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American Copper
American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas). A butterfly that I seldom see. And yet the Massachusetts Butterfly Club describes its distribution in that state as, “One of our most ubiquitous butterflies.” Looking at a distribution map of this butterfly in North America I see it can be found from Nova Scotia south to Georgia, Tennessee, Arkansas; and…
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The Last One For This Year
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris). It was while I was eating lunch. October 4th. The last one came through. I still waited. I left the last feeder out thinking there might be one more straggler. One more late little clown coming through. But it didn’t happen. At least not that I know. The feeders are all…
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Yellow Bear Caterpillar
Yellow Bear Caterpillar (Spilosoma virginica). This is the larval stage of the Virginian Tiger Moth. These caterpillars are covered in tufts, or small tubercles, which contain many hairs of different lengths. Varying in color from caterpillar to caterpillar from snow white, soft yellow, brown-yellow, to orange-red. The Yellow Bear Caterpillar is not poisonous but folks…
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Camouflaged Looper
And the award for the best costume goes to the Camouflaged Looper (Synchlora aerata). A little inch worm which generally is no larger than 1/2 inch in length. The challenge of the Camouflaged Looper being an inch worm is that inch worms are a favorite food of many birds. And this challenge is met with…
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Imperial Moth Caterpillar
Imperial Moth Caterpillar (Eacles imperialis). One of our largest caterpillars. The last instar, or larval stage, can grow to be 5.5 inches long. As an adult the Imperial Moth is mighty big too. Its wingspan ranges from 3 to 7 inches. They’re found from Quebec and Ontario to as far south as Argentina, from the…
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Blackhaw Drupes
What are drupes? In botany a drupe is a plump fruit which does not split open when ripe, with a thin skin and a central shell containing a single seed. Examples are Almond, Cherry, Peach, Elderberry, Olive, Coffee, and Coconut. And of course Blackhaw (Viburnum prunifolium) seen in the picture above. Right now in the…
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Honey Bee
Honey Bee (Apis), surrounded by autumnal color in the center of a Gaillardia, collecting both nectar and pollen. Honey Bees need nectar and pollen for their colony. As they collect the pollen it is unwittingly distributed among other flowers, providing a helping hand, pollinating those flowers. The pollen provides nutrients including protein, which is used…
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Pokeweed
Pokeweed (Phytolacca americana). A poisonous, herbaceous, perennial plant with red stalks that can grow to be 3 to 10 feet tall. And under perfect conditions can reach more than 20 feet tall. It’s native to eastern North America, the Midwest, the South, through Texas, New Mexico and Arizona to the West Coast. All parts of the plant…
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Blue Jay
Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata). Beautiful and exceptionally intelligent birds. They’re mimics. Included in their repertoire, are the calls of many hawks, particularly the Red-shouldered Hawk, and some owls. Predators that Blue Jays will avoid. Males and females are alike except that males are a bit larger. They are monogamous, staying together for life. Both participate…
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Sycamore Tree
Sycamore Tree (Platanus occidentalis). In fall, a speckled symphony of autumnal color. A tree seeming to have a marble trunk. A tree that enjoys a riparian life. Streams become easy to spot. Marbled trunks meandering through the woods following the stream. A bark that drops off in patches. Patches that might be perfect for writing…