruC7ns9vOMWbJ5mYRe4BXlFK4xfGuNghEqyAOfWGZcs7g7jO7rmGtBu2-HMn1JzolKX1_-KDL/w410-h640/20201219_103631.jpg" width="410" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Regardless of what name we affix to them they are beautiful, interesting and rare. Like salamanders to a vernal pool in the spring, conditions have to be just right in order for these icy creations to form. Dr. Harms lists only a few native North American plants have been documented as being able to produce the ice formations. They include, dittany (<i>Cunila origanoides</i>), frostweed (<i>Helianthemum canadense</i>), white crownbeard (<i>Verbesina virginica</i>) and marsh fleabane (<i>Pluchea odorata</i>). Why some plants support this phenomenon and others do not is not yet settled by scientists. However, the process by which the ice is formed is known as ice segregation. I won't try and distill that process here, as I will freely admit to not quite grasping the physics of it myself. However, <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-align: center;">Dr. James R. Carter, Professor Emeritus of </span><span style="text-align: center;">Illinois State University, explains the process in an excellent article about ice flowers published in <i>American Scientist</i>. The article is titled, <i>Flowers and Ribbons of Ice</i>. <a href="https://www.americanscientist.org/article/flowers-and-ribbons-of-ice" target="_blank">Here is the link</a>, but in the case that it becomes outdated, simply use your favorite search engine.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPUs2dUZPt4744EOdbI7kPjGp29SpIez1DMadnZpi7-hR5j3eZyb6VgwA9yePIQW7BqjnYGkJXGrVjQJU76ET4VPnik_d5SyHTAnbGMeF5zdodxTa9e507trmAY8_6xv8_th2_XGaILUF/s1800/20201219_104004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1485" data-original-width="1800" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPUs2dUZPt4744EOdbI7kPjGp29SpIez1DMadnZpi7-hR5j3eZyb6VgwA9yePIQW7BqjnYGkJXGrVjQJU76ET4VPnik_d5SyHTAnbGMeF5zdodxTa9e507trmAY8_6xv8_th2_XGaILUF/w640-h528/20201219_104004.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: center;">The science behind the these sculptures is fascinating and worth learning about. These are also rare enough that they provide ample motivation to explore the outdoors on cold mornings. In the meantime, enjoy a few more photos of these amazing crystallofloia.</span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmhtfjggA5cbWfjecIOZWDPzCtXwQ-jawW0uOhUvJeiJDzRwC45Cb62ZyW7lrSG_VKJpdMi7i1MsSIXhJxPWuoHuxOn1QNfQ0nh9ZxAEPxf7sSp2-wn-VG8moXFqhf6wif6X_PorBk8eg/s2048/20201219_103742.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1116" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmhtfjggA5cbWfjecIOZWDPzCtXwQ-jawW0uOhUvJeiJDzRwC45Cb62ZyW7lrSG_VKJpdMi7i1MsSIXhJxPWuoHuxOn1QNfQ0nh9ZxAEPxf7sSp2-wn-VG8moXFqhf6wif6X_PorBk8eg/w348-h640/20201219_103742.jpg" width="348" /></a></span></div><span style="text-align: justify;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYAEzQ39h67iM9hAEqjCtKflVU0lOLwNSZBPRCAApFKCkna1dTkS-BRwIDPPU4_R_R2SfGQKiiz5VzMtO8GfE3EuiTi3ITF3i6urymSBvJ4fodKEzeoOIh8FQanGK69oLY_pjlitnY8F3/s2048/20201219_103850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1509" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLYAEzQ39h67iM9hAEqjCtKflVU0lOLwNSZBPRCAApFKCkna1dTkS-BRwIDPPU4_R_R2SfGQKiiz5VzMtO8GfE3EuiTi3ITF3i6urymSBvJ4fodKEzeoOIh8FQanGK69oLY_pjlitnY8F3/w470-h640/20201219_103850.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKc_3a0gGdm01vCmRF2LwPEqYSkepVbYKx-cK8TiH-XaTDjZKXyDN9N4UuvHQv5U5GpJG96dlN74j7lf09ZXf2uyJFllb9xMSTwBXVQEs4726vCnBURqTaQ1wS1iE-3u16jAg_C1mdF0J/s1549/20201219_104324a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1549" data-original-width="1457" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsKc_3a0gGdm01vCmRF2LwPEqYSkepVbYKx-cK8TiH-XaTDjZKXyDN9N4UuvHQv5U5GpJG96dlN74j7lf09ZXf2uyJFllb9xMSTwBXVQEs4726vCnBURqTaQ1wS1iE-3u16jAg_C1mdF0J/w602-h640/20201219_104324a.jpg" width="602" /></a></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: justify;">Posted by: Robyn Wright-Strauss</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-68669743448300327042021-01-15T11:39:00.001-05:002021-01-18T10:17:20.741-05:002020 Adams County Christmas Bird Count<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJQhcToeRV_egSbMxbtl0Np8rstQFpmMVA4iS22xfOzr51x5-SPmwA_hOj_Ap4ZbOQLNpv1Pk1Y9ztswt9ALdRIQSJ6_99kbaGlmfDHHqV3EStkrXg5RQ3j0BUwpJZMz0gPP7TgUCG7Ap/s1686/eastern+towhee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1637" data-original-width="1686" height="389" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQJQhcToeRV_egSbMxbtl0Np8rstQFpmMVA4iS22xfOzr51x5-SPmwA_hOj_Ap4ZbOQLNpv1Pk1Y9ztswt9ALdRIQSJ6_99kbaGlmfDHHqV3EStkrXg5RQ3j0BUwpJZMz0gPP7TgUCG7Ap/w400-h389/eastern+towhee.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An eastern towhee (Pipilio erythrophthalmus) puffs up in honor of another CBC.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> The Adams County Christmas Bird Count (CBC) was held on December 19, 2020. This annual count finds birders in predetermined locations recording every bird they encounter, sight or sound. <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRIjmxGJatubpa5NLNFPQIi7dBx1qM_qGclFcJJ7JlPHw0XsWwQqKyyZnK5BOhz1ESmiD5qaqmW-L2NydiCm_CImJ65W1JEHRQrBn0Ocj52pLGiWb2FVqke5SxLRI5G6YiF_2hK4a7B3s/s1719/bald+eagle+pair+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1719" data-original-width="1647" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRIjmxGJatubpa5NLNFPQIi7dBx1qM_qGclFcJJ7JlPHw0XsWwQqKyyZnK5BOhz1ESmiD5qaqmW-L2NydiCm_CImJ65W1JEHRQrBn0Ocj52pLGiWb2FVqke5SxLRI5G6YiF_2hK4a7B3s/w614-h640/bald+eagle+pair+2020.jpg" width="614" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pair of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) watch over their new nest site.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Eleven territories make up the Adams County circle. Upwards of 22 people searched the fields and woods and neighborhoods of the county finding 76 species between 6:30am and 5:30pm on count day. The weather was cooperative and the numbers of birds did not disappoint. The total number of individual birds found that day was 23,625. That's a lot of birds to count!</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6h8PNCGUHhoU7IUui-vZvIr5o5Fp_JhLWcpLC5tR6IPzmJ1sUnfOxPfHPwCI0onMnsrq66qcxKO5thxmG9EfpMmYvSTI3my9h_3zRJphyphenhyphenjSnq_KKlHf8omZxy7OM0Cp3I07TDDdUegK7/s1719/Am+tree+sparrow3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="1719" height="557" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6h8PNCGUHhoU7IUui-vZvIr5o5Fp_JhLWcpLC5tR6IPzmJ1sUnfOxPfHPwCI0onMnsrq66qcxKO5thxmG9EfpMmYvSTI3my9h_3zRJphyphenhyphenjSnq_KKlHf8omZxy7OM0Cp3I07TDDdUegK7/w640-h557/Am+tree+sparrow3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American tree sparrows (Spizelloides arborea) visit our area only in winter.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>All habitats are searched for specific birds. Ducks of course, as well as eagles are found near the rivers. Fields are hang out spots for many sparrows like the American tree, white-crowned and field sparrows.<br /><div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC96OgvH99UgiDFO5auiXJU6Jzv14KFcC3-xgWlc9iErHcTj-sYvTrefsvzs62wjCV7udNmNYROJLjsvvdPW4_HElALM11j9CAzGm_fuiCojXnc-r6Rpkv-jhsR5-_vOJI-o-5Oj-awaC1/s2048/hermit+thrush+1+121318.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2021" data-original-width="2048" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC96OgvH99UgiDFO5auiXJU6Jzv14KFcC3-xgWlc9iErHcTj-sYvTrefsvzs62wjCV7udNmNYROJLjsvvdPW4_HElALM11j9CAzGm_fuiCojXnc-r6Rpkv-jhsR5-_vOJI-o-5Oj-awaC1/w640-h632/hermit+thrush+1+121318.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) Photo by Rich McCarty</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><div>Forests are checked for wintering visitors like hermit thrushes, brown creepers and golden-crowned kinglets.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPBTPOwjPjUX1NNJ0_a7-39u3vbVbETbFCX-0ycGQ_oP30JZBT-g0C91OHfrkvFRuzqkcgqDi0DB-WNmc1DA7q0NIA7x83go9w-FnhlIbfgrFoo9Btttnt8OE0aPrM0wjW1YHhy92m7Rv/s2048/gold+crowned+kinglet2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1720" data-original-width="2048" height="538" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPBTPOwjPjUX1NNJ0_a7-39u3vbVbETbFCX-0ycGQ_oP30JZBT-g0C91OHfrkvFRuzqkcgqDi0DB-WNmc1DA7q0NIA7x83go9w-FnhlIbfgrFoo9Btttnt8OE0aPrM0wjW1YHhy92m7Rv/w640-h538/gold+crowned+kinglet2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY5OicT3g0IUfHh2QOdiCSvJPgDxxi65hfg1Euhomy9hpCLEy_uzQucyZ3zHVuJgJBEdvtLEoAs822rwzlUiSlXoQoPvJRxPhSDwyiqHwGwgGNoUWfCM6u_ZMvvKwM_z9HKwpnuEKtcRG/s2048/gold+crowned+kinglet3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZY5OicT3g0IUfHh2QOdiCSvJPgDxxi65hfg1Euhomy9hpCLEy_uzQucyZ3zHVuJgJBEdvtLEoAs822rwzlUiSlXoQoPvJRxPhSDwyiqHwGwgGNoUWfCM6u_ZMvvKwM_z9HKwpnuEKtcRG/w640-h480/gold+crowned+kinglet3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa) exposes its bright head stripe when excited.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfsWefgSRYHhOwYB1wW-GxDoLjKFKxqwrnc93CqYKIVpONtstZ4X0YBJ_Pn-qq167MnTwGoQYh_fURTYDcYJ-DmgX5LsUJqMW_7uRrvNTf7RyD7OQfxLk5aI7wryxdylhXmHHM1k2C1o9/s2048/red+breasted+nuthatch2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1385" data-original-width="2048" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzfsWefgSRYHhOwYB1wW-GxDoLjKFKxqwrnc93CqYKIVpONtstZ4X0YBJ_Pn-qq167MnTwGoQYh_fURTYDcYJ-DmgX5LsUJqMW_7uRrvNTf7RyD7OQfxLk5aI7wryxdylhXmHHM1k2C1o9/w640-h432/red+breasted+nuthatch2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>This red-breasted nuthatch is another winter visitor can be found in pine stands, but more easily found visiting bird feeders eating suet and black oil sunflower seed.<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TImpT16HnCCCuZO0XiYred0E2DYtoyvQe_4JUVMVJDPbCeDSCMguDcAxzDMf48jRwCdiM6eGSkwicgP1V1JAHNWPBg1XH47-35T681aTTKFeLbm63KwY3_RNbH2-GCucJs8TboWIy9SL/s2048/purple+finch3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="2048" height="435" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_TImpT16HnCCCuZO0XiYred0E2DYtoyvQe_4JUVMVJDPbCeDSCMguDcAxzDMf48jRwCdiM6eGSkwicgP1V1JAHNWPBg1XH47-35T681aTTKFeLbm63KwY3_RNbH2-GCucJs8TboWIy9SL/w640-h435/purple+finch3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple finch (Haemorhous purpureus)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Although many of the winter visitors can be hard to find, this year produced large numbers of seed eating birds like purple finches and evening grosbeaks. The latter has not be found on CBC in over 25 years but 8 were seen this year. </div><div> </div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdr_8WfpeAJUjdG4ddT7HaKJ5oJf_-Kq7MRclNt8xxH0KWhIvoSpJW0CXvOMAAPn2ozmBjcH6356uec1-tW134bQLD6qf7BX-U7AC9yRSNwM3fmno9giWP_BKPS8fOgLgWhaqC1Yrb7fI3/s1800/red+wing+blackbird.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1424" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdr_8WfpeAJUjdG4ddT7HaKJ5oJf_-Kq7MRclNt8xxH0KWhIvoSpJW0CXvOMAAPn2ozmBjcH6356uec1-tW134bQLD6qf7BX-U7AC9yRSNwM3fmno9giWP_BKPS8fOgLgWhaqC1Yrb7fI3/w506-h640/red+wing+blackbird.jpg" width="506" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large numbers of red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) were found this year including this colorful young male.</td></tr></tbody></table></div></div><div><div><br /><div>This years count had record numbers of 9 species: ring-necked duck, black vulture, American woodcock (new this year), red-shouldered hawk, red-headed woodpecker, northern flicker, European starling, swamp sparrow and red-winged blackbirds.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a5uBhQOAgG6h9otaR4gllMuhJ_Kr77Kg195TSq-XU4o-5HPiUhwwcBWlIXFZVdnV5Xtfo-72uBW8F-LGGEjM74e5ciamdUWTt2e7-HVm22aN8rxeNu0K7Dy94WBW-jQp9ZVto8S3aJ8g/s1619/winter+wren6.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1557" data-original-width="1619" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2a5uBhQOAgG6h9otaR4gllMuhJ_Kr77Kg195TSq-XU4o-5HPiUhwwcBWlIXFZVdnV5Xtfo-72uBW8F-LGGEjM74e5ciamdUWTt2e7-HVm22aN8rxeNu0K7Dy94WBW-jQp9ZVto8S3aJ8g/w640-h616/winter+wren6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter wrens (Troglodytes hiemalis) are extremely hard to find, and see. And harder to snap a shot of!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1u_K8I7kK-PxIOWnFB8Y1Z6OxhFEnmcgZH5WgEWfVbCfKYWc5r0qir-9k9Q1QgegPERe4bd8Q723yADmW2frtE4URmesPfC5y0P3bcsby5VnCFoF3vP8v-GRlIseerDowKdv02p5CRkV/s2048/downy+woodpecker.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1970" data-original-width="2048" height="616" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1u_K8I7kK-PxIOWnFB8Y1Z6OxhFEnmcgZH5WgEWfVbCfKYWc5r0qir-9k9Q1QgegPERe4bd8Q723yADmW2frtE4URmesPfC5y0P3bcsby5VnCFoF3vP8v-GRlIseerDowKdv02p5CRkV/w640-h616/downy+woodpecker.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downy woodpecker (Dryobates pubescens)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Above and below are a couple of our resident birds found every year on the count, so they rarely get cameras pointed in their direction. But some birds like the downy woodpecker and American goldfinch have been counted all 40 years the count has taken place in Adams County.<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXjwbQGeknD2HJri7quBFRCWAkO3aoo-j9iy4ttL9_V7ziOQid-xzORtLYJ6rsWpvklA88inhz5YyiS_n1IxYi0t1g11A6e3kCtcqDr4rN_jXFf2Z1_DT5EVBxqCUh0nnRx8GhpKnrXkO/s2048/goldfinch.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1988" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMXjwbQGeknD2HJri7quBFRCWAkO3aoo-j9iy4ttL9_V7ziOQid-xzORtLYJ6rsWpvklA88inhz5YyiS_n1IxYi0t1g11A6e3kCtcqDr4rN_jXFf2Z1_DT5EVBxqCUh0nnRx8GhpKnrXkO/w622-h640/goldfinch.jpg" width="622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">American goldfinch (Spinus tristis)</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>One of the best places to count many birds at once is a house with bird feeders. There you can find many common residents, or if you get lucky, find a wintering rarity like the yellow-bellied sapsucker.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBai3XbQdIHAa5Lcwi6yzmdXsMlnsD6o69nIKoTE_pcRq2flAdRJjLRS8aOk0GikUv-xLzOEC1S7ckxicRo42M9TU1exOMSXaoaMh6oT8ymFHfOihltJkaRX_O1uFKCmsVrQoT0WZv6I90/s2013/yb+sapsucker+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2010" data-original-width="2013" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBai3XbQdIHAa5Lcwi6yzmdXsMlnsD6o69nIKoTE_pcRq2flAdRJjLRS8aOk0GikUv-xLzOEC1S7ckxicRo42M9TU1exOMSXaoaMh6oT8ymFHfOihltJkaRX_O1uFKCmsVrQoT0WZv6I90/w640-h640/yb+sapsucker+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Not to be confused with the red-bellied woodpecker below, which also has yellow on its belly, but red as well. Yellow-bellieds have no red on their belly. And most male woodpeckers have red on their heads, but it doesn't make them red-headed woodpeckers.....I know, confusing.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICEKU5XppgZBwrHRbxmfdQOjsC3sjgBgkHgsdYdAb6lZzlCb-ns4HTFB9rob1-HsVxqWO8Vb7Uxs9A2TM2Toi_3gBGUsGKICkd1kitNXJ4w6SAUAhCtRsid6f5FzAe05T3Vc-_pUomoHd/s2048/red+bellied+woodpecker2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1993" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICEKU5XppgZBwrHRbxmfdQOjsC3sjgBgkHgsdYdAb6lZzlCb-ns4HTFB9rob1-HsVxqWO8Vb7Uxs9A2TM2Toi_3gBGUsGKICkd1kitNXJ4w6SAUAhCtRsid6f5FzAe05T3Vc-_pUomoHd/w622-h640/red+bellied+woodpecker2.jpg" width="622" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Every year some unusual birds show up and make the count exciting. This year was the first time that American woodcocks (not pictured, only heard) were displaying right before dark as they would in March. Never heard before in December, and new for the count, this was a pleasant surprise. And this did not occur just in one field, but two! Miles apart!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Here are the birds recorded on Dec. 19, 2020:</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Canada goose 544</div><div>wood duck 1</div><div>American black duck 17</div><div>mallard 154</div><div>green-winged teal 1</div><div>ring-necked duck 186</div><div>bufflehead 1</div><div>lesser scaup 3</div><div>hooded merganser 27</div><div>ruddy duck 1</div><div>N. bobwhite quail 1</div><div>wild turkey 39</div><div>pied-billed grebe 1</div><div>great blue heron 10</div><div>black vulture 417</div><div>turkey vulture 5</div><div>northern harrier 1</div><div>coopers hawk 2</div><div>bald eagle 6</div><div>red-shouldered hawk 22</div><div>red-tailed hawk 45</div><div>killdeer 17</div><div>American woodcock 3</div><div>rock pigeon 177</div><div>mourning dove 640</div><div>barn owl 1</div><div>eastern screech owl 6</div><div>great horned owl 13</div><div>barred owl 4</div><div>belted kingfisher 11</div><div>red-headed woodpecker 33</div><div>red-bellied woodpecker 79</div><div>yellow-bellied sapsucker 4</div><div>downy woodpecker 41</div><div>hairy woodpecker 17</div><div>norther flicker 72</div><div>pileated woodpecker 27</div><div>American kestrel 55</div><div>eastern phoebe 2</div><div>blue jay 350</div><div>American crow 411</div><div>Carolina chickadee 120</div><div>tufted titmouse 103</div><div>red-breasted nuthatch 7</div><div>white-breasted nuthatch 53</div><div>brown creeper 6</div><div>winter wren 5</div><div>Carolina wren 64</div><div>golden-crowned kinglet 15</div><div>eastern bluebird 89</div><div>hermit thrush 5</div><div>American robin 560</div><div>brown thrasher 2</div><div>northern mockingbird 24</div><div>European starling 16121</div><div>cedar waxwing 9</div><div>yellow-rumped warbler 39</div><div>American tree sparrow 12</div><div>field sparrow 19</div><div>fox sparrow 12</div><div>dark-eyed junco 206</div><div>white-crowned sparrow 9</div><div>white-throated sparrow 128</div><div>song sparrow 75</div><div>swamp sparrow 42</div><div>eastern towhee 29</div><div>northern cardinal 281</div><div>red-winged blackbird 273</div><div>eastern meadowlark 33</div><div>common grackle 1341</div><div>brown-headed cowbird 204</div><div>house finch 8</div><div>purple finch 27</div><div>American goldfinch 101</div><div>evening grosbeak 8</div><div>house sparrow 148</div><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEStrOK12yktVk4-mjuSLVFTTnWc84zygUlsZ-LS9N8Xe93nXYVmaXZY873OPDbf4NSZ7GuHqkqAyM931dIJDH-kuNCvSTV5Hn1A3DUr8Y8RHsZN2o4sCunvJ93mNTVZqvGhIHD0gtgLkJ/s1563/white+throated+sparrow.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1563" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEStrOK12yktVk4-mjuSLVFTTnWc84zygUlsZ-LS9N8Xe93nXYVmaXZY873OPDbf4NSZ7GuHqkqAyM931dIJDH-kuNCvSTV5Hn1A3DUr8Y8RHsZN2o4sCunvJ93mNTVZqvGhIHD0gtgLkJ/w640-h518/white+throated+sparrow.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgoqCKsEp49Vtabv2w5cZHVH0jIRdqOet5xDj9betP-l0st91GdjCNJRYG3-MZ4ueYMXr0uYikQRil2HB15Jmgu6Rqy6MqVgNTsupMF0f-vd77KWKvjdfll1CExy8zo5iya68G-wzCcJq/s1785/winter+wren4.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1785" data-original-width="1638" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgoqCKsEp49Vtabv2w5cZHVH0jIRdqOet5xDj9betP-l0st91GdjCNJRYG3-MZ4ueYMXr0uYikQRil2HB15Jmgu6Rqy6MqVgNTsupMF0f-vd77KWKvjdfll1CExy8zo5iya68G-wzCcJq/w588-h640/winter+wren4.jpg" width="588" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Winter wren (Troglodytes hiemalis)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>In all, it was a great day to be outside hunting for as many bird species as possible, and our number reflected it. Thanks to all the dedicated participants that brave the winter elements every year to record numbers for long term data curated by the Audubon Society. </div><div><br /></div><div>Posted by: Mark Zloba<div><div><div><div><div><div><p><br /></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-61135802469375664332021-01-13T06:00:00.001-05:002021-01-13T06:00:01.736-05:00EOA Nature Nuggets<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOK5Z2RzrdCNJ4ScuK-s_RoYEAiWoJWsiss7z3foPshi-Jjaj2ZGlKB0SdVqWt2Czyl2YJIEy5T0mD5UfCU-cYKFtO1hbbXcY-al3YTBJBUINgBSScsliZ6AaVO2QDlfLlJG0G_QHMg1g/s1134/IMG_7403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1134" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTOK5Z2RzrdCNJ4ScuK-s_RoYEAiWoJWsiss7z3foPshi-Jjaj2ZGlKB0SdVqWt2Czyl2YJIEy5T0mD5UfCU-cYKFtO1hbbXcY-al3YTBJBUINgBSScsliZ6AaVO2QDlfLlJG0G_QHMg1g/w640-h444/IMG_7403.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Getting up close and personal with some wildlife can get
well….creepy. Many kinds of animals, especially insects, have alien-like
qualities. Or, at least they have served as inspiration for aliens in TV and
movies to the point that now we see them that way. The ways they have evolved,
the adaptations they have and the ways they experience the world around them
can be so very different from us – we can’t help but to see them as other-worldly.
