tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37925296155132155742024-03-18T23:28:40.212-04:00Indy Parks Nature BlogFollow us on a nature journey exploring the great state of Indiana. We will discover hidden treasures along the way, many that are found in our own back yards.Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.comBlogger224125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-55738475973462540802013-04-21T09:31:00.000-04:002013-07-17T22:24:46.504-04:00Last Post-New BlogWith lots of careful thought and consideration, I have decided to no longer write the Indy Parks Nature Blog. Hopefully, one of my co-workers will want to continue it. Since Eric and I are traveling more and visiting many cool places and I would like to share that with my readers, I have decided to start a new blog. When I get it up and running, I will add the link to it here. I thank all of you for reading and supporting this blog. My new blogs name will be "Meanderings". I still plan to cover many Indy Parks items, but it will also cover places abroad. Check back later for more information.<br />
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Finally the new blog is up! My new blog can be found here.<br />
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<a href="http://janetmartinmeanderings.blogspot.com/2013/07/new-blog-new-beginnings-angel-windows.html">http://janetmartinmeanderings.blogspot.com/2013/07/new-blog-new-beginnings-angel-windows.html</a><br />
<br />Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-74374231565088551532013-01-12T15:30:00.001-05:002013-01-12T15:30:11.441-05:00Evening Grosbeaks! It has been quite a long time since I have posted. Life has finally settled down a bit, so I decided, since I had some good material, I would put together a post. <br />
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We drove for a little over an hour southeast of Indianapolis to see Evening Grosbeaks. They have been hanging out at some feeders at the Mary Gray Bird Sanctuary in Connersville, IN.<br />
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When we arrived at 8:30 am, we were told they had observed 6 Evening Grosbeaks around 8 am. Usually, we were told, they come back about every 15 to 20 minutes. So, we waited patiently... And waited...And waited. Finally, around 10 am, five of the flock returned. Four are on the feeder below. Three males and one female in this image. The males have the yellow "eyebrow".<br />
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We observed one lonely female that was rejected when she approached the feeder. The others chased her away. Maybe she chews her food too loudly. :) She patiently waited for her turn at the feeder.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTT63H7FOyEIEJLA7MPx1CgLCWIhFd-lIYbSjH7EIWqi686aokYksL-6YP3jDmC_nH1brfGgs48Dm8vSXRvWh0jctLJNZrPB3vZuJe6_VdNf0ohB1aGELlUOWyau5xTwVXnqG2EOrKPE/s1600/Evening+Grosbeak+female.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDTT63H7FOyEIEJLA7MPx1CgLCWIhFd-lIYbSjH7EIWqi686aokYksL-6YP3jDmC_nH1brfGgs48Dm8vSXRvWh0jctLJNZrPB3vZuJe6_VdNf0ohB1aGELlUOWyau5xTwVXnqG2EOrKPE/s400/Evening+Grosbeak+female.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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The others left, so she got her chance and the feeder all to herself. What a beauty!<br />
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<br />Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-43967486625056659642012-07-11T16:53:00.000-04:002012-07-11T20:41:34.579-04:00Monarch will NOT Eat Your Tomatoes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYezD6GhFPqgijz7Aj4m5qSWTju3NzcztA2nuJzStm4MjvP35gKIvMMXZucHZwErij0PJcEZV0_xN03Jc97UdAg6zhXQTUJmGaqQHQFc0-3ASvJwqP0dzZGmb3i-a4ljDscO_Bj5WFbwI/s1600/800px-Monarch_In_May.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYezD6GhFPqgijz7Aj4m5qSWTju3NzcztA2nuJzStm4MjvP35gKIvMMXZucHZwErij0PJcEZV0_xN03Jc97UdAg6zhXQTUJmGaqQHQFc0-3ASvJwqP0dzZGmb3i-a4ljDscO_Bj5WFbwI/s400/800px-Monarch_In_May.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo courtesy of Wikipedia</td></tr>
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Tuesday, I was going about my day, checking e-mails, Facebook, etc... when I saw a post from my co-worker about monarch butterflies. Miranda loves monarchs and heads up our efforts to raise them at Southeastway Park. We have, over the years, successfully raised and released hundred of monarchs butterflies. Eagle Creek Park, also, raises and tags monarchs. Dawn Van Deman has been doing this for many, many years. I am sure she has probably tagged close to, if not over, a thousand monarchs. And, since their numbers are dwindling, we, as naturalists, feel it is important to do our part. <br />
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When I read the article Miranda had posted about Ortho Bug B Gone having a monarch on its label, I was quite upset. It took me a little digging around on the web to find out that this was, indeed, not a hoax by someone against the company, but it was, in fact, true. I searched a few places and found an ad for Bug B Gone for sale at Ace Hardware. I pulled the photo up, cropped it and was shocked to see this-a monarch caterpillar eating a tomato. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEfETQq_GkTGxj7hfxnfuDV6uRm-5gNrwoUqnb0NhQL4XPzYdAGz0qZZ8luTRI9J4XJrNGrKKUGyKNa8Yz8hGzWHVQ-IsMDS0GWY3jXPPMCrj9kCNoe2rcwHRf8TwmjNjCN6AS3TPq2Q/s1600/Bug+b+gone+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEfETQq_GkTGxj7hfxnfuDV6uRm-5gNrwoUqnb0NhQL4XPzYdAGz0qZZ8luTRI9J4XJrNGrKKUGyKNa8Yz8hGzWHVQ-IsMDS0GWY3jXPPMCrj9kCNoe2rcwHRf8TwmjNjCN6AS3TPq2Q/s400/Bug+b+gone+crop.jpg" width="387" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ARRGGHHH! Monarchs won't eat your tomatoes! </td></tr>
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Folks, monarchs do not, and never will, eat tomato plants. They consume milkweed and plants in the milkweed family, like butterfly weed. You need not worry about them ever eating your garden plants or your decorative flowers and shrubs. They are driven to eat milkweed only. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjuISUJ8OrhLoxVBwt9eM3Nig-vTXAvIM6xIpEyekQ7w0K0s9S9UeuQGjI_uyiTCV-bDwMJMKIFDumFAhIV0YC3y8izkv6gKBf9QNkbikZTr-NrlG_ie-cxcAPQpqMo2-13_nv0cSemo/s1600/monarch+cat+8-11-2011+002+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjuISUJ8OrhLoxVBwt9eM3Nig-vTXAvIM6xIpEyekQ7w0K0s9S9UeuQGjI_uyiTCV-bDwMJMKIFDumFAhIV0YC3y8izkv6gKBf9QNkbikZTr-NrlG_ie-cxcAPQpqMo2-13_nv0cSemo/s400/monarch+cat+8-11-2011+002+crop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A teeny, just hatched monarch caterpillar. </td></tr>
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This brings about an important point. At Ortho, someone was hired to create this label. And, at least one person, most likely more than one, had to approve it. Despite efforts to educate the public on the benefits of monarchs as an important pollinator and that its numbers are in decline due to weather, weed eradication programs, pesticides and other perils, this label was put on the market. Since I do not use this product, I had no idea it was out there. How long has this label been subliminally informing the public that monarchs are bad? It doesn't "say it" in writing, but a picture is worth a thousand words. Don't they have entomologists that can advise them about the drawings they choose?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-BMf4EvVAQUhPAG9ub76DZQB8YcBcxguRHRuc-P9YygbwmLkRXh88VhmLJtWhTr-eLEuplWVwyKPWfedLaviGiihmeLZDSt-MdGKWoEmKvUDRPyv3cOA7gEVTVCWOmYuUUlK5E56FTU/s1600/Butterflyweed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje-BMf4EvVAQUhPAG9ub76DZQB8YcBcxguRHRuc-P9YygbwmLkRXh88VhmLJtWhTr-eLEuplWVwyKPWfedLaviGiihmeLZDSt-MdGKWoEmKvUDRPyv3cOA7gEVTVCWOmYuUUlK5E56FTU/s400/Butterflyweed.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Butterfly weed, <em>Asclepias tuberosa</em>, a great monarch <br />
butterfly plant for nectar and raising caterpillars. </td></tr>
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This label could make someone think this caterpillar needs to be eradicated. My mother likes nature. She likes birds and butterflies, but blindly followed what others have told her. Snakes were bad. Spiders were bad. When she was still able to work in her garden and if she had seen a bug that could possibly kill her tomatoes, I am sure she would have sprayed it, no questions asked. And many of the general public are that way, too. They might even know about monarch butterflies and be familiar with their beautiful orange wings, but do they know what the caterpillar looks like? <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_INWsTOCzHxiBjvlOCgraMcertUJNgBXkOoqz5kTRMblnk-K1b-_TJkMAnluHgR7zfssWc1Js6ep2nbDCdbrL4A9vD9mAAW_J4B_AJMVCe0j4hCsN9oMzohH-gXw6vb9jTdem75VAw4/s1600/monarch+cat+July+24+2009+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_INWsTOCzHxiBjvlOCgraMcertUJNgBXkOoqz5kTRMblnk-K1b-_TJkMAnluHgR7zfssWc1Js6ep2nbDCdbrL4A9vD9mAAW_J4B_AJMVCe0j4hCsN9oMzohH-gXw6vb9jTdem75VAw4/s400/monarch+cat+July+24+2009+058.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A monarch caterpillar, almost ready to turn into a chrysalis. My mother <br />
would surely have squirted this with insecticide during her gardening days! </td></tr>
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On a good note, it turns out the story was actually about a concerned citizen, David Snow, who contacted Ortho about the label. According to the <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-ortho-monarch-20120710,0,7448108.story">article in the Los Angeles Times</a>, he asked Ortho why they had a "good-guy bug on your insect killer? It's like putting an innocent child's picture on a U.S. Post Office'Most Wanted' list." After not getting a satisfactory response from Ortho, Snow posted a petition on Change.org three weeks ago. The L.A.Times contacted Ortho this past Thursday for comment, July 5th. They were told the information had been forwarded to their marketing team. On Friday, the L.A. Times was contacted by a spokesman for Scotts Miracle-Gro Co., Ortho's parent company. They said "We're updating that label to ensure there is no confusion with the monarch butterfly caterpillars. Consumer concerns are something we always look into." A little later, David Snow was contacted by a representative that said they were changing the labels. <br />
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How does this affect you, the reader? One thing you can do to help the monarch is <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/the-ortho-group-marysville-oh-remove-the-photo-of-a-monarch-caterpillar-from-their-bug-b-gone">sign the petition</a> so Ortho and Scott's know there are many, many concerned citizens out there. They promised to change the label, but let's make sure they do! Also, if you see the product on your local store shelves, tell someone at the store about the monarch and how the label is incorrect. Yes, they may just nod their head, but if enough complaints are made they may pull the product with the offending label. The monarchs need all the help they can get. <br />
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Another thing you can do is educate yourself and others about the natural world around you. One way to do that is attending informational sessions about nature like at the <a href="http://www.midwestnativeplants.org/">Midwest Native Plant Conference</a>, July 27th-29th. There are many informative speakers with sessions on conifers, native shrubs, pollinators, butterflies, gardening on a low budget and many more. David Wagner is an entomologist and expert on caterpillars and will be one of our keynote speakers. Fun and informative, so check it out! Only a few spaces left! Hope to see you there!Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-26985575154271191362012-05-03T14:53:00.000-04:002012-05-03T14:53:41.321-04:00A Great Find<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A hollowed out tree might not look like much to a casual passer-by. But most naturalists know this is a good spot to take a second look. And if you are an owl fan, it might just pay off...</div>
