Gray Tree Frog

Species: Gray Tree Frog (Hyla versicolor)
Date: 6.30.15

Observation:

I was wrapping up some work on the soon-to-be turn around off our driveway and was in the process of flipping Ken's wheelbarrow over since it looked like it was going to rain when I spotted this frog on the handle of the wheelbarrow.  It was quite camouflaged...it may have been there the entire time I was working.  After looking at this frog, I wanted to go take a nap!


A Fact from Annie:

The Gray Tree Frog is one of the loudest frogs that have been measured in North America.

Learn more at Rhode Island Vernal Pools - Gray Tree Frog

Black & White Ichneumon

Species: Unknown
Family: Ichneumonid Wasps 
Date: 6.29.15

           

         

Observation:

This female wasp (a non stinging wasp) caught my attention as I was walking around our porch.  By the time I noticed its remarkably long ovipositor (the long needle like appendage behind the wasp - it is used for laying eggs), the wasp flew away.

A Fact from Dana:

Ichneumonids are parasitic wasps - they lay their eggs in or on other "host" insects.  Scientists estimate there are between 40,000 and 100,000 species of Ichneumoid wasps.

A Fact from Alice:

The females of the Megarhyssa genus (not pictured here) lay their eggs by inserting their ovipositor into a dead log (through up to two inches of wood) in order to reach the lavae host.  Scientists believe the egg laying process may take between seven minutes and five and a half hours, depending on the depth to which the wasp must drill.  How the wasp accomplishes this is unknown.  

Learn more at the Missouri Department of Conservation - The Amazing Ichneumon

Veery

Species: Veery (Catharus fuscescens)
Family: Turdidae
Date: 6.29.15


      
   

Observation:

We have been treated to singing Veeries all summer long; they are the most noticeable singers at dusk.  Yesterday, I spotted one for the first time as it was feeding with the robins on the lawn during the afternoon.  It hung around for a short time, and perched in view for a brief photo-op.


A Fact from Alice:

Veery can fly up to 160 miles in one night, and they can fly at altitudes up to 1.2 miles.

Learn more at All About Birds - Veery

American Goldfinch

Species: American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
Family:Fringillidae
Date: 6.28.15

 

Observation:

I noticed this female Goldfinch working her way along the ropes to one of our swings, but it wasn't until I looked more closely at the photographs that I saw the Goldfinch was pulling off fibers from the rope for her nest.

A Fact from Alice:

The American Goldfinch breeds later in the year than most birds.  They wait until plants have produced fibrous seeds (milkweeds, thistles, swing rope!) as they use these in nest building and in feeding their young.

Learn More at All About Birds - American Goldfinch 

Little Wood-Satyr

Species: Little Wood-Satyr (Megisto cymela)
Date: 6.27.15

Observation: 

The Little Wood-Satyr was patrolling our backyard on a fairly overcast day.  Alice and Dana identified the butterfly as being a Little Wood-Satyr with the help of the field guide Grandpa Chris and Grandma Sue sent to us!




A Fact from Alice: 

This Little Wood-Satyr will be in flight on cloudy days when most butterflies are not out.

Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America - Little Wood-Satyr

Wild Geranium

Species: Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum)
Date 6.27.15

Observation: 

Dana spotted a Wild Geranium flower between the Red Maple and rhododendron in the backyard and picked it so that Alice could take a closer look at it.  With the help of a field guide, Alice identified the Wild Geranium all by herself!




A Fact from Alice:

The Wild Geranium can be most easily identified by looking at its distinctive palmately divided leaves.

Learn More at wildflower.org - Wild Geranium 

Chestnut-sided Warbler

Species: Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylanica)
Family: Parulidae
Date: 6.26.15




Observation:

The Chestnut-sided Warbler's song was what drew my attention, and the warbler was kind enough to make an appearance just long enough for me to confirm what type of warbler it was.  I was walking around the backyard with my digital voice recorder, not a camera, so I have uploaded a brief clip of the Chestnut-sided Warbler's song.

A Fact from Annie:

The Chestnut-sided Warbler has become increasingly common over the past 200 years.  It likes to lie in open, second growth forest areas.