Take a look at some of these interesting and sci/fy like creatures from this <a href="http://eoapreserve.blogspot.com/2017/08/alien-invasion.html" target="_blank">past post.</a><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-51879466722560747172021-01-07T14:50:00.002-05:002021-01-07T14:50:42.379-05:00EOA Nature Nuggets<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FXNblX3-1T9QxtPsRBv8AvhDYaqeQW31CdwT70bbQUEV1noExhCW-KMGLfQvXZTFNI5AbleiDKn6FShZ1AxJLQAeMCxGK3bMhMhMcs5FQyOY0q12MQ0Z8RzHVZ2H6dHRul6UeKbVLTSU/s1615/DSC_0204+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="928" data-original-width="1615" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8FXNblX3-1T9QxtPsRBv8AvhDYaqeQW31CdwT70bbQUEV1noExhCW-KMGLfQvXZTFNI5AbleiDKn6FShZ1AxJLQAeMCxGK3bMhMhMcs5FQyOY0q12MQ0Z8RzHVZ2H6dHRul6UeKbVLTSU/w640-h368/DSC_0204+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Ohio Brush Creek
serves as a conduit for Bald Eagles hunting for fish in the wintertime. While
not an everyday occurrence, it is not unusual to see a bald eagle perched in a
tree somewhere along the creek. While eagles are well known for being fish
eaters, they are also scavengers. Road kill, dead fish and birds are all things
an eagle will take advantage of. A dead deer is real prize for hungry animals
in winter. Check out all the animals one deer can feed from this <a href="http://eoapreserve.blogspot.com/2018/02/whats-eating-that-deer.html" target="_blank">past post</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-81215243479055633252020-12-23T08:00:00.001-05:002020-12-23T08:00:03.310-05:00EOA Nature Nuggets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_io7w2IrrBGQMV2cPpMcw5p-4mYgB_ZeKi4Dax14jSdYAkYb0X01nI8YAeLtAwD2ekq6hLens7bRYsfWG_HPHvlJEdezbZfFWEYQ_DEeiOZjaLumJEB3DvqO9eKUzcuQKSY-Ovt_Sg3w/s2048/xmas+fern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_io7w2IrrBGQMV2cPpMcw5p-4mYgB_ZeKi4Dax14jSdYAkYb0X01nI8YAeLtAwD2ekq6hLens7bRYsfWG_HPHvlJEdezbZfFWEYQ_DEeiOZjaLumJEB3DvqO9eKUzcuQKSY-Ovt_Sg3w/w640-h426/xmas+fern.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;">Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides) is a very common
evergreen fern found throughout Ohio. It prefers cooler, moister soils, but is
not as picky about its location as other ferns. True to its common name, this
fern is still green at Christmas time providing some much needed color against
the rich browns of the leaf covered forest floor. In addition, each leaflet has
a pointed tip near the stem. With a little imagination, one can picture the
shape of Santa’s sleigh!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-23808139024464168532020-12-16T08:00:00.001-05:002020-12-16T08:00:03.952-05:00EOA Nature Nuggets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7yIuDOKY9wLmMuC22JOiu6wyYFmlNZdMhorsxjIyNz4GUpeMCfB3AozhPZnSNj4ztymWkrbmzlke4QCuzOr_71aNiztkUwNLHfyA8IdFsuxzx4tvi00ouFzvLrKVj5i3NG9GIezEO2_8/s2048/stiff+gentian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7yIuDOKY9wLmMuC22JOiu6wyYFmlNZdMhorsxjIyNz4GUpeMCfB3AozhPZnSNj4ztymWkrbmzlke4QCuzOr_71aNiztkUwNLHfyA8IdFsuxzx4tvi00ouFzvLrKVj5i3NG9GIezEO2_8/w640-h426/stiff+gentian.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Stiff Gentian (Gentianella quinquefolia) is a lovely late
fall blooming wildflower. Found in EOA’s prairies and cedar barrens it can
bloom well into the late fall and sometime winter! The 5-petaled, purple
flowers only open when the sun is shining. This plant is usually an annual but
can sometime live for two years. This is a delightful plant to encounter,
especially late in the season when most other wildflowers have finished for the
year.<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-44396061183076338042020-12-02T13:41:00.002-05:002020-12-02T13:41:53.014-05:00EOA Nature Nuggets<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXiG1XqMM4V7ZB2wlEiQ-mxjHRFDtWrIqVoqGtFXgcxxGnJaJFjHHmPbaPm_ocUdL9ILLxvPsT1_rjCWwj_HZVT3_4GOC4xb7XldTUc3B7BoHMVC4JYrIvcgyiPEx8yB_U3camo6kyNGH/s2048/buckeyes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoXiG1XqMM4V7ZB2wlEiQ-mxjHRFDtWrIqVoqGtFXgcxxGnJaJFjHHmPbaPm_ocUdL9ILLxvPsT1_rjCWwj_HZVT3_4GOC4xb7XldTUc3B7BoHMVC4JYrIvcgyiPEx8yB_U3camo6kyNGH/w640-h426/buckeyes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">There is nothing quite like the sight and feeling of a
freshly picked buckeye fruit. That shiny, smooth, cool-to-the touch nut is
really quite captivating. There are two species of buckeye trees common to
Ohio, Yellow Buckeye and Ohio Buckeye. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
former is restricted to the southern third of the state, but the latter is
widespread. While the two are similar to look at, an easy way to tell the
difference is by looking at the husks that surround the nuts. The husks of the
yellow are smooth while Ohio Buckeye is spiny. <o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-23451165473413574242020-11-25T06:00:00.002-05:002020-11-25T06:00:11.941-05:00EOA Nature Nuggets<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbEwQI-tXjiLEWJuHx6qW9tRBARihCC3Vke093l6t9Yy5mt15GMV9_Xh26kvb_puFprIYfZmlaikyraW6a5i36sLajnuOqSxn9oAN04N95BKrnORqA9olJI_C-45xS0h0099SvGTWv_Xt/s2048/evening+grosebeak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1595" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbEwQI-tXjiLEWJuHx6qW9tRBARihCC3Vke093l6t9Yy5mt15GMV9_Xh26kvb_puFprIYfZmlaikyraW6a5i36sLajnuOqSxn9oAN04N95BKrnORqA9olJI_C-45xS0h0099SvGTWv_Xt/w496-h640/evening+grosebeak.jpg" width="496" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">A rare visitor to the Edge! Evening Grosbeaks (Coccothraustes
vespertinus) are large finches bedecked with stunning colors of gold, black and
white. These are far northern birds who make their home in the boreal forests
of the northern United States and Canada and in the Rocky Mountains.
Occasionally they, like other northern birds such as common redpolls and crossbills,
descend into the lower latitudes giving us “southerners” a rare glimpse of
these beauties. This fall and winter has seen sightings of Evening Grosbeaks as
far south as Florida’s panhandle. For more information about Evening Grosbeaks
and infinitely better pictures head over to <a href="https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Evening_Grosbeak/overview" target="_blank">Cornell’s All About Birds website</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-4216853654560888442020-11-18T06:00:00.001-05:002020-11-18T06:00:09.225-05:00EOA Nature Nuggets<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjS0YXEq4qvaAr1syAhmpx1ipHEf-hrYCaVx49aJ8UUUAnbfcMwqmFF647rsHxeLmpDG3tcwutocNrxc8DTt_fZ5fUBSgzHBEZv1b0OeATTZs677ufMEgo2h81NAM_6pCwalLdjBWF52w/s2048/monarch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1384" data-original-width="2048" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjS0YXEq4qvaAr1syAhmpx1ipHEf-hrYCaVx49aJ8UUUAnbfcMwqmFF647rsHxeLmpDG3tcwutocNrxc8DTt_fZ5fUBSgzHBEZv1b0OeATTZs677ufMEgo2h81NAM_6pCwalLdjBWF52w/w640-h430/monarch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Monarch butterflies, <i>Danaus plexippu</i>s, are well known for their long and
incredible migration in the fall to their wintering grounds in Mexico. However,
they are not the only insect who migrates, nor do they have the longest route!
Insects in the orders of true bugs, dragonflies, and grasshoppers migrate as
well as other species of butterflies and moths. In fact, the painted lady
butterfly, <i>Vanessa cardui</i>, in the eastern hemisphere, makes a 9,000 mile migration trip from the
continent of Africa to the arctic and back again! Amazing!<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-20294969670320698042020-11-12T06:00:00.001-05:002020-11-12T06:00:02.383-05:00EOA Nature Nuggets<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsSwiTpc2CauoayZxp3OnhuckhbjsAQa_7jnct2ioWr0WgyEVOP_bKdLrj1Qf0Bs-AdhcOq0kctp9pydjGBcdkXhBTgGIecF_k8Kqai6Q406llcuM-kOn6xHzYHcV5ixh3MWSbajl_PcY/s2048/Samuel+James_Snapping+turtle_10292020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsSwiTpc2CauoayZxp3OnhuckhbjsAQa_7jnct2ioWr0WgyEVOP_bKdLrj1Qf0Bs-AdhcOq0kctp9pydjGBcdkXhBTgGIecF_k8Kqai6Q406llcuM-kOn6xHzYHcV5ixh3MWSbajl_PcY/w640-h426/Samuel+James_Snapping+turtle_10292020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Sam James</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Where does a snapping turtle,<span style="background: white; color: #4d5156; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><i>Chelydra serpentine,</i> go in the winter? The short answer is: the bottom
of the pond. Snapping turtles have some really interesting overwintering
strategies that have helped them survive for millions of years! Being
ectothermic (cold-blooded), snapping turtles body temperature matches that of
their environment. By staying underwater during the winter they can avoid
freezing temperatures. Obtaining oxygen is of course challenging, however they
need much less oxygen due to their slowed metabolisms. While underwater, these
turtles can use parts of their body that are “highly vascularized” for
absorbing oxygen including their mouths and cloacas! Wow! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-68605575426362038332020-11-10T16:23:00.001-05:002020-11-11T09:07:37.184-05:00Unwanted Visitors<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkhY9Ym8f7Wj8qQD8w8JnWk1PHD1aXt4IE_KIrofeEfGgjqj1JBMpeI-bdDWe7Oq8vhP-n9GVKrBwdmyIL1faAGh-BG9GOVOSpjHV_BpJGhS3G9e-Yeu6qDIE7aoMaLd6mhknvb40xZ6M/s1260/Praying+Mantis+1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="1133" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkhY9Ym8f7Wj8qQD8w8JnWk1PHD1aXt4IE_KIrofeEfGgjqj1JBMpeI-bdDWe7Oq8vhP-n9GVKrBwdmyIL1faAGh-BG9GOVOSpjHV_BpJGhS3G9e-Yeu6qDIE7aoMaLd6mhknvb40xZ6M/w575-h640/Praying+Mantis+1.jpg" width="575" /></a></div><br /> This non-native Chinese mantis (Tenodera sinensis sinensis) randomly landed on a bird feeder at the preserve and didn't have any idea what he was in for from a cast of unwanted feathered visitors. This white-breasted nuthatch gives him the evil eye before deciding the seed was all he needed. <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeyUI2S_BNiqkGndZbKppZmW_WGDReu-hmg3X_9EK_SLBvrvLMIaaZH0nZldhOXPjcP8L8yX5s6AAFVaaj8NApr8NtQtuxDvY1281XxtHVrXImqJuQgp5kzbpU5m-CrlvkMCYc8Jm-lR4/s1440/Praying+Mantis+2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="907" data-original-width="1440" height="404" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAeyUI2S_BNiqkGndZbKppZmW_WGDReu-hmg3X_9EK_SLBvrvLMIaaZH0nZldhOXPjcP8L8yX5s6AAFVaaj8NApr8NtQtuxDvY1281XxtHVrXImqJuQgp5kzbpU5m-CrlvkMCYc8Jm-lR4/w640-h404/Praying+Mantis+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The mantis had his hands full when more than one bird was at the feeder and it was all hands on deck when these goldfinches hit the seed and the mantis spread his wings fully in hopes of looking larger. The nuthatch appears to look on bewildered by the insect.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOMBJ2koSJsL5YcLtciy_UC_HKvdhc_LoO2zhxBR5fpc4z1J8ycguLV3TXirGzTq3RPj4_Qk89MrfuAcItquuyE9Ed0tOOn4XsY9bJqbsgxaBu9oZANzNNPPqm9_AwYhsWWttIlVJkACR/s1440/Praying+mantis+4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="1440" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLOMBJ2koSJsL5YcLtciy_UC_HKvdhc_LoO2zhxBR5fpc4z1J8ycguLV3TXirGzTq3RPj4_Qk89MrfuAcItquuyE9Ed0tOOn4XsY9bJqbsgxaBu9oZANzNNPPqm9_AwYhsWWttIlVJkACR/w640-h514/Praying+mantis+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />After a full hour of defensive postures one can't help but wonder if the mantis just couldn't hold his arms up any longer and he finally moved on unscathed. While the large non-native Chinese mantis has been known to take a hummingbird, it is exceeding rare and the exception to the rule. They eat mostly insects but its accidental visit to the bird feeder provided an hour of drama and humor.</div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-51965905262364417072020-11-04T06:00:00.001-05:002020-11-04T06:00:05.519-05:00EOA Nature Nuggets<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FEwnOcsVZ7XoBdS5uQJm_iVWoC_ygA74NthYhGg0u0B_7uSHaqCXXrndDfk9llBukFjTCwbxbMRuEhI_0enxkMs9qyXNxynlWTjZdStA3bd2dljDI9Is8eqeJ7O89f8oYpKJTpS7z2Rw/s2048/soft_hard+mast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_FEwnOcsVZ7XoBdS5uQJm_iVWoC_ygA74NthYhGg0u0B_7uSHaqCXXrndDfk9llBukFjTCwbxbMRuEhI_0enxkMs9qyXNxynlWTjZdStA3bd2dljDI9Is8eqeJ7O89f8oYpKJTpS7z2Rw/w640-h426/soft_hard+mast.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Persimmon fruits (Diospyros virginiana) and acorns (Quercus
spp.) are two excellent examples of soft and hard mast found in the eastern
forest. Mast is a term used to describe seeds and fruits produced by woody
plants. Soft mast consists of berries, buds, etc., and hard mast consists of
nuts and seeds such as beech nuts and buckeyes. Persimmons and acorns in
particular are eaten by a wide range of animals including deer, turkey,
squirrels, raccoons, mice, opossums, and many species of birds. Persimmons are
also prized by humans for eating and using in baked goods. However, most of the
commercially available persimmons are from Asian species. Acorns too, are
edible by humans, but contain large amounts of tannins making them very bitter
and require quite a bit of processing to make them safe for consumption. It is
best to leave these wild fruits for the myriad of eastern forest wildlife who
are fattening up and storing food for the upcoming winter season.<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-42436046205201554552020-10-28T06:00:00.001-04:002020-10-28T06:00:01.775-04:00EOA Nature Nuggets<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6aaSOirr9gJzpX2Y7BcBtZ1XH-I_uPIqWEvZXOXqjafw7beuX2ejIX_LjYHD0P0ciHQIkMHkOHuN8Wvj3tXx2qhhcpYoNOnDb5ZZLKsi8a9WBQeFysWI_2_BbPilPX_RVk4rc0ALUoOs/s2048/stick+insects.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="2048" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin6aaSOirr9gJzpX2Y7BcBtZ1XH-I_uPIqWEvZXOXqjafw7beuX2ejIX_LjYHD0P0ciHQIkMHkOHuN8Wvj3tXx2qhhcpYoNOnDb5ZZLKsi8a9WBQeFysWI_2_BbPilPX_RVk4rc0ALUoOs/w640-h436/stick+insects.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Love is in the air for these two stick insects (the female
is the paler and slightly thicker of the two). Northern Walkingsticks (Diapheromera
femorata) are relatively common to the eastern woods and feed primarily on the
leaves of oak tree species once mature. After mating, this female stick insect
will lay hundreds of tiny seed-like eggs which simply drop to the forest floor
to overwinter in the leaf litter. In the spring, the eggs hatch and tiny green
colored stick insect nymphs emerge and feed on a wide variety of woody
vegetation. By the time late summer and early fall rolls around, most of these
incredible twig mimics are happily ensconced in the canopy of an oak tree.