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Zooming in with the camera captured the eye of a very well camouflaged Great Horned Owl chick. The chicks are fuzzy and blend in very well with the snag they are nesting in. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh70jbSDzO7ZD9q37Lw4R_pKA0VHfegF8QeasUSJmtYEtGkYXK_P9tahWtiSm0HDPknEMLoUcqTopJOgnHiYYWb-FxBsIDhPuA8wqOdk6fugrKDoasIPUouzo0Le_E5R4gtgxnLvko9-Y/s1600/Great+Horned+Owl+babies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh70jbSDzO7ZD9q37Lw4R_pKA0VHfegF8QeasUSJmtYEtGkYXK_P9tahWtiSm0HDPknEMLoUcqTopJOgnHiYYWb-FxBsIDhPuA8wqOdk6fugrKDoasIPUouzo0Le_E5R4gtgxnLvko9-Y/s400/Great+Horned+Owl+babies.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Another shot reveals two chicks in the nest. One seems to know I am watching it from afar. Momma and Pappa owl where not seen, but I am certain they were nearby watching, as well!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIfAOkDL-Ks4htGCpk5dhzKVngXITtCSl8erQ2AGXOGS0VU3YthvOqtOzbYb5JFKI361kZOf-2ZJdmeEIKpC-5O7KIEeEHz03Xe6Io91pIiBweZm5L-vzuUEbjBpfGDJwomzBQstsmVU/s1600/Great+Horned+Owl+babies+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIfAOkDL-Ks4htGCpk5dhzKVngXITtCSl8erQ2AGXOGS0VU3YthvOqtOzbYb5JFKI361kZOf-2ZJdmeEIKpC-5O7KIEeEHz03Xe6Io91pIiBweZm5L-vzuUEbjBpfGDJwomzBQstsmVU/s400/Great+Horned+Owl+babies+3.JPG" width="375" /></a></div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-84783403829296915352012-02-14T17:04:00.001-05:002012-02-14T17:05:42.404-05:00The Flying ValentineAt a recent program, I had a gentleman tell me he calls cardinals "Flying Valentines" What a great description! Not only is the cardinal a gorgeous red color, the perfect shade for any Hallmark card, the bird has behaviors that can be considered romantic. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-MQSyAW9b7pRnU7H80w8DiCqkO0jCTjTo5jDBNIEhGc9xTwxS6BM_ajf5Q0SzBfMl1__iveTgUcjKBUCMXFnPb8x-aj0nLMlZj9l-dS57-VvT6kwZsYn1cihQj_T30_Rsl6dELtCKMA/s1600/Cardinal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-MQSyAW9b7pRnU7H80w8DiCqkO0jCTjTo5jDBNIEhGc9xTwxS6BM_ajf5Q0SzBfMl1__iveTgUcjKBUCMXFnPb8x-aj0nLMlZj9l-dS57-VvT6kwZsYn1cihQj_T30_Rsl6dELtCKMA/s400/Cardinal.jpg" width="400px" yda="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Photo via Wikipedia</strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>When the male cardinal has picked a lovely lady friend, he will win her heart by offering her choice seeds. He will feed her, beak-to-beak. And, many times this behavior will continue during nesting. Look for this courting display soon at a feeder near you!Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-43175082759163325292012-01-06T11:19:00.000-05:002012-01-06T11:19:31.288-05:00Cooper's Hawk takes an American CootOn a sunny Saturday afternoon, panic ensued at the feeding area outside our bird window at Southeastway Park. A tiny titmouse, in its frantic flight to get away, crashed directly into our window and tumbled to the ground below. The reason for all the frenzy soon was evident. A striking male Cooper's hawk landed on a limb above the lifeless bird, hopped down and swiftly flew off with its prey. We stood there, breatheless, watching the entire event unfold. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d9f1L-Ols_5fZeaHjpBxr1lP9EwvaweUEp_qeEUVoEMkYVWhbx-u5JC4zA7hLhInqjXpzHm304I-_1gvMyeFzcmtp0VG4Y2FNva3PB9auqLJorun5AuzX8XRN9rl7ssPRpyegSyYBx0/s1600/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+054+Male+Cooper%2527s+Hawk+with+Coot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315px" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2d9f1L-Ols_5fZeaHjpBxr1lP9EwvaweUEp_qeEUVoEMkYVWhbx-u5JC4zA7hLhInqjXpzHm304I-_1gvMyeFzcmtp0VG4Y2FNva3PB9auqLJorun5AuzX8XRN9rl7ssPRpyegSyYBx0/s400/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+054+Male+Cooper%2527s+Hawk+with+Coot.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
So you can imagine the surprise when this past week we came across the scene of another male Cooper's Hawk, this time at Estero Llano Grande State Park in Weslaco, TX. Our guide, Kyle, spotted it under a bush near the board walk. Our birding group quietly walked by, many of us snapping photos, as we watched it feed on an American Coot! I had never seen a Cooper's Hawk take such large prey before! I have seen Bald Eagles take coots, but never a Cooper's Hawk. For those that are not familiar with American Coots, they are a black, duck-like bird that can weigh from 1 to 2 pounds. You can view some photos <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Coot">here</a>. A large male Cooper's hawk can weighs less than a pound. Quite a feat for it to kill a coot and drag it under the bush. Kyle thought a female would be able to fly off with the coot. What an amazing sight!Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-74185085403946276932012-01-05T16:32:00.001-05:002012-01-05T16:35:49.514-05:00Close Encounter with a Coyote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Recently, I was in the Rio Grande area of Texas. On New Year's Day, we visited <a href="http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=21553">Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge</a> near Los Fresnos, Texas, in search of raptors. They have a fabulous driving tour where we viewed many Northern Harriers, White-tailed Hawks, and Crested Caracara. We counted over 25 Osprey, most of them feeding on fish from the nearby waterway. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">When we were almost finished with the loop of the tour, near dusk, we noticed a car stopped by the side of the road. We pulled up slowly, thinking they may be watching a raptor or other bird. Suddenly, I spotted a four-legged creature in the road up ahead. A coyote! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egOtZV5WdOE/TwYQsSFig6I/AAAAAAAADBY/0KMP2TyR-5k/s1600/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-egOtZV5WdOE/TwYQsSFig6I/AAAAAAAADBY/0KMP2TyR-5k/s400/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+098.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
My normal encounters with coyote here in Indiana are from afar. They are usually skittish, dashing quickly into the brush by the side of the road. Sometimes, I spot them in the distance in a farm field on my way to work in the morning. And, one early morning, I had the luck of spotting one loping through the park on the edge of the woods. I was pretty excited one was up ahead and was eager to get a good look. <br />
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This one seemed unafraid. It trotted by the other car, stopped for a brief second, as if sizing the passengers up, then moved on, closer to our car. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2BmtR-qjAQ/TwYQu-IlW7I/AAAAAAAADBg/UxzbuBPm66g/s1600/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X2BmtR-qjAQ/TwYQu-IlW7I/AAAAAAAADBg/UxzbuBPm66g/s400/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+099.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>It kept heading toward our car, as if it was a greeter for the park. I carefully rolled my window down, just in case I could take a photo. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYWGZv6ULWQ/TwYQz8M6_aI/AAAAAAAADBo/4Yn-G2lRtzA/s1600/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MYWGZv6ULWQ/TwYQz8M6_aI/AAAAAAAADBo/4Yn-G2lRtzA/s400/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+100.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>By this time the coyote was almost in front of the car. Then, it surprised me and came right up to my side of the car. If I had reached my hand out of the window, I could have scratched it behind the ears! It stopped and looked at me for a minute, as if to say "Hey, there!" then moved to Eric's side of the car.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SYli7dX0lDs/TwYQ7T9FsHI/AAAAAAAADBw/OSz2g6q8kvo/s1600/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SYli7dX0lDs/TwYQ7T9FsHI/AAAAAAAADBw/OSz2g6q8kvo/s400/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+103.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
The coyote silently vanished into the brush to the side of the road behind the car. Eric backed the car up slowly to take another look. The coyote was lying down, totally unafraid, acting as if it was at peace with us being there. Such an awesome encounter!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBmt52nvW3A/TwYRBsSzBvI/AAAAAAAADB4/N4WSt8RRX7Q/s1600/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+107+coyote.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="327px" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NBmt52nvW3A/TwYRBsSzBvI/AAAAAAAADB4/N4WSt8RRX7Q/s400/Texas+Rio+Grande+Area+2011+107+coyote.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;">Coyotes here in Indiana have an average weight of about 30 lbs, similar to a medium-sized dog. Their food preferences include rabbits and rodents. I usually see them in the rural areas, but there was a good sized population of coyotes at <a href="http://www.indy.gov/eGov/City/DPR/Parks/Pages/nature.aspx">Skiles Test Park</a> on the northeast side of town a few years ago. You could hear them howl whenever a siren sounded! I hope you have the opportunity to see one of these fascinating creatures. Check out <a href="http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/3374.htm">this website </a> for more information on coyotes in Indiana.</div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-42950484297123592802011-12-05T16:09:00.001-05:002011-12-05T16:14:23.370-05:00Snowy Owl near IndianapolisThis weekend, many people were treated to looks at a true rarity to this area and a gorgeous creature, to boot, --a Snowy Owl! Those of you who are Harry Potter fans may be familiar with his owl, Hedwig. Hedwig is a Snowy Owl. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RcPHK51byhqRB12awPCeF0weWkgBAD1zLDQmeqXuqiDXZDhRvTNvO86qKBE_5yDbGiglN0fy6CN6Vheg3LnDFJOXwdOQTjq0O3wRkvRWlb3_m3XBX2jb45K05W4jPsk8jWpkqkmyBRg/s1600/Dec+3%252C+2011+snowy+owl+Mt+Comfort.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RcPHK51byhqRB12awPCeF0weWkgBAD1zLDQmeqXuqiDXZDhRvTNvO86qKBE_5yDbGiglN0fy6CN6Vheg3LnDFJOXwdOQTjq0O3wRkvRWlb3_m3XBX2jb45K05W4jPsk8jWpkqkmyBRg/s400/Dec+3%252C+2011+snowy+owl+Mt+Comfort.jpg" width="387px" /></a></div>The owl had been spotted at the <a href="http://www.indianapolisairport.com/information_news/airport_mountComfort.aspx">Indianapolis Regional Airport</a> in Mount Comfort, formally known as the Mount Comfort Airport. Don Gorney and other birders kept tabs on the bird all weekend. Eric Martin and I were able to drive out there Sunday afternoon to take a peek. My photo above was taken with a point and shoot camera through a car windshield in the rain. The plastic-bag-like-object is the owl. :) It is hunkered down on the ground taking cover from the rain. Even though it wasn't super close, we were still delighted to watch it turn its head while it checked out the coming and goings of the people who came to visit it. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj284WHuNL9VcPBcx4dNPnWq-20KQJHmdfXcCvqb-OMnMX_H5cAAmiPb7EatvWAetNbmMTOqdQPTFJ31REDc5AnRiLSH34VEwxlHBepJpb9M2f-X83RPeG5OA4mEb3zQg6jHOF79-1M7lg/s1600/don+gorney+snowy+owl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dda="true" height="355px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj284WHuNL9VcPBcx4dNPnWq-20KQJHmdfXcCvqb-OMnMX_H5cAAmiPb7EatvWAetNbmMTOqdQPTFJ31REDc5AnRiLSH34VEwxlHBepJpb9M2f-X83RPeG5OA4mEb3zQg6jHOF79-1M7lg/s400/don+gorney+snowy+owl.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">My friend, <strong>Don Gorney</strong>, was able to snap a better photo on the previous day, Saturday. Thanks to Don for letting me use his stellar photo. With the light barring on the feathers and the pattern on the tail feathers, Don thinks this is an after-hatch year male. Younger birds and females would have darker spots on their feathers. For a photo of a juvenile bird, check out my post from a few years ago of a <a href="http://indyparks.blogspot.com/2008/12/snowy-owl-harry-potters-bird.html">Snowy Owl I saw in Cleveland, OH. </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</div>To see a Snowy Owl brings up mixed emotions. It is such a graceful flyer, floating effortless along as it hunts. But, most Snowy Owls that visit Indiana in the winter do not make it. Many times these owls get hit by cars and trucks as they are sailing across the highway, looking for a meal. Snowy Owls glide very low along the ground, as they search for food, and this puts them right smack in the path of a vehicle.<br />