Learn more at All About Birds - Chestnut-sided Warbler

Eastern Comma

Species: Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
Family: Nymphalidae
Date: 6.25.15

                 

Observation:

While I was working on filling in potholes in our driveway, I was joined by an Eastern Comma (or two).  I must admit I was a little rusty on the difference between Commas and Question Marks.  The photo showing the underwing (and the white comma) was very helpful!


A Fact from Dana:

The host plant for Eastern Comma caterpillars are usually members of the nettle or elm family.  


A Fact from Alice:

The caterpillars are usually solitary and feed during the nighttime.


Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America - Eastern Comma

Northern Flicker

Species: Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Family: Picadae
Date: 6.23.15

Observation:  

Kate noticed this Northern Flicker in one of the maples down toward the brook.  It was quite far away (I am impressed the picture isn't more blurry when enlarged).  A month earlier a Northern Flicker gave us a good up-close viewing, foraging for insects right off the edge of our porch.  

A fact from Annie (hey, its' my birthday!):

Northern Flickers prefer to forage for food on the ground (ants, beetles, etc.), and their call is somewhat similar to a Pileated woodpecker's (and my sister thinks they sound like a monkey-bird).

Learn more at All About Birds - Northern Flicker

Silvery checkerspot

Species: Silvery checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis)

Family: Nymphalidae

Date: 6.22.15

   

Observation:

Kate and I were enjoying our first day of summer vacation, taking a stroll around the yard when Kate spotted this butterfly on the front lawn.  After some careful online research, Alice determined the butterfly is a checkerspot, most likely a Silvery checkerspot.  We are counting on Grandpa Chris letting us know for sure.

A Fact from Alice:

Checkerspots prefer habitat that is moist, such as streamsides, meadows, and forest clearings. 

Learn more at Butterflies and Moths of North America - Silvery checkspot

Cellar spider

Species: Longbodied cellar spider (Pholcus phalangioides) 

To the girls it is a "daddy long legs."  

Family: Pholcidae

Date: 6.21.15

Observation: 

Dana shot out of the garage to tell me there was a spider.  With only a little convincing she decided we should take a picture and add it to our freshly started list.

A fact from Dana:

There is no scientific evidence to support the often heard claim that the venom of the cellar spider is some of the most potent. 

Learn more at Spiders.us or Insect identification - Long-bodied Cellar spiders

Sensitive fern

Species: Sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis L)

Date: 6.21.15

             

Observation:

Alice spotted the ferns along the side of our driveway in the shade along the east side of the tree line.  The plant-of-the-day was to be a fern!

A Fact from Alice: 

Sensitive ferns got there name due to their sensitivity to frost.  The frond (fern "leaf") die shortly after the first frost.

Learn more at Go Botany - Sensitive fern

Quaking aspen

Species: Quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides)

Date: 6.21.15

                 

Observation:

Alice spotted Quaking aspen trees along the edge of the yard and thought they should be recorded to our list.  Alice has observed lots and lots of Quaking aspens growing along the edge of the lawn.

A fact from Alice:

Quaking aspens grow quickly and are one of the first to spring up after forest fires or forest clearings.  A quaking aspen grows about 2 feet a year.

Learn more at Arborday.org - Quaking aspen

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

Species: Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticu ludovicianus)

Family: Cardinaidae (Cardinals)

Date: 6.21.15

Photo credit: Tony Northrup Photography 

(many thanks for providing a site that allows images to be used on the Web!)

     

Observation:

A male Rose-breasted Grosbeak got my attention when it flew to the a porch window before it retreated to the wild grape on the trees off the porch.  It flittered about the grape for a couple of minutes before disappearing when I went to find the camera.

A Fact from Dana:

The song of the rose-breasted grosbeak is similar to the American Robin's.  Its tone is a little "better" and its song isn't as choppy as the robin's.

Learn more at All About Birds - Rose-breasted Grosbeak.

American robin

Species: American robin (Turdus migratorius)

Family: Turdidae

Date: 6.21.15

             

Observation:

Dana spotted a robin right by our hammock.  Dana thought the robin looked like it was eating the newly wet grass (it had rained about a half an hour earlier).  After more consideration, Dana has proposed the robin may have been looking for worms.

A fact from Dana: 

Robins' diet changes during the day.  They tend to forage for earthworms early in the day and switch more to fruit later in the day.

Learn more at All About Birds - American robin