Strong winds and encounters with predators can cause the insects to fall to
lower levels of the forest. Luckily for us it is in these instances when we can
catch a glimpse of these magnificent creatures!<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-88975699172477549692020-10-23T13:29:00.003-04:002020-10-23T13:29:49.055-04:00EOA Nature Nuggets<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbzmqsR62_gI7gr4jvF0__aYC2qn8iIij1NgQWPuGIGF-bj8rxf-CqZ-Wl1MVBptSyVle0_fZImFCqqEouTHc7wmwMjyeWadM6MHG_RvNom9W6wUsVDRopGDsZe36oGI2-K-yncZ_q48B/s2048/spicebush+caterpillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1362" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKbzmqsR62_gI7gr4jvF0__aYC2qn8iIij1NgQWPuGIGF-bj8rxf-CqZ-Wl1MVBptSyVle0_fZImFCqqEouTHc7wmwMjyeWadM6MHG_RvNom9W6wUsVDRopGDsZe36oGI2-K-yncZ_q48B/w640-h426/spicebush+caterpillar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">This spicebush swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio Troilus) is
busy eating its fill of its host plant, spicebush (Lindera benzoin). Very soon
it will stop eating and leave the plant to find a suitable place to pupate. It
will spend the winter as a chrysalis and if all goes well, will emerge in the
spring as a stunning adult butterfly. While many butterflies and moths over
winter in the pupa stage, some like the Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) and
the Question Mark (<i>Polygonia</i><i><span style="background: white; color: #01283d; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> </span>interrogationis</i><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">)<i> </i></span>are able to survive the
winter months as adults. They can often be seen flying on warm winter days.<o:p></o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-33865563842640502752020-09-21T08:00:00.042-04:002020-09-29T14:30:16.333-04:00Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative<div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><h4 style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br /></h4></div></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrqdHRbOmt-Qp9kdCLVJUvpbkPYK0udbUi3I923gr5sEvM9ltfIJYE8eIf-YjbS-9njJtPTO3tYkdGanUnFVr_-0A_bIXfrh4NBHlenTrDWsWLZXr2QbJH8t6gU1RBv75AKWMuIyluU8v/s904/Sign+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="900" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBrqdHRbOmt-Qp9kdCLVJUvpbkPYK0udbUi3I923gr5sEvM9ltfIJYE8eIf-YjbS-9njJtPTO3tYkdGanUnFVr_-0A_bIXfrh4NBHlenTrDWsWLZXr2QbJH8t6gU1RBv75AKWMuIyluU8v/w372-h373/Sign+Pic.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-US" style="line-height: 119%;">What follows are some of the things preserve staff found in preparation for the first report to ODOT. </span></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGKbEutM3k6iX5EoyD_9BwvmEf3Yp_xSdt0C-swkGnBjNRTZRj6bnaK4BH4Qzxle9L6V4eVvn0rNHn_z0t-6iqEiWJgcMRetFFtPTvGFCBfQ6w_4eN4qxBtvDPx9i5G8ZaqyQF7cOIxPG/s1260/ODOT+image+12+072320+small.jpg" style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="945" data-original-width="1260" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglGKbEutM3k6iX5EoyD_9BwvmEf3Yp_xSdt0C-swkGnBjNRTZRj6bnaK4BH4Qzxle9L6V4eVvn0rNHn_z0t-6iqEiWJgcMRetFFtPTvGFCBfQ6w_4eN4qxBtvDPx9i5G8ZaqyQF7cOIxPG/w640-h480/ODOT+image+12+072320+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Canada lily, <i>Lilium canadensis</i>. A native Ohio lily in
the right of way that is pollinated by ruby-throated hummingbirds and larger
bees and moths.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORtniDZzZl6m2ZKJZ_6vvA09Xq2jGkul5kojgUrNhyphenhypheny29vKyOYctIkrTPJL4RzmUTwLpdl9WRt1HCowhoFMP-mKAPJyvMxWxTwjVHfXevpmdnIxkuIYMkMucPGHQoFiTe8bSyVxsCNWpr/s1260/ODOT+image+25+072320+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1260" height="506" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgORtniDZzZl6m2ZKJZ_6vvA09Xq2jGkul5kojgUrNhyphenhypheny29vKyOYctIkrTPJL4RzmUTwLpdl9WRt1HCowhoFMP-mKAPJyvMxWxTwjVHfXevpmdnIxkuIYMkMucPGHQoFiTe8bSyVxsCNWpr/w640-h506/ODOT+image+25+072320+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal">Common eastern bumble bee, <i>Bombus impatiens,</i> on spiked
blazingstar, <i>Liatris</i> <i>spicata</i>. <o:p></o:p></p></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span lang="en-US" style="line-height: 119%;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXwoR1nHmFahMmpOnKU7A7oE3gS79Q24iVzANHCwMQ7ZNCtQuHmrw3m0lRVZh0g6CAxJR3XisrqkecHfIAKU-QLchtL_eNKmuOOQNjslLOadtnKj4oWelmiwcauJLklWD48opuujB46MP/s1073/Anglepod+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1073" data-original-width="750" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXwoR1nHmFahMmpOnKU7A7oE3gS79Q24iVzANHCwMQ7ZNCtQuHmrw3m0lRVZh0g6CAxJR3XisrqkecHfIAKU-QLchtL_eNKmuOOQNjslLOadtnKj4oWelmiwcauJLklWD48opuujB46MP/w448-h640/Anglepod+small.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Angle-pod, <i>Matelea obliqua,</i>is one of the "prairie" milkweeds that tolerate shallow, dry soils and support monarch butterflies both as a nectar source and for their caterpillars. Many native bees also use the plant.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-fIlMp3orI3BUbsVaptpM2dSg9xe1gcSw_kFK06xNhtUoNETAu0CLDFHJtjBbhhxyFY_H9nUSa-qpKmLyvjElTAFZs7XD5egZp0B_wwczStHPYxgWuOzMe2ka9Cjuvx0NiB731D6AawS/s1076/swamp+milkweed+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-fIlMp3orI3BUbsVaptpM2dSg9xe1gcSw_kFK06xNhtUoNETAu0CLDFHJtjBbhhxyFY_H9nUSa-qpKmLyvjElTAFZs7XD5egZp0B_wwczStHPYxgWuOzMe2ka9Cjuvx0NiB731D6AawS/w624-h640/swamp+milkweed+small.jpg" width="624" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swamp milkweed, <i>Asclepias incarnata,</i> favors the wet ditches of the right of way and are in one of the best families of plants for pollinators; the milkweeds. They also support monarch butterfly caterpillars that feed on the foliage.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzWGzAjTGax2q0680d0FSlrbd5WvkSE884KmGZzrrNyEUTAbEFRhheiakiRU6CmM8HG4Id1R4wKbFRrWEgiPYxntTDQMrhwZMWYNxQa_GGWGkvoV6QBkBJktZ3cObO-GefExcAcKg1-wt/s1050/whorled+milkweed+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1050" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRzWGzAjTGax2q0680d0FSlrbd5WvkSE884KmGZzrrNyEUTAbEFRhheiakiRU6CmM8HG4Id1R4wKbFRrWEgiPYxntTDQMrhwZMWYNxQa_GGWGkvoV6QBkBJktZ3cObO-GefExcAcKg1-wt/w640-h586/whorled+milkweed+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whorled milkweed, <i>Asclepias verticillata,</i> is one of the “prairie” milkweeds that tolerant shallow, dry soils and support monarch butterflies both as a nectar source and for their caterpillars. Many native bees also use the plant.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw27aAcjpc8w0Tr_1tlF096VCJOG3pHKE0L6lepGQSuFifZMMcJg1AxQV2sM42b1ZQKUzU3bcDn-pUzsnN-f2IdLQlEhM37N6dlPtx63Z1imvlz-Uk7Cm7DG-wPHWuwEo2_smaFFBDem7/s1050/Gaura+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1050" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYw27aAcjpc8w0Tr_1tlF096VCJOG3pHKE0L6lepGQSuFifZMMcJg1AxQV2sM42b1ZQKUzU3bcDn-pUzsnN-f2IdLQlEhM37N6dlPtx63Z1imvlz-Uk7Cm7DG-wPHWuwEo2_smaFFBDem7/w640-h424/Gaura+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biennial gaura, <i>Gaura biennis</i>, is a true biennial with a pollinator moth named for it, the Gaura moth, <i>Schinia gaura</i>, because its caterpillar eats the plant as well. The caterpillar of the primrose moths, <i>Schinia florida</i>, also feeds on the plant along with other nighttime pollinators that seek its pollen.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb4NaLgYDLTcs1MHzfL_l7qtbQsjv79fLgzhiNyJRM3JemybBMZrw2bT1ITRvJNCIPtCNjP6JxzYAbtIm2kV4n7RlL4WmDXe6DKVZJHuBjIHvrVtMUfc2E4F1fq-FjnCUh1aZW4APuRGp/s1050/Purple+coneflower+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="1050" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb4NaLgYDLTcs1MHzfL_l7qtbQsjv79fLgzhiNyJRM3JemybBMZrw2bT1ITRvJNCIPtCNjP6JxzYAbtIm2kV4n7RlL4WmDXe6DKVZJHuBjIHvrVtMUfc2E4F1fq-FjnCUh1aZW4APuRGp/w640-h480/Purple+coneflower+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purple coneflower, <i>Echinacea purpurea</i>, is one of the very showy, super-pollinator plants that has decreased due to mowing but is still present.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-oDDIUoTJ0QY5rISZXltxKsCIiiZE3kE2zh4G6vsaUmDF4EG3TATph9451Sy41KqJXUdcUKxbT4zf4ZUiVUvQ19BRKoqfGqZbQm9SUgiYyV6WKa22oRbYweKmA7aGH1yxCrGWScDxMYk/s1050/Schinia+small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="725" data-original-width="1050" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA-oDDIUoTJ0QY5rISZXltxKsCIiiZE3kE2zh4G6vsaUmDF4EG3TATph9451Sy41KqJXUdcUKxbT4zf4ZUiVUvQ19BRKoqfGqZbQm9SUgiYyV6WKa22oRbYweKmA7aGH1yxCrGWScDxMYk/w640-h442/Schinia+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> An exciting find! The caterpillar of a moth new to science in 2014 was found in the right of way! The coppery orbexilum moth, <i>Grapholita orbexilana</i>, on scurf pea, <i>Orbexilum onobrychis</i>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisQ5LUFs4iIjk4aWDLK6cBVA7sPQZSsWnY_ctSU0j1DB1_MpYB7cMciWUvKtiOv-gqzWtd5TWZ-gl0wP0u1y3GAAGfope6yN7UNUjN7jcKZ7ynpIravnSGi3njAkcl-1sQl7g5A37GxOU/s1050/Butterfly+weed+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="859" data-original-width="1050" height="524" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgisQ5LUFs4iIjk4aWDLK6cBVA7sPQZSsWnY_ctSU0j1DB1_MpYB7cMciWUvKtiOv-gqzWtd5TWZ-gl0wP0u1y3GAAGfope6yN7UNUjN7jcKZ7ynpIravnSGi3njAkcl-1sQl7g5A37GxOU/w640-h524/Butterfly+weed+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly weed, <i>Asclepias tuberosa</i>, is the undisputed pollinator plant champion with bees, butterflies, moths & beetles that use it.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEikY9bytwLEIpriEDUyEnMUruKDYHLAfh_884f1rNGO8kKfWRKGFs7mzYnHokYn2ggP26bGlEMOzy3ekTzl7SBhV4uADN0TOUEIC6kTA9G7bCA8_gdfgCa0oWxqq4VvGSzkxTIof3VIYp/s1143/Spiranthes+gracilis+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1143" data-original-width="776" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEikY9bytwLEIpriEDUyEnMUruKDYHLAfh_884f1rNGO8kKfWRKGFs7mzYnHokYn2ggP26bGlEMOzy3ekTzl7SBhV4uADN0TOUEIC6kTA9G7bCA8_gdfgCa0oWxqq4VvGSzkxTIof3VIYp/w432-h640/Spiranthes+gracilis+small.jpg" width="432" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spring ladies-tresses, Spiranthes vernalis, (an orchid). Bumble bee pollinated.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdB971xyqIX0Bp4QuGkqkFkgNHAnbrpRbtke-AhL6BsjDBk809BzalzwE-y6azAhciNK9HPfn3AzsZ4v9GLIoqT-rK3oze6uvZyOu2tS7t6L9n23B68KazY8mp8QIKQ1G-0JYfSi0-aj9/s1050/ODOT+image+24+072320+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="1050" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKdB971xyqIX0Bp4QuGkqkFkgNHAnbrpRbtke-AhL6BsjDBk809BzalzwE-y6azAhciNK9HPfn3AzsZ4v9GLIoqT-rK3oze6uvZyOu2tS7t6L9n23B68KazY8mp8QIKQ1G-0JYfSi0-aj9/w640-h450/ODOT+image+24+072320+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leather flower, <i>Clematis viorna</i>, is bee pollinated.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RMPzZZLXpmDyC_AhgIK3gtun2ih7UJpHzJMGEb_eGvRajqRgt1nwAA_bFCil32XxlWiq1UaIH_J-pCsFsFp3SSz1l0OXRuhdwdPp1F0mZkkYmH2nfylWd0XNpRCS4FbJB-yNpoTAUURn/s1050/Ruellia+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="1050" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RMPzZZLXpmDyC_AhgIK3gtun2ih7UJpHzJMGEb_eGvRajqRgt1nwAA_bFCil32XxlWiq1UaIH_J-pCsFsFp3SSz1l0OXRuhdwdPp1F0mZkkYmH2nfylWd0XNpRCS4FbJB-yNpoTAUURn/w640-h540/Ruellia+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>Fringed-leafed ruellia, <i>Ruellia humilis,</i> is pollinated
by generalist bees.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWNKO5cZf7VCcTGvUFisiwlGvyq4aeGKR8kfBA7uuWlVLmU7KOT60QP70X1dw3WNgI3mDkljdRDI9mAf3eknGaQ_duqitz4zO1sEsg7ehCuQLQHiOWIM3M1Jf2NywCfT59IxEd156z-RR/s1050/Western+Sunflower+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="783" data-original-width="1050" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWNKO5cZf7VCcTGvUFisiwlGvyq4aeGKR8kfBA7uuWlVLmU7KOT60QP70X1dw3WNgI3mDkljdRDI9mAf3eknGaQ_duqitz4zO1sEsg7ehCuQLQHiOWIM3M1Jf2NywCfT59IxEd156z-RR/w640-h476/Western+Sunflower+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Western sunflower, <i>Helianthus occidentalis</i>, previously listed as an endangered species in Ohio, is a pollinator magnet. The native bees <i>Andrena accepta</i> & <i>Andrena aliciae</i> are known to only collect pollen from <i>Helianthus spp</i>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12pt; language: en-US; line-height: 119%; mso-ansi-language: en-US; mso-arabic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-armenian-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-currency-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-cyrillic-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-default-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-greek-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hebrew-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latin-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-latinext-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-ligatures: none;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb-CT46ksIYoYuU2du8ZDFzBu8D-4FYFrLFtzA767FW6hX1wzJpqPuvF1ag2t6PDhyphenhyphenDqv2oMg7mSCpMAFHzqxg0fZedpBAlCHSw4aRlT0h8pVpSYbUI_Xtf5pRzeWBjbXiZ9Bnm-kTvwm/s1050/Sabatia+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="844" data-original-width="1050" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzb-CT46ksIYoYuU2du8ZDFzBu8D-4FYFrLFtzA767FW6hX1wzJpqPuvF1ag2t6PDhyphenhyphenDqv2oMg7mSCpMAFHzqxg0fZedpBAlCHSw4aRlT0h8pVpSYbUI_Xtf5pRzeWBjbXiZ9Bnm-kTvwm/w640-h512/Sabatia+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tall coreopsis, <i>Coreopsis tripteris</i>, is a member of the sunflower family which has one of the richest list of pollinator species.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwRbDlJbPj6vNJLX2lCLnKW_uYdTVQxdMElxwxMeyUvqp56c-uJ_Sp3y6lhbfiViQcauFUznRA5DxqB0svZQ51NKgUVrHVsvhbvTN70o-hTxebg0bgxxggYhPUCba8JifYWPWSFvLRWs2/s1407/Coreopsis+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1407" data-original-width="1155" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwRbDlJbPj6vNJLX2lCLnKW_uYdTVQxdMElxwxMeyUvqp56c-uJ_Sp3y6lhbfiViQcauFUznRA5DxqB0svZQ51NKgUVrHVsvhbvTN70o-hTxebg0bgxxggYhPUCba8JifYWPWSFvLRWs2/w526-h640/Coreopsis+small.jpg" width="526" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose pink, <i>Sabatia angularis</i>, is pollinated by long tongued bees, moths and butterflies.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQ7nkXLv-xMLo4XzNlHQAttqQgnX6ioozCtX_TvZuv9y32lr4hi8AnAbUAA6wcaKWN2E2oyeyk712UMf5Cw4dOvzcqTDmvk40oY2WdPRPTNz5FGezR8sb2wS-haDu_HlXq27flnBwi40r/s1050/Wood+betony+small.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="615" data-original-width="1050" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwQ7nkXLv-xMLo4XzNlHQAttqQgnX6ioozCtX_TvZuv9y32lr4hi8AnAbUAA6wcaKWN2E2oyeyk712UMf5Cw4dOvzcqTDmvk40oY2WdPRPTNz5FGezR8sb2wS-haDu_HlXq27flnBwi40r/w640-h372/Wood+betony+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wood betony, <i>Pedicularis canadensis,</i> is one of the most sought after flowering plants by bumble bees, Bombus spp. Because of the flower’s structure, it is engineered for bumble bees as its main pollinator.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dH55v5hXojChytk_xtcB7a-HZmVBeuO1aOEAdzp_9HlSKBv6i_C-1GUuCD8MVrbphIGjI9vVhqQf9lnyal45SRXmgLZEvi60WK6NrlJ3gRqvoiq6aSW4iPI3QyXC8Xp5Albn0NKTg83T/s1050/Indian+paintbrush+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1050" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dH55v5hXojChytk_xtcB7a-HZmVBeuO1aOEAdzp_9HlSKBv6i_C-1GUuCD8MVrbphIGjI9vVhqQf9lnyal45SRXmgLZEvi60WK6NrlJ3gRqvoiq6aSW4iPI3QyXC8Xp5Albn0NKTg83T/w640-h426/Indian+paintbrush+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scarlet paintbrush, <i>Castilleja coccinea</i>, blooms in profusion in one particular section of the right-of-way and is spectacular. It is used by many pollinators especially butterflies. It is hemiparasitic, meaning its roots tap into grass roots to get some of its energy so it needs grass around it to survive.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPrGS4GVYerwPHNNdb-iXswo7Ima5oSuoPaWXGrU78Z1E9MN_eJlM5Zg0XII8i8JhLeaZg6ISQGXK1A_-yXdKkZNlfuBraEmrINMV8yd4AqtAOy5gjPI2CUgo3Y7ZlRFW-AZ9D53ox03d/s1050/Spiked+blazingstar+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1050" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAPrGS4GVYerwPHNNdb-iXswo7Ima5oSuoPaWXGrU78Z1E9MN_eJlM5Zg0XII8i8JhLeaZg6ISQGXK1A_-yXdKkZNlfuBraEmrINMV8yd4AqtAOy5gjPI2CUgo3Y7ZlRFW-AZ9D53ox03d/w640-h490/Spiked+blazingstar+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scaly blazing-star, <i>Liatris squarrosa</i>, is potentially threatened in Ohio but common in the right of way. It is used by many pollinators, especially butterflies and native bees.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtByBvR_3CBmYUZt70ua7yiSTgWijzJg5s5uB5PhX6H2zjNQVluRyUORgRVINc1SJw9HDzHE7usc3dVzzZGF4PLChLr_8n04Z4wJwnegFx6KiH3PGSYlP-eypLp-AcMoOyB-NJz2dUZ_P/s1200/ear+fox+glove.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPtByBvR_3CBmYUZt70ua7yiSTgWijzJg5s5uB5PhX6H2zjNQVluRyUORgRVINc1SJw9HDzHE7usc3dVzzZGF4PLChLr_8n04Z4wJwnegFx6KiH3PGSYlP-eypLp-AcMoOyB-NJz2dUZ_P/w640-h480/ear+fox+glove.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ear-leaved-foxglove, <i>Agalinis auriculata</i>, is an endangered plant in Ohio and globally is listed as a G3 plant which means it is considered vulnerable throughout the globe. It is one of the more endangered plants found in the right of way.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jYzY_9eOmEjfe2ILuM8T_IL5HOaHWlKa-E2VwnUPs-B9mmR3tXNE4IB1V-xdVQSGBp_bPQSdsw-96Mm_TQoifjKG2sHOCFa7R_oT2TH2zJPskF8BdlRB0z-6UfQkxqdLeHtn6fPFV9FA/s1044/Great+Plains+Ladies+Stresses+C+Bedel+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1044" data-original-width="711" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5jYzY_9eOmEjfe2ILuM8T_IL5HOaHWlKa-E2VwnUPs-B9mmR3tXNE4IB1V-xdVQSGBp_bPQSdsw-96Mm_TQoifjKG2sHOCFa7R_oT2TH2zJPskF8BdlRB0z-6UfQkxqdLeHtn6fPFV9FA/w434-h640/Great+Plains+Ladies+Stresses+C+Bedel+small.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Great Plains ladies’-tresses, <i>Spiranthes magnicamporum</i>, an orchid, is also a potentially threatened plant in Ohio pollinated by bumble bees.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhmfCnw3OcP8etDYcDajUZ9M5RONIPUbC4UI-4XFYdecMV4OjQ47XNghs6gXFcUrQu0FehBSNe6TZ7hRpiyZrf_B0sxpniYAtEZ5NKGdRN4X7EhN9jJE4LUpViQ6DXTUDUlUFlRcrR8S_/s2048/Hexalectris+RWS+CMC+Staff+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxhmfCnw3OcP8etDYcDajUZ9M5RONIPUbC4UI-4XFYdecMV4OjQ47XNghs6gXFcUrQu0FehBSNe6TZ7hRpiyZrf_B0sxpniYAtEZ5NKGdRN4X7EhN9jJE4LUpViQ6DXTUDUlUFlRcrR8S_/w426-h640/Hexalectris+RWS+CMC+Staff+small.jpg" width="426" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crested coralroot, Hexalectris spicata, an orchid, is listed as a potentially threatened plant in Ohio and is found in the right of way. It glues its pollen (pollinia) to insects’ heads in order to cross pollinate.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ76ojzVaKasulj88gw_x2l8kQfZEBF9g1K1v98qDMz4B6Iq0l-UNDWH8q3taSBNcE6MGgF3-Qjh-WrZ4OMWYfs9ShrS3BLm0OM7cKMQ5OptsUB7LdvZLQBdxIzmArF7t_seBZksmrWAK/s1100/Green+Star+Sedge+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1100" data-original-width="1050" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJ76ojzVaKasulj88gw_x2l8kQfZEBF9g1K1v98qDMz4B6Iq0l-UNDWH8q3taSBNcE6MGgF3-Qjh-WrZ4OMWYfs9ShrS3BLm0OM7cKMQ5OptsUB7LdvZLQBdxIzmArF7t_seBZksmrWAK/w610-h640/Green+Star+Sedge+small.jpg" width="610" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Green star sedge, <i>Carex viridistellata</i>, is growing in a wet ditch just below a first cutback area. This sedge was new to science in 2013 and is considered globally imperiled in the United States (G2) with the major populations being in Ohio. Note the bedrock on the left which is indicative of these shallow soiled prairies along St Rt 125.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCMy2YszZM1vUdQSRwOoYYx1vJ-JtmgTmb-PCxHip9Di1-5uNSMGHs8sGYt_-GVRLTNon3HSox07pvtP_yQcOx6fEeZponzx77is76kbry9r6UBoNYPVZRhgDa3PppgzRQJ07TaemmvyH/s1050/Collema+coccophorum+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="904" data-original-width="1050" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCMy2YszZM1vUdQSRwOoYYx1vJ-JtmgTmb-PCxHip9Di1-5uNSMGHs8sGYt_-GVRLTNon3HSox07pvtP_yQcOx6fEeZponzx77is76kbry9r6UBoNYPVZRhgDa3PppgzRQJ07TaemmvyH/w640-h550/Collema+coccophorum+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tar jelly lichen, <i>Enchylium coccophorum</i>, is a state endangered lichen that grows in rocky soils of the right of way. While lichens are not used by pollinators they are important components of these prairies.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPwwFf1E4J6CWvv4TIM8CGTFLT8oe9FeFI3EIUWxo2Cr-gr6sPCokQUcNbyo3jqorlc6S1WvZm-d1rJaLVmIxWXEuYDP9JwdxTzh_ol7Xs2q_zfRlVKoJqtrJ5L1B3VT2bDeV-HEzZqfz/s893/Placidium+squamulosum+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="893" height="596" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyPwwFf1E4J6CWvv4TIM8CGTFLT8oe9FeFI3EIUWxo2Cr-gr6sPCokQUcNbyo3jqorlc6S1WvZm-d1rJaLVmIxWXEuYDP9JwdxTzh_ol7Xs2q_zfRlVKoJqtrJ5L1B3VT2bDeV-HEzZqfz/w640-h596/Placidium+squamulosum+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brown stipplescale, <i>Placidium squamulosum</i>, is another state endangered lichen that grows on rocky prairies soils of the right of way.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Challenges and Future Work</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The three major issues in the project area: 1) repeated mowing so that plants don’t get the chance to flower and set seed. 2) Bringing in soil from other areas that is different from the prairie soils on the sites. 