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<div align="justify">The Snowy Owl's normal range is in the arctic tundra, throughout Canada and the Northern United States. Snowy Owls have a favorite snack of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lemming"><span style="color: #3300cc;">lemmings.</span></a> Lemmings are cyclic in nature. Lemming populations will grow in number year after year and the predators, such as owls and fox will increase along with them. Eventually, they will hit a population threshold and the predators will apply too much pressure on the lemming population. The lemming population will plummet and the abundant predators will be forced to look for food elsewhere. The Snowy Owl will move southward looking for other food. These cycles seem to occur about every three or four years. A combo of a good breeding season, producing many juvenile owls, and a possible crash in the lemming population up north may force many Snowy Owls to the south. </div><div align="justify"><br />
</div><div align="justify">If a Snowy Owl finds a good food source, and doesn't meet an early demise from a vehicle, it will tend to stick around for quite a while. As of today, the Snowy Owl was still at the airport. Hopefully, many of you will have a chance to view this gorgeous winter visitor! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-56242607698513113872011-11-11T10:48:00.000-05:002011-11-11T10:48:03.608-05:00Snow!This morning at Southeastway Park, we were greeted by a dusting of snow. Though I am not a big fan of driving in the white stuff, I do like the way it looks. Here are a few shots from around the park. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eXM0KgZUJED9xwsBD5rhV9dJtOZ97DPTfhYrXNIJG5JGXPQ94PuuHQSAPDX4iYZa9ulCxZnsIzQanjdTVUr0SZtUBFmY6ZmKZp_R_EgxX3ccFfQ6qSnbd0LsrmM_vxMHByytQWx8oqE/s1600/Nov+11+2011+snow+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4eXM0KgZUJED9xwsBD5rhV9dJtOZ97DPTfhYrXNIJG5JGXPQ94PuuHQSAPDX4iYZa9ulCxZnsIzQanjdTVUr0SZtUBFmY6ZmKZp_R_EgxX3ccFfQ6qSnbd0LsrmM_vxMHByytQWx8oqE/s320/Nov+11+2011+snow+001.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Our bird feeding area looks like it has been generously sprinkled with powdered sugar. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghvaAwWeyOncb2SoZFkhmuzPFrrSAtBOR_auDdgXescM1epH-nsYLESVvIVSKTg6vKh-kueDCIi7KAclvqoqMzYBnMWttGaeb4kKd-Y9p8KBrzYz0pSHlUp7NoByrbqKsJVNePjfpsYM/s1600/Nov+11+2011+snow+002+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194px" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgghvaAwWeyOncb2SoZFkhmuzPFrrSAtBOR_auDdgXescM1epH-nsYLESVvIVSKTg6vKh-kueDCIi7KAclvqoqMzYBnMWttGaeb4kKd-Y9p8KBrzYz0pSHlUp7NoByrbqKsJVNePjfpsYM/s320/Nov+11+2011+snow+002+1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Little tufts of grass poking through the snow reminds us it was seventy degrees just this past weekend. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxITDsaprA89X98SU5NqFe7DhXBs1ArXWKjXbL86tNCoCme4lhi2BsRc2wkyDOR9ecokVUA2vdcEXkAR21XJnI-yZddxUonzrrWgOCfpa5KTm-g_eh_Nn0hiAGZwxT-EIkiyj71guzpy0/s1600/Nov+11+2011+snow+008+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267px" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxITDsaprA89X98SU5NqFe7DhXBs1ArXWKjXbL86tNCoCme4lhi2BsRc2wkyDOR9ecokVUA2vdcEXkAR21XJnI-yZddxUonzrrWgOCfpa5KTm-g_eh_Nn0hiAGZwxT-EIkiyj71guzpy0/s320/Nov+11+2011+snow+008+1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) adorned with ice crystals. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8TYhtYxYJQZTmSyPHwmPzaTHAB7PnOm99Utkh-eMAEOttvj7tV8I-4qBW94J2mSNab9bHkQ1daZbZIcss3UkiNFWjlacKFnOWO9z_UiQ3aSiQfDgA-kPK2fQDhN7KNz-ArdeJp3oDbM/s1600/Nov+11+2011+snow+004+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271px" nda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8TYhtYxYJQZTmSyPHwmPzaTHAB7PnOm99Utkh-eMAEOttvj7tV8I-4qBW94J2mSNab9bHkQ1daZbZIcss3UkiNFWjlacKFnOWO9z_UiQ3aSiQfDgA-kPK2fQDhN7KNz-ArdeJp3oDbM/s320/Nov+11+2011+snow+004+1.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>Mother nature all mixed up-the grass dressed in rich summer green, the shrub in fall colors, and the dusting of snow. Notice the cardinal in the tree on the right?Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-32323376775118946952011-11-09T16:27:00.000-05:002011-11-09T16:27:47.736-05:00Orchid Fest!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yesterday, we visited <a href="http://www.garfieldgardensconservatory.org/">Garfield Park Conservatory and Sunken Gardens</a> for their annual Orchid Fest. What a treat! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawcS2HTy8uVEk1yhIqYex5o4jqj0okx0HyCaWIQXaQgFw48MYO8nHyGr_W75NxNKt_H0vGTp2l6pnENkJeAwTku85P4nYxqPYBDjoo6-T3Vj4yN8BAgeY4UK9k64V7bcDNp00gzBc2YI/s1600/Nov2011+152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgawcS2HTy8uVEk1yhIqYex5o4jqj0okx0HyCaWIQXaQgFw48MYO8nHyGr_W75NxNKt_H0vGTp2l6pnENkJeAwTku85P4nYxqPYBDjoo6-T3Vj4yN8BAgeY4UK9k64V7bcDNp00gzBc2YI/s400/Nov2011+152.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOveVKaazBj3CWMduTxCFD0HJ-_3Qt-3P-WoGet6TIZo1ato_2x8KtRc8pkCicQVY8Na8vE_swaIFE8b26Pyl_Wffpx4TrN3ITKvlYfmHeWXON7Z7gvhvk_0UjiFDOxeZ7UKvNqQzKAiE/s1600/Nov2011+158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOveVKaazBj3CWMduTxCFD0HJ-_3Qt-3P-WoGet6TIZo1ato_2x8KtRc8pkCicQVY8Na8vE_swaIFE8b26Pyl_Wffpx4TrN3ITKvlYfmHeWXON7Z7gvhvk_0UjiFDOxeZ7UKvNqQzKAiE/s400/Nov2011+158.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
We were wowed with stunning floral displays, experts on hand to answer questions and beautiful orchids for purchase.<br />
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I honestly was overwhelmed by all the luscious smells and colors, I can't remember what any of the names are of these orchid varieties. So, just enjoy! <br />
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Orchid Fest goes through Sunday, Nov. 13th, 2011. Admission is $3 per person or $8 per family.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmfiPLJT-_mQirmgcjjmtyezrJeXwhezWNNXbtLe_-NzulvHe9mh17XZPd7tvmD6B2-BTgeEZKskwMZHCCM5ajTrUv7q2sK3cgxle9vaPxrWbo7SKgrQQBHx6UxR5l_mtkiZrcOpDe5E/s1600/Nov2011+145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmfiPLJT-_mQirmgcjjmtyezrJeXwhezWNNXbtLe_-NzulvHe9mh17XZPd7tvmD6B2-BTgeEZKskwMZHCCM5ajTrUv7q2sK3cgxle9vaPxrWbo7SKgrQQBHx6UxR5l_mtkiZrcOpDe5E/s400/Nov2011+145.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AvobVIWTKOcJnP6_Gc1-tRJMQcPn9PI-AOLCnh4yzTMSj1wJbwezN-aJb-ujN-QT42VjHXHNiZA1VyUceDX6OtrHKQH2D2a_R2_kYXmJaCZjwyibiaTLqD8BxIB82jdqgWEXZMtAGG4/s1600/Nov2011+148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" ida="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AvobVIWTKOcJnP6_Gc1-tRJMQcPn9PI-AOLCnh4yzTMSj1wJbwezN-aJb-ujN-QT42VjHXHNiZA1VyUceDX6OtrHKQH2D2a_R2_kYXmJaCZjwyibiaTLqD8BxIB82jdqgWEXZMtAGG4/s400/Nov2011+148.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div> And, while you are in the area, after you have wowed your senses of smell and sight, why not go up Shelby Street a bit and visit <a href="http://www.clausgermansausageandmeats.com/">Claus's German Sausage and Meats</a> and delight your tastebuds?! I just discovered this place. Wow! Delicious sausages made in-house. Well worth checking out!!!Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-60754356626543119402011-08-15T15:46:00.000-04:002011-08-15T15:46:27.215-04:00Monarch CaterpillarsOur nineteenth annual Bug Fest is soon approaching, so last week Miranda and I walked around looking for caterpillars for the monarch butterfly station. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>We soon hit a small patch of milkweed, only four plants, that was covered with tiny caterpillars. We found about 20 or so of the minute creatures. The caterpillars were only a few days old. To get an idea of how small they are when they first hatch, I have a paper clip in the photo for reference. Please click on the photo to enlarge it on your screen. The caterpillar is to the right of the C-shaped mark on the leaf. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2NLySO-0rF-EiaOuEjQe85a_X2ychqoMGllrixOnkSx2lJ6PQghaWok4ZszVQi-pIxVsmr3UDdYhyphenhyphen6p62C5utdCXPxoI-b5GGtlhVEmMsJpAhHvY4JNyI0zxWTdgpv-XQ4mG8_1nKWI/s1600/monarch+cat+8-11-2011+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj2NLySO-0rF-EiaOuEjQe85a_X2ychqoMGllrixOnkSx2lJ6PQghaWok4ZszVQi-pIxVsmr3UDdYhyphenhyphen6p62C5utdCXPxoI-b5GGtlhVEmMsJpAhHvY4JNyI0zxWTdgpv-XQ4mG8_1nKWI/s400/monarch+cat+8-11-2011+001.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div>Here I have cropped the photo so you can see it a little better. Notice the teeny stripes on the body. Soooo cute!!! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdAGxt3eBsJH5eXPqvZdw3an_4QQ2wCHvS4KWK5dPf6DtyM3as3hyphenhyphenQuA_X0jIl9A-aHrSfTaD9Gc4MV1Sc_bizxdKWvUYry4YC4WDPrjAv438IhgMTxXiUOuIyPBUz-2DO91xljoP8-c/s1600/monarch+cat+8-11-2011+002+crop+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332px" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkdAGxt3eBsJH5eXPqvZdw3an_4QQ2wCHvS4KWK5dPf6DtyM3as3hyphenhyphenQuA_X0jIl9A-aHrSfTaD9Gc4MV1Sc_bizxdKWvUYry4YC4WDPrjAv438IhgMTxXiUOuIyPBUz-2DO91xljoP8-c/s400/monarch+cat+8-11-2011+002+crop+2.jpg" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>These little guys are growing like gangbusters, so I will have to post more baby pictures in the future!<br />
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On the same note, Naturalist Linda Gilbert from Geauga Park District, up near Cleveland, OH, posted this amazing video of a monarch caterpillar hatching from an egg. The egg is about the size of the tip of a ballpoint pen. Thank you, Linda for taking the time to film this miraculous event through a microscope and for allowing me to share this video!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-4343961798295610222011-08-03T15:52:00.000-04:002011-08-03T15:52:49.708-04:00Would You Eat This?!?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Game show time. We are going to play <strong>"Would You Eat This?!?!"</strong> The following delicacies were offered to our Survivor Camp participants during the Eating Challenge. Tribe members would face off against the other team, each member having to pick what concoction they would have to partake by drawing a number from a cup. Points were awarded when a team member successfully choked down, errr I mean, eagerly gobbled the goodies. And it had to stay down. 'Nuff said. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPIZ9kvT_yBoNKnr3w070rvQeoACA8d9UaItlsg-JOjv9v5L3DOBkqzRn1zphz5btmBJOqKPn0pIth403ZbVSmtJF-fPjjDlws9mHiPG5AueseeICv8-eWcNO0cAqidAjAQgI1PR1p7g/s1600/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirPIZ9kvT_yBoNKnr3w070rvQeoACA8d9UaItlsg-JOjv9v5L3DOBkqzRn1zphz5btmBJOqKPn0pIth403ZbVSmtJF-fPjjDlws9mHiPG5AueseeICv8-eWcNO0cAqidAjAQgI1PR1p7g/s320/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+152.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A favorite of my father's, canned oysters. Looks gross, smells questionable and the texture is weird. These qualities make the perfect combo for the Eating Challenge. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCt6GEfQnhNqP-FoPmaYlEHzW1oyzlXwJEmmGeDWBNk913oXjzqwPdVBcPkWJZs6gFkIdzx-oS_edSR8ehre90vT7Q2V-HOBS5jsPNeJeSkpmjiq5NlZJLw4ywe9QhiG75gbfBYxMKxE/s1600/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaCt6GEfQnhNqP-FoPmaYlEHzW1oyzlXwJEmmGeDWBNk913oXjzqwPdVBcPkWJZs6gFkIdzx-oS_edSR8ehre90vT7Q2V-HOBS5jsPNeJeSkpmjiq5NlZJLw4ywe9QhiG75gbfBYxMKxE/s320/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+054.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Psyching out the opponent is part of the game. This looks like intestines and you could easily tell the other team it tasted terrible and pretend you could barely choke it down because it is soooo horrid. What is it really?