Oh Indigo Bunting

Indigo Bunting, Drumlin Farm, Lincoln, MA

No indigo bunting again this year at the Charles River Peninsula. In order to get my annual bunting fix, I went out to Drumlin Farm (last year I went all the way to West Gloucester). Two males were singing at the bottom of the drumlin on either side of the tree line. A little chasing but mostly counter-singing. Mostly high in trees and out of good camera range as seen by the photos below.




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But it was OK, I was really there to absorb the singing--and there was a lot, though only rarely an extended bubbly solo. I knew the general song pattern from recordings, so I was pretty certain when I heard the first burst, though I had momentary doubts (a goldfinch? a yellow warbler?). A quick glimpse through the binoculars confirmed my ID. Here's a sample.

Eventually one came down closer to eye level


In fact, it went below eye-level--feeding in the long grass.


My favorite sight of the day (if not the clearest photo)--a meeting of the blues. (The bluebirds are raising at least one child in the same area).

Thanks, Indigo Bunting.

June Bugs

?, Charles River Peninsula, Needham, MA

Inspired by Hugh Raffles's Insectopedia and Sonia Dourlat's Insect Museum, I went out in search of June insects at the CRP.

The milkweed have really grown over the last week, though are not quite ready to bloom. Here's an early milkweed muncher, the Swamp Milkweed Beetle. (These are mostly macro shots, so clicking on the image will give you giant bugs).


Many butterflies, especially skippers.


This skipper is a little different than most I saw this morning.


Common Ringlets were everywhere.


Unlike this one, which was the only one of its type I saw. A Crescent of some sort, maybe a pearl.


And this moth in the woods, which I mistook for a gypsy moth. Looks to be a Pale Beauty.


Lots of different dragonflies too. I may have the time and energy to ID these guys, but for now here are some close-up shots.

Signs of Summer: Sea and shore bird special

Common Tern, Barrington Beach, Barrington, RI

It may seem a little early to be turning the focus towards the water, usually a woods-are-full-of-bugs summer activity, but the sea and shore birds are here so let's take a look.

A couple of interesting finds. First, the sora on the marsh trail at Plum Island are defying expected behavior this year and are walking around in the open. I saw this one in the medium distance, took its photo, turned and realized I had missed one about five feet in front of me ON THE BOARDWALK.


The black-bellied plover are in fine form this time of year, striking even from long distances. And what's that smaller salmon-colored bird near by? I'm thinking red knot.

Also on the marsh trail,
Blue-winged teal (yes, I see you, sleepy male)

and an approachable least sandpiper.


Some necessary egret shots:
A snowy egret from Plum Island

A great egret from the bike trail in Riverside, RI.

Plum Island ibis, glossy I believe.

and a Plum Island willet.

Last shore bird: house sparrow (Barrington Beach).

Brown Thrashers, Willow Flycatchers, and Cedar Waxwings

Willow Flycatcher, Plum Island, Newburyport, MA

You've got to love the in-between periods, after the warblers and before full-on June child-rearing. Plum Island was stuffed yesterday with sneezy willow flycatchers, silent brown thrashers, and zzz-ing cedar waxwings.



I chased this Brown Thrasher up the Stage Island path.




And this was the only cedar waxwing who would comply with my photo wishes.

Snapping Turtles and Dragonflies

Snapping Turtle, Willow Street, Dover, MA

I noticed the car up ahead of me swerve into the opposite lane. Interesting. Then I saw why. Here comes the snapping turtle slowly walking, elephant-like, across the road. And then it decides it will keep walking in my lane.
Here's the video.

Eventually it did cross over, enabling this lovely shot.


CRP News: Dragonflies, everywhere. Also, the Trustees came down with a mower yesterday and cut nice wide paths into the meadow.

Fish nests [UPDATED]

Bluegill, Charles River Peninsula canoe launch, Needham, MA

Today, a move from bird to fish nests. There is a cluster of bluegill nests in the shallow water off the canoe launch at the CRP. If you look closely you can see a nest below--a rocky depression in the water.

I sat and watched them for a little while this morning. Somehow watching a fish create and protect a nest makes me less interested in catching one.


Also of fish interest, this little guy. Anyone know what it is? [UPDATE: Pickerel]

UPDATE
On June 1, the nests were gone. It could be Memorial Day canoeing, but more likely people fishing. This is the evidence.




Yes, I know, Alarmed Robin, this is not as bad as the Gulf, or (even worse) the environmental degradation in some of the developing world, but it is a continuing sign of a troubling kind of ignorance about our relationship with the natural world.

Oh Savannah Sparrow

Savannah Sparrow, Millennium Park, West Roxbury, MA

Savannah sparrow, you're no clay-colored sparrow and your thin music sounds like a song sparrow run through a high-pass filter, but on a hot humid day, tall grass blowing in the small breeze, I adore you.