3) The soil from #2 contained seeds from weeds that have proliferated. Issues 2 & 3 are particularly noticeable around guard rail posts where weeds are flourishing and where the native plant community has been buried by the added soil giving non-native plants the upper hand to take over. TNC and CMC staff plan to work on some of these issues with the exception of removing the added soil which is just not possible. Weed control and seeding select native species is possible, as well as removing woody plants that are shading the prairie which are particularly heavy in places.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEXBLSXDosTcoGqxFV_OufWvuCnq3NzhRD54R7_JOs-dkg6tYAgoeY4V1NBCwVdEV_J4HXkHYNxBM3szp_5QBXyvMI6WbLhD8qv9SvMNcvPpmx98cJFqkPOV3TP1dOxM9ubrn6ydxRm9Y/s1050/Gaurd+Rail+Weeds+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="1050" height="460" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIEXBLSXDosTcoGqxFV_OufWvuCnq3NzhRD54R7_JOs-dkg6tYAgoeY4V1NBCwVdEV_J4HXkHYNxBM3szp_5QBXyvMI6WbLhD8qv9SvMNcvPpmx98cJFqkPOV3TP1dOxM9ubrn6ydxRm9Y/w640-h460/Gaurd+Rail+Weeds+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non-native plants, especially horseweed, <i>Conyza canadensis,</i> are particularly thick in the soil added around guard rails.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLatH-pVIkoidXUCwj6hFirv1BewVFlOp3Beg1AETpOM9mdMlhqacP3nJWOpmrPwLx1YuST2cMnoV4YnjDjQcmrERlpNImQ5TLBxk6CtCvgQTHGPjrM1lh3x7GmVaewkJGESV3bAm7LBT/s1050/Gaurd+Rail+Soil+Addition+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="786" data-original-width="1050" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLatH-pVIkoidXUCwj6hFirv1BewVFlOp3Beg1AETpOM9mdMlhqacP3nJWOpmrPwLx1YuST2cMnoV4YnjDjQcmrERlpNImQ5TLBxk6CtCvgQTHGPjrM1lh3x7GmVaewkJGESV3bAm7LBT/w640-h480/Gaurd+Rail+Soil+Addition+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soil brought in from other areas smother native prairie (seen in the foreground). The tall grass in the foreground is big bluestem, Andropogon gerardii, a major species found in tall grass prairies throughout much of the United States.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlRE8aTFqISD4E2orcjbJOEwpmCU9oJfsRvWKephV0eTPg7cqHTcCP9bka5ZpyUZ3OlkDCK__S800YB5ois6cjvWVcqSjyGpyR6qezI3Cens1wRJqEQbJzBYMIiTN5IHIp0sCHhWr0ace/s1050/Cedar+Clearing+Need+small.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="1050" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKlRE8aTFqISD4E2orcjbJOEwpmCU9oJfsRvWKephV0eTPg7cqHTcCP9bka5ZpyUZ3OlkDCK__S800YB5ois6cjvWVcqSjyGpyR6qezI3Cens1wRJqEQbJzBYMIiTN5IHIp0sCHhWr0ace/w640-h424/Cedar+Clearing+Need+small.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern red cedars, <i>Juniperus virginiana</i>, are growing on a rocky slope above the ditch line. Thinning out these trees would enhance prairie plants by providing the sun they need to flower. In this particular area the trees are somewhat scattered but other areas in the project have solid “walls” of cedar that need to be thinned.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Adams County, Ohio is very fortunate to have this native prairie plant community along State Route 125 near Lynx, Ohio. The people passing through this area will enjoy the roadside beauty and a myriad of pollinators and native plants will benefit as well thanks to the efforts of ODOT, District 9.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: inherit; language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Special thanks to ODOT District 9 personnel: Blaine Bradds, Kenny Grooms and all the workers at the garage that keep our highways safe and beautiful.</span></p><div><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-pagination: none;"><span lang="en-US" style="language: en-US; mso-ligatures: none;">Posted by:Chris Bedel</span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-24916598276738700612020-09-11T13:47:00.001-04:002020-09-11T13:47:42.704-04:00Spectacular Slugs<div class="separator"><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;">Slug moth caterpillars that is! There are around 5,000 species of butterflies and moths in the eastern US! Wow! For this blog post we'll be focusing on just the slug moth family which has about 30 different species in the eastern US. This <span>is</span> a small but intensely interesting group of moths whose larva look like they are all from another planet. In general, this family of moths, the Limacodidae, are rather small, but what they lack in size they make up in color, form, and absolute bizarr<span>e</span>ness. </div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><p></p></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLZSwQX4_4HX8H3Wyk8rYltbmJ7gyt4rpoUI7KJXF2cRo6nSESIK5VRdqhWcCogewjI5JpdMW0vPiQhI3X4Z9zwBXIDn9Ehoq8RZgAtmPlvoZ0CNZaRqlfZuomftk5kH_NVt4tAJj0gfk/s2048/saddleback+face_Samuel+James_090819.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggLZSwQX4_4HX8H3Wyk8rYltbmJ7gyt4rpoUI7KJXF2cRo6nSESIK5VRdqhWcCogewjI5JpdMW0vPiQhI3X4Z9zwBXIDn9Ehoq8RZgAtmPlvoZ0CNZaRqlfZuomftk5kH_NVt4tAJj0gfk/w640-h426/saddleback+face_Samuel+James_090819.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extraterrestrial or moth baby? <i>Photo by Samuel James</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">One of the most striking things that is common to members of this family is unique to the caterpillar world. Instead of the normal pairs of pro-legs that most caterpillars are equipped with, they have what are called "medial suckers". This just means that they are equipped with a series of suckers along each side of their ventral, or bottom, surface that allows them to glide along. It's actually really cool to watch. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwfIXLqkymMb3i8FPPJdFA3CW-H88l8Z7NQWlvavElxFpMM56CRzEdvFOukSYW2smhX2jg3rKuC9g5awE0VaQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another interesting feature that many of the slug moth caterpillars posses is stinging spines. Some are small and inconspicuous, some are retractable, while others are just out there ready for action. Let's take a look at one of the most well known of this family whose stinging spines are large and in charge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhLmORPIwKDOb45Fwo38G9xvSg5CIXKcu2OUSxIQ6HVPaG-1M1gkFTeElegTl5Qfd7KfL8b_KHWZIDiqvb_TPk1sjT1cR-Y4-KPKRMYVfVSdM0HQreOpzcspXK0-7TDjNrr3CrozVBI78/s2000/saddelback_Samuel+James_090819+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKhLmORPIwKDOb45Fwo38G9xvSg5CIXKcu2OUSxIQ6HVPaG-1M1gkFTeElegTl5Qfd7KfL8b_KHWZIDiqvb_TPk1sjT1cR-Y4-KPKRMYVfVSdM0HQreOpzcspXK0-7TDjNrr3CrozVBI78/w640-h426/saddelback_Samuel+James_090819+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The saddleback caterpillar, <i>Archaria stimulea</i>, is a striking green and brown animal adorned with many stinging spines. <i>Photo by Samuel James</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is the saddleback caterpillar, <i>Archaria stimulea</i>. It is named for the green colored portion of its body which truly resembles a saddle. This caterpillar is what's known as a generalist. A generalist is a species adapted to eating a wide range of plants from<span style="color: red;"> </span><span>multiple</span> families and genera. Like many caterpillars when they are younger, they feed in groups and then later they disperse to a more solitary life.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaSWXY5P8qqLYg2FPjZp3VbGOJJLiREDuQw3d9-hSVv8NsQLifQwVEJVPQ-uXE9irCYQ5W8PwmGY_q2sJReGZesq8Af-BPeqdTca9dX_x5wJCCkmOXNXHbKfsdgLNAHj_vYpmKm95FVTP/s2048/saddleback_Samuel+James_090320+%252813%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpaSWXY5P8qqLYg2FPjZp3VbGOJJLiREDuQw3d9-hSVv8NsQLifQwVEJVPQ-uXE9irCYQ5W8PwmGY_q2sJReGZesq8Af-BPeqdTca9dX_x5wJCCkmOXNXHbKfsdgLNAHj_vYpmKm95FVTP/w640-h426/saddleback_Samuel+James_090320+%252813%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These ferocious looking saddlebacks, are chowing down on some sumac, <i>Rhus spp</i>. <i>Photo by Samuel James</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> So about those stinging spines...being a large caterpillar (for a slug moth) this species can pack a punch when touched. Different people will have different reactions, but it can feel worse than stinging nettles but much milder than a bee or wasp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Butterflies and moths being in the same insect order, Lepidoptera, go through complete metamorphosis. This means they have four life stages: <b>egg</b>, <b>larva </b>(the caterpillar), <b>pupa </b>(either in a cocoon or chrysalis for the most part), and <b>adult </b>(the moth or butterfly). During the larval stage these animals go through multiple instars, or periods between molting. Even though we consider caterpillars to be kind of soft and squishy animals they are still insects and posses an exoskeleton. That exoskeleton is one size and has to be shed periodically in order for that insect (or other arthropod) to grow. For Lepidopterans the larva stage usually has 5-6 instars and the early instars can look and behave very differently from the later ones. The members of the slug moth family, Limacodidae, can have up to 9 instars!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIPJ9VSY_t9MSFFdFTwMi8FEemAEg87r6DxMCa_xJQbMHRMZDc-Olxcqfc0cHsLL2a2DmykvaCT4b2qixx6rK8_wfWvCIX0cH3eQxNXVwb5S2ng6YPYNekpPqj4aLr-9VwyXvb1sswWtG/s2048/yellow-sholdered_Samuel+James_090320+%25286%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieIPJ9VSY_t9MSFFdFTwMi8FEemAEg87r6DxMCa_xJQbMHRMZDc-Olxcqfc0cHsLL2a2DmykvaCT4b2qixx6rK8_wfWvCIX0cH3eQxNXVwb5S2ng6YPYNekpPqj4aLr-9VwyXvb1sswWtG/w640-h426/yellow-sholdered_Samuel+James_090320+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This instar of the yellow-shouldered slug, <i>Lithacodes fasciloa</i>, has stinging spines for a defense. <i>Photo by Samuel James</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This yellow-shouldered slug, <i>Lithacodes fasciola</i>, has stinging spines up until the very last instar. As mentioned above, the saddleback is gregarious during the first few instars and solitary for the last few. Other caterpillars, notably the swallowtail butterflies, look like fresh bird droppings in the early instars. A great camouflage against predators if there ever was one!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCIRcW1PdwGvzCMjNH3ECsnZqhuQBr5cbASkf8uEyljXWQg87V1JzrokS0CRaUHhCFTntn433ds2bZxPQh9kzAOSb-z3KWkI3HifKgBifApFmkm_FsHDRDdopK4unIT4tw22WRlLWrwlE/s2000/Yellow-sholdered_Samuel+James_090519.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1333" data-original-width="2000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCIRcW1PdwGvzCMjNH3ECsnZqhuQBr5cbASkf8uEyljXWQg87V1JzrokS0CRaUHhCFTntn433ds2bZxPQh9kzAOSb-z3KWkI3HifKgBifApFmkm_FsHDRDdopK4unIT4tw22WRlLWrwlE/w640-h426/Yellow-sholdered_Samuel+James_090519.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the final or ultimate instar of the yellow-shouldered slug. No more stinging spines! <i>Photo by Samuel James</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A few of the slug moth caterpillars have a tail. It's not much, but is interesting nonetheless. What is its purpose? Only the caterpillar knows!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg3IDMSh8WbeGfFj8w4JU7R6pankiPGlTGwEqz2iZYv56upXQg7gsGIg8uZMwgDe6GQ5csfCx8BcDoKMxeCmv4bw6qda59HFJhXyLryKnz86D2ldpI1Y11pe9sLIrGUVCFHSL4aU4sG7K/s1252/DSCN1571+cropped+bedel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1128" data-original-width="1252" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXg3IDMSh8WbeGfFj8w4JU7R6pankiPGlTGwEqz2iZYv56upXQg7gsGIg8uZMwgDe6GQ5csfCx8BcDoKMxeCmv4bw6qda59HFJhXyLryKnz86D2ldpI1Y11pe9sLIrGUVCFHSL4aU4sG7K/w640-h574/DSCN1571+cropped+bedel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A humpbacked-looking smaller parasa, <i>Parasa chloris</i>, not only has a tail but it's stinging spines are retractable! <i>Photo by Chris Bedel</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXZGQJY3r24YCRwA1x8HEiooQxeeR5PCBUGQdjQkl-shjJy_246QnfZBB521p6nXFp3MYghqYCv1v6NhL74ohZM7ow2QmETwlNwT0sYfJ4_EowwYjucTvVU3ZY0_qG1ISVUbK7kAVnqL4/s2048/Elegant+Tailed+Slug+8-18-10-1+john+howard.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1639" data-original-width="2048" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiXZGQJY3r24YCRwA1x8HEiooQxeeR5PCBUGQdjQkl-shjJy_246QnfZBB521p6nXFp3MYghqYCv1v6NhL74ohZM7ow2QmETwlNwT0sYfJ4_EowwYjucTvVU3ZY0_qG1ISVUbK7kAVnqL4/w640-h510/Elegant+Tailed+Slug+8-18-10-1+john+howard.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aptly named, this is the elegant tailed slug, <i>Packardia elegans</i>. <i>Photo by John Howard</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ7i9r9cSTmJNZJDvRWO9Xvy7SBECBgXXx4AZM8tBbpZ23_hOC7gPHeG-y0bMhHO1q1fo4oqK-2Re9I_3-otIg3EQEGRmJCU4uPdkIqBYwIs-wFHFSQ-j5WCuYiouM8RqOgiUBVyaCwhk/s2048/IMG_0405.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJ7i9r9cSTmJNZJDvRWO9Xvy7SBECBgXXx4AZM8tBbpZ23_hOC7gPHeG-y0bMhHO1q1fo4oqK-2Re9I_3-otIg3EQEGRmJCU4uPdkIqBYwIs-wFHFSQ-j5WCuYiouM8RqOgiUBVyaCwhk/w640-h426/IMG_0405.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a strange shape! The skiff moth, <i>Prolimacodes badia</i>, has a tail that is rather sharp looking.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Many of the slugs are quite colorful and even within each species there can be a lot of variation. Some of the coloration is wonderful camouflage which makes the caterpillar look like part of the leaf, complete with decaying leaf tissue. Others have bright warning colors advertising their stinging spines. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First up are two of the smaller species, both in the genus <i>Adoneta</i>. They only grow to be about 1cm long during their larval stage. They blend in very well to the leaves they are on. As most of the slug moths caterpillars are mature catts during the late summer and early fall, they are feeding on leaves that may already have quite a bit of insect damage to them. So it is a great adaptation to look like a damaged leaf. Both are generalists, eating a wide variety of woody plants.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFUq3c2wcuFm8Ke6WQ1xa0GuhVYT1eMgsNpUxqR4GpiG1n0cOqRiohUrme15V8F3KOtwNguT4eLGPguqHfoH3XDaSFIwgyOdHpD9F8lWk-eQf7w_vre6o_3xYeNRZmUMoFwAQajQEZOMm/s499/adonta+bicaudata+3+cropped+bedel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="499" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEFUq3c2wcuFm8Ke6WQ1xa0GuhVYT1eMgsNpUxqR4GpiG1n0cOqRiohUrme15V8F3KOtwNguT4eLGPguqHfoH3XDaSFIwgyOdHpD9F8lWk-eQf7w_vre6o_3xYeNRZmUMoFwAQajQEZOMm/w640-h496/adonta+bicaudata+3+cropped+bedel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Adoneta bicaudata</i>, the long-horned slug. <i>Photo by Chris Bedel</i> </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiby6RWaZvmVHHgsMmUJvQV1jcalkab6n55YY04haVkdgRnyZZUp1UjtYERwwSW19KolG0ul13eredemw_Iz_dwXtYogH0Xx4kEXsoLCjuf93cyFQ17L5CshMI0pvomQjCvrW6gESRn9ut/s2048/purple-creasted_Samuel+James_090420+%25287%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiby6RWaZvmVHHgsMmUJvQV1jcalkab6n55YY04haVkdgRnyZZUp1UjtYERwwSW19KolG0ul13eredemw_Iz_dwXtYogH0Xx4kEXsoLCjuf93cyFQ17L5CshMI0pvomQjCvrW6gESRn9ut/w640-h426/purple-creasted_Samuel+James_090420+%25287%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Adoneta spinuloides</i>, the purple-crested slug. <i>Photo by Samuel James</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next species is one of my favorites as it can occur in a wide array of colors. It is the spiny oak-slug, <i>Eulea delphinii</i>. While it does have stinging hairs, it's bright colors does the job of warning others of their presence. If you haven't seen the video of this caterpillar in a previous post, click <a href="http://eoapreserve.blogspot.com/2016/01/spiny-oak-slug-caterpillar-video.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNUhcEeb3oZdX7AAkMfvkWl0fhcpoH9RIvzE2UpALvDEJCFUAZVifpto1ag8aUBE5KGyFe34rkm1OEpJvV42uH8PazGJgJ6_TurpDwOeu6npdreECcDTzYIwDMDWtWwFgYef7tFf492Mb/s1548/spiny+oak+slug2+zloba.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1374" data-original-width="1548" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQNUhcEeb3oZdX7AAkMfvkWl0fhcpoH9RIvzE2UpALvDEJCFUAZVifpto1ag8aUBE5KGyFe34rkm1OEpJvV42uH8PazGJgJ6_TurpDwOeu6npdreECcDTzYIwDMDWtWwFgYef7tFf492Mb/w640-h568/spiny+oak+slug2+zloba.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The name spiny oak-slug, <i>Eulea delphinii</i>, suggests that it eats oak (it does) but it also eats lots of other woody plants as well. <i>Photo by Mark Zloba</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjXV_GT4r6gthhZHXpojUVo3d_dgZBh8PhEknJnhQnjmOirSvoGrNuKzT66pJNXNokuy-onpAnbjEMcYKs5Vw8XcmGy-FW3Wc6_UwUecyNEWmfZufW_J44esxpIOKXLtyf1HpyW9zy0lC/s2048/samuel+james_spiny+oak+slug+on+ash%252C+sept+8%252C+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsjXV_GT4r6gthhZHXpojUVo3d_dgZBh8PhEknJnhQnjmOirSvoGrNuKzT66pJNXNokuy-onpAnbjEMcYKs5Vw8XcmGy-FW3Wc6_UwUecyNEWmfZufW_J44esxpIOKXLtyf1HpyW9zy0lC/w640-h426/samuel+james_spiny+oak+slug+on+ash%252C+sept+8%252C+2020.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a very colorful version with green, yellow, red and black. <i>Photo by Samuel James</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_mRFMfAvniP8N7Uo2MIqd1ZOYhK_HGHbLpoCmxMS1gTkbtttSO2uefkq4gk3cNUIhFrMwWqTOjhLpovUprIAlWpA0OXSoGNq4_PPI-sIs3KuxLcMZGhRprNeJrYcXF-qCHONlgDfSju7/s2048/spiny+oak_Samuel+James_090819+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_mRFMfAvniP8N7Uo2MIqd1ZOYhK_HGHbLpoCmxMS1gTkbtttSO2uefkq4gk3cNUIhFrMwWqTOjhLpovUprIAlWpA0OXSoGNq4_PPI-sIs3KuxLcMZGhRprNeJrYcXF-qCHONlgDfSju7/w640-h426/spiny+oak_Samuel+James_090819+%25283%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful minty green with pinks and reds makes this specimen look like a lichen!<i> Photo by Samuel James</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Looking rather similar but in a different genus is the stinging rose caterpillar, <i>Parasa indetermina</i>. It is a caterpillar with full saturation of color in either yellow, red or orange. The look is completed with bluish/blackish/purplish pin-striping. I have to say this is always a favorite to find as its color is just extraordinary.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVJQX1LPxc2FQUHjxSSX5RgTy7WG6ITlJvDpLGwd6IAObfnB0mwkVJ3yv2ALM77nH2IFwTcfDVzq0gzSIFuyAE-cZDHDfwhWdBDyj1rYgcgJtY4no_San1xWDDUH4f_jM9Jih14StgOoY/s2048/stinging+rose_Samuel+James_083019+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnVJQX1LPxc2FQUHjxSSX5RgTy7WG6ITlJvDpLGwd6IAObfnB0mwkVJ3yv2ALM77nH2IFwTcfDVzq0gzSIFuyAE-cZDHDfwhWdBDyj1rYgcgJtY4no_San1xWDDUH4f_jM9Jih14StgOoY/w640-h426/stinging+rose_Samuel+James_083019+%25282%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gorgeous stinging rose caterpillar, <i>Parasa indetermina</i>, doing a very good job of advertising its stinging spines. <i>Photo by Samuel James</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQs8wgYmBjpA3JPwu6O-Vzlg3RMSOcRuAie0yOXzSmGyN9zTEyNijpyRfuXaaHIohwsp1AMJ0VqFnaUU5loY-g2XtNbpwQOB0qcEp4s63OzfQCborZu-5Gk0jLqZ8wAly-nwm_FASTFrj/w640-h426/Samuel+James_Stinging+rose+on+redbud_09092020+%25283%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The anterior or front end of the stinging rose caterpillar. An extremely handsome devil! <i>Photo by Samuel James</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here is another slug moth caterpillar with coloration like a leaf with some kind of damage to it. The red-crossed button slug, <i>Tortricidia pallia</i>, is one of several in this genus who's identification can be rather tricky.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3P1W6em46N554zAMGLL9gg-nY6HWnVHaL3-glGlusW_dYzw6NjaTbnjjBQYP4VTZQiEgVHhf3sN4YKozb4emnJGjwgsQTX9StS1KycW29n1Gx0_lyLPiJswEyfmrzV9O4K2GBF_SNy4n/s832/red+crossed+button+bedel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="832" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3P1W6em46N554zAMGLL9gg-nY6HWnVHaL3-glGlusW_dYzw6NjaTbnjjBQYP4VTZQiEgVHhf3sN4YKozb4emnJGjwgsQTX9StS1KycW29n1Gx0_lyLPiJswEyfmrzV9O4K2GBF_SNy4n/w640-h576/red+crossed+button+bedel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What!? This doesn't even look like a caterpillar! Red-crossed button slug, <i>Tortricidia pallida</i>. <i>Photo by Chris Bedel</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So far we've seen several types of camouflage such as background matching and disruptive coloration. The Nason's slug, <i>Natada nasoni</i>, relies heavily on background matching sporting this rather lovely green color.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkh_tDmaLeP0oC6Q5BxMAe4CKZXd8SHLJkRiy0MHXuo9fxb2WJVfRBmBfz0QZk1YJ0Z4T1cwOTNWqk8EM32rcfQcGFWRtg4acHifTvbX3WRh04H-nDHX01FCnfufxiRseGcDQXPs74bhyY/s2048/Samuel+James_Nason%2527s+slug+on+beech_09092020+%25286%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkh_tDmaLeP0oC6Q5BxMAe4CKZXd8SHLJkRiy0MHXuo9fxb2WJVfRBmBfz0QZk1YJ0Z4T1cwOTNWqk8EM32rcfQcGFWRtg4acHifTvbX3WRh04H-nDHX01FCnfufxiRseGcDQXPs74bhyY/w640-h426/Samuel+James_Nason%2527s+slug+on+beech_09092020+%25286%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Nason's slug, <i>Natada nasoni</i>, also has retractable stinging spines. <i>Photo by Samuel James</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Let's talk about parasitoids. Para-whats? Parasitoids are insects that parasitize other animals (often insects) but in doing so ultimately kill the host. This happens quite a lot in the caterpillar world. Braconid and ichneumon wasps (order hymenoptera) and tachinid flies (order diptera) are most often the culprits. Eggs of these parasitoids are often laid on or inside the caterpillar. Next, the larva of the parasitoid begins to consume its host starting with the non-vital internal parts of the host. In other words, it's eating its host from the inside while its still alive! Eventually, the parasitoid will pupate (hymenopterans and dipterans go through complete metamorphosis as described above) on or inside the host. The host eventually dies and the parasitoid adult emerges to mate and start the process all over again.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Here is a short video clip of some ichneumon wasp larvae emerging from the body of a pawpaw sphinx caterpillar, <i>Dolba hyloeus</i>, and beginning to form their cocoons.