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbznGH_WU5epNkowNlePjS3CxqkgchI7S85zRfIdh_D8c025hva6Ws_f6FUT9hyKKmaVMYrMRgoc67by9JyH9PZurS_mviEU38MZxN5QA0zUprRjlffwBVRVxzJ8F3QQ54fcr9kJekwUE/s1600/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+053.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbznGH_WU5epNkowNlePjS3CxqkgchI7S85zRfIdh_D8c025hva6Ws_f6FUT9hyKKmaVMYrMRgoc67by9JyH9PZurS_mviEU38MZxN5QA0zUprRjlffwBVRVxzJ8F3QQ54fcr9kJekwUE/s320/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+053.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Simply dried bamboo shoots. Easy to eat, no bad flavors. Just looks intimidating...</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5vzk7vjYyeM-v0RsVotp1CIs2x3eh96PPPMRuOESINoOuMaaLS2XAUMaCGHPYxrXzeexKyikHOkllVBBzrKlWsNQP8hL1DYAasZAMaz-0y-Aby_8KtA74SM9YRuazepju2TvuydP8VQ/s1600/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu5vzk7vjYyeM-v0RsVotp1CIs2x3eh96PPPMRuOESINoOuMaaLS2XAUMaCGHPYxrXzeexKyikHOkllVBBzrKlWsNQP8hL1DYAasZAMaz-0y-Aby_8KtA74SM9YRuazepju2TvuydP8VQ/s320/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+151.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div>Another psych out food. Snow fungus. No foul taste, but a weird appearance and texture. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbjhh_F5XVZI4xUCUC3jcFP1iH8l1rkt3yiWSzgzDxmd4L0yPmt1xR8Uzdau1vusbRvd6eKMi3bJJps-MFA1E3l0a1wkUDGmM7qx_J4XF6xxzQD0BV8omlOUbIOkINokilxWxBodpNSw/s1600/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbjhh_F5XVZI4xUCUC3jcFP1iH8l1rkt3yiWSzgzDxmd4L0yPmt1xR8Uzdau1vusbRvd6eKMi3bJJps-MFA1E3l0a1wkUDGmM7qx_J4XF6xxzQD0BV8omlOUbIOkINokilxWxBodpNSw/s320/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+065.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This winner is truly appalling. Salted Snake-head fish. Very, very salty, fishy and stinky. Triple yuck. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5FBxKSsPH0yOH3euAtGKh4vay2_PA3fTJ36wqAnSBQvS4f2KlyjAsS9OHuPL8b-DtWB74VYXKlUNX9c6n8Pxe5grEJgnOcu6YfCbp5p3n-AsnGxMZnanbOYQtmqv-pBcnpA0KnQCLVQ/s1600/fall+pics+046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU5FBxKSsPH0yOH3euAtGKh4vay2_PA3fTJ36wqAnSBQvS4f2KlyjAsS9OHuPL8b-DtWB74VYXKlUNX9c6n8Pxe5grEJgnOcu6YfCbp5p3n-AsnGxMZnanbOYQtmqv-pBcnpA0KnQCLVQ/s320/fall+pics+046.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div>By far one of the worst foods on earth, in my opinion. Silkworm pupae. Yep, the pupae of a silkworm moth and a by-product of the silk industry. Not sure why anyone would crave these, but if popping these in your mouth while you relax and watch sitcoms tickles your fancy, more power to you! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrupYl-2uamdszHbjXVfu086vOKqPvUz4P-YGtmtuoJz2HQhFrcCgC3vg2tcPjaF2O9bOgx61zTX0lBMY9X7QOLxLSsbjEE3avW0qrH1HJukQxsjc8vFCAVImMkXyDJDB9KQypTtAHnAs/s1600/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrupYl-2uamdszHbjXVfu086vOKqPvUz4P-YGtmtuoJz2HQhFrcCgC3vg2tcPjaF2O9bOgx61zTX0lBMY9X7QOLxLSsbjEE3avW0qrH1HJukQxsjc8vFCAVImMkXyDJDB9KQypTtAHnAs/s320/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+154.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div>Squid in natural ink. The added element of tentacles combined with the putrid smell makes this food a real challenge for the campers to surpass. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY3d2qSrNEfHiq66tNad0fiuaqeSYQydkXvdJ-Bie4QRfOnu06qpSIUTK5ZxY00d3FU9pqkpjWnNJAIwdPvlxz1nU-1wXU9RTvrIABlbBiT_-Pm4mEqkgvR8bwVwH2-GIFLFc_GAiXqw/s1600/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY3d2qSrNEfHiq66tNad0fiuaqeSYQydkXvdJ-Bie4QRfOnu06qpSIUTK5ZxY00d3FU9pqkpjWnNJAIwdPvlxz1nU-1wXU9RTvrIABlbBiT_-Pm4mEqkgvR8bwVwH2-GIFLFc_GAiXqw/s320/Southeastway++6-13-2011+EAB+052.jpg" t$="true" width="320px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was intrigued when I found these bad boys at the Saraga Market. Preserved duck eggs. Eggs are not supposed to be black! And, yes, they taste as bad as they look. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: justify;">So, there you have it. Some of the offerings for our Survivor Eating Challenge. Have I tried all these foods, you may ask. Yes, it is my policy that if the kids have to eat it, I do too. I will eat it right in front of them at the end of the challenge to assure them the foods are safe. Do I dread doing so, you betcha! But the campers do have a blast trying the different ethnic foods and psyching out the other team. All in good fun! :)</div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-68863084832167251992011-07-15T10:45:00.000-04:002011-07-15T10:45:52.803-04:00Something to Make You Smile...The summer day camp at Christian Park put together a super cute video to the Selena Gomez "Who Says" song. Great job Rickey Knox and crew! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/OB89KAWSrhU?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>hJanet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-8119212934863862042011-06-21T00:14:00.001-04:002011-06-21T15:42:13.985-04:00Nature Journals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1k86Zqwu9WIXIKFQEFBFv6zl9965vHJYXyEli-lprO1QQhAac7UC2emf4Z2gG3XvXOi2Ej4heRy5yBkin4VzoJfTi8OyG5Xe9Y6azfonuYKUXxacf14jiKXXFNpKJvO5UL1-8JYtwJtw/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1k86Zqwu9WIXIKFQEFBFv6zl9965vHJYXyEli-lprO1QQhAac7UC2emf4Z2gG3XvXOi2Ej4heRy5yBkin4VzoJfTi8OyG5Xe9Y6azfonuYKUXxacf14jiKXXFNpKJvO5UL1-8JYtwJtw/s400/059.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>In our Nature Explorers camp, the kids made nature journals. Each day they were supposed to write and draw a picture about their favorite activity for the day. Here are a few for your viewing pleasure...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qKdvviapSZx2m50Y9zYK9VZxkSmEbzPvW9wiKJUEfPY6ZJJ4LL58e05f18z09CQw1Ipfr1Ne1nc0I8d1KAp8D_Wvm1vMT_dxg1wVnM9SnVmnKoNd0FbS3oqNyc7uDQG921OqKvTAErs/s1600/044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3qKdvviapSZx2m50Y9zYK9VZxkSmEbzPvW9wiKJUEfPY6ZJJ4LL58e05f18z09CQw1Ipfr1Ne1nc0I8d1KAp8D_Wvm1vMT_dxg1wVnM9SnVmnKoNd0FbS3oqNyc7uDQG921OqKvTAErs/s400/044.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><span id="goog_864633461">On one of the hikes, we found a raccoon in a tree. I like the disclaimer-"Not my best drawing." :)</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7z81_P7HKNEdKklGUv3xsAqFxIg0ZAaWA5WP1zukY2T93E0rRXeY6RBNT0QGvCMCWmoapgW2vFDEdgb47D0I_FV1oKsO_Ytc5LktGb3pMGVK-l4gtz7kMF2MiO1VIu7Zhv3WsPM-IdRs/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7z81_P7HKNEdKklGUv3xsAqFxIg0ZAaWA5WP1zukY2T93E0rRXeY6RBNT0QGvCMCWmoapgW2vFDEdgb47D0I_FV1oKsO_Ytc5LktGb3pMGVK-l4gtz7kMF2MiO1VIu7Zhv3WsPM-IdRs/s400/056.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>We took the kids out to our bluebird boxes to see the nests. One had five baby bluebirds inside. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FREm5qDoOwspyfMlEdorwOWPPdNsP-3Ou0Kpxu12jc3R8eaPxbRmn16M_fZqJ_oW4xwM-Z1xPflvKBAoTA9CRkw0Fb9tZUbfuWJiu144CCzWjnJ91IOu2ofMsIUSbT4TPxWYYSydHnU/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FREm5qDoOwspyfMlEdorwOWPPdNsP-3Ou0Kpxu12jc3R8eaPxbRmn16M_fZqJ_oW4xwM-Z1xPflvKBAoTA9CRkw0Fb9tZUbfuWJiu144CCzWjnJ91IOu2ofMsIUSbT4TPxWYYSydHnU/s400/055.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>One of our activities on Bug Day was to go out in the woods, roll over logs and look for millipedes, centipedes, worms, rollie-pollies and other assorted critters.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRFdCf3fcI_WQja893OfDL72N5aIkSxNZMWKKxQn_JhQgmrUfxIXHbQ0oYfs_gFGszDJEtyRWapwvnFJyOZMkanYz7klsgKqJ2iDOOhkQrQNvdHPoaLoxhc4cXc1g0ta5ALp-qOh_GBM/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigRFdCf3fcI_WQja893OfDL72N5aIkSxNZMWKKxQn_JhQgmrUfxIXHbQ0oYfs_gFGszDJEtyRWapwvnFJyOZMkanYz7klsgKqJ2iDOOhkQrQNvdHPoaLoxhc4cXc1g0ta5ALp-qOh_GBM/s400/051.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>On Thursday evenings, we have a cookout and night hike. We let the kids travel a section of the trail by themselves in the dark. A few of the counselors are positioned on one end of the section and the rest are on the other, sending the children one by one. They love the thrill of walking by themselves in the dark without a flashlight. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4OWyoKuEU70md5IALuGJkT0j2YfTdEO1OTD8CKpyDZURPN_-3n4UJkJ6viZ_YE-5PpGKOQGnX3vgRm7iCxNd2PDlFgymZ4_0hyphenhyphend4zeEx7-7Rn2do4dP0163IiWYsizt8Y8GaxItexho/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4OWyoKuEU70md5IALuGJkT0j2YfTdEO1OTD8CKpyDZURPN_-3n4UJkJ6viZ_YE-5PpGKOQGnX3vgRm7iCxNd2PDlFgymZ4_0hyphenhyphend4zeEx7-7Rn2do4dP0163IiWYsizt8Y8GaxItexho/s400/058.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>This post was about the Thicket game, a hide and seek game that involves a child posing as an owl finding hidden mice. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR-rTPeomKRrqzutAgwZzMPYERP2aClVQyLrhh92FWF6DDIDJP1nX_a0zapaoiCw7Yn9l-7-OeG2sYU3FJt3x-X9EIHKvsDsK_f62M5y_N26qACpL2GhEygEM6DaliutKKGWtBtP-snQ/s1600/048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyR-rTPeomKRrqzutAgwZzMPYERP2aClVQyLrhh92FWF6DDIDJP1nX_a0zapaoiCw7Yn9l-7-OeG2sYU3FJt3x-X9EIHKvsDsK_f62M5y_N26qACpL2GhEygEM6DaliutKKGWtBtP-snQ/s400/048.JPG" width="300px" /></a></div>This is one of my favorite posts. If you are having trouble reading it, it says " My favorite part of the day was when I found a slug and I named him Sticky and he was my friend. " Cracked me up. <br />
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It was so much fun reading what activities they enjoyed and their interpretation of them. I always look forward to taking a peek into their world.Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-12392985012553478632011-06-12T23:30:00.000-04:002011-06-13T00:31:45.572-04:00Interesting Illinois Insects (and other stuff)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J2FVaiFFfBK90cZ-kyDNlpncovqrpE5UJDkYocIkbW2aFg3N-xS479GCiY2CwHDT8P1_ay3S0NQ4FgAMIqe16GJ5nws6o8bXDnBrC2M1tbEqK91ULyrzelOIkRs6cRxdsveVt1akOko/s1600/summer+tanager.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1J2FVaiFFfBK90cZ-kyDNlpncovqrpE5UJDkYocIkbW2aFg3N-xS479GCiY2CwHDT8P1_ay3S0NQ4FgAMIqe16GJ5nws6o8bXDnBrC2M1tbEqK91ULyrzelOIkRs6cRxdsveVt1akOko/s400/summer+tanager.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Last weekend I took a road trip to <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c5/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gjAwhwtDDw9_AI8zPwhQoY6IeDdGCqCPOBqwDLG-AAjgb6fh75uan6BdnZaY6OiooA1tkqlQ!!/dl3/d3/L2dJQSEvUUt3QS9ZQnZ3LzZfMjAwMDAwMDBBODBPSEhWTjBNMDAwMDAwMDA!/?ss=110908&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=FSE_003853&navid=091000000000000&pnavid=null&position=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&ttype=main&pname=Shawnee%20National%20Forest-%20Home">Shawnee National Forest</a> in Illinois. My friend, <a href="http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/">Jim McCormac</a>, was working on his upcoming warbler book and asked if I would like to come along. Jim is one of my favorite people to join on a foray. He is extremely knowledgeable, well versed in almost everything out there, and gifted with incredible sight and hearing. Very little misses his radar and many cool things are always encountered. And, I also enjoyed getting a sneak peak into his book writing process. Jim is visiting all these sites so he can experience them first hand. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnAMHl7brUFIU0SufNVo7E5OEwzhyphenhypheneL0gl6KUiGbgAAwDnuanjLCNHaK6vYVFA3WmTpVGq1QLwE3kU9M6UDOmty9QXGi2esxyR1P6CHgvCh_gr5JnQgbfn6cqDj-8E2y-2GIYFgmi4Gs/s1600/127+summer+tanager+crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnAMHl7brUFIU0SufNVo7E5OEwzhyphenhypheneL0gl6KUiGbgAAwDnuanjLCNHaK6vYVFA3WmTpVGq1QLwE3kU9M6UDOmty9QXGi2esxyR1P6CHgvCh_gr5JnQgbfn6cqDj-8E2y-2GIYFgmi4Gs/s400/127+summer+tanager+crop.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Summer Tanager</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: left;">We checked out the <a href="http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110908&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&navid=100000000000000&pnavid=null&recid=35185&ttype=recarea&pname=Shawnee%20National%20Forest%20-%20LaRue-Pine%20Hills">LaRue Pine Hills</a> area. There we encountered lots of warblers, which was what the trip was all about. Worm-eating Warblers were thick and there were also lots of Hooded Warblers, Kentucky Warblers, Louisiana Waterthrushes, Northern Parula and Prothonotary Warblers. I did not get any photos of those. But, there were also lots of Summer Tanagers around. We had great views of quite a few of these gorgeous scarlet birds that flew very close, chattering and whistling all the while. