Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Noisy Neighbors




- Seasonably warm this morning in Stone Creek, with showers here and there.
- We had about 3.5 inches of rain in this area last week, and more is forecast for the next