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy4ZecBCYAx0JzyK_t9-6thtSyr8M7aMfKhS0FTGBJ4brccFE8ARFXRI3m5KhilBq8ovWXrWpnYDSKLnZEZSw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">In the case of slug moth caterpillars, they are most often attacked by tachinid flies. The fly will usually lay one egg on the outside of the caterpillar which quickly hatches and the larva burrows into the caterpillar to start feeding. Some of the slug moth catts have white spots as part of their coloration that look a lot like a tachinid fly egg. It could be a deterrent to help fend off the real thing.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Parasitoids play a really important role in the ecosystem by helping to keep caterpillar populations in check. As much as we love hunting for and photographing for them, caterpillars can and will very quickly decimate plants when their numbers get too high.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFNxUCi06qYzwWy-Ioh22MFCo8-bSWL6xyADSEhnGEeWQ2YtepwCM8VK6_63NzyXyI00DklXtFOF_GGSLoZWz7IDY_ZT2JL-N-Cuzh-WfUyczC996OJ27R10gHFKfyOBk5tqatawTzbuN/s2048/smaller+parasa_Samuel+James_090320+%25288%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEFNxUCi06qYzwWy-Ioh22MFCo8-bSWL6xyADSEhnGEeWQ2YtepwCM8VK6_63NzyXyI00DklXtFOF_GGSLoZWz7IDY_ZT2JL-N-Cuzh-WfUyczC996OJ27R10gHFKfyOBk5tqatawTzbuN/w640-h426/smaller+parasa_Samuel+James_090320+%25288%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is a smaller parasa, <i>Parasa chloris,</i> with a parasitoid egg attached to its dorsal, or top, side. This caterpillar is doomed. <i>Photo by Samuel James</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsUVeU47BzChFh1UC-mgNGSKays6_vV9LxeiPmLAZHO3WCzxQg4jz7Oh9ZnFRIFE_s5SORvoTooQukxv7C2M0_SOEr2jHPZMuvMZ8Ulq1eKqW2jOFKLHla6Bgvear0sXxxLuwtG8UJWZn/s1273/crowned+slug+moth+zloba.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1193" data-original-width="1273" height="600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGsUVeU47BzChFh1UC-mgNGSKays6_vV9LxeiPmLAZHO3WCzxQg4jz7Oh9ZnFRIFE_s5SORvoTooQukxv7C2M0_SOEr2jHPZMuvMZ8Ulq1eKqW2jOFKLHla6Bgvear0sXxxLuwtG8UJWZn/w640-h600/crowned+slug+moth+zloba.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautiful crowned slug, <i> Isa textula</i>, is triply doomed having not one but three eggs laid on it. <i> Photo by Mark Zloba</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeeei8aoAykMeim9Q6FB-R-EBMxFkFfMIv3OukbvPdzlq9ExkcWrOte6skFLbG4bikSgWp77JI6EtxmIm1DEdRa_TX7CFWi9Ws_RbTAjYvsE2VlraT_JXoLrF1Jr61wd6XSi36ZB6iAZZ/s2048/IMG_0364.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikeeei8aoAykMeim9Q6FB-R-EBMxFkFfMIv3OukbvPdzlq9ExkcWrOte6skFLbG4bikSgWp77JI6EtxmIm1DEdRa_TX7CFWi9Ws_RbTAjYvsE2VlraT_JXoLrF1Jr61wd6XSi36ZB6iAZZ/w640-h426/IMG_0364.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A skiff moth, <i>Prolimacodes badia</i>, feeding on sumac, <i>Rhus spp</i>., is also doomed. <i>Photo by Robyn Wright-Strauss</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-cwCgs_rnlPriLG1DU89XWqxyWl_3jLTAPTDO0Nx-HJ_DxLX-G3kwdne1iojQS_rGHqUulBwPaRBeT0TVngNgflQOJEuNBxFtw0ao_43VhLWh2MpG7fX2GEQPtvjnLttggbdm8wqHL4t/s1066/spiny+oak+slug+zloba.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="960" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-cwCgs_rnlPriLG1DU89XWqxyWl_3jLTAPTDO0Nx-HJ_DxLX-G3kwdne1iojQS_rGHqUulBwPaRBeT0TVngNgflQOJEuNBxFtw0ao_43VhLWh2MpG7fX2GEQPtvjnLttggbdm8wqHL4t/w574-h640/spiny+oak+slug+zloba.jpg" width="574" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This spiny oak slug, <i>Euclea delphinii</i>, is, yep you guessed it, doomed. <i> Photo by Mark Zloba</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I'd like to wrap up our trek through the Limacodidae with three, of what I think, are the coolest of all the slug moth caterpillars. First up is the crowned slug, <i>Isa textula</i>. Ringed with translucent branched stinging spines, this catt is aptly named.</div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSNat_q7rkHpbDOls1OMeHGLk02nSzKDX_osBD9Ejqq3D_SDWlcA0PPkwEz9xIJEbQO9XYY98yhf-gJZTzXjlg09MoO17jlkaC5V2DNEffnw27v0CdlV1ykcoKmn3RxfQmf-g4fHyMUb4/s2048/Samuel+James_Crowned+slug+on+walnut_09092020+%25285%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijSNat_q7rkHpbDOls1OMeHGLk02nSzKDX_osBD9Ejqq3D_SDWlcA0PPkwEz9xIJEbQO9XYY98yhf-gJZTzXjlg09MoO17jlkaC5V2DNEffnw27v0CdlV1ykcoKmn3RxfQmf-g4fHyMUb4/w640-h426/Samuel+James_Crowned+slug+on+walnut_09092020+%25285%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stunningly beautiful, but alien looking animal that lives right here with us in the eastern forest. Incredible! Crowned slug, <i>Isa textula</i>. <i>Photo by Samuel James</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiBEHkZRPJIUOTDT2aNVlOOQqdFnEZXQsQ4ekwFuHxnCXYTRE3BsfwG5-dtHbjc_1pXuDRhyTSRIoZX61c7FsVra0VgjVz5g9m1zVPHO23uP3SJMuZmQdeu9-NGuFH2vDIsiSLBJZVdFg/s1252/spun+glass+bedel.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1212" data-original-width="1252" height="620" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghiBEHkZRPJIUOTDT2aNVlOOQqdFnEZXQsQ4ekwFuHxnCXYTRE3BsfwG5-dtHbjc_1pXuDRhyTSRIoZX61c7FsVra0VgjVz5g9m1zVPHO23uP3SJMuZmQdeu9-NGuFH2vDIsiSLBJZVdFg/w640-h620/spun+glass+bedel.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perhaps the best of the best? This ultimate or final instar of the spun glass slug, <i>Isochaetes beutenmuelleri</i>, is beyond words. Absolutely covered up in clear, many branched stinging spines, this otherworldly animal is found on oak and beech trees. <i>Photo by Chris Bedel</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ9YCBRFyhMp761eb8JFqFiJjTvaMzu2N4Uly64KtoSb-ODFMpP59PfOG1KiFcrPtwoLSK2BEB2fbYiZnNwcLaBhzpzq8XAckc-LOfYwKV1HqehSGE21unbO0ykNENIkMW8RcichAMULu/s2048/Monkey+slug+bedel.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiQ9YCBRFyhMp761eb8JFqFiJjTvaMzu2N4Uly64KtoSb-ODFMpP59PfOG1KiFcrPtwoLSK2BEB2fbYiZnNwcLaBhzpzq8XAckc-LOfYwKV1HqehSGE21unbO0ykNENIkMW8RcichAMULu/w640-h426/Monkey+slug+bedel.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking unlike any other caterpillar in our region, the monkey slug, <i>Phobetron pithecium</i>, is always a fun one to find. Some scientists think this catt is mimicking the cast skin of a tarantula. While it doesn't make much sense here in the eastern forest (no tarantulas here) is does make sense when looked at the genus as a whole which is tropical (tarantulas there) in its distribution. <i>Photo by Chris Bedel </i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">All of the factual information about the slug moth caterpillars for this post came from the best caterpillar book ever, <i>Caterpillars of Eastern North America</i> by David L, Wagner. David Wagner's book has done so much to bring caterpillar ID and love to so many people. This book is a wealth of information on moths and butterflies and so very helpful in making IDs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For the Limacodidae, I was able to post pictures of almost every one listed in the book. Notably missing are several of the button slugs including the early button slug, <i>Tortricidia testacea</i>, the shagreened slug, <i>Apoda biguttata, </i>and the yellow-collared slug, <i>Apoda y-inversum</i>, and the pin-striped slug, <i>Monoeuca semifascia</i>. That's okay though, as it simply poses a fun challenge to find and photograph the ones we're missing!</div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Posted by: Robyn Wright-Strauss</div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-4556046899435907552020-08-05T17:04:00.000-04:002020-08-05T17:04:14.167-04:00Grassland Bird Project<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILWK6fAVPTeWhDu_JWyghEVAV9H8l4-Q3DZAlHJ0TM5k7ZSCFDnWYQ2zw6gsqPW0IRA8lAj3sqckR7uFlLO9OMwZ-phbulRTr-gZVU_Rb5_QG9KoLlHkmNa5T4lYqBT_PV_sKnic40EcD/s2048/freeman+fields.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhILWK6fAVPTeWhDu_JWyghEVAV9H8l4-Q3DZAlHJ0TM5k7ZSCFDnWYQ2zw6gsqPW0IRA8lAj3sqckR7uFlLO9OMwZ-phbulRTr-gZVU_Rb5_QG9KoLlHkmNa5T4lYqBT_PV_sKnic40EcD/w625-h469/freeman+fields.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freeman fields on the Edge of Appalachia Preserve holds at least 30 Henslow's sparrow territories.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">For many years, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) has been managing old fields on the preserve, trying to maintain them as grassland habitats. Without management, these areas would quickly revert to successional woodlands. The plants and animals now established in these grassland habitats would move away if the habitat changed, so we would like to keep them around if possible. One way to monitor the success of the grassland composition is to record the bird species breeding in them. Many birds chose specific habitats in which they breed. If these birds are using the managed fields, we know the management of the fields is successful.</div><div style="text-align: center;">So this summer, we chose 3 sites to start monitoring and banding birds, capturing them using mist nets. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqKvzQwKSL0k5-_uELCTMUqUDg3fMMsldv2xSZWvlC40l1lQwQ1LOq-6cEQ42lu9-VixaEh-Scl8FNMfCz6gazVXwtFUjEenHE5Ayz8iKV8L5AlPiuOtCb8DpyKKBIjzK5h35RVZDjENR/s2048/freeman+net+set+up.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1298" data-original-width="2048" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiqKvzQwKSL0k5-_uELCTMUqUDg3fMMsldv2xSZWvlC40l1lQwQ1LOq-6cEQ42lu9-VixaEh-Scl8FNMfCz6gazVXwtFUjEenHE5Ayz8iKV8L5AlPiuOtCb8DpyKKBIjzK5h35RVZDjENR/w625-h398/freeman+net+set+up.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mist nets are set up strategically in the grassland fields to capture breeding birds.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">With the help of two Cincinnati Museum Center employees: Heather Farrington and Ann Wegman, and volunteer bird bander Cheryl Dykstra, we began our first long-term banding project on the preserve. Heather proposed this project in order to help TNC regulate the effectiveness of their management practices to encourage breeding by specific grassland birds.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This project's methods are to simply visit each site every season with 13 mist nets and catch and process as many birds that fly into them. Sounds simple, but we found that our target birds do not move around the fields very much in the summer. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NCVJ794Pz4LdR3_VJPSv6_kUtWU8tqjp2IHS4TobeSsOklQE9Kbsq0h-sHIA8gJj5XYmj-xNIzqGxogaOh_T_n5TKn_Wor39yxTmnTSjp5hJ1_OlXF9OMRxVDg0HQEQcd8SaN4atDu9g/s2048/freeman+field+net.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-NCVJ794Pz4LdR3_VJPSv6_kUtWU8tqjp2IHS4TobeSsOklQE9Kbsq0h-sHIA8gJj5XYmj-xNIzqGxogaOh_T_n5TKn_Wor39yxTmnTSjp5hJ1_OlXF9OMRxVDg0HQEQcd8SaN4atDu9g/w500-h375/freeman+field+net.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fine threads of the nets are difficult for the birds to see early in the morning.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The target birds for this project are Henslow's sparrow, <i>Centronyx henslowi</i>, and grasshopper sparrow, <i>Ammodramus savannarum</i>, but any birds utilizing the grasslands will be banded. Once banded, we can then determine that the birds are indeed using the fields and hopefully any recaptures in the coming years give us insight into which birds come back each spring.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67hHqLVIHBjNEgYuWw-_sxO63MqaZAFJOTpQ-igCaAe70lNgDMMBgMi44mSq4dW3twLG6ZLfUBBMY5bu8YqV0IMsu409QkxrX2aUfl40PUUHf6IWumgk_P-P-3MmPucBC_AQkDElrmkRO/s2048/IMG_0867.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj67hHqLVIHBjNEgYuWw-_sxO63MqaZAFJOTpQ-igCaAe70lNgDMMBgMi44mSq4dW3twLG6ZLfUBBMY5bu8YqV0IMsu409QkxrX2aUfl40PUUHf6IWumgk_P-P-3MmPucBC_AQkDElrmkRO/w625-h469/IMG_0867.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A total of 13 mist nets were used in each field to spread out the captures in the large fields.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">There is a difference in birding through binoculars, and seeing these birds in hand. When seen in hand, you see details not observable from afar. Some of the birds were quite tricky to tell in juvenile plumage. Each bird caught is quickly removed from the net, bagged and taken to the processing table. There it is weighed, aged, sexed and given a small ankle band with an identification number on it. This way, if caught again in the future, we will know where it came from.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTeTiXA2DCcSfdfJJlP62WWc0Q9KEeaBKnq1Lv797qx1I_yXCEIdYCCa95-yPNAI9ffDF0jMjuEi-_q3GYkU1Vs0xzbENUVdqEQcsPq0zhnOrQTyf6Nvmk9ydyrruld6GI7Mz3upSj_qt/s2048/chat2+june+19+eulett.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1587" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFTeTiXA2DCcSfdfJJlP62WWc0Q9KEeaBKnq1Lv797qx1I_yXCEIdYCCa95-yPNAI9ffDF0jMjuEi-_q3GYkU1Vs0xzbENUVdqEQcsPq0zhnOrQTyf6Nvmk9ydyrruld6GI7Mz3upSj_qt/w485-h625/chat2+june+19+eulett.jpg" width="485" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This yellow-breasted chat, <i>Icteria virens</i>, was not happy to be caught in the net.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdnzzh_11nZ0CYA0a5zAG-Ndsb89aUOcUJSqZwaBiz-lvZx2xJsdHwabGmBD6SsOWRplV8m-hnOYTEEKJ4sWiyDBD1KNYyU1Xz-Utbdj46iD0CWleDXMOkPOa9v7jm0qRyGenIPUPn9Do/s2048/henslows3+june+25+freeman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1972" data-original-width="2048" height="601" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwdnzzh_11nZ0CYA0a5zAG-Ndsb89aUOcUJSqZwaBiz-lvZx2xJsdHwabGmBD6SsOWRplV8m-hnOYTEEKJ4sWiyDBD1KNYyU1Xz-Utbdj46iD0CWleDXMOkPOa9v7jm0qRyGenIPUPn9Do/w625-h601/henslows3+june+25+freeman.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Processing table is brought into the field to collect data from each bird. This Henslow's sparrow (Centronyx henslowi) is letting us know its age by its wing feather colors.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOaRYSqcE0c2tsQIDwzoC2FjXEqsZloMd6Sev_cU5MpsWpNGUe3WJjbuSs33TN_4S2EwEr9jTwKlBwIhpccBHcIILEIif8w6Q_VmQ6rlNNUOhWqOCdxPM2Mumrd53V1PVIQJj7sZgMZKp/s2048/henslows5+june+25+freeman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2002" data-original-width="2048" height="489" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOaRYSqcE0c2tsQIDwzoC2FjXEqsZloMd6Sev_cU5MpsWpNGUe3WJjbuSs33TN_4S2EwEr9jTwKlBwIhpccBHcIILEIif8w6Q_VmQ6rlNNUOhWqOCdxPM2Mumrd53V1PVIQJj7sZgMZKp/w500-h489/henslows5+june+25+freeman.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Henslow's sparrow (Centronyx henslowi)<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Two of the three chosen sites had singing Henslow's sparrows in them this year. The third usually has Henslow's present, but this year it was void of this rare grassland bird. This is why we chose this bird to monitor. It seems to have very specific requirements for breeding, and we have a hard time predicting which fields they will return to. As we collect more data from these grassland fields, and figure out which fields are used annually by these birds, it will help us decide which management practices are working.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BTBY9ylp4ziG8LWAkmUbrlN-z0ym0dJI082ySNhgscu40UlFu6vIw6WRvYc1XXIbh_aGcgi-vin7N4QIGY_R7DMyxN4aUMbPV-HbnfnhKSiA2JUuYMWBfAKkCMQD5-1-PVxpz4aZTJAJ/s2048/blue+grosbeak+freeman+july+9.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1466" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5BTBY9ylp4ziG8LWAkmUbrlN-z0ym0dJI082ySNhgscu40UlFu6vIw6WRvYc1XXIbh_aGcgi-vin7N4QIGY_R7DMyxN4aUMbPV-HbnfnhKSiA2JUuYMWBfAKkCMQD5-1-PVxpz4aZTJAJ/w448-h625/blue+grosbeak+freeman+july+9.jpg" width="448" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Juvenile blue grosbeak, <i>Passerina caerulea, </i>caught in its transforming stage between brown and its adult blue plumage.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KBAin6_GuoTPmZH9vyf2NUpjB3G1nFJnxbn_R8tA1Q54TLtcktnPe5MpDgcQhcIFBUY1oXFQW91qTf8TsG-G1Ta_SoZvxxoYBB1sPeUlJN3nGWLkkyfYM8NHQgdZWGtMR833hFD5wg9Y/s2048/blue+grosbeak+070920.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1900" data-original-width="2048" height="580" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KBAin6_GuoTPmZH9vyf2NUpjB3G1nFJnxbn_R8tA1Q54TLtcktnPe5MpDgcQhcIFBUY1oXFQW91qTf8TsG-G1Ta_SoZvxxoYBB1sPeUlJN3nGWLkkyfYM8NHQgdZWGtMR833hFD5wg9Y/w625-h580/blue+grosbeak+070920.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Juvenile blue grosbeak. Photo by. Rich McCarty</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1owe9D6kbyiFDjVhHbni_b-RbROcGCv5jWteAhM2yEYBTWuD8RBU0kUpm-v2S237XyCiNS94iMPYWh8WnakTl5N_CqMxBHiad3ij2oHBmcM84yOnNRZDvOnB9PqKgTjXFlBUnXBAg82OO/s2048/kingbird8+female+June+25++freeman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1825" data-original-width="2048" height="445" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1owe9D6kbyiFDjVhHbni_b-RbROcGCv5jWteAhM2yEYBTWuD8RBU0kUpm-v2S237XyCiNS94iMPYWh8WnakTl5N_CqMxBHiad3ij2oHBmcM84yOnNRZDvOnB9PqKgTjXFlBUnXBAg82OO/w500-h445/kingbird8+female+June+25++freeman.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eastern Kingbird, <i>Tyrannus tyrannus</i>, caught shows its reddish feathers on the crown, usually displayed when agitated.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMbu752jRfG8qGHntu4DNPXLHoqbuTC0L5sd0Mj_0HUv_5gUtBGKLS5jROuGCXXrexzSzbw5kLcCQyAFBA7LYSRet3PJbs32-8hEI5_9LUyXK6w8uw9MWmdrQU_hL-G8wJ7NeNFjmbr7n/s2048/kingbird7+female+June+25++freeman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="2048" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpMbu752jRfG8qGHntu4DNPXLHoqbuTC0L5sd0Mj_0HUv_5gUtBGKLS5jROuGCXXrexzSzbw5kLcCQyAFBA7LYSRet3PJbs32-8hEI5_9LUyXK6w8uw9MWmdrQU_hL-G8wJ7NeNFjmbr7n/w500-h306/kingbird7+female+June+25++freeman.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By looking at the shape of first primary feather, the book in the background shows that this E. kingbird caught was a female.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienvI5OK-UU9pMDW8jkZBlTsxGrt1Y2jTeZ7RuT-gd4WgdNi7jxCI5fyBqGHvyqLtyGxS5JW52Xq-PgwYzPvsW5iJDpTIT9QxIqXoiXGbUAA4Ssx1R38jAoMLaRcG6IaHLh3y35DYVc44-/s2048/prairie+warbler4+mary+brown+field+July+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1938" data-original-width="2048" height="593" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienvI5OK-UU9pMDW8jkZBlTsxGrt1Y2jTeZ7RuT-gd4WgdNi7jxCI5fyBqGHvyqLtyGxS5JW52Xq-PgwYzPvsW5iJDpTIT9QxIqXoiXGbUAA4Ssx1R38jAoMLaRcG6IaHLh3y35DYVc44-/w625-h593/prairie+warbler4+mary+brown+field+July+2.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tiny prairie warbler, <i>Setophaga discolor</i>, showing its band above its right foot. And who would have guessed the bottoms of their feet were yellow?<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYospuZg1BtyXrayBIZiPloOZUC6vBSn40xWCaKvPEIlylgJ1lQtxYFLKDmCc49z399QIMd34B8HJZy9nk0__l1B9KEF-GcaGgeZ5MTfsnZ7O9_ffrW9jLPQJs15B_JXQlsAE0v0XIYii/s1937/yellow+warbler2+Mary+Brown+feild+July+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1555" data-original-width="1937" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggYospuZg1BtyXrayBIZiPloOZUC6vBSn40xWCaKvPEIlylgJ1lQtxYFLKDmCc49z399QIMd34B8HJZy9nk0__l1B9KEF-GcaGgeZ5MTfsnZ7O9_ffrW9jLPQJs15B_JXQlsAE0v0XIYii/w625-h501/yellow+warbler2+Mary+Brown+feild+July+2.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The identification of this yellow warbler, <i>Setophaga petechia</i>, had us fooled for a bit.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ8wIa1JkMT4ndLxkv8jI6qWwncqyXEtKvvOhSkWDC0eEfbUBlrdQ_F9wrBUu0N_9q7SCZAHXzIUdDVaQoLdgr0uti6pRFjT3hB0lvSvnFGc1KAL3PFcilCKyDP-O2cBT6dGF6UR5tt2A/s2048/orchard+oriole5+june+25+freeman.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1581" data-original-width="2048" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQ8wIa1JkMT4ndLxkv8jI6qWwncqyXEtKvvOhSkWDC0eEfbUBlrdQ_F9wrBUu0N_9q7SCZAHXzIUdDVaQoLdgr0uti6pRFjT3hB0lvSvnFGc1KAL3PFcilCKyDP-O2cBT6dGF6UR5tt2A/w625-h483/orchard+oriole5+june+25+freeman.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An orchard oriole, <i>Icterus spurius</i>, found its way into our nets.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In all, 67 birds representing 21 species were caught and banded. A few birds hit the net and escaped somehow, but 67 captures sounds pretty good for 4 trap mornings in 3 hot fields. Most importantly, 16 Henslow's sparrows were captured including some juveniles. And 1 grasshopper sparrow was caught even though no grasshopper sparrows were heard in the fields leading up to the netting dates.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to the expertise of our 3 bird banding friends, the preserve is on its way to learning more about the birds of our managed grasslands and soon, which of these birds return to them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Posted by: Mark Zloba</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div> </div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-70250171283976786542020-06-30T10:04:00.001-04:002020-07-06T16:31:46.493-04:00Timber rattlesnake: part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An update on the rattlesnake adventure from last year. <a href="http://eoapreserve.blogspot.com/2019/11/found-timber-rattlesnake-resides-on-edge.html" target="_blank">The post from Nov. 6, 2019</a> introduced you to our first captured timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus) on the preserve, and if you read the post, you know it led us to a den site. We were excited to know this den site was on preserve property, AND a second rattlesnake was using the same den. Well this spring, thanks to the time lapse cameras supplied by John Howard, we know that the transmitted rattlesnake came out of the den on April 6th. But the camera showed the other rattlesnake, the one we have not officially met yet, came out on April 4th. We thought we missed our chance to catch that second snake and see if it was a male or female. But luckily, it decided to go back into the den that same week. Re-entering the den is not something we thought the snakes would do. But this new snake, and an Eastern black racer (Coluber constrictor) that overwintered in the den, came out and later returned. So we knew the snake was back in the hole in the ground. Meanwhile the transmitted snake (the one we'd been following), was just feet away, "leaf hiding" as our Ohio rattlesnakes do after first emergence.