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOaykwzQwBN0j1h8mPVwcwys0qt4h2dSitsmoW9Iw6lfVCadTB1Kki5nNe1pu3jaeywuZhxiovDyj9ITtB7xIvzAlMivOX074otK4zIJiXZhcJsBZkt6S-E5sa6IEikHqKNRiuO084l4/s1600/124+orb+weaver.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="316px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOaykwzQwBN0j1h8mPVwcwys0qt4h2dSitsmoW9Iw6lfVCadTB1Kki5nNe1pu3jaeywuZhxiovDyj9ITtB7xIvzAlMivOX074otK4zIJiXZhcJsBZkt6S-E5sa6IEikHqKNRiuO084l4/s400/124+orb+weaver.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Orb Weaver Spider</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Besides the birds we found lots of interesting insects and other creepy crawlies. Jim spotted this Orb Weaver which was hiding within this leaf curl. She was guarding an egg sac, the fuzzy white blob to the right of her. </div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnueXcHX2nZYbNK3xJa7xCcqVb5Pb6n5FDEQkcxjGgd4ZpHLEHoWGozCp72-ANrP5lvDc312KmFspAUP28V0B1xSYRdZma5_GT3zZfKiO_gCv0fbMjptBF9Hw8-l50QPaFpWNMmILUS0/s1600/jumping+spider.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="227px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWnueXcHX2nZYbNK3xJa7xCcqVb5Pb6n5FDEQkcxjGgd4ZpHLEHoWGozCp72-ANrP5lvDc312KmFspAUP28V0B1xSYRdZma5_GT3zZfKiO_gCv0fbMjptBF9Hw8-l50QPaFpWNMmILUS0/s400/jumping+spider.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jumping Spider with prey</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I spotted this tiny jumping spider. It was completely fixated on its prize, so I was able to get a few shots off without disturbing it too much. Like all the pics, you can click on the photo to enlarge it and see its cute little face. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienr3xRJXTxCKW3uKbX4uDHHEXhYhfHfzLiwJQtBod5Isheuy27-t0hBMlVtjHkQqxLK9ItHKnLGV9mpdlZWcAh2b8d9TS91O_bQ-nwAZQkAbZq3HGecWtHhUwR2g6Tvfo5doorXlLwIo/s1600/beetle+crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEienr3xRJXTxCKW3uKbX4uDHHEXhYhfHfzLiwJQtBod5Isheuy27-t0hBMlVtjHkQqxLK9ItHKnLGV9mpdlZWcAh2b8d9TS91O_bQ-nwAZQkAbZq3HGecWtHhUwR2g6Tvfo5doorXlLwIo/s400/beetle+crop.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flea Beetle, Lupraea picta</td></tr>
</tbody></table>While Jim was photographing a dragonfly, I found this tiny Flea Beetle to photograph. I think this is <em>Lupraea picta</em>. Thanks to Ted MacRae from <a href="http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/">Beetles in the Bush</a> for letting me know it was a type of flea beetle. They are called flea beetles because most in this tribe are good jumpers, like a flea. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fBSI7BzMMa8LfJ0PsDiAJypRBPK5CPl0DNU_08kbA_aA5MdGTfrRK4kgwZM77aTblSc-y5YZuXpmcMBepvKox9YWl73yvw8NzTC8QSSgN5jlfS-qqDqR3e-xasa4YEvF7JNx1Lg_WDc/s1600/119+red+shouldered+beetles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0fBSI7BzMMa8LfJ0PsDiAJypRBPK5CPl0DNU_08kbA_aA5MdGTfrRK4kgwZM77aTblSc-y5YZuXpmcMBepvKox9YWl73yvw8NzTC8QSSgN5jlfS-qqDqR3e-xasa4YEvF7JNx1Lg_WDc/s400/119+red+shouldered+beetles.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jim spotted a few of these tiny beautiful red and black beetles. These are Eastern Babia, <em>Babia quadriguttata</em>, making more little Babias. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGRFpO-QjqYe-On0EkAaxYSIgvkkxQAC-GCa0P6QXxPBzIBdwn44I-IQ0BwodXXS4WTO0EyhxefBTrRDJaKtoocARK2Il4-whZjXor5cDzCMsUYQHGlihfpCBUZYyoV9kH3BB0M7-tJU/s1600/beetle+crop+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwGRFpO-QjqYe-On0EkAaxYSIgvkkxQAC-GCa0P6QXxPBzIBdwn44I-IQ0BwodXXS4WTO0EyhxefBTrRDJaKtoocARK2Il4-whZjXor5cDzCMsUYQHGlihfpCBUZYyoV9kH3BB0M7-tJU/s400/beetle+crop+1.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">We were watching a dragonfly cruising the area when I spotted this beetle on a leaf. This is a Dark Flower Scarab Beetle, <em>Euphoria sepulcralis. </em>The adults nectar on flowers and overwinter in the ground. The young larvae of this beetle feeds on decaying organic matter. </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrt0I0-rHhC1B23iPXjnX9gll96YDNRAZsvq-_DjqENF11K7Yl_0t63AZxon1vvjOyBJDiDPehjCZCUwj0OXgqLaogYEwPM1-71_efOBmF0iwArcd8t407Mu7_2hFgffgHbogS2sSlisU/s1600/Dance+Fly+crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrt0I0-rHhC1B23iPXjnX9gll96YDNRAZsvq-_DjqENF11K7Yl_0t63AZxon1vvjOyBJDiDPehjCZCUwj0OXgqLaogYEwPM1-71_efOBmF0iwArcd8t407Mu7_2hFgffgHbogS2sSlisU/s400/Dance+Fly+crop.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">I think, but am not positive, that this is a Dance Fly from the genus <em>Rhamphomyia</em>. Dance Flies are fascinating creatures. Their common name comes from the males flying up and down in a sort of dance. They carry with them "nuptial balloons", which are silk wrapped prey that they offer to a potential mate. But there are some shysters in the midst that will offer empty balls of silk to the ladies. The ladies will select the mate with the best gift. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Lots of interesting insects in Illinois, plus gorgeous scenery, to boot. With Shawnee National Forest only about 3 hours away from Indianapolis, I would suggest it as a great weekend or day trip!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-41331707752610470272011-06-11T17:28:00.000-04:002011-06-11T17:28:14.350-04:00Some Cool BugsSummer camp brings lots of energetic little bodies with sharp eyesight-they do not miss <strong>anything</strong>! And since I am the go-to-person for bugs, they always come running to me with their prize in tow. This week, we found scads of spiders, daddy-long-legs, dragonfly nymphs, beetles, wasps, crickets, moths and much more. Here are a few of my favorites. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeiW70PGwT7C5c4DVb-blnNunJZnZuZo40mHizdp0NfHMWScZFD-mv1cU35IpLW-Wb8uxesD2OLvLsMQ4YdCnywlMnr8vo1OdONc5nIiWWqDd1oJ4O7iqcJpt-3jMzzEgc3p4l8Ewuzw/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoeiW70PGwT7C5c4DVb-blnNunJZnZuZo40mHizdp0NfHMWScZFD-mv1cU35IpLW-Wb8uxesD2OLvLsMQ4YdCnywlMnr8vo1OdONc5nIiWWqDd1oJ4O7iqcJpt-3jMzzEgc3p4l8Ewuzw/s400/005.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
T.J. found this beautiful moth on the bark of a tree. This is a Waved Sphinx Moth, <em>Ceratomia undulosa</em>.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaO7i7rgP4oI-_YxAUaL76VX3Q0P7Hv0HjRS8qJodSM-gCPcEjM98uFY04JsOKjZS1fLCCNDEUOLKY5zoOwFbUW93CReQnYXuZWwuuHO2AH2uIfNWOz4a93_Zph5P9pnw8gdvYBHDCj8/s1600/waved+sphinx.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaO7i7rgP4oI-_YxAUaL76VX3Q0P7Hv0HjRS8qJodSM-gCPcEjM98uFY04JsOKjZS1fLCCNDEUOLKY5zoOwFbUW93CReQnYXuZWwuuHO2AH2uIfNWOz4a93_Zph5P9pnw8gdvYBHDCj8/s400/waved+sphinx.JPG" t8="true" width="377px" /></a></div>Such a pretty, camouflaged little moth, and when I took a few photos from the side, I noticed something. With its big eyes, long antennae and fuzzy face...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDLEqneCxR6S3a6Khidz446S1KWWiYL6573xZwWdAGtB8msk7RirPquzh0z20wpAiaDs430-Mt8C8dOQIYh47k4FVmzdSynK2IYv-vUU518yA_FzqwLqqa4OFreXoygqAzVpC9Ja0TZE/s1600/waved+sphinx+face+close-up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXDLEqneCxR6S3a6Khidz446S1KWWiYL6573xZwWdAGtB8msk7RirPquzh0z20wpAiaDs430-Mt8C8dOQIYh47k4FVmzdSynK2IYv-vUU518yA_FzqwLqqa4OFreXoygqAzVpC9Ja0TZE/s400/waved+sphinx+face+close-up.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
It looked remarkably like a bunny! Who would have thought!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AFaBDocbeVEECZnQJ7T7b8wPGvBKy0iVZRVAixkrzgF0kSFfriTnuLjxXffcraD5fUyurzfxu-SL08D-KIZ4WUlAwkQUU0dJV6gk90DVBWQiMmbHPNs0C8Uoyi0ZlHPGm0B1CTmA9r8/s1600/wasp+mimic+beetle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7AFaBDocbeVEECZnQJ7T7b8wPGvBKy0iVZRVAixkrzgF0kSFfriTnuLjxXffcraD5fUyurzfxu-SL08D-KIZ4WUlAwkQUU0dJV6gk90DVBWQiMmbHPNs0C8Uoyi0ZlHPGm0B1CTmA9r8/s400/wasp+mimic+beetle.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
I am not positive who found this next critter. We were on a hike in the woods and I saw a pile of boys huddling around a log, all fixated on a small yellow and black creature. At first glance, I thought it was a wasp and made the boys slide back so they wouldn't get stung. Then I realized it was a borer, a type of beetle. No wonder I thought it was initially a wasp, the beetle's name is Wasp Mimic Beetle, <em>Clytus ruricola</em>. Imitating another more dangerous animal, in actions and color, help keep predators at bay. Another name for this beetle is Round-necked Beetle, for the rounded bulge near its head. The larvae feed on decaying hardwoods, especially maples.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9w4xDZtDQtBwqP5y4p0n1yFmRYCMyLA0m2Dbw7v4wGkAJ98dd4tlCcOrsZ-1py7Gz_VLk0zpfrxWj-Du2E6W0jLKAdMM0thJ75cqSh5Qgp5KYVk7eA4zgz0CF7XcoZG-E29vfhZU2iQ/s1600/cuckoo+wasp.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9w4xDZtDQtBwqP5y4p0n1yFmRYCMyLA0m2Dbw7v4wGkAJ98dd4tlCcOrsZ-1py7Gz_VLk0zpfrxWj-Du2E6W0jLKAdMM0thJ75cqSh5Qgp5KYVk7eA4zgz0CF7XcoZG-E29vfhZU2iQ/s400/cuckoo+wasp.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
This last bug landed on Linsi's water bottle. A beautiful metallic blue Cuckoo Wasp. Cuckoo Wasps are difficult to key out to species, so I will stick with the genus. I think this is <em>Chrysis sp</em>. Even though this critter is a wasp, I have never had a problem of them. They are never aggressive or try to sting. If they feel threatened, they will curl into a protective ball. Linsi thought it was so cute. But don't be fooled. In the wasp world, they are pretty vicious. Their double life is better than any horror movie. They are <strong>cleptoparasites</strong>, parasites that lay their eggs in another wasp's nest, stealing their food. The tiny larvae will emerge before the host species's young, then eat its eggs or larvae and the remainding food within the nest. Talk about an appetite!<br />
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Always cool things to see everyday. Look forward to finding more great things next week to share!Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-21921930560763295662011-06-08T22:57:00.005-04:002011-06-09T00:50:17.087-04:00Baltimore Oriole Nest<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn_D1cT9tViHL2pucIzHWD4nBEWyxf0kLLSixRpD_2GsoGljiDWkry503nXSJtL7a4SWsKwxt7nxAF961OZu7bhqpZOCG4pfbHpQTl3WOJ9mKsYeVeP7HZ6_BAuUcFtuRrbVuqYXtiPQ/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGn_D1cT9tViHL2pucIzHWD4nBEWyxf0kLLSixRpD_2GsoGljiDWkry503nXSJtL7a4SWsKwxt7nxAF961OZu7bhqpZOCG4pfbHpQTl3WOJ9mKsYeVeP7HZ6_BAuUcFtuRrbVuqYXtiPQ/s400/020.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>High in a Silver Maple tree, Miranda found a Baltimore Oriole, <em>Icterus galbula</em>, nest. I have been looking for it for a couple of weeks and was very excited to finally discover where Mr. and Mrs. Oriole had built their nest. For at least a month, the male has been flying around our building at Southeastway, all the while loudly chattering and whistling. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdlheF7hTYg1XMUIFh3z_Khlv1exvuKpdSVGWl5dz6jIZQP2GJ5y9BsulgRFUJW6B84smGyRdOemV9BtfgjZUtbiLcTet4DWKY9ziMsLz3_zu4bBrMsfza8534cUpaAlwtg1hxh1gr3c/s1600/nest+crop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdlheF7hTYg1XMUIFh3z_Khlv1exvuKpdSVGWl5dz6jIZQP2GJ5y9BsulgRFUJW6B84smGyRdOemV9BtfgjZUtbiLcTet4DWKY9ziMsLz3_zu4bBrMsfza8534cUpaAlwtg1hxh1gr3c/s400/nest+crop.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Here is a little closer look at the nest. It is a magnificent piece of construction, mainly created by the female oriole. She expertly weaves grasses and plant fibers with her beak into a hanging pouch that suspends below the branches, safely cradling the nestlings.