Saturday, May 26, 2012

Wild Roses

We have a gigantic wild rosebush on our property that normally begins blooming in mid-June.  I have never before seen it with open roses during the month of May!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Female Hummingbird

Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird surveying her territory from high in a tree.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Chipping Sparrow

Sweet little guy crashed into a window and was stunned for a short while but eventually recovered and flew away.

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Super Moon!

Photo taken around 8:30 p.m. in the town of Arkwright, New York

Torpor Tonight?

Temperatures tonight will be flirting with the freezing mark.  The recently arrived hummingbirds are really filling up this evening.  It seems they know it's going to be a cold night and are preparing for noctivation.  Here's a great article about how they survive the cold:  http://scienceblogs.com/grrlscientist/2006/04/hummingbirds_and_torpor.php

Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis)


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

First Day Back

First of the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds to show up in the area for the summer.  If only they could tell us about their amazing travels...

Neotropical Arrivals

Baltimore Orioles, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds, House Wrens and Black & White Warblers all made their first appearances in the yard today with the warm front that rolled into Western New York.  Pictured above is a female Oriole (with fresh grape jelly on her beak!).

Snow Squall over Lake Erie