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">John's brother Vince built a trap he thought would help catch the new snake, and we mounted the trap over the den entrance. It took two days, but the new rattlesnake, and the racer finally came back out, and into our trap on April 20th. We had the new snake!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8fNyFNbO4vttD1xDygcIXOiFT6t2I6n8bmFiO70a3bJztvuqT2W8NU1-mALW690lG1p14lNQvXi2njzx55ZW7NMfwm37AzE1PMB1KCEL6u-pLWEwAxhy-crZt3lYC4ExpGtl4jq1483U/s1600/rattlesnake+trap+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8fNyFNbO4vttD1xDygcIXOiFT6t2I6n8bmFiO70a3bJztvuqT2W8NU1-mALW690lG1p14lNQvXi2njzx55ZW7NMfwm37AzE1PMB1KCEL6u-pLWEwAxhy-crZt3lYC4ExpGtl4jq1483U/w625-h469/rattlesnake+trap+2020.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trap is mounted above den entrance to capture whomever is living inside.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Once the new snake was in our possession, snake biologist Doug Wynn came down to process the snake. The rattlesnake was held comfortably in a tube to protect everyone involved, and a pit tag was inserted under the scales in case this snake is recaptured. The pit tag allows us to scan the snake and give us an I.D. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLaR2jP7WNUGyLpSRaZ1GMBHVYEBeJvbmNWq9lS4Sec9ZoRzoYpBYHu1hObrRIIpACRFBKjpowaVOVPoHF9Sq_bAeIj1eSvFr5W3plQEtPvNowfScbd3buT1cSWmjk69IPiz_M8QZL3iR/s1600/rattlesnake+female+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsLaR2jP7WNUGyLpSRaZ1GMBHVYEBeJvbmNWq9lS4Sec9ZoRzoYpBYHu1hObrRIIpACRFBKjpowaVOVPoHF9Sq_bAeIj1eSvFr5W3plQEtPvNowfScbd3buT1cSWmjk69IPiz_M8QZL3iR/w625-h469/rattlesnake+female+2020.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rattlesnake is guided into a tube to handle safely.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The snake was weighed, sexed and measured. To our delight, SHE is a female, with an approximated age old enough to have mated a few times already. To find a female old enough for mating is a rare occurrence in Ohio, so we took her right back to the den site to release her.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtbKHKDLgZqHvDviN2dyIq82mosqh4u5Ssqn_q-aYHl4Ib4FOnkVHx_utJgcwUXyuUIYUZg9ZcKdsG4jsMrZO3iI2gdAh0bl-v0kss_5ITs5JkWzT2-Tna1n8AVRaPN0YrVw_vi1-2KJ0/s1600/rattlesnake+measurements2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtbKHKDLgZqHvDviN2dyIq82mosqh4u5Ssqn_q-aYHl4Ib4FOnkVHx_utJgcwUXyuUIYUZg9ZcKdsG4jsMrZO3iI2gdAh0bl-v0kss_5ITs5JkWzT2-Tna1n8AVRaPN0YrVw_vi1-2KJ0/w625-h469/rattlesnake+measurements2.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biologist Doug Wynn traces the snake under a clear press to measure the length of the snake.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctQ3GLd2L0R08m5ZvN9vx8PnKu5dgbQ7LJpV53VFSonD6uMLwRNtiB1TuFrmv7ZQ2w_Bfyc9DeG27keCa8y1ZlZ2SXpk08bmRl3t2sWd5Nh4X09TMgowQLGTedtvwJxqZsWCV6AGMi-ux/s1600/rattlesnake+female+from+april+2020.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgctQ3GLd2L0R08m5ZvN9vx8PnKu5dgbQ7LJpV53VFSonD6uMLwRNtiB1TuFrmv7ZQ2w_Bfyc9DeG27keCa8y1ZlZ2SXpk08bmRl3t2sWd5Nh4X09TMgowQLGTedtvwJxqZsWCV6AGMi-ux/w625-h469/rattlesnake+female+from+april+2020.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Although the elliptical pupils and shape of head makes her appear "mean", this snake rattled only once during capture and has never attempted to strike.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUmtuDrPW9PqjTBkJPkI3_m_hbRVSM_pDQNfMHA_hb67uSe4uUt37m0LDUKkTOx8O6KkZmakTcdUZJD1VJ1CO0bJ1pWj9Jtnn_XjNwhirxSm-DSBNljIABN98rYMipkImEA9HoCWPd3bG/s1600/rattlesnake+at+den+site+3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="469" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIUmtuDrPW9PqjTBkJPkI3_m_hbRVSM_pDQNfMHA_hb67uSe4uUt37m0LDUKkTOx8O6KkZmakTcdUZJD1VJ1CO0bJ1pWj9Jtnn_XjNwhirxSm-DSBNljIABN98rYMipkImEA9HoCWPd3bG/w625-h469/rattlesnake+at+den+site+3.jpg" width="625" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female timber rattlesnake released at den site. Yes, that small hole in the ground is the entrance!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Get close and personal with our second timber rattlesnake in the video below.</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwE7ABxcCcX1Pjb0DLWoyJvSS7zXZdCdiURDwpFjM5gE1I6y63EZ3at9DXcbrqRSgYuFVwkzlOZHB6cSgK4cw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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To date, the radio-tagged male has moved about a half mile from the den site since its 2020 emergence. It has been hanging out on a hilltop, most likely waiting for a chipmunk to pass by. As summer presses on we plan to follow our radio-tagged rattlesnake on his long travels looking for a mate. At the end of July we will have mapped out his movements for an entire year. Hopefully it will then lead us to the same den hole he emerged from in April. And we hope the cameras catch the female returning alive and well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Watch for an update this fall!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Posted by: Mark Zloba</div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-21948001602629633952020-06-25T09:00:00.000-04:002020-06-25T09:00:02.768-04:00Bugs on Plants<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2739" data-original-width="3863" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG0ykK-1iHstPY1bKcg2lopliwLkmIGDEjbQaeyv0LKIl15v-RPjH-dVCDlRhIW18cTICb4Jbz4-H6wNV1BTkWILm0IB2-dev9HVsiZIX0aSu0CzDCy9qLM0Agd-FhpugmGUl9tQK0D2sC/w640-h452/orthopterans+on+daisy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two immature Orthopterans and a beetle hanging out on an ox-eye daisy. Not sure if these are grasshoppers or katydids, but due to the lack of fully formed wings, they are not adults.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Bugs. A word that can bring excitement to some, dread to others, and taxonomically misused all the time. (True Bugs are a specific group of insects, but I recognize that the word "bug" generally means insects, spiders, and other arthropods.) I love insects and most other arthropods (Except roaches. Just. No.) Insects especially are too amazing for words. The infinitesimal number of niches they fill, the adaptations they have and the sheer number of them constantly blow my mind. One thing I really love about them are their relationships with plants and vice versa. One of the most notable relationships occurs with insects who end up being pollinators of plants. Beyond that though, are insects eating plants, insects and other arthropods eating the insects that are eating the plants and so on. That is why I thought it would be fun to take a look at just a few instances of "bugs" on plants.</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JxxHaP0laZsbHZDS3rIWCr0FjoQPbYKjhLzhFYvrbuRW0hZ2XHKdmJXG30bukxQqQjdYZQbsneHZw3qh6mXZKjEhTsqPJF8LHQBiH74KOLzfk4PNPPfGR2dtTM732a6f1pTZl9S3Ap2z/s4797/grasshopper+on+liatris.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3202" data-original-width="4797" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4JxxHaP0laZsbHZDS3rIWCr0FjoQPbYKjhLzhFYvrbuRW0hZ2XHKdmJXG30bukxQqQjdYZQbsneHZw3qh6mXZKjEhTsqPJF8LHQBiH74KOLzfk4PNPPfGR2dtTM732a6f1pTZl9S3Ap2z/w640-h428/grasshopper+on+liatris.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This one is an adult grasshopper, hanging out on a lovely blooming <i>Liatris</i> or blazing star.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg302wW76YmQON-rB4HTV6ct0nkNhKAMobiA10yhGfb_QLMcA6yquxbVSMDFXgB0-bm0yNDmm-2L37yP2ghIl4N1J9OvfMsoBp4PtVRnPG-DOCCCbn3W3xPSvCAACCX9pQi6b6KdfR6MDML/s3046/Harvestman+on+pasture+rose.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3046" data-original-width="2051" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg302wW76YmQON-rB4HTV6ct0nkNhKAMobiA10yhGfb_QLMcA6yquxbVSMDFXgB0-bm0yNDmm-2L37yP2ghIl4N1J9OvfMsoBp4PtVRnPG-DOCCCbn3W3xPSvCAACCX9pQi6b6KdfR6MDML/w430-h640/Harvestman+on+pasture+rose.jpg" width="430" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A harvestman lounging on pasture rose, <i>Rosa carolina</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-yK-VZhk8VWyabwm_R8SFt5Gow0UMwwVJbQpgLPfIk_gja8HfRGxi77Ezr3rHOqIj_Xl52LjCl1tbbvdxE1b2tGGbpj8TKgC1gdX9OzQLKQ_2r3w6mTaJy9t8TxcKDQANfgwVg7TIGu9/s4180/scarab+on+hydrangea+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3092" data-original-width="4180" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-yK-VZhk8VWyabwm_R8SFt5Gow0UMwwVJbQpgLPfIk_gja8HfRGxi77Ezr3rHOqIj_Xl52LjCl1tbbvdxE1b2tGGbpj8TKgC1gdX9OzQLKQ_2r3w6mTaJy9t8TxcKDQANfgwVg7TIGu9/w640-h472/scarab+on+hydrangea+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A scarab beetle, possibly in the genus, <i>Trichiotinus</i>, hanging out on some wild hydrangea flowers, <i>Hydrangea arborenscens</i>. These beetles feed on pollen and nectar as adults.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BdnmqjdNw0ynDWAIHTe-SSoU32Yji-6QjwSxgHZlW7DDjmiUUqEEcllcPnNf47aNNFb6O10r23L9NDFIbqma3xZPoIgmrRfucGPymDoaFqNwuvKZh_WElRdnYIqxhqhh4xpzoCMKO_2-/s3487/Soldier+beetle.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2345" data-original-width="3487" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BdnmqjdNw0ynDWAIHTe-SSoU32Yji-6QjwSxgHZlW7DDjmiUUqEEcllcPnNf47aNNFb6O10r23L9NDFIbqma3xZPoIgmrRfucGPymDoaFqNwuvKZh_WElRdnYIqxhqhh4xpzoCMKO_2-/w640-h430/Soldier+beetle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking about its universe, a soldier beetle in the family <i>Cantharidae</i>, perches on the end of a leaf. </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh329GwMBz3HCUPR7NQP116elKr5I_-Mt9kZ0ygNlKimNgRFQIDJidSHfgjEpK5waDrxhyphenhyphenQvRJufejSU21LqzWr0CCQkP6pTearjsXmlhLOg8KCczB4jFxjMt0fC8tXK9GItWXWv0uS-DCL/s1077/duskywing+on+downy+wood+mint.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1077" data-original-width="861" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh329GwMBz3HCUPR7NQP116elKr5I_-Mt9kZ0ygNlKimNgRFQIDJidSHfgjEpK5waDrxhyphenhyphenQvRJufejSU21LqzWr0CCQkP6pTearjsXmlhLOg8KCczB4jFxjMt0fC8tXK9GItWXWv0uS-DCL/w510-h640/duskywing+on+downy+wood+mint.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A dusky wing butterfly, <i>Erynnis spp.</i>, probes for nectar with its long proboscis on downy wood mint, <i>Blephilia ciliata</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLabx7szq_GSQGErnb6aEniBS-_3P5BfshmAQogWwPCGimfl8I3vyDqel7haTNuu_kf1cArNprCSUYpuqaKvXWIEvziCOtEhDP6uxTfj5sKt7OvafDKYeoETmFglirE-w6fhj573S8_e5U/s2259/juniper+face.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2259" data-original-width="1462" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLabx7szq_GSQGErnb6aEniBS-_3P5BfshmAQogWwPCGimfl8I3vyDqel7haTNuu_kf1cArNprCSUYpuqaKvXWIEvziCOtEhDP6uxTfj5sKt7OvafDKYeoETmFglirE-w6fhj573S8_e5U/w412-h640/juniper+face.jpg" width="412" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This juniper hairstreak's, <i>Callophrys gryneus</i>, striped antenna and legs sure are fancy! He's dressed to the nines for dining on rattle snake master flowers, <i>Eryngium yuccifolium</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzCE_18I7ztqPs4iMpmQJ_-9EUxAV9NLeX5XAROuGWkCjsYGxP9OMuZMRBEiU_YovgrhAlqP-N0Xe7aplPZQd-si6PR3ElxY8AhR3QiKAvEftnd2r-TT3vUP_fnvEpHBc4FxaOv4Ef6w7/s1264/Mornful+Thyris+on+Zizia.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1174" data-original-width="1264" height="592" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEzCE_18I7ztqPs4iMpmQJ_-9EUxAV9NLeX5XAROuGWkCjsYGxP9OMuZMRBEiU_YovgrhAlqP-N0Xe7aplPZQd-si6PR3ElxY8AhR3QiKAvEftnd2r-TT3vUP_fnvEpHBc4FxaOv4Ef6w7/w640-h592/Mornful+Thyris+on+Zizia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A tiny moth named the mournful thyris, <i>Thyris sepulchralis</i>, sips nectar from a prairie plant in the genus, <i>Zizia</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgTp5BGYfSHE_1EuOl7pfJN4meQ1YZeMlHyAmAgeCKtH2_IqJjbItqEXSA_Xt6gR1uRe-t3RIyWtpk-r0mDHjOC1F2VvjMVi9eBibyoPvCnI8xEH8l7TlZxKvMM1rqZG1Z067o-jJ0RVD/s5184/spragueia+apicalis2.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGgTp5BGYfSHE_1EuOl7pfJN4meQ1YZeMlHyAmAgeCKtH2_IqJjbItqEXSA_Xt6gR1uRe-t3RIyWtpk-r0mDHjOC1F2VvjMVi9eBibyoPvCnI8xEH8l7TlZxKvMM1rqZG1Z067o-jJ0RVD/w640-h426/spragueia+apicalis2.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An even tinier moth, <i>Spragueia apicalis</i>, perches atop a gray headed coneflower, <i>Ratibida pinnata</i>, for its meal.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN3V7uHRBoopX89pWXRyNQtvWnXW0d_v3AGShMskWpi_Mhvm47QhCVZE7SfC8eKuLK-EELfuyzN5Z6Pxvfhj8ljH_IuznElPHN9uVymIgz7dbcRg-ssohAKTxLhLdB1k-ZJlUO7ultgFk/s1798/bee+approach.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1257" data-original-width="1798" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXN3V7uHRBoopX89pWXRyNQtvWnXW0d_v3AGShMskWpi_Mhvm47QhCVZE7SfC8eKuLK-EELfuyzN5Z6Pxvfhj8ljH_IuznElPHN9uVymIgz7dbcRg-ssohAKTxLhLdB1k-ZJlUO7ultgFk/w640-h448/bee+approach.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honing in on a prime Penstemon flower, a bumble bee, <i>Bombus spp.</i>, comes in for a landing, tongue out and ready to get some nectar.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnClDKHbe6WWh5rMoydC5fZBAQS8-GEiiZKwX2DPQWJoh1-MvUKAHj9OuPTa7m2gFqJr9Xug39daUqYcwj4r5TvcUIUXC4F-98GV9nAVoonVwq5CpWldmJ1q8cvlULp3NC2SWrCHg1HCy7/s4509/bee+on+gray-headed+coneflower.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2928" data-original-width="4509" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnClDKHbe6WWh5rMoydC5fZBAQS8-GEiiZKwX2DPQWJoh1-MvUKAHj9OuPTa7m2gFqJr9Xug39daUqYcwj4r5TvcUIUXC4F-98GV9nAVoonVwq5CpWldmJ1q8cvlULp3NC2SWrCHg1HCy7/w640-h414/bee+on+gray-headed+coneflower.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gray headed coneflower, <i>Ratibida pinnata,</i> is producing lots of pollen which this small native bee is taking advantage of.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU9VM8d1mKp4abNQRRgR3Ge4Fl8nYlMqkUmgONHBLgiKhvIJEceGXKj9CC_yuZGycEcjGplp4j1FPIymQuyjHsvsgazTycDVgkrrPVN7QzAuIdGKwZmRRkk2Bdty94qWOawfb3wkSxkoW/s4585/hymenops+on+rattlesnake+master.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3008" data-original-width="4585" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVU9VM8d1mKp4abNQRRgR3Ge4Fl8nYlMqkUmgONHBLgiKhvIJEceGXKj9CC_yuZGycEcjGplp4j1FPIymQuyjHsvsgazTycDVgkrrPVN7QzAuIdGKwZmRRkk2Bdty94qWOawfb3wkSxkoW/w640-h420/hymenops+on+rattlesnake+master.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Large and small, members of the order Hymenoptera (bees, wasps and ants) take advantage of the many tiny flowers that make up the head of a rattlesnake master plant, <i>Eryngium yuccifolium</i>. </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz98YP4EBXCM_3TGvUJVfotICgZwfQgSAN2y5zJ9nJaYiZJ4jcbF6y4LMmjUh8m9-sUizZ6X0qSV4Gvwg7_AK0pNe1F4YOtfgienY3jFEUtIX8aorya0z9EQa1TuGWBSLaEIPfZi2EAOzW/s4130/crab+spider.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2916" data-original-width="4130" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz98YP4EBXCM_3TGvUJVfotICgZwfQgSAN2y5zJ9nJaYiZJ4jcbF6y4LMmjUh8m9-sUizZ6X0qSV4Gvwg7_AK0pNe1F4YOtfgienY3jFEUtIX8aorya0z9EQa1TuGWBSLaEIPfZi2EAOzW/w640-h450/crab+spider.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Awaiting a tasty snack such as a small bee, fly or beetle, this small crab spider in the family, <i>Thomisidae</i>, waits patiently on some just opening flowers of honewort, <i>Cryptotaenia canadensis</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl7FGkCxEIpUWkTEf2kKoEfniIXlwWgyng5qaJYjr04UEh6PTrnrxEP_aud3vKEIvLMFnExBr8BJrfdtAX_S7U2r261Wj2-2DJ1hZxC14-75EvV40V_G8hLkPz_FVLfkyo97FksIQehSe/s1902/stilt+bug+neoneides+on+downy+wood+mint.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1294" data-original-width="1902" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJl7FGkCxEIpUWkTEf2kKoEfniIXlwWgyng5qaJYjr04UEh6PTrnrxEP_aud3vKEIvLMFnExBr8BJrfdtAX_S7U2r261Wj2-2DJ1hZxC14-75EvV40V_G8hLkPz_FVLfkyo97FksIQehSe/w640-h434/stilt+bug+neoneides+on+downy+wood+mint.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also hoping to catch and consume something for lunch is this silt bug, <i>Neoneides spp.</i> His reservations were on downy wood mint, <i>Blephilia ciliata.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Insects are other arthropods are one of only a few groups of animals that you can consistently see year round. And, they occur in every conceivable habitat including indoor spaces! This makes them accessible, entertaining, educational and more. Try looking around where you are for some 6 or more legged friends. You may be surprised at what you find!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Posted by: Robyn Wright-Strauss</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-52370144817826308492020-06-10T14:01:00.000-04:002020-06-10T14:01:13.450-04:00The Green and White Season<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c5FindJwM1s_o2SN-NyG6P1bmm93nleAtWRa0pcVTvBlU44ycPRBuZJx6V99E-b5yXwolaGEG4zGBf9-N8SmOWbZ36Yr1ZPziqt3JJy90Chok0i6lVQ0bvz6KJL-QtajGQaMNEzhUqMn/s4081/mock+orange+close.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2862" data-original-width="4081" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9c5FindJwM1s_o2SN-NyG6P1bmm93nleAtWRa0pcVTvBlU44ycPRBuZJx6V99E-b5yXwolaGEG4zGBf9-N8SmOWbZ36Yr1ZPziqt3JJy90Chok0i6lVQ0bvz6KJL-QtajGQaMNEzhUqMn/w640-h446/mock+orange+close.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mock Orange, <i>Philadelphus spp</i>. has fragrant white blooms. There are several native species, but a non-native one is commonly found in gardens and landscapes.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Late spring and early summer in the forest is a little less colorful than early and mid spring. The canopy has closed, preventing as much sunlight from reaching the forest floor and the spring ephemerals are fading away. A lot of the plants in bloom during this time have white flowers. Many are shrubs as well which is interesting. A former supervisor of mine called this time in the forest, the green and white period. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtGbEX5Lxc7lxIfFNQqTxif9Da_4Wb_Sk5hNB3smw0Yn6a5Xyko4a51QOBDfHmr3L_fbNtIO-RRiBP6e10MNQX5VAPaNLCJaPDh2srmMSlRK3X7m7-naQtFzSVVfcMYRDx-KQD-t-wHwq/s4706/daisy.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4706" data-original-width="2774" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihtGbEX5Lxc7lxIfFNQqTxif9Da_4Wb_Sk5hNB3smw0Yn6a5Xyko4a51QOBDfHmr3L_fbNtIO-RRiBP6e10MNQX5VAPaNLCJaPDh2srmMSlRK3X7m7-naQtFzSVVfcMYRDx-KQD-t-wHwq/w376-h640/daisy.jpg" width="376" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oxeye Daisy, <i>Chrysanthemum leucanthemum</i>, is a widespread non-native summer wildflower.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">White blooms during this time are not limited to the forest interior. Roadsides and forest edges commonly sport our first flower in the line-up. While not native, Oxeye Daisy, <i>Chrysanthemum leucanthemum</i>, is extremely common and can make its home just about anywhere there is enough sun. Like other non-natives, it does especially well in disturbed areas. This might just be the one wildflower that <u>anyone </u>can name. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QNaWXRhmCTqDaxDOXmAYs_mU52vNaArGXZ5gtT36ew2laqYGM7DAQOSaQmlfM3G60XCG6tAAKerpltzRVLSJ08J1liM06M819p0645johqSRePai9WrXGNKnTi4aOCZ-qjuAi_rptzbk/s5184/penstemon.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_QNaWXRhmCTqDaxDOXmAYs_mU52vNaArGXZ5gtT36ew2laqYGM7DAQOSaQmlfM3G60XCG6tAAKerpltzRVLSJ08J1liM06M819p0645johqSRePai9WrXGNKnTi4aOCZ-qjuAi_rptzbk/w426-h640/penstemon.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are several different species of beard-tongues, <i>Penstemon spp</i>. There are three on the preserve that are separated out by small details such as glabrous anthers.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of my favorite early summer wildflowers happens to be the white colored beard-tongues. Beard-tongues belong to the genus <i>Penstemon</i> and show up fairly often as cultivars in the horticultural trade. These flowers are really great for many different kinds of bees. According to Heather Holm in her book, <i>Pollinators of Native Plants</i>, small carpenter bees, European wool carder bees, digger bees, sweat bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees and bumblebees all regularly visit these flowers. Wow!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEumNG9v1RnnyMqgdD6ljbf7UrrUNjQ195IEMAIVeBqUWUeZq2BU9f_t-8JYRvpRe-4SZIy3HN6QSqzW76BeymW_xi3Dn-8k_V-Cp6c-XxEYfyUaS5GJfnkeW7rOY9FZfcEaEBte1G1VSK/s2635/penstemonclose.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2635" data-original-width="1791" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEumNG9v1RnnyMqgdD6ljbf7UrrUNjQ195IEMAIVeBqUWUeZq2BU9f_t-8JYRvpRe-4SZIy3HN6QSqzW76BeymW_xi3Dn-8k_V-Cp6c-XxEYfyUaS5GJfnkeW7rOY9FZfcEaEBte1G1VSK/w434-h640/penstemonclose.jpg" width="434" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penstemon flowers are protandrous, which means on each flower the anthers release their pollen before the stigma becomes receptive. It is in this way that the plant can help ensure cross pollination.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wild white indigo, <i>Baptisia lactea</i>, is primarily a tall grass prairie plant, but there are a few populations found in Ohio. It is listed as potentially threatened on Ohio's Rare Plant List. On the preserve, it is only found in a few of the prairie openings. Regardless, it is one cool plant! Queen and worker bumble bees, <i> Bombus</i>, are the main insects who can effectively pollinate this plant. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiyDNmAa5HS_5FcQhZ_uXUR1gg5MfBoXs4n6CLwmymOggKeY_35erFHhAHzgL4vIIpwG7shAcvtRGoM4djil9J8RLCnZgwItDhPfSmvhYoqoBqHfGio3ux4Oh1HXHcLYp0sDJEDNdqZjU/s2149/baptisia+with+bee+flight.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="2149" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDiyDNmAa5HS_5FcQhZ_uXUR1gg5MfBoXs4n6CLwmymOggKeY_35erFHhAHzgL4vIIpwG7shAcvtRGoM4djil9J8RLCnZgwItDhPfSmvhYoqoBqHfGio3ux4Oh1HXHcLYp0sDJEDNdqZjU/w640-h440/baptisia+with+bee+flight.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This queen bumblebee, <i>Bombus spp.</i>, comes in for a landing on wild white indigo, <i>Baptisia lactea</i>.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">When flying to the tall flower stalks, the bees typically land on the lower flowers and work their way up to the top most flowers. The flowers open and start to mature from the bottom up as well. This causes the bottom flowers to enter the female phase before the top most flowers. As the bees visit from bottom to top, the pollen from the top flowers is transferred to the bee who then flies to a different flower stalk landing at the bottom where the flowers are ready to accept the pollen. What a wonderful and elegant relationship between the plant and the bee!</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_JnyuNEz8FEkEOy9AgWrQdJV9M8BnGEc5aacfY4O4lexav1NqX4zUx6mgf5j1Exva5XNA934Qj35Xn5-Yuakq6IYY0ij8Gg_VthYKTDBXw3hSsBHlqMy2s1fUmnI22sscRjj6eqzGwG8/s2956/baptisia+with+bee.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2011" data-original-width="2956" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS_JnyuNEz8FEkEOy9AgWrQdJV9M8BnGEc5aacfY4O4lexav1NqX4zUx6mgf5j1Exva5XNA934Qj35Xn5-Yuakq6IYY0ij8Gg_VthYKTDBXw3hSsBHlqMy2s1fUmnI22sscRjj6eqzGwG8/w640-h434/baptisia+with+bee.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pollen baskets seem heavily laden with bright orange pollen on the legs of this queen <i>Bombus</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up is a very common and somewhat "weedy" plant but nonetheless a native one. Fleabanes, <i>Erigeron spp.</i>, are lovely tall plants with aster or daisy-like flowers. Sometimes tinged with pink, they are typically white and sport bright yellow central discs. There are several species and the preserve boasts four in total.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk7FtVC1Vs4SQ48v69JR9HK3-fygazZPTqhtc2YVfvuudNMNppBnE64DnT6FFNVrgAmeFpk0M5Z8LQ-5Wb0rcse_Jc_99xkE7VI89B3yMmlfEGG5i-uhWZwOY8AZ8bJz2dUShnnjOpJfO/s3593/fleabane.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2558" data-original-width="3593" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuk7FtVC1Vs4SQ48v69JR9HK3-fygazZPTqhtc2YVfvuudNMNppBnE64DnT6FFNVrgAmeFpk0M5Z8LQ-5Wb0rcse_Jc_99xkE7VI89B3yMmlfEGG5i-uhWZwOY8AZ8bJz2dUShnnjOpJfO/w640-h454/fleabane.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Common fleabane, <i>Erigeron philadelphicus</i>, is the first of the four fleabanes to flower on the preserve in the spring. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Next up is a diminutive yet cheery group of wildflowers in the genus <i>Hustonia</i>. There are four different species found on the preserve and can be found in a variety of habitats. These flowers are often white but can range from a pale lavender to pink as well. Aside from being pleasing to the human eye, they are a good source of pollen and nectar to the smaller native bees such as sweat bees.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ik1nrq5mq0fKT5bEQ8x2QQbriJArv8f5yy39lnshGcusNYTyFbOJuqJNhgnW3us6FUi1IhbTeEhKCTxH_jZqscbhB2oC2tqpUlRjYR8XgjdxXsc7uh-MhkxUsUCY1z2t3iTJ5ZKBOZHH/s2288/hustonia.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2288" data-original-width="1624" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-ik1nrq5mq0fKT5bEQ8x2QQbriJArv8f5yy39lnshGcusNYTyFbOJuqJNhgnW3us6FUi1IhbTeEhKCTxH_jZqscbhB2oC2tqpUlRjYR8XgjdxXsc7uh-MhkxUsUCY1z2t3iTJ5ZKBOZHH/w452-h640/hustonia.jpg" width="452" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Collectively known as bluets, the genus <i>Houstonia </i>has many different species. There are four on the preserve.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1Ej3yTM4jj_16AFBdZHWs2TE_SIj6vu1wHGgD8ZCn6rE0SMc2H0QsBdE669p3W8Yr8msa1qwLdJopsShEHKpIQyjEOpK3xuYmLwOxBUJchFIm744tITSzR4Lz7vO90Zmwc1jSnzPTWBj/w640-h426/hustonia+close.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This lovely houstonia is a pure white making it stand out well against its narrow green leaves.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Moving on to a couple of outstanding native shrubs, first up is one of my absolute favorites. Ninebark, <i>Physocarpus opulifolius</i>, is a fantastic shrub that I wish was used more in landscapes. It has a lovely shape, beautiful flowers and interesting bark. The flowers attract bees and other pollinators then later the seeds will attract birds.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIyhW4l62pYNuHoh6NckgySNA46arQ74RLHhTBJeoqZzdpHYDBezsygonj_f4AsXDRsVomk1sJpU821L1ge4SypNOwoBjV_lImEafMOaupI2sQCCf6L_zI2n_XTjP-0lgTEtQMN1KmG8m/s4506/ninebark+%25282%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4506" data-original-width="3208" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZIyhW4l62pYNuHoh6NckgySNA46arQ74RLHhTBJeoqZzdpHYDBezsygonj_f4AsXDRsVomk1sJpU821L1ge4SypNOwoBjV_lImEafMOaupI2sQCCf6L_zI2n_XTjP-0lgTEtQMN1KmG8m/w454-h640/ninebark+%25282%2529.jpg" width="454" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ninebark, <i>Physocarpus opulifolius,</i> is a wonderful native shrub that is beneficial to wildlife and a pleasing addition to the home landscape.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The second native shrub I'd like to highlight is one that is only found on acidic soils. Mountain laurel, <i>Kalmia latifolia</i>, is an evergreen shrub with a gnarled and twisty appearance. It is a sure sign that you are in a forest with dry acidic soils. I just love this one. It is so distinctive in the way it looks and has so much character.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C4-c6bBiLyrMLm0blTNfgHz8O_sgzHv8i3jy0qqAzcyWOC_uDCL8mJt20-_GGNTjatG848i9EJfNyWiI9O3LJSTGQRVrCCP1RrFw-h7uwl6m1MzrK4YSdm3GkXaNiV1GTIxFe2LJ2TdY/s4389/mt+laural.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2976" data-original-width="4389" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3C4-c6bBiLyrMLm0blTNfgHz8O_sgzHv8i3jy0qqAzcyWOC_uDCL8mJt20-_GGNTjatG848i9EJfNyWiI9O3LJSTGQRVrCCP1RrFw-h7uwl6m1MzrK4YSdm3GkXaNiV1GTIxFe2LJ2TdY/w640-h432/mt+laural.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bright white flowers against the dark, waxy, evergreen leaves makes for a beautiful contrast in the early summer forest.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Mountain Laurel can form pretty dense thickets and in some areas are a prime nesting spot for warblers such as the black-throated blue. Deer will browse the leaves and tender twigs and the fruits are eaten by songbirds. There are also many kinds of insects that feed upon the shrub, including a long-horned beetle that will bore into the twigs.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiOxyTORGkWO2xBbnd_cLz1lSI4Rd0bBAXonrKDUyXnRu1hY7S-RRmisR_XBGnSmR9WBoIaRWKXPCUk_KV0UmwfR6PvTI3WbpqEhvzRaLu8St3b9HWZgJoUyLmEZyN712K_c6LUr0rLCq/s5184/mt+laural+cluster.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimiOxyTORGkWO2xBbnd_cLz1lSI4Rd0bBAXonrKDUyXnRu1hY7S-RRmisR_XBGnSmR9WBoIaRWKXPCUk_KV0UmwfR6PvTI3WbpqEhvzRaLu8St3b9HWZgJoUyLmEZyN712K_c6LUr0rLCq/w640-h426/mt+laural+cluster.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The flowers are in clusters and are often more towards the top of the plant.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />Pollinated best by bumblebees, mountain laurel employs an aggressive strategy to deploy its pollen. Each stamen is firmly held against the flower petal until triggered by the touch of an insect (or anything else for that matter). Then the stamen is propelled forward launching a sticky glob of pollen at the insect! Talk about taking initiative! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LbsK5QE4qdvKSVcGWFBdeHgw9aE2b1MpIQQGVLwZzQHrg5JzS1NARMA7jU9Q5XZzf-pRhHb4S8BcivrPYvmvF9lJI8vEC9uwKZdIgHLt8CcO_0GsOk_nVKWajMLcHCXT8Ti1r6llzpIN/s3623/mt+laural+close.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2650" data-original-width="3623" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6LbsK5QE4qdvKSVcGWFBdeHgw9aE2b1MpIQQGVLwZzQHrg5JzS1NARMA7jU9Q5XZzf-pRhHb4S8BcivrPYvmvF9lJI8vEC9uwKZdIgHLt8CcO_0GsOk_nVKWajMLcHCXT8Ti1r6llzpIN/w640-h468/mt+laural+close.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain Laurel, <i>Kalmia latifolia,</i> only occurs in a couple of places on the preserve. It prefers dry acidic soils.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">For our last white flower, here is one that was new for me this year. This is low false bindweed (a terrible common name for such a pretty flower), <i>Calystegia spithamea</i>. This beauty belongs to the morning glory family as you may have guessed, but it is not a vine like the other morning glories. It is an upright plant with a fabulous, single large white flower. A real showstopper and wonderful plant for the last one our tour of the green and white season!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0JLXp6zbtOawbdolq8WSBGtbeVc86KG3kvNHI0ct_VoUNgDWuLBVGfdo2R7ENsDWTIbQKjCCQLxNe1Sc0kTlO5x7bbvE8L391gHrMmbv_itROFntDunI55rcI0bJJq9vratq3J2Ym2Nn/s4202/calystegia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3252" data-original-width="4202" height="494" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju0JLXp6zbtOawbdolq8WSBGtbeVc86KG3kvNHI0ct_VoUNgDWuLBVGfdo2R7ENsDWTIbQKjCCQLxNe1Sc0kTlO5x7bbvE8L391gHrMmbv_itROFntDunI55rcI0bJJq9vratq3J2Ym2Nn/w640-h494/calystegia.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very fresh flower of low false bindweed, <i>Calystegia spithamea</i>.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Posted by: Robyn Wright-Strauss</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-16213221454813032562020-05-19T13:32:00.000-04:002020-05-19T13:32:25.067-04:002020 Spring Bird Survey<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3aqPXDT4Zz2wtGSYHf4AUUhxBU6TdkFiggUlcgzGlPO9JyO-GuAE1Q_xAu0XGiWcxGFvvb-CGJB8laTEHwE77lqFsq5fEikoxFraLPcmdwFOa54L8SJtR2hJxX4Vet8w0VwA0AYfLl3B/s1600/aDSC_0799.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1088" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU3aqPXDT4Zz2wtGSYHf4AUUhxBU6TdkFiggUlcgzGlPO9JyO-GuAE1Q_xAu0XGiWcxGFvvb-CGJB8laTEHwE77lqFsq5fEikoxFraLPcmdwFOa54L8SJtR2hJxX4Vet8w0VwA0AYfLl3B/s640/aDSC_0799.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Prothonotary warbler,</span><i> Protonotaria citrea</i>, ushers us into our 2020 spring bird survey.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: #b00000;"></span>May 11 into 12, 2020 was the 24 hour period picked for our annual spring bird survey. Early May is the perfect time to try to find the highest number of species found in or around the Edge of Appalachia Preserve. This time of year you can find straggling winter birds that have not gone north yet, breeding birds that just returned from the south and migrants that are passing through. Just the right time for a wide variety of birds.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq0X6MkJXCQY0-0oDXUtxN6Aiwdq8yzb64zGmTV9VmOZ9ZQ9q1DoTNuAfo5NEA8hbqf5MnWx33dZCeEZG-HgRyMGkHwJbxvoGxQS2Uswg_ZckWMCD1cyVp2d9kYNqQ4d8dP_MNMIlwOdx/s1600/anew+rbg5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: orange;"></span><span style="color: orange;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1509" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq0X6MkJXCQY0-0oDXUtxN6Aiwdq8yzb64zGmTV9VmOZ9ZQ9q1DoTNuAfo5NEA8hbqf5MnWx33dZCeEZG-HgRyMGkHwJbxvoGxQS2Uswg_ZckWMCD1cyVp2d9kYNqQ4d8dP_MNMIlwOdx/s640/anew+rbg5.jpg" width="602" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Rose-breasted grosbeak,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Pheucticus ludovicianus</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;">The biggest observation of this year is the large numbers of certain birds like rose-breasted grosbeaks, scarlet tanagers and Baltimore orioles. If anyone has been feeding birds using sunflower seed, they undoubtedly saw many grosbeaks this spring. I have never seen so many of these birds in my 22 years birding...by far. It was not uncommon for any of the preserve staff to see 30 grosbeaks at a time at our feeders! And if you had oranges or jelly out for orioles, their numbers have been just as impressive.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLKioNoasOCBzcLnpmwVcTe08ByLY8SGJiKwJe9EMP_8dFsKy4ZOLMO_qqUP8dLE_eydBKl8lMdXZ1z3p88R3jboY2ANU-vysTniZW3958AeIOVtaIWVupA2JLzg3Xx35jLFF-TO4CcaJ/s1600/new+rbgs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"></span><span style="color: #005000;"></span><span style="color: orange;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1378" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGLKioNoasOCBzcLnpmwVcTe08ByLY8SGJiKwJe9EMP_8dFsKy4ZOLMO_qqUP8dLE_eydBKl8lMdXZ1z3p88R3jboY2ANU-vysTniZW3958AeIOVtaIWVupA2JLzg3Xx35jLFF-TO4CcaJ/s640/new+rbgs.jpg" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: small;">Rose-breasted grosbeaks crowding the feeders.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoyucONLvP_mx4bDqRTUeGz8wj3Yjt6RH2xCo6gVT2p_DHbmCh34bETumdcqnR6SOvLs4OMvE1LyWIXhwo0NQMkIqs_PMKOfk571I9yu39hSn3ez7NsZwxKObSSBR7olkj5Je_016cOJN/s1600/aDSC_0870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1512" data-original-width="1600" height="604" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfoyucONLvP_mx4bDqRTUeGz8wj3Yjt6RH2xCo6gVT2p_DHbmCh34bETumdcqnR6SOvLs4OMvE1LyWIXhwo0NQMkIqs_PMKOfk571I9yu39hSn3ez7NsZwxKObSSBR7olkj5Je_016cOJN/s640/aDSC_0870.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Scarlet tanager,</span><i> <span style="font-size: small;">Piranga olivacea,</span></i><span style="font-size: small;"> feeding at ground level.</span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: orange;">We started the afternoon in a grassland habitat. This was the coldest day recorded for our spring bird survey. The high temperature on Monday, the 11th was 48F. The birds felt this cold day too. In the afternoon, the birds seemed to stay low to the ground, and the insect were probably hanging low as well. This year was the first time I've witnessed days of numerous scarlet tanagers perched and hunting low to the ground. And the kingbirds, bobolinks and dickcissels of the fields were low to the ground, still and approachable. Below are some of the species found in and around old fields and grasslands.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFArDtNwgppAPfuc_xyVm5QRMLVx_cmjlJmRDCvKV1h8CwLwDMx-MIMinELhMMS0a4ithcHiPCWQDAqOwNjhnm6k36QPPJny_KIeNCkIWihEBbWVMW9STw0ikxPbM6P7u-voULCJde4ddJ/s1600/aDSC_0626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: orange;"></span><span style="color: orange;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1171" data-original-width="1600" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFArDtNwgppAPfuc_xyVm5QRMLVx_cmjlJmRDCvKV1h8CwLwDMx-MIMinELhMMS0a4ithcHiPCWQDAqOwNjhnm6k36QPPJny_KIeNCkIWihEBbWVMW9STw0ikxPbM6P7u-voULCJde4ddJ/s640/aDSC_0626.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Eastern kingbird,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Tyrannus tyrannus</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WLZ1p6pYSXjXlL2y73nVsf0qNzbP04-ccYn-pMV2NpfDcbIZ8fz25WuFjLtqVMV1tfRZ2e_ZqYQfJLYMkIapfyb6NKDvnaPHicKyh-jB6lwQ9YrWArDJFRyKXuMyjZAdEUmOsSwDKZcB/s1600/aD.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1387" data-original-width="1308" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WLZ1p6pYSXjXlL2y73nVsf0qNzbP04-ccYn-pMV2NpfDcbIZ8fz25WuFjLtqVMV1tfRZ2e_ZqYQfJLYMkIapfyb6NKDvnaPHicKyh-jB6lwQ9YrWArDJFRyKXuMyjZAdEUmOsSwDKZcB/s640/aD.jpg" width="602" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Bobolink,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Dolichonyx oryzivorus</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtGZJvOh-zivVv6guYf6F_zwHNJLH28DrP2sTDDhqWR1csJtvIf3GxQit9eISZJ2P_tvLHKIRYVlO6_HgHGGKfYYEd1xtn35yWCGvgniJ6lcUyQRnjLUlb1PkvUZWSG6z2KXj21dnI8EV/s1600/aDSC_0926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1352" data-original-width="1600" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibtGZJvOh-zivVv6guYf6F_zwHNJLH28DrP2sTDDhqWR1csJtvIf3GxQit9eISZJ2P_tvLHKIRYVlO6_HgHGGKfYYEd1xtn35yWCGvgniJ6lcUyQRnjLUlb1PkvUZWSG6z2KXj21dnI8EV/s640/aDSC_0926.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Dickcissel,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Spiza americana</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH2TfR1fza-txzVMnJZh8-BDybL8kletPpRSaEcgnqHUAc0L67CTp1gkCZjaejT0Cs0eMh4YPKk5DldJj5vpwaxCcSNtoka8CWy7QmzME3WAvq-fjQX15N0FcLQbSr4UKcAZeYa9PpJ_7/s1600/aDSC_0645.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1156" data-original-width="1600" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFH2TfR1fza-txzVMnJZh8-BDybL8kletPpRSaEcgnqHUAc0L67CTp1gkCZjaejT0Cs0eMh4YPKk5DldJj5vpwaxCcSNtoka8CWy7QmzME3WAvq-fjQX15N0FcLQbSr4UKcAZeYa9PpJ_7/s640/aDSC_0645.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">orchard oriole,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Icterus spurius</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_Z4iXSykK2L2e0PGgfGg-hQwRy0lea2yrIZD2vcR1cN2LwZ6tWTm1WPwfDBk6KSh0KK_MHb_aS9JpBM482tc52LSNAOAPp6hyphenhyphenWNzQA2eb66KFz8qv0gYRE19fyWXtNpqFUkb1Li_nOKE/s1600/DSC_0659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1388" data-original-width="1600" height="554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd_Z4iXSykK2L2e0PGgfGg-hQwRy0lea2yrIZD2vcR1cN2LwZ6tWTm1WPwfDBk6KSh0KK_MHb_aS9JpBM482tc52LSNAOAPp6hyphenhyphenWNzQA2eb66KFz8qv0gYRE19fyWXtNpqFUkb1Li_nOKE/s640/DSC_0659.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Indigo</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> </i><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">bunting, </span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Passerina cyanea</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iP0FNm6Im2iEdAfr-9s8p6BqRv4V85lYE1KcOENROKKtM_KN1pra00Z9y-7D9kNkm5KXu0tjUKTCnOzxlrf6O5sKg3kLeTY3nguyYj6iAxIFeCyHggN7-wCp01Lt3UBI7TG5rQj2az6S/s1600/aDSC_0745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1521" data-original-width="1551" height="626" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7iP0FNm6Im2iEdAfr-9s8p6BqRv4V85lYE1KcOENROKKtM_KN1pra00Z9y-7D9kNkm5KXu0tjUKTCnOzxlrf6O5sKg3kLeTY3nguyYj6iAxIFeCyHggN7-wCp01Lt3UBI7TG5rQj2az6S/s640/aDSC_0745.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Savannah sparrow, </span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Passerculus sandwichensis</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;">After scanning the field habitats for particular species, we headed to lakes, ponds and marshy fields to see what kind of water birds we could find. Adams County has only a few large bodies of water, and is not known for its large numbers of water birds. But we did luck out finding a blue-winged teal, our annual least sandpiper on a dam spillway and for the second time ever finding Virginia rails in a marshy pond near the Ohio River. Rails are unusual birds for us to find here, and there was a pair of them....which I believe were breeding! This same pond has shocked us with the sounds of a sora (Porzana carolina) this year as well.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBthTqbTpx0QPmb0md2qrUufWyZloEHx5197d6BxkrsH1f_mXzVfffZF0vt9k7gzgKrtOEus7wQ6KNM-gOvCAtmdkxlhngA9DjifL_VyWJDmVO3F6AYbdu5F70YfwvGEMVNKuyQWf9Ebd/s1600/aDSC_0685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: orange;"></span><span style="color: orange;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1377" data-original-width="1600" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrBthTqbTpx0QPmb0md2qrUufWyZloEHx5197d6BxkrsH1f_mXzVfffZF0vt9k7gzgKrtOEus7wQ6KNM-gOvCAtmdkxlhngA9DjifL_VyWJDmVO3F6AYbdu5F70YfwvGEMVNKuyQWf9Ebd/s640/aDSC_0685.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Blue-winged teal</span></span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"><i>, </i></span><i>Patula discors</i></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kC_LXJdhKbMJ-lA9ApjRx2jtmPkgpt5dp-HivcxGkyOkq0HbhDR5J6aNPU9AaZJd1cEllPR13Fp_FrgaS65ctzaJAK7o4YDj8fkKc0AZXMfDPyTpxxe0iehLbH__qlfrWEnqUnjh5P4P/s1600/aDSC_0676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><i></i><img border="0" data-original-height="1561" data-original-width="1600" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2kC_LXJdhKbMJ-lA9ApjRx2jtmPkgpt5dp-HivcxGkyOkq0HbhDR5J6aNPU9AaZJd1cEllPR13Fp_FrgaS65ctzaJAK7o4YDj8fkKc0AZXMfDPyTpxxe0iehLbH__qlfrWEnqUnjh5P4P/s640/aDSC_0676.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: orange;">L</span><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">east sandpiper,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Calidris minutilla</i></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7Hsm6mr-YZrzUPI40KsAs6D-D75QoPJu4ayb5B_dz3yCB9XUfraT5EVrCv7f1Ufdocr4EeLv4-AWGbhE-X0_V2zs4tFg2AtIgaCNXpc79ZrIvRGpHRrWNbFGmY0PsabFHWVgyI3Ds8X6/s1600/aDSC_0757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1325" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7Hsm6mr-YZrzUPI40KsAs6D-D75QoPJu4ayb5B_dz3yCB9XUfraT5EVrCv7f1Ufdocr4EeLv4-AWGbhE-X0_V2zs4tFg2AtIgaCNXpc79ZrIvRGpHRrWNbFGmY0PsabFHWVgyI3Ds8X6/s640/aDSC_0757.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Virginia rail,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Rallus limicola</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;">I shouldn't forget the year-round birds that most of us see in our yards. They count on the survey too, even though we spend most of the survey searching out the unusual or rarely seen species. Yards around the preserve create an "edge" affect between the forests and openings. Many birds prefer this kind of habitat.