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zj24PB61OFjK4O3TfeurRl6N0b7K99i-4Mcipgco5BowM_tTPD0kAaTMuCvl5eclI1uraqd2FGwe3IQkfO4kTUpmSUhgcH7t0C8HfuXHIiqnyA9UAjDSs9iXf4axedrLYusuQItRIIU/s1600/female+oriole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zj24PB61OFjK4O3TfeurRl6N0b7K99i-4Mcipgco5BowM_tTPD0kAaTMuCvl5eclI1uraqd2FGwe3IQkfO4kTUpmSUhgcH7t0C8HfuXHIiqnyA9UAjDSs9iXf4axedrLYusuQItRIIU/s400/female+oriole.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The female oriole, mistress architect, perched in a branch above the nest. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3zj24PB61OFjK4O3TfeurRl6N0b7K99i-4Mcipgco5BowM_tTPD0kAaTMuCvl5eclI1uraqd2FGwe3IQkfO4kTUpmSUhgcH7t0C8HfuXHIiqnyA9UAjDSs9iXf4axedrLYusuQItRIIU/s1600/female+oriole.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NdtBOjvZ4UIqN2Ik5FQB3Z3QbGLw9WAvR2tWhC_v02K7g5swtkvLQpwxczzuTwBsQ9a2Ll8Fq2ffMnvSdqIVl17W-UTGT9zRt-Cv9yAimYIv5vpCzet-opE-Qbt9GzOVN-RxwqBzl_w/s400/016.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></div><div align="left" class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;">Unfortunately, sometimes junior gets a bit adventurous and falls out of the nest. Since I witnessed Mom and Dad feeding it, I left it alone. There is always the urge to rescue a young bird, but the parents know exactly what a young oriole needs. Though tempting, I realize I could never provide for it like the parents. </div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOWiDPb0Wgxn_Hf4Q4Cryw_azzHZ12pjb3VFCOej5YYIBCIEEWo62qWdNDkq8IpD5I2Pm0PRhKz4ezLcvhxbUxWF6flqbnivzxhuzbwxmSP4keQeSvjYzUlrCaIp52rdE0l_KHzgiIZY/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOWiDPb0Wgxn_Hf4Q4Cryw_azzHZ12pjb3VFCOej5YYIBCIEEWo62qWdNDkq8IpD5I2Pm0PRhKz4ezLcvhxbUxWF6flqbnivzxhuzbwxmSP4keQeSvjYzUlrCaIp52rdE0l_KHzgiIZY/s400/025.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This brilliant orange blaze, although somewhat blurry, is the gorgeous male proudly announcing his presence. He darted around so quicky, it was difficult to get any decent shots of him. This is the third year in a row we have found an oriole nest near our building. I hope they continue to nest at our park for many years to come! </div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-53462659585391643962011-06-06T16:35:00.001-04:002011-06-06T16:36:16.272-04:00Grassland Birds at the AirportI was driving home from Illinois Sunday evening, following I-70, and managed to overshoot my exit by quite a bit. I saw the exit for the <a href="http://www.indianapolisairport.com/information_news/airport_mountComfort.aspx">Mt. Comfort Airport</a> (Now called the Indianapolis Regional Airport) and remembered a post on <a href="https://listserv.indiana.edu/cgi-bin/wa-iub.exe?A0=IN-BIRD-L">IN-bird</a> from Don Gorney about Upland Sandpipers a few days ago. So, to take great advantage of a unfortunate mistake, I decided to give Don a ring and ask him where I was most likely to see them. I am so glad I missed my exit!<br />
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Since I was at an airport, even though it was a small one, I was a bit nervous about taking photos. And the birds were a bit too far away to get anything worth showing anyway, so I am going to use good old Wikipedia for the photos. Hope you all don't mind too much :)<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sHGTmVx7yI7ndvbBPQlEDjkhc-cShsFMilSxuNTy4hQUIDqSwx0gxoLmokfCADDDrap9bTMo6AYV4POsQQNrYdJdYxT03VDkj2enUomrOTjoE80xn8uWPK9RfXOFXFoLIN4Y1fCYV-k/s1600/529px-UplandSandpiperOntarioCropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6sHGTmVx7yI7ndvbBPQlEDjkhc-cShsFMilSxuNTy4hQUIDqSwx0gxoLmokfCADDDrap9bTMo6AYV4POsQQNrYdJdYxT03VDkj2enUomrOTjoE80xn8uWPK9RfXOFXFoLIN4Y1fCYV-k/s400/529px-UplandSandpiperOntarioCropped.jpg" t8="true" width="352px" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Upland Sandpiper, photo from Wikipedia</span></strong></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>So here is the star of the show, the Upland Sandpiper, <span style="font-family: Verdana,Italic; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,Italic; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: small;"><em>Bartramia longicauda.</em> </span></span></span>I was able to get great looks at three of them, all out in the open at the same time. I also was treated to their wolf whistle call, "Wheet-woo". It always makes me laugh. :) Upland Sandpiper is a state-endangered bird for Indiana<em>.</em> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SEjlsDzI9eu2Mp2BJCstLZ-jZngKHdNAS27bFMHTaee-6_OaEtY2GjHMyMyExj3Q0NqXmmfmIOT1ZSxNoJxvhjYKJQmKWSXj4jR1NpUdWdLcIgyfcEUd4BstJlefdc2AdASaV4nnqDM/s1600/693px-Passerculus_sandwichensis_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SEjlsDzI9eu2Mp2BJCstLZ-jZngKHdNAS27bFMHTaee-6_OaEtY2GjHMyMyExj3Q0NqXmmfmIOT1ZSxNoJxvhjYKJQmKWSXj4jR1NpUdWdLcIgyfcEUd4BstJlefdc2AdASaV4nnqDM/s400/693px-Passerculus_sandwichensis_crop.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Savannah Sparrow, photo from Wikipedia</strong></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I soon heard the "Take it easy" song of the Savannah Sparrow. Such a pretty sparrow, with its pink legs, yellow lores and speckled breast. I had one right behind my car, not more than 8 feet away. Beautiful! I found a few more during my visit.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFuuqkQqVdXM9MqnTaDTks3fgFkPRDWeBekvos6tqZMwCmFMsXHp5CIvn0aSvyz89UHHUCxw1SZm9eeAhkWd_CT3Kgrkp3qwM-Hv6EhjcvL_0u0UNKBTRIBtPSdh5U-VIpKEoAwvBO_8/s1600/300px-Eastern+Meadowlark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFuuqkQqVdXM9MqnTaDTks3fgFkPRDWeBekvos6tqZMwCmFMsXHp5CIvn0aSvyz89UHHUCxw1SZm9eeAhkWd_CT3Kgrkp3qwM-Hv6EhjcvL_0u0UNKBTRIBtPSdh5U-VIpKEoAwvBO_8/s400/300px-Eastern+Meadowlark.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Eastern Meadowlark, photo from Wikipedia </span></strong></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I found about 10 Eastern Meadowlarks scattered about the property. Some were perching on fences, others were flying about and quickly disappearing into the grass. Their brilliant yellow chest with the deep black "V" really stood out in the evening sun. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w3yPM1va1oN1LFU_-oAb1XCD8u6z85oAvlCLOl2nUxJg0irVGFHIKCtcdRHcBC3kz5q77mnxH_wuzD3uFKyO8X_lcXSdbCqQPBuM6IMfzYanoAChae-GdxT1mwrXyCmbyxsC7a3N4jQ/s1600/Horned+Lark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_w3yPM1va1oN1LFU_-oAb1XCD8u6z85oAvlCLOl2nUxJg0irVGFHIKCtcdRHcBC3kz5q77mnxH_wuzD3uFKyO8X_lcXSdbCqQPBuM6IMfzYanoAChae-GdxT1mwrXyCmbyxsC7a3N4jQ/s400/Horned+Lark.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Horned Lark, photo from Wikipedia</span></strong></div><br />
There were two Horned Larks taking a dust bath on the road. They were preening their feathers and tossing about the dust from the road. Many birds use dust baths to help reduce avian parasites, like lice. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxkzR_56upMLw9kY2s_QcRhJv_M2C-PBc3Xa2nSpW4AhyphenhyphenlaMXyzUUWdnM2k2CJpxoSpWux8ZajCJdqxAGwe4IX3UFC8PAzRpNu977GPlKlJrSLr2Gsbi00YVFuRf1EvaB8K5X7DThtHQ/s1600/Spiza_americana_male_94_231051626_13e01e8125_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxkzR_56upMLw9kY2s_QcRhJv_M2C-PBc3Xa2nSpW4AhyphenhyphenlaMXyzUUWdnM2k2CJpxoSpWux8ZajCJdqxAGwe4IX3UFC8PAzRpNu977GPlKlJrSLr2Gsbi00YVFuRf1EvaB8K5X7DThtHQ/s400/Spiza_americana_male_94_231051626_13e01e8125_o.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Dickcissel, photo from Wikipedia</strong></span></div><br />
I heard a sound behind me and turned to see a favorite grassland bird. "Dic-dic-sizzle, sizzle" called a handsome male Dickcissel which was perched up on the fence. I watched him sing for a long while, happily soaking it all in. </div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00BlsThi83iSuHVk7OlWOiem4QGwHDN-GKSMA08yTw8PXmhpukSmbpyN4nqD2knAeXpUDL165lpZQczkngHSWrlobx6uSXNddfgNnbleXYpBtP_T0ow-f9GYh3-SyUVCsdZ-1J8lI9r8/s1600/Bobolink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh00BlsThi83iSuHVk7OlWOiem4QGwHDN-GKSMA08yTw8PXmhpukSmbpyN4nqD2knAeXpUDL165lpZQczkngHSWrlobx6uSXNddfgNnbleXYpBtP_T0ow-f9GYh3-SyUVCsdZ-1J8lI9r8/s400/Bobolink.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><strong>Bobolink, photo from Wikipedia</strong></span></div><div align="center"></div><div align="left">A few birds flew overhead and called. Bobolinks! I love their bubbly call, like a miniature <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R2-D2">R2D2</a> from Star Wars. "Spink-spank-spink"! They dove into the grass and disappeared from sight. </div><div align="left"><br />
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</div><div align="left">I love when I make a mistake and end up with a good result. What a nice ending to the weekend! </div><div align="left"><br />
</div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-2070302375551701502011-06-03T22:35:00.000-04:002011-06-03T22:35:04.992-04:00Water Day-Baby Cricket FrogToday was water day for our preschool Wiggle Worms camp. We tromped out to the pond and used dip nets to catch all kinds of critters. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6Jdi6wuxQkZegcaXQkdx-FlgyTyoyFWWE5mQKvuWNTrxRBwhA_UNguvuyCBQAafI7URSEGy_LmSdiT9cYCzQH3q-zYZ9duDTpBaCBY1SxGPS3UXOXTrB5eNeSbcuHYw-J9Exoo9rf8Q/s1600/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW6Jdi6wuxQkZegcaXQkdx-FlgyTyoyFWWE5mQKvuWNTrxRBwhA_UNguvuyCBQAafI7URSEGy_LmSdiT9cYCzQH3q-zYZ9duDTpBaCBY1SxGPS3UXOXTrB5eNeSbcuHYw-J9Exoo9rf8Q/s400/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+010.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>This critter is a dragonfly nymph, the aquatic stage of the dragonfly. Earlier in the day, Linsi read the story <strong>Dazzling Dragonflies</strong> by Linda Glaser to the campers. This is an excellent book for young children on the dragonfly life cycle. Since they were already prepared by the book, they were really excited to catch these somewhat creepy-looking insects. Many were excitedly screaming " I caught a baby dragonfly!" <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzuwsOAHIidDSEq32d-LYc7PrC3a9RNqluhGrErgCMIkuCCVnnwpiQvPwZxmAWlqLPypR9ZDUFZkiGKhTH0ZkOGJgP2eJWwnGl0E8c6Ty_-dduB_8bR2JLZg1AycBLnX1H2wSZmcFVAQ/s1600/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAzuwsOAHIidDSEq32d-LYc7PrC3a9RNqluhGrErgCMIkuCCVnnwpiQvPwZxmAWlqLPypR9ZDUFZkiGKhTH0ZkOGJgP2eJWwnGl0E8c6Ty_-dduB_8bR2JLZg1AycBLnX1H2wSZmcFVAQ/s400/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+016.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This lizard-like creature is a damselfly nymph. Damselflies are in the same order as dragonflies. The abdomens of adult damselflies are more slender than most dragonflies and they hold their wings folded over their backs while dragonflies hold them out to the sides of their body. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYYwTOtcVWYA8hR_6d17g7381CLLZLewwxzZ3DGpZro3RzHYtBQ9MmdnNt23-9YSTogy1fpAJWrtcm42gOB_fXl9KpxLKeaDyxa94_kfKwWKWkwPttJXFIb_WMpbfjNF-D0I7e9g0bQQ/s1600/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbYYwTOtcVWYA8hR_6d17g7381CLLZLewwxzZ3DGpZro3RzHYtBQ9MmdnNt23-9YSTogy1fpAJWrtcm42gOB_fXl9KpxLKeaDyxa94_kfKwWKWkwPttJXFIb_WMpbfjNF-D0I7e9g0bQQ/s400/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+019.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>This critter is a young crayfish, or crawdad, if you will. Many of the kids thought they were lobsters, which they do resemble. Even though it was too tiny to do any harm, it was a feisty little thing!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLFlZNfSrn7CAwTetN78RKRCiSXshzHmOZnqeq-HmIFN4SdnrKi6pzQs0ch_5p-Zj9KC_xK6FwIgSTg4mIhLy2z6k48Y13n6X8MGw5V5g3TQ4eTcQNVLPCEfAnXQk8lFWdrF8ak3izOM/s1600/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLFlZNfSrn7CAwTetN78RKRCiSXshzHmOZnqeq-HmIFN4SdnrKi6pzQs0ch_5p-Zj9KC_xK6FwIgSTg4mIhLy2z6k48Y13n6X8MGw5V5g3TQ4eTcQNVLPCEfAnXQk8lFWdrF8ak3izOM/s400/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+009.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>We even found part of a fascinating plant. This is <a href="http://indyparks.blogspot.com/2008/07/bladderwort-carnivorous-plant.html">Common Bladderwort</a>, a carnivorous plant. The bladders, the dark, round objects in the photo, trap tiny pond creatures and produce enzymes to digest the prey. