Not sure what is going on but this is the fourth birder that I know of who has had a phoebe perch on their binoculars or on their person at Commons Ford.
Some sort of mud dauber with a catydid? Found on a trail bridge in Pennsylvania
Carpenter or bumble bee? And is the small one a ceratina?
This attractive bunch plant came up several years ago, getting larger every year. It is evergreen. This is the 1st year I have noticed it blooming.
Flash photos.
Other plants in last photo from top left:
Blue Wood Aster, Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Asian Bleeding Heart, Lamprocapnos spectabilis
White Avens, Geum canadense
Early Goldenrod, Solidago juncea
Common Blue Violet, Viola sororia
Philadelphia Daisy Fleabane, Erigeron philadelphicus
and in center: Dwarf Cinquefoil, Potentilla canadensis, and another White Avens
The Geum, Viola, and Erigeron are Wild. The others spread from plantings.
Might be a helpful view for some
Vagans on the right
Sandersoni on the left
Don’t mind how beat up the specimens are
This is a confusing skipper. At a relatively high elevation. Appears to be an extremely fresh individual.
Seems like a cross between a Skipper and a Hairstreak with that matte olive green on the ventral surfaces! This will take some work on my part unless anyone knows better.
Out of the hibernaculum and feeding on native cherry tree. This is the medium sized of 3 caterpillars that overwintered here.
Experts - What is going on here? This male American Kestrel sure did seem to have the hots for this female Merlin. He kept trying to get close to her and even brought her a few treats (insects?) from the grass beneath the fence. She accepted the treats but didn't seem thrilled with the attention. However, when he flew off, she followed him...