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnY8nHle2osvd4DPVaynj2m5g3V3C_U8Raz5ptOVXVyviULi1zlBPupmm4jOG6nfGPOCLlhLecsaXFyjXZvj6CD_c055a-7XcLCw53IHB4X9tlaxO_uO9IYxnuomTkCLopsYC6ZYuc7tK/s1600/aDSC_0942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="color: orange;"></span><span style="color: orange;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1535" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpnY8nHle2osvd4DPVaynj2m5g3V3C_U8Raz5ptOVXVyviULi1zlBPupmm4jOG6nfGPOCLlhLecsaXFyjXZvj6CD_c055a-7XcLCw53IHB4X9tlaxO_uO9IYxnuomTkCLopsYC6ZYuc7tK/s640/aDSC_0942.jpg" width="612" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Eastern bluebird,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Sialia sialis</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoOBL9-2vE5gyoJOlADCO7UyDds0qzKckC9l5O2aNcHjZoB1DGC_h6VIY8Plzk6S12kGU-3afBjeuiHYYXuggQwSqooeHq0Ybpb1lo1PpOkdDOjD0JVnOLFOnMjcqdIyuPBrUKikozWIa/s1600/aDSC_0717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1466" data-original-width="1600" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoOBL9-2vE5gyoJOlADCO7UyDds0qzKckC9l5O2aNcHjZoB1DGC_h6VIY8Plzk6S12kGU-3afBjeuiHYYXuggQwSqooeHq0Ybpb1lo1PpOkdDOjD0JVnOLFOnMjcqdIyuPBrUKikozWIa/s640/aDSC_0717.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Gray catbird,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Dumetella carolinensis</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcNA0ji03w7gl6OCBPLcA-a912vi9LLnV6lMnaHqquPQj73erbM6usWmvK1HvreB-lGhyphenhyphenhoHNcTZNMk5uxcEiCiXyIwHHw4378tql7jDrGJCoQeQ-MKOBENxymby0c5FLvMZXtAj2gvoC/s1600/aDSC_0874.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1423" data-original-width="1600" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcNA0ji03w7gl6OCBPLcA-a912vi9LLnV6lMnaHqquPQj73erbM6usWmvK1HvreB-lGhyphenhyphenhoHNcTZNMk5uxcEiCiXyIwHHw4378tql7jDrGJCoQeQ-MKOBENxymby0c5FLvMZXtAj2gvoC/s640/aDSC_0874.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Brown thrasher,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Toxostoma rufum</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-X7Gp0IHSSsTYkg_wNCb4p9cKRF8AEjKk6ki9fFZjJRhLJpC3nLQs2GwVdM3k853W4wUY8q3qGOt2Vebuxdsbnz12lTT3vtVf_fY6AL5GAAYGjjRkIuGQb7W02EkQsOBBF8rMD92k2Bi/s1600/aDSC_0669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "calibri" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1465" data-original-width="1600" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD-X7Gp0IHSSsTYkg_wNCb4p9cKRF8AEjKk6ki9fFZjJRhLJpC3nLQs2GwVdM3k853W4wUY8q3qGOt2Vebuxdsbnz12lTT3vtVf_fY6AL5GAAYGjjRkIuGQb7W02EkQsOBBF8rMD92k2Bi/s640/aDSC_0669.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: small;">Song sparrow, Melospiza melodia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: orange;">The biggest "hunt" in the 24 hour period has to be catching a glimpse of the hard to find and harder to photograph warblers of the forest. We found 27 warbler species in total. These tiny and generally colorful birds seem neurotic as they constantly move about the tree branches. Eventually, I get lucky to catch some semi-clear shots of these fidgeting beauties. Below are some of the highlights.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhpxEMQ1NFO6_b5dYfdXuM0iYnXmQlC2j7eRPkiN2Ga6QFi3SI5hlrsxkdhl7fpNcKk8MGBq2yn4nPbJQaaAZ0DbV_qfmu-01t82Za_uTfRm4LU8K6ClZOtezKdzuEItuLq1S_UabgHWT/s1600/aDSC_0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="background-color: orange;"></span><span style="color: orange;"></span><img border="0" data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="1600" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhpxEMQ1NFO6_b5dYfdXuM0iYnXmQlC2j7eRPkiN2Ga6QFi3SI5hlrsxkdhl7fpNcKk8MGBq2yn4nPbJQaaAZ0DbV_qfmu-01t82Za_uTfRm4LU8K6ClZOtezKdzuEItuLq1S_UabgHWT/s640/aDSC_0806.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Prothonotary warbler,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Protonotaria citrea</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C5ngxVtbKFbI8MeY-9VTD7CbwVEaQHeS478eD5m1I0sulhWkv_h3aQieaSn67oSacyibb2aDFljbBTsL4bHMYuaNc_i5L6PPI8Jl6qN8-8sbrmjmZJ3f6lZTU8uAQ0zdkTaAp4xFB0cl/s1600/aDSC_0997.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1532" data-original-width="1600" height="612" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C5ngxVtbKFbI8MeY-9VTD7CbwVEaQHeS478eD5m1I0sulhWkv_h3aQieaSn67oSacyibb2aDFljbBTsL4bHMYuaNc_i5L6PPI8Jl6qN8-8sbrmjmZJ3f6lZTU8uAQ0zdkTaAp4xFB0cl/s640/aDSC_0997.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Magnolia warbler,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Setophaga magnolia</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFuQ6mNqi-4Jqh_-Kh9ikg3mstq9XYvFwbjNhYTI2nmv88mdV2qGLEDCG0_gL1tvVsqtbhrPLuzQvjyHdlwD2yodTG6I556bQLcUiHLHpHTFHacLXuPLk_V-aT82zMgMaoAOzU9kHSbJo/s1600/aDSC_0573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1401" data-original-width="1600" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXFuQ6mNqi-4Jqh_-Kh9ikg3mstq9XYvFwbjNhYTI2nmv88mdV2qGLEDCG0_gL1tvVsqtbhrPLuzQvjyHdlwD2yodTG6I556bQLcUiHLHpHTFHacLXuPLk_V-aT82zMgMaoAOzU9kHSbJo/s640/aDSC_0573.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Yellow warbler,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Setophaga petechia</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMA8GgW95zjZhwcWlsPQFBjLtImtTUFVkIj0cKVVJW4YheoTdChhQuMszxr0rbhLosk5AMEJXcVWHL8k2aDiKXA8ueUi5la8ESwKXggaOIDn89DWvGd5jUaR9aVjxh9Bg08AcQUIl83uU/s1600/aDSC_0930+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRMA8GgW95zjZhwcWlsPQFBjLtImtTUFVkIj0cKVVJW4YheoTdChhQuMszxr0rbhLosk5AMEJXcVWHL8k2aDiKXA8ueUi5la8ESwKXggaOIDn89DWvGd5jUaR9aVjxh9Bg08AcQUIl83uU/s640/aDSC_0930+%25282%2529.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">American redstart, </span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Setophaga ruticilla</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqqJQZpDWsX8479Z8EdTKUac5UNZegP2TEUoG2VrF_aoz-iGJ8vlUERLd2c9yIXEunkyFJ0vz8MlocBUfdGR5Z8LhY5Js1dsh_EXQ4EAA4OVLJptRk3FMnwRBT-tGa2yTLIN_Ja9eYuvH/s1600/aDSC_0985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1116" data-original-width="1600" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmqqJQZpDWsX8479Z8EdTKUac5UNZegP2TEUoG2VrF_aoz-iGJ8vlUERLd2c9yIXEunkyFJ0vz8MlocBUfdGR5Z8LhY5Js1dsh_EXQ4EAA4OVLJptRk3FMnwRBT-tGa2yTLIN_Ja9eYuvH/s640/aDSC_0985.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange; font-size: 16px;">Chestnut-sided warbler, Setophaga pensylvanica</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSl6FCVOujAhhcQ1mV-SfIv3Dm416mwKRxjMpUJ110jYFflicUwzPiBXTQMT-EuC6OO6SO7e4F0XybhCtuWGzuiRlSlqY2xqX6SX4tOryquoLvrS6WZXV9Id_8QgM3hcNEJM7KBPhGxt3d/s1600/anew+palm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1281" data-original-width="1220" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSl6FCVOujAhhcQ1mV-SfIv3Dm416mwKRxjMpUJ110jYFflicUwzPiBXTQMT-EuC6OO6SO7e4F0XybhCtuWGzuiRlSlqY2xqX6SX4tOryquoLvrS6WZXV9Id_8QgM3hcNEJM7KBPhGxt3d/s640/anew+palm.jpg" width="608" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Palm warbler,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Setophaga palmarum</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S55n0gDlY08_JMJ8YRV58BPO-Qq0hCr-30Vy3ym_0x81ZlhdafZJsdJSFfYRaGsJ7V1O-WoUCdwlQWoXsDbd-gPdYO3iWZjRB16ee_num2GNZsw14mR4Yp-Wsu4sCRJmtLEbjKt5zpBX/s1600/aDSC_0946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1329" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7S55n0gDlY08_JMJ8YRV58BPO-Qq0hCr-30Vy3ym_0x81ZlhdafZJsdJSFfYRaGsJ7V1O-WoUCdwlQWoXsDbd-gPdYO3iWZjRB16ee_num2GNZsw14mR4Yp-Wsu4sCRJmtLEbjKt5zpBX/s640/aDSC_0946.jpg" width="530" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: orange;"><span style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Yellow-throated warbler,</span><i style="font-size: 16px; text-align: start;"> Setophaga dominica</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: orange;">124 species were seen or heard on or around the Edge. This annual survey produces many of the same birds every year, documenting the movements of birds through this part of Ohio. The preserve protects 20,000 acres of land crucial to the breeding, overwintering and migration stopovers for these bird species. The diversity of birds found in one day correlates with the diversity of habitats protected. If you would like to see different kinds of birds, visit different kinds of habitats and listen! Interesting sounds can lead you to interesting sights.</span><br />
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<span style="color: orange;">Posted by: Mark Zloba</span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4997250794663499976.post-71451497454330132692020-05-06T17:22:00.000-04:002020-05-06T17:22:17.106-04:00Mid-Season Spring Wildflowers Part II<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPko6hyrWY5iQFhgDSbjMdDPkI6CGxxFtm5k8OzIZLkOJqG3UeGSjkGbhefZ0mlZC6RC3qq12Ep5KP3i3opwspWnKnFvDYvgpIWIhTT5TTwsQHGauoyx10cMvuaZ2KmIclhedAgjGvRbKH/s1600/Dogwood+backlit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPko6hyrWY5iQFhgDSbjMdDPkI6CGxxFtm5k8OzIZLkOJqG3UeGSjkGbhefZ0mlZC6RC3qq12Ep5KP3i3opwspWnKnFvDYvgpIWIhTT5TTwsQHGauoyx10cMvuaZ2KmIclhedAgjGvRbKH/s640/Dogwood+backlit.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowering Dogwood, <i>Cornus florida</i>, shines against a clear spring blue sky.</td></tr>
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Part II of our look at some mid-season spring wildflowers on the Preserve starts with a buttercup. The buttercup family, <i>Ranunculaceae</i>, is pretty large. On the Preserve there are about 25 different species of plants from this family. The one in question is Hispid Buttercup, <i>Ranuculus hispidus</i>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDbRppv2s23pVfD6klXkejD_3yRpsO_yRQHxQVeiP5FV8T5of3La97XtnCu8Qf2_J68eNmDp-02rY9-30m9M8jAI250xuaaeSvc4jBbDpPpEodnmjMJsj9_XPUt2lmGuWxhWuOApnSHQD/s1600/buttercup+with+fly+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1052" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQDbRppv2s23pVfD6klXkejD_3yRpsO_yRQHxQVeiP5FV8T5of3La97XtnCu8Qf2_J68eNmDp-02rY9-30m9M8jAI250xuaaeSvc4jBbDpPpEodnmjMJsj9_XPUt2lmGuWxhWuOApnSHQD/s640/buttercup+with+fly+close.jpg" width="534" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Hispid Buttercup, <i>Ranuculus hispida</i>, had attracted a small fly.</td></tr>
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Flowers in this genus are often yellow and shiny. This particular one is growing in great carpets in a flood plane near Ohio Brush Creek. It makes for a beautiful display of cheery golden yellow and happy spring green colors.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjYGd6VfEfbew_xIfm3NdzGjXVGJLP0abhEkbBNENKO0740pYDYhdmj1TEma1YNNn7fmSLqS88D_zZGiXRxX0ltznW5StUTpPkvBCilvgv_kI-KiKwc2FAp4E-GuI3VSy9YLc54GP9-H-/s1600/Buttercup+mass+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCjYGd6VfEfbew_xIfm3NdzGjXVGJLP0abhEkbBNENKO0740pYDYhdmj1TEma1YNNn7fmSLqS88D_zZGiXRxX0ltznW5StUTpPkvBCilvgv_kI-KiKwc2FAp4E-GuI3VSy9YLc54GP9-H-/s640/Buttercup+mass+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This floodplane is carpeted with large amounts of Hispid Buttercup.</td></tr>
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Staying in the color yellow, next up is Celandine-poppy. Now before you get excited, let's review all the yellow-colored plants that have celandine in their name and figure out who is who.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Greater Celandine</span></b>, <i>Chelidonium majus</i>, member of the Poppy family, non-native and listed as a noxious weed in several states.<br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Lesser Celandine</span></b>, <i>Ficaria verna,</i> member of the Buttercup family, non-native and listed as a noxious weed in several states.<br />
<b><span style="color: #f1c232;">Celandine-poppy</span></b>, <i>Stylophorum diphyllum</i>, member of the Poppy family, native and found on moist soils in several Midwestern states.<br />
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It is the last one of which we're going to talk about. Here it is.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCMNXGbXeKRdttQHFKkFYq_ZyTycrH_dxwMcX18XTSt7ffUMLGuXmIJ5xGyO_8POGmUq947pU-109FQ4Uq8a01HHALyKI-NQfvGpcK6cDyIqi6DSsiQlykHGDkxooBA73lRli9SBfmICf/s1600/celendine+poppy+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1238" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKCMNXGbXeKRdttQHFKkFYq_ZyTycrH_dxwMcX18XTSt7ffUMLGuXmIJ5xGyO_8POGmUq947pU-109FQ4Uq8a01HHALyKI-NQfvGpcK6cDyIqi6DSsiQlykHGDkxooBA73lRli9SBfmICf/s640/celendine+poppy+close.jpg" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Celandine-poppy, <i>Stylophorum diphyllum</i>, is opening back up after a rainstorm and is sporting a fuzzy seed pod.</td></tr>
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Very pretty. This spring ephemeral has large, four petaled flowers and two leaves up on the stem. Those leaves are deeply divided and have fairly large teeth along each lobe. When it grows along side the pure white of Large-flowered Trillium, its creates quite a display. Also of interest are the very fuzzy buds and very fuzzy seed pods. Both of the celandines from the Poppy family have long histories of medicinal uses, and due to the bright yellow sap found in the plant was used as a yellow dye in the past.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPEbOf1YA0hux14gDcEG4hdZFbLga2kEMB12IhnePlYAK84TiJQw8MMKYwe6M6wE0ulMNnUzZvv-qrR-5XRtqJ3HJZF2sj2QGrpsPJG_KGg0Cf3TifpTfwU1Je9bzd_9HzEAeif0m-1a-/s1600/celendine+poppy+bud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1065" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPEbOf1YA0hux14gDcEG4hdZFbLga2kEMB12IhnePlYAK84TiJQw8MMKYwe6M6wE0ulMNnUzZvv-qrR-5XRtqJ3HJZF2sj2QGrpsPJG_KGg0Cf3TifpTfwU1Je9bzd_9HzEAeif0m-1a-/s640/celendine+poppy+bud.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A brand new golden bloom is about to burst out of its fuzzy bud coverings.</td></tr>
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Here is one of the rare plants found on the Preserve, False Garlic, <i>Nothoscordum Bivalve</i>. It's listed as a threatened plant in Ohio. A look at the range map of this plant shows that we are at the northeastern end of its range. It can be found quite commonly in the southeast US and in places such as Missouri and Texas. False Garlic has slender, grass-like leaves and dainty clusters of white flowers at the end of the flower stalk. Along some of the roads within the Preserve, it can grow quite profusely, sometimes by itself or mixed in with other flowers like Dwarf Larkspur, Wild Blue Phlox, Wild Ginger and Toad Trillium. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUN0E56FjtmbtSbASbWDuAAiu2fiKsMksTLXv26xLf2bpX1tUalWpStX4OF50JlPd71m6AQdGSGCYSucxzGNWh70cq8RJ3xGDwlZlP-4F85ZwG-Rp5lfbi5HvyK8LgWDX2yWoe1tnfW6V/s1600/Nothoscordum+close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1490" data-original-width="1600" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPUN0E56FjtmbtSbASbWDuAAiu2fiKsMksTLXv26xLf2bpX1tUalWpStX4OF50JlPd71m6AQdGSGCYSucxzGNWh70cq8RJ3xGDwlZlP-4F85ZwG-Rp5lfbi5HvyK8LgWDX2yWoe1tnfW6V/s640/Nothoscordum+close.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">False Garlic, <i>Nothoscordum bivalve</i>, opens in bight sunlight awaiting any number of bee visitors.</td></tr>
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<br />As the name implies, there is no onion-y or garlic scent to this plant. It does not appear to be edible to humans but does play a role in the lives of several kinds of bees. If fact, there is a particualr bee that only visits False Garlic. Bees that limit their foraging behaviors to one or a few related plants are called oligolectic bees. You can read more about them <a href="http://eoapreserve.blogspot.com/2016/04/oligolectic-bees.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedbIkZtwQvgNAGbcqZWpAEXPZmksuectNpHwf0_gLU9HJlOI1YoTHlirEFz2YOC0RGlQiB4mPuYs9_itSCq09dy9HvdZHaGlAEH7oNMOcy-xEenyhmvOggHXs2rzsK3m21vNTNjtLVT3t/s1600/Nothoscordum+cluster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1324" data-original-width="1600" height="528" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhedbIkZtwQvgNAGbcqZWpAEXPZmksuectNpHwf0_gLU9HJlOI1YoTHlirEFz2YOC0RGlQiB4mPuYs9_itSCq09dy9HvdZHaGlAEH7oNMOcy-xEenyhmvOggHXs2rzsK3m21vNTNjtLVT3t/s640/Nothoscordum+cluster.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything about False Garlic seems ling and slender. It's leavers, petals, stamens and general appearance.</td></tr>
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Here is another rare plant on the Preserve, again due to being on the edge of its range. This gem is Nodding Mandarin, <i>Prosartes maculata</i>. It's very captivating as the leaves tend to have an upward lift to them while the flowers hang below like bells. Another common name for this plant is Fairy Bells! </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlXCoXT9bPxpgnEPiALrxszM9Apu2-zCyXxBCcj_5MCMBpVQS7CBSbaeW-NQ_1YEATerHHoeVhnXBBUYVFo_fc4jMGdQfxW-m_0MlhG7WUj22572GY8Nnvwg7xE6qzW5lvIOFxTUDwZoN/s1600/Spotted+Mandrin+beetle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1236" data-original-width="1600" height="490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIlXCoXT9bPxpgnEPiALrxszM9Apu2-zCyXxBCcj_5MCMBpVQS7CBSbaeW-NQ_1YEATerHHoeVhnXBBUYVFo_fc4jMGdQfxW-m_0MlhG7WUj22572GY8Nnvwg7xE6qzW5lvIOFxTUDwZoN/s640/Spotted+Mandrin+beetle.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairies or not, this beetle sure seems to be enjoying itself!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uQOqMGeEjhXxe14hPx8rWwrgJMWN-oGI-pfWbs5gc5HRpee6lRBUFRKqWGSmvKQJMp-j_VeA9VRXBbFWjB1XLbKX1RIkCNBlatYkhJoKPy0jTjlO9Kj-qqIaVPVXoaXT2wqKgI0Rh-pZ/s1600/Spotted+Mandrin+in+your+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1123" data-original-width="1600" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9uQOqMGeEjhXxe14hPx8rWwrgJMWN-oGI-pfWbs5gc5HRpee6lRBUFRKqWGSmvKQJMp-j_VeA9VRXBbFWjB1XLbKX1RIkCNBlatYkhJoKPy0jTjlO9Kj-qqIaVPVXoaXT2wqKgI0Rh-pZ/s640/Spotted+Mandrin+in+your+face.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nodding Mandarin, <i>Prosates maculata</i>, got its specific epithet from the lovely purple spots decorating the six petals.</td></tr>
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Last for our very brief look at mid-season wildflowers is one of the many, many violets. I enjoy this one as it is pretty common, stays in bloom for a long time, and has somehow wrapped up all the best springtime colors into one gorgeous plant. This is Canda Violet, <i>Viola canadensis,</i> one of about a dozen different violets on the preserve. While violets in general are very easy to recognize, they are notorious for being difficult to separate into individual species. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfN_fOe_CC8Tp-ErLMB016mqfKr_5YQhNvRcpQI5jj7q_-rkXJ_zYOf6JU9Rlu88r8dmeuTsIxI-FNPYZV2Nm-ecBiqThY6uLLoOd3Nynoj8KNSAaVfnGUWN3pJ-SSj2ACOhOxcrEbPO6/s1600/Canada+Violet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1153" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzfN_fOe_CC8Tp-ErLMB016mqfKr_5YQhNvRcpQI5jj7q_-rkXJ_zYOf6JU9Rlu88r8dmeuTsIxI-FNPYZV2Nm-ecBiqThY6uLLoOd3Nynoj8KNSAaVfnGUWN3pJ-SSj2ACOhOxcrEbPO6/s640/Canada+Violet.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canada Violet, <i>Viola canadensis</i>, is a larger (for a violet) fairly easy to recognize native violet.</td></tr>
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Canada Violet thankfully has a couple of things that make it a little easier to ID. So first off, it's white. There are other white violets, but this one is a pure white and actually quite large for a violet. The other characteristic which separates it out from its cousins is on the back of the upper two petals. There will be a wash of purple which can range in intensity from very light to quite dark.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1aTw1rC4PNlNP3ZeWbM5wf9WcJT_-zcQvtFTZiE7hD0-QUDROC-m79SjxUlLpAQdcd9sWG4mB1Y4oafwWWfsvymg_obyJfWXE2aAwAsay77grubo1Jsy2l4W2875TNHGBg6j0p6qFmaZ/s1600/canada+violet+back.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1357" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1aTw1rC4PNlNP3ZeWbM5wf9WcJT_-zcQvtFTZiE7hD0-QUDROC-m79SjxUlLpAQdcd9sWG4mB1Y4oafwWWfsvymg_obyJfWXE2aAwAsay77grubo1Jsy2l4W2875TNHGBg6j0p6qFmaZ/s640/canada+violet+back.jpg" width="542" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wash of purple on the back of the upper two petals helps to make a positive ID of Canada Violet.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAYK_UilLN2DomICR5iSoCOWPqRKjjWAcWLlLXle43t1XUlUuPWnjGPubRBzpr03mKfJjsQBPzJ5UTdrIVi6HBpEM0jyR9OxaBXbpx4hQf5tDEDPpkiWoNC0nVskzkjQxvKCHaYD8Acw2/s1600/Canada+Violet+bee+headstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1600" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilAYK_UilLN2DomICR5iSoCOWPqRKjjWAcWLlLXle43t1XUlUuPWnjGPubRBzpr03mKfJjsQBPzJ5UTdrIVi6HBpEM0jyR9OxaBXbpx4hQf5tDEDPpkiWoNC0nVskzkjQxvKCHaYD8Acw2/s640/Canada+Violet+bee+headstand.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This bee is fully committed to scoring that sweet, nectar-y reward.</td></tr>
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Like most flowering plants with large, showy flowers, this violet depends in part on insects, like bees, to pollinate it. Placement of nectar within the flower can help position potential pollinators just right. Maybe that is what's happening here.</div>
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This was just a small taste of all the great flowers that make their appearance as the spring season rolls on. We are fortunate that the prolonged cool weather has kept things blooming for longer than they might under warmer conditions. It's not too late to find some great mid-season wildflowers blooming wherever you are!</div>
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Posted by: Robyn Wright-StraussUnknownnoreply@blogger.com