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aZQyvK-4HtgIN3RALC-yFgR4bHBe8LZbScm27RAfZkj9y3FyU1cUGF1Oh9vz55t1vt9nmRVX9xR4cL8YhgbbfcHoz7QBDI-97r_b3i5Y-ec-5hFqhyphenhyphenh7EfiDc1xmM6wRGYAJ1XW1Pus/s1600/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aZQyvK-4HtgIN3RALC-yFgR4bHBe8LZbScm27RAfZkj9y3FyU1cUGF1Oh9vz55t1vt9nmRVX9xR4cL8YhgbbfcHoz7QBDI-97r_b3i5Y-ec-5hFqhyphenhyphenh7EfiDc1xmM6wRGYAJ1XW1Pus/s400/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+002.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Blanchard's Cricket Frog, <em>Acris crepitans blanchardi, </em>a sub-species of the Northern Cricket Frog, posed nicely for a photo. I think its face kinda looks like Kermit, if Kermit was brown. These frogs are masters of camouflage, as you can see on <a href="http://indyparks.blogspot.com/2010/10/natures-adaptations.html">another post</a>. Also, Nothern Cricket Frogs are a Species of Special Concern for Indiana, which means their numbers are declining, so they are on a watch list. I am very pleased they like our pond! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXWcGw18FOaBBBFrs7izscFoGk646Q00shqWu3FKnnpkljZUUTqyBieKoej8nDZY7CJCPAE9Bpi-KmagiIKu9zO2QtBOdtxFyuDPxQuc9Fkf-mCkDkQ6AHlk4Uo2jVpuYja-uLL3BDv4/s1600/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXWcGw18FOaBBBFrs7izscFoGk646Q00shqWu3FKnnpkljZUUTqyBieKoej8nDZY7CJCPAE9Bpi-KmagiIKu9zO2QtBOdtxFyuDPxQuc9Fkf-mCkDkQ6AHlk4Uo2jVpuYja-uLL3BDv4/s400/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+006.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>The big excitement for the day was catching these little guys! A young cricket frog, smaller than my thumbnail! Wow! <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm2hg0GSZ97GI4UCrDBAi1vlMaLVml77RAWct5lWoj-lTVX0g46zu7RAtMnejdVre_UOjbxQPsskmZcxfOpzVLY0dT4TQhQiGnrkyfOgcZpLxY-wv6xs_knOEpPnoZeNRWzRKcqrwcsI/s1600/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+007+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmm2hg0GSZ97GI4UCrDBAi1vlMaLVml77RAWct5lWoj-lTVX0g46zu7RAtMnejdVre_UOjbxQPsskmZcxfOpzVLY0dT4TQhQiGnrkyfOgcZpLxY-wv6xs_knOEpPnoZeNRWzRKcqrwcsI/s400/Southeastway++6-3-2011+cricket+frog+007+crop.jpg" t8="true" width="391px" /></a></div>And then we caught this one. A cricket frog that still had its tail! It was still going through metamorphosis and was even smaller than the last one! It was such a great day out at the pond, exploring and discovering many, many cool things!Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-73667953038003352642011-05-31T13:07:00.000-04:002011-05-31T13:07:10.060-04:00Red-winged Blackbird Nest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each spring we look forward to the return of the Red-winged Blackbirds, <em>Agelaius phoeniceus</em>, to our wetland. The males usually show up in early March, singing their "Con-cur-ee" song, announcing to all the ladies that they have aquired some prime real estate for nesting. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzEoQ76s2Id29cAgph3NeFSSbHxjQdU8tNwjefquxFMirbnmIDsB86UrfctBBOeg8v3D_iII1Kp0qFXLK77jKZ2ucKGTbb-_csCowoZAWgkzAS-g6uXrV9EUi0jPlLDOEKYx6jhtw4GI/s1600/102+Red-winged+Blackbird.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzEoQ76s2Id29cAgph3NeFSSbHxjQdU8tNwjefquxFMirbnmIDsB86UrfctBBOeg8v3D_iII1Kp0qFXLK77jKZ2ucKGTbb-_csCowoZAWgkzAS-g6uXrV9EUi0jPlLDOEKYx6jhtw4GI/s400/102+Red-winged+Blackbird.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Above is the male Red-winged Blackbird, a real looker with his jet black feathers accented with scarlet epaulettes trimmed in yellow. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLFLkK4U9BpI1pfkQCiOurROwZHRBzCO4W-v1RmbuQSkaJtHuZmgS_tYSTr5ObLMMuwfgN_BSckMIHWUlns1PZ-7Sr6e4z-y3VTFHVWGK8x4uS0mWhWNh7OjsItdyi1mIxqyp69SWE0U/s1600/030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLFLkK4U9BpI1pfkQCiOurROwZHRBzCO4W-v1RmbuQSkaJtHuZmgS_tYSTr5ObLMMuwfgN_BSckMIHWUlns1PZ-7Sr6e4z-y3VTFHVWGK8x4uS0mWhWNh7OjsItdyi1mIxqyp69SWE0U/s400/030.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>This is the female. She is also a beautiful bird, but very camouflaged. This is so she can blend in with the nest and not be noticed by predators. She builds a nest from grasses and reeds and tucks it down among the cattails. It is hard to spot the nest at first, but by careful observation, one can determine where she has hidden it. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7V8Ze_yXX9Wqw9DP-o_tDQCi3xEfqQx5ALnLUk3hyphenhyphen9m-fVDR7Psho-wkevjJnIuaZ8z8N5hjqx4rrayJRpHBWJq0eO0Y2_r9wpZyeqhrn96ikw22e8Y_AzA9Ezy8ccf2beSR2Tcpkuk/s1600/026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7V8Ze_yXX9Wqw9DP-o_tDQCi3xEfqQx5ALnLUk3hyphenhyphen9m-fVDR7Psho-wkevjJnIuaZ8z8N5hjqx4rrayJRpHBWJq0eO0Y2_r9wpZyeqhrn96ikw22e8Y_AzA9Ezy8ccf2beSR2Tcpkuk/s400/026.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The nest is almost dead center in this photo. I don't expect you to find it, but wanted to show how well they can hide the nest. Many times I would go out to check on the nest and not find it right away, even though I knew exactly where it was. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLQUcgWk-kkRv3SI0xioKf4D4mPE21piY9QS-u59CBenusl01cN4GxjVFoTfcJUCExJA0frPgUX9SLx0dG0KYLOSoSnfbyqqtFahhzP7agXk0eHx-mbS_Q01vCSzPc6umm27ZupwiVos/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLLQUcgWk-kkRv3SI0xioKf4D4mPE21piY9QS-u59CBenusl01cN4GxjVFoTfcJUCExJA0frPgUX9SLx0dG0KYLOSoSnfbyqqtFahhzP7agXk0eHx-mbS_Q01vCSzPc6umm27ZupwiVos/s400/028.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">And here is the nest, closeup with the baby Red-winged Blackbirds. They were just starting to get their feathers. When they get their full set of feathers, they will at first all look like the female. The young males will eventually get an orangish patch on their shoulder. Hopefully, they will all make it to adulthood and we will enjoy their song for years to come. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-25765575869663457302011-05-30T02:02:00.000-04:002011-05-30T02:02:31.819-04:00Wood PoppyOur Wood Poppies, <em>Stylophorum diphyllum</em>, at Southeastway are almost finished blooming. Just a few blossoms are left, hanging on to the last days of spring. Such a striking yellow plant, I eagerly look forward each spring for them to bloom and am somewhat sad when they are finished for the season. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1VRjSjGrSUB28lDU22WP22s67_hVhAOTf-kWFpKOurod_FeWgK80ViSyGfZMqIhaJDkDVt3YYNud3Ppl3JDX1soJHIzSc49qLVP1XohrXbrQKf7FsCciyWD0zCP_lwyKKJj_ucW5jp0/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe1VRjSjGrSUB28lDU22WP22s67_hVhAOTf-kWFpKOurod_FeWgK80ViSyGfZMqIhaJDkDVt3YYNud3Ppl3JDX1soJHIzSc49qLVP1XohrXbrQKf7FsCciyWD0zCP_lwyKKJj_ucW5jp0/s400/023.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlFmi05_74Vkd4USvYVqdwqPESttQvSnwMeEMcDK7O095Eg-YXLzqkKBSeQPAisnjXQ56QFreC7hVLXLhDMwBn7XKALGreBhfatPzDZQpvhlZagS3W157huu9RPCaTpEXp2g7-CcQmS4/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlFmi05_74Vkd4USvYVqdwqPESttQvSnwMeEMcDK7O095Eg-YXLzqkKBSeQPAisnjXQ56QFreC7hVLXLhDMwBn7XKALGreBhfatPzDZQpvhlZagS3W157huu9RPCaTpEXp2g7-CcQmS4/s400/024.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>They are called poppies because their seed capsule, when ripe, will burst open or pop when touched expelling the seeds across the ground. Hopefully, they will produce many more of these beautiful flowers to enjoy next year!Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-48726401605697437422011-05-27T16:59:00.001-04:002011-05-27T17:00:57.214-04:00Some Cool Finds at the Park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another great day with lots of cool finds in the park. Today, Miranda and I were visited by the first graders from Indianapolis Public School 90. These energetic students were eager to learn and had very sharp eyes! One of our finds is in the following pictures. See if you can spot it! </div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYTVIYQ-SmPWWi1smXQtjEl_abUCH4CeQxMP6TgSde3k9W177hGjsHFP3bQWbet21sm3TV0KaB8LpGHhRyI0HGgB_i6l3trweqjCIcaxpAeTGvSjnjInXb2hGsuoowWO_sImu3Ngr53A/s1600/Southeastway++5-27-2011+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYTVIYQ-SmPWWi1smXQtjEl_abUCH4CeQxMP6TgSde3k9W177hGjsHFP3bQWbet21sm3TV0KaB8LpGHhRyI0HGgB_i6l3trweqjCIcaxpAeTGvSjnjInXb2hGsuoowWO_sImu3Ngr53A/s400/Southeastway++5-27-2011+007.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Okay, I will give you a hint, it is right in the middle of the photo below, circled in red. :) <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTuEJY4qxjPIRB4Z5r0aCWZfV1i90jY7M_Pa-YvjSddr-NOA3WvjatnQN53jR5nU2e7txaVt1z6ZRL38-zxOLlo7KRIWJq77CCBJECyBgel5SXOpiNU1-gO6d0vcpWyUWAZFDWffiwFQ/s1600/Southeastway++5-27-2011+007+circle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZTuEJY4qxjPIRB4Z5r0aCWZfV1i90jY7M_Pa-YvjSddr-NOA3WvjatnQN53jR5nU2e7txaVt1z6ZRL38-zxOLlo7KRIWJq77CCBJECyBgel5SXOpiNU1-gO6d0vcpWyUWAZFDWffiwFQ/s400/Southeastway++5-27-2011+007+circle.JPG" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div> Here is a closer shot, you might be able to make it out in the next photo. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjghnmg7AV0nLYTAbrT1ULYrflQSkiw1tlyoikUJm6O_ZzhCXoPQdk6aeSTyAvlm-eZ-QwLiWE2-GDKrnpW9h8ZerdioFZSX2WP39hoIoFTR-9ibrm0SEWlP0Vnjln2OlO9D-Tbdy8bc/s1600/Southeastway++5-27-2011+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvjghnmg7AV0nLYTAbrT1ULYrflQSkiw1tlyoikUJm6O_ZzhCXoPQdk6aeSTyAvlm-eZ-QwLiWE2-GDKrnpW9h8ZerdioFZSX2WP39hoIoFTR-9ibrm0SEWlP0Vnjln2OlO9D-Tbdy8bc/s400/Southeastway++5-27-2011+006.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Now I am quite confident you will be able to see it in this next photo. Don't feel bad if you couldn't spot it in the other photos. I couldn't find it at first when Miranda showed it to me. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGLKD6cAbbIN_cVU0n9YnjRBrgrl4cBfweLWBIQ-Gi3LQb2mwZ6qiRxY79ean762z0cXjUFq9xUrv22P73tN5Fau4zpymMRrPnjoZ5MtIZF_F-QUpkxMeH1v65kY81wviD9vSDR-OyjM/s1600/Southeastway++5-27-2011+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGLKD6cAbbIN_cVU0n9YnjRBrgrl4cBfweLWBIQ-Gi3LQb2mwZ6qiRxY79ean762z0cXjUFq9xUrv22P73tN5Fau4zpymMRrPnjoZ5MtIZF_F-QUpkxMeH1v65kY81wviD9vSDR-OyjM/s400/Southeastway++5-27-2011+005.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Mama robin sitting on her nest! She was well-camouflaged. Most of the children were able to see the male robin busily harvesting juicy worms from the dirt in the turf grass below the nest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTimCt7CuIhq_wyvmWqtsrdPBqsoWKfCCv4VTj2aj7zr2E8oovn4Cg5RiYL6u92bOUdftF-s2jxOHhlbUQQIoqibjpFc9jgc2OifXtmyXAZH2QMk2hyphenhyphenTmKJ5an8j1pbd1gYnlsuUJNNs/s1600/Southeastway++5-27-2011+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigTimCt7CuIhq_wyvmWqtsrdPBqsoWKfCCv4VTj2aj7zr2E8oovn4Cg5RiYL6u92bOUdftF-s2jxOHhlbUQQIoqibjpFc9jgc2OifXtmyXAZH2QMk2hyphenhyphenTmKJ5an8j1pbd1gYnlsuUJNNs/s400/Southeastway++5-27-2011+010.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>One of the students spied this male Luna Moth, <em>Actias luna</em>, fluttering its wings in this Spicebush shrub. This was a special treat because you don't get to see Luna Moths everyday. Seeing the moth was many of the students favorite part of the trip. You can see a better shot of its wings in this <a href="http://indyparks.blogspot.com/2011/05/luna-moth.html">post</a>. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38A0TwGfirzIs90I8WcyfBdqv00PqiKCR93xhEit23PF2SU33GNDfGQxN7hyMrrUxHeofI2s_2NcyDYlg87YyckfpLAtH9VHQwyVHTJkTGsBXnJj3SktBtxBHGEHImc-69Ty6EUeW8nY/s1600/Southeastway++5-27-2011+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg38A0TwGfirzIs90I8WcyfBdqv00PqiKCR93xhEit23PF2SU33GNDfGQxN7hyMrrUxHeofI2s_2NcyDYlg87YyckfpLAtH9VHQwyVHTJkTGsBXnJj3SktBtxBHGEHImc-69Ty6EUeW8nY/s400/Southeastway++5-27-2011+013.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here is a closer view of the moth. The feathery antennae of the male help it locate the female by detecting pheromones she emits from her abdomen. He can pick up her scent from miles away. The Luna Moths have a short life-cycle, and only live up to seven days. Because they live for such a short time, they do not have mouthparts and do not feed. