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What
Double-crested Cormorant (Nannopterum auritum)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
The cormorants gather in a dead tree on a small island at one end of Lake Mohawk. Young and old perch in the branches, drying their wings or waiting to be fed. They are tolerant of our kayak which allows for great photo captures.
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Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
This foggy, misty morning was the first time I have ever seen - in real life - a Scarlet Tanager. Something red caught my eye in the trees in the backyard. At first I thought it to be a cardinal until I grabbed my camera and zoom lens. I couldn't believe my eyes. Photo quality is not the best, shooting in low light and foggy conditions, but it does show the bird in the ash trees.
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Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
The zinnias are in bloom in the garden and the swallowtails are on them!
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Four-toothed Mason Wasp (Monobia quadridens)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
This wasp was busy in the flowers of wild butterfly weed.
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European Mantis (Mantis religiosa)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
While weeding the foundation beds around my house, I found this little guy climbing the wall of the house.
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Monarch (Danaus plexippus)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
For years I have allowed the wild milkweed to grow for the Monarch butterflies. In the past have seen many butterflies, eggs, and caterpillars. Even saw one new butterfly emerge!
Have been worried this year with the absence of butterflies. Early in June I saw 1 Monarch fly in the milkweed garden. I was thrilled to find this one caterpillar over the weekend.
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Yellow-striped Armyworm Moth (Spodoptera ornithogalli)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Caterpillar of the Yellow-striped Armyworm on Queen Ann's Lace.
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Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
This little one was found on a Queen Ann's Lace flower beginning to go to seed and closing up to form the basket.
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Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simplicicollis)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
This dragonfly was near the herb garden. There is also a fountain nearby.
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Two-spotted Bumble Bee (Bombus bimaculatus)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Bees are very busy on the sunflowers in the gardens all day this time of year.
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Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Butterfly on the conflower in the late morning.
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Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
This female kingfisher watched us kayak past the island where the tree she perched in grew. She was quite noisy, chattering the entire time we saw her. Couldn't get close enough for a better photo.
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Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Hanging out on the dock on the lake this quiet, early morning.
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Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
This swan family were still resting in a quiet cove of the lake in the early morning. A watchful male kept his eye on us but allowed us to take photos from the kayak.
Photos / Sounds
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Great Spangled Fritillary (Argynnis cybele)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Sunny day, this fritillary couldn't get enough of the cone flowers by the front porch of the house.
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Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Milkweed in full bloom and covered in bees. Waiting for the Monarchs.
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Small White (Pieris rapae)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Butterfly was hanging out in the perennial garden in the bright early morning sun. This was one butterfly, photographed flying from flower to flower.
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Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Finishing my walk at the park I saw a bird perched at the top of a tree. The sky was cloudy and gray, making it hard to ID. When I pulled into my driveway, there perched in a dead branch above the birch tree sat 3 more! Grabbed my camera to take some shots hoping to get good ones to ID the birds. Got them! They hung out for about 5 minutes while I snapped away.
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Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Two dragonflies together near the beaver created pond.
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Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Two dragonflies locked together near the edge of the beaver created pond.
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Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Dragonfly flying around the beaver created pond. This is the male.
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Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Female dragonfly resting on a fallen log at the edge of the beaver created pond.
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American Beaver (Castor canadensis)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Beavers have changed the small creek that runs along the edge of the woodlands and meadow near home. It is now a swamp with the beaver made "pond" in the center. This new wetlands habitat is now home to many varieties of frogs (as we heard many songs that day), new plants, many varieties of dragonflies, and the new birds brought in to the pond (geese, ducks, and Great Blue Heron).
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Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
The wings of this skipper were a bit tattered and ragged around the edges. It was busy getting nectar from the Lantana in my herb garden.
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Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Busy in the Andromeda.
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Gray Treefrog (Hyla versicolor)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Hanging out on the arm of chair under the ash trees.
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Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Singing at the top of the spruce tree.
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American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
The Goldfinches were out early this morning in their full color. They love eating the seeds of the dandelion.
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Calyptrate Flies (Zoosubsection Calyptratae)Observer
naturegirl2014Description
Hanging out on a Dogstooth Violet.