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbf4xQRYm6Vrj9HdtZK9VMrrdd8isNYlk5ukLQ4bQOBrzEQX825sy79hBW2sk2qiWjakrYhgRbasDRPSCeBHUwcJhnirch3rnGLoGE4v4dkw6d-Dd9RezNx6HJT-2a6tFQzJKFpVzPlw/s1600/Southeastway++5-27-2011+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlbf4xQRYm6Vrj9HdtZK9VMrrdd8isNYlk5ukLQ4bQOBrzEQX825sy79hBW2sk2qiWjakrYhgRbasDRPSCeBHUwcJhnirch3rnGLoGE4v4dkw6d-Dd9RezNx6HJT-2a6tFQzJKFpVzPlw/s400/Southeastway++5-27-2011+015.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Since we have had a few storms in the last couple of days, some of the American Tulip Trees, <em>Liriodendron tulipifera</em>, had lost a few of their blossoms. The children were fascinated with the beautiful flowers. You can see the leaf of the tree in this photo, which I think looks a little like a cat's face. (Use your imagination, people. :) )The ears are the two pointed lobes on the top part of the leaf and the two lobes on the side of the leaf resemble the cat's whiskers. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBdQOWvqjOfctuNlTTETx0ACmme1xY254hIm7hueQcANJonoyBXh38AqYBRqbVWtLUNpVV7Vkl6VkwgSgdGX3tTmKOizufPnyHJ6Wh7F4Mvy-3xJofV5nf7jKLXgPGZH3twJdk-Q7rag/s1600/Southeastway++5-27-2011+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBdQOWvqjOfctuNlTTETx0ACmme1xY254hIm7hueQcANJonoyBXh38AqYBRqbVWtLUNpVV7Vkl6VkwgSgdGX3tTmKOizufPnyHJ6Wh7F4Mvy-3xJofV5nf7jKLXgPGZH3twJdk-Q7rag/s400/Southeastway++5-27-2011+014.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a closeup of one of my favorite flowers with its pale yellow petals accented with brilliant orange. The trees are so tall and stately and produce tons of gorgeous blossoms. And the scientific name is very fitting-<em>Liriodendron</em> means "lily tree". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Another great day out! Look for Luna Moths, Tulip Tree blossoms and robin nests on your outdoor adventures this weekend! </div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-81222813956039426112011-05-26T15:28:00.000-04:002011-05-26T15:28:30.534-04:00Baby Painted Turtle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Each day brings something new, especially when you work in a park. Today, one of our maintenance staff, Adam Helton, brought a newly hatched Painted Turtle, <em>Chrysemys picta<strong>,</strong></em> into my office. He rescued it from a puddle, where it was happily swimming around. Unfortunately, the puddle was in the path of traffic and only a few minutes after Adam had scooped up the turtle, a vehicle drove through the puddle. The little turtle was very lucky that Adam had stopped by and took the time to rescue it. Thank you so much, Adam! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr67qrRX8TuGhJmAGu-1kA-zy6Jk0DoVoOvwdDuhaYullBOcT_-JwzYWOdjiQu4iuNZI3PE14r_fluN6Ar-ybYRXBJ_5s0aSGHJzPW_pcS1TbOXLZuU17C9PxOp06wlpezyzrDqp4RyU/s1600/Painted+Turtle++5-26-2011+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOr67qrRX8TuGhJmAGu-1kA-zy6Jk0DoVoOvwdDuhaYullBOcT_-JwzYWOdjiQu4iuNZI3PE14r_fluN6Ar-ybYRXBJ_5s0aSGHJzPW_pcS1TbOXLZuU17C9PxOp06wlpezyzrDqp4RyU/s400/Painted+Turtle++5-26-2011+008.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div> I took the turtle to our wetland area, where it could get all of its needs, yet not worry about big fish possibly snacking on it. It seemed quite happy in its new home. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJfqywMavmouXYvCZwHblz-qh10ttGUQoHeltOB-dTASIL5dk85uVqWv5xP6jILaUhmcT3Hz7NjmIKSaip-y2yjyXAY8DeyYHctnWuoGLFwbp3D-Sc_Divbh3H7Zb6RVQhMGbAkNCUKI/s1600/Painted+Turtle++5-26-2011+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJfqywMavmouXYvCZwHblz-qh10ttGUQoHeltOB-dTASIL5dk85uVqWv5xP6jILaUhmcT3Hz7NjmIKSaip-y2yjyXAY8DeyYHctnWuoGLFwbp3D-Sc_Divbh3H7Zb6RVQhMGbAkNCUKI/s400/Painted+Turtle++5-26-2011+006.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div> Here is a shot of its red belly. The Painted Turtle gets its name from its bright yellow and red markings. <br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LGCqdIDr1Tj8WLkaa0TfEOZrJXi4tCPMvXBCJWrr0TiDAw-0wH0A8J6eySJ0A4Eit-Fc8cvO1hjUM9jUDo7sHepQAJ0ajAv8AVua1nqjFMiP_FN_xsMDUPbvBBuB5fkajriOR6H9SVs/s1600/Painted+Turtle++5-26-2011+005+crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5LGCqdIDr1Tj8WLkaa0TfEOZrJXi4tCPMvXBCJWrr0TiDAw-0wH0A8J6eySJ0A4Eit-Fc8cvO1hjUM9jUDo7sHepQAJ0ajAv8AVua1nqjFMiP_FN_xsMDUPbvBBuB5fkajriOR6H9SVs/s400/Painted+Turtle++5-26-2011+005+crop.jpg" t8="true" width="306px" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I titled this photo "<strong>Lady, you are on my last nerve</strong>." Apparently, even turtles do not care for paparazzi. As you can see it is not much bigger that a penny, and probably just hatched in the last day or so. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBQ7MNg9MEjtYXnsm7SybR26gU2MXsozAcYXRNhoR3WIiXoL2JgT8FmqiTL47z1wE8wn9BaFVt9dG9qz9nw5C6Ihd7-bvHljECzQIB4yHmELKeDPrZqWcjJIwNiov0D0ZpiZ_HhbD5K8/s1600/Painted+Turtle++5-26-2011+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBQ7MNg9MEjtYXnsm7SybR26gU2MXsozAcYXRNhoR3WIiXoL2JgT8FmqiTL47z1wE8wn9BaFVt9dG9qz9nw5C6Ihd7-bvHljECzQIB4yHmELKeDPrZqWcjJIwNiov0D0ZpiZ_HhbD5K8/s400/Painted+Turtle++5-26-2011+012.jpg" t8="true" width="400px" /></a></div>Adam also showed me an adult Painted Turtle that had been hit by a car. This is the time of year when female turtles will travel to find a suitable place to lay their eggs. Unfortunately, she was hit by a car before she made it to her destination. When she was hit, she expelled seven eggs. Five were broken, but two were still in perfect shape. I took them to the wetland area where I had released the baby turtle and covered all but the top of the eggs with dirt. Hopefully, they will hatch, and we will have a few more Painted Turtles to look forward to.Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-59237955684022090472011-05-21T05:00:00.004-04:002011-05-21T05:00:02.691-04:00Oven Bird Nest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Over the weekend, I participated in the Ohio Heritage Naturalist hike at <a href="http://www.hi-y.org/CL-About.html">Cave Lake</a> in Pike County near Latham, Ohio. While there, Marjie Becus found an Oven Bird nest. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIAICW5aHkckjY-eZKQ8kHnxtTtHD_QqwWSFKqlSviaJYH0_zTZMqqMbOReFhGDnJ5y3HnvwtwZU_VbsnGPosEkS1TCGyVyhlr-Msfrh1H_80Sjj1b3uy9zTwhsSU_m6g7GYk0_uDkG0/s1600/Seiurus_aurocapillus_FWS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="284px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGIAICW5aHkckjY-eZKQ8kHnxtTtHD_QqwWSFKqlSviaJYH0_zTZMqqMbOReFhGDnJ5y3HnvwtwZU_VbsnGPosEkS1TCGyVyhlr-Msfrh1H_80Sjj1b3uy9zTwhsSU_m6g7GYk0_uDkG0/s320/Seiurus_aurocapillus_FWS.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Oven Bird photo from Wikipedia. </strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Oven Birds, <em>Seiurus aurocapillus</em>, are small migratory songbirds in the warbler family. They are colored olive-brown with a white breast streaked with dark brown markings. The crown of its head is adorned with an orange streak that is bordered with dark brown. This latin name <em>aurocapillus </em>alludes to the orange crown and means "golden hair". </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uIuq62QN5_2BPIpjhI-Va1pBx5nS0pWAZUTdxO59iKca-bnCiuVLlhYHT0gaIE7SaflrDNBVn1I-Gp1CLvkOKUPNaUtpZdTFNHQj2XG4M9Wa8zzduM9o1t3L0X3D-Lpt6Ui5TH_gmfs/s1600/054+ovenbird+nest.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5uIuq62QN5_2BPIpjhI-Va1pBx5nS0pWAZUTdxO59iKca-bnCiuVLlhYHT0gaIE7SaflrDNBVn1I-Gp1CLvkOKUPNaUtpZdTFNHQj2XG4M9Wa8zzduM9o1t3L0X3D-Lpt6Ui5TH_gmfs/s400/054+ovenbird+nest.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div>The Oven Bird is a warbler that nests on the ground. The common name of the bird comes from its unique nest that resembles a old-fashioned brick oven.The bird constructs the nest with leaves and grasses and makes a roof to protect the eggs and conceal it from predators. The female bird will quietly sit on the nest, motionless. Marjie almost stepped on the nest before the female flushed. The male is quite the opposite. His persistent calls of "TEA-cher, TEA-cher, TEA-cher will loudly ring throughout the forest. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2GJ9-ErmPF4bnXXdwx8g92_Dh1-xq6rItRMCWRA0N4WJmpEt6CmvaK8bRV28tF3JmWrMMMZNNhEfVgfDJ0JvWv3cWQ0IOfHmcwdT6y3iRTh9bzf8n_OJXkJPqZTVLOm1Qlnl_yqCRCU/s1600/054+eggs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2GJ9-ErmPF4bnXXdwx8g92_Dh1-xq6rItRMCWRA0N4WJmpEt6CmvaK8bRV28tF3JmWrMMMZNNhEfVgfDJ0JvWv3cWQ0IOfHmcwdT6y3iRTh9bzf8n_OJXkJPqZTVLOm1Qlnl_yqCRCU/s320/054+eggs.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Here is a closer view of the speckled eggs inside the nest. The Oven Bird will lay 3-6 cream colored eggs speckled with brown spots. This was the first Oven Bird nest I had encountered, so I was quite fascinated with its artful construction and perfect camouflage. Amazing! </div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3792529615513215574.post-17709344245724709922011-05-20T11:16:00.000-04:002011-05-20T11:16:43.381-04:00Environmental Adventure DayOn Thursday, April 28th, we hosted Environmental Adventure Day at Southeastway Park. We had a great turnout of over 330 children and about 80 adults, all outside enjoying and learning about nature. There were 18 presenters teaching topics such as plants, signs of wildlife, raptors, reptiles and amphibians, fire, frogs, fossils, insects, pond life and many more. Below are a few highlights...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGubtYKSIboVSOyJpWeid6stWAkWIduNBs0hCttkELPPtFxIuXbGH_gTlwRtdA47s4zumxHKwl5r89ToRj5Ie8sTi49hpUz3wK5kvGyXrRh6NYlayC9r7Ban6j8Bh_PlcR74KNdkxJmg/s1600/Ead+2011+005+group+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIGubtYKSIboVSOyJpWeid6stWAkWIduNBs0hCttkELPPtFxIuXbGH_gTlwRtdA47s4zumxHKwl5r89ToRj5Ie8sTi49hpUz3wK5kvGyXrRh6NYlayC9r7Ban6j8Bh_PlcR74KNdkxJmg/s400/Ead+2011+005+group+shot.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div align="center">Here is a shot of some of the students travelling from station <br />
to station. Four schools from Franklin Township visited the park. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5S7NnsQoKzxuh6PzaMPBW9dHY1ZxfG-YlYg1Oi_qFe-MPQat7-PWQgom1nG_-RGlXZTawJ8YttYTrOYE85R1f4136qeTeGWkN0Aw3lURoAa5q3_WgyDdCORzNUXHjYJG6SPV35p__EGU/s1600/floraquest+2011+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5S7NnsQoKzxuh6PzaMPBW9dHY1ZxfG-YlYg1Oi_qFe-MPQat7-PWQgom1nG_-RGlXZTawJ8YttYTrOYE85R1f4136qeTeGWkN0Aw3lURoAa5q3_WgyDdCORzNUXHjYJG6SPV35p__EGU/s400/floraquest+2011+003.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Smokey the Bear came for a visit. Bev Stout from IDNR </div><div style="text-align: center;">Division of Forestry donned the costume to greet the children. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7pEwSOfP-MsWqxiAGVMUQ4QbYzklkkxBQkBM3vvwAcC6mp8LAYaqIqKgEqjq22YvfbIecWDBCbneYUZAV1pdej7dlPW2PKd2E3qRi2LefxA2Fz7EP-D12GxImtV8LdHgcVBiPjYRaKQ/s1600/EAD+2011+035+Liz.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7pEwSOfP-MsWqxiAGVMUQ4QbYzklkkxBQkBM3vvwAcC6mp8LAYaqIqKgEqjq22YvfbIecWDBCbneYUZAV1pdej7dlPW2PKd2E3qRi2LefxA2Fz7EP-D12GxImtV8LdHgcVBiPjYRaKQ/s400/EAD+2011+035+Liz.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Liz Habley led the Insect Safari session. The kids enjoyed sweeping </div><div style="text-align: center;">with nets in our small prairie. Lots of leafhoppers, beetles and spiders were found. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrnM9Nh9154EedxJJYkaEeR86RjRXM5J5k2_lM4tGHk7tUkDRUEB1UOMvzy3cam4FafLoWw5H2yBEHOL9ku-UZgBzjcc6mXMhERJBuYDdlABkeGZiqPnWLeiPvsrdJHuRWURCp630XtU/s1600/floraquest+2011+015+Kevin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrnM9Nh9154EedxJJYkaEeR86RjRXM5J5k2_lM4tGHk7tUkDRUEB1UOMvzy3cam4FafLoWw5H2yBEHOL9ku-UZgBzjcc6mXMhERJBuYDdlABkeGZiqPnWLeiPvsrdJHuRWURCp630XtU/s400/floraquest+2011+015+Kevin.JPG" width="400px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Kevin Carlsen from Eagle Creek Ornithology Center is teaching </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">the students about the large eyes of the Great Horned Owl. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Overall, it was a great day with lots of folks out enjoying the great outdoors! </div>Janet Creamer Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12555169273024599726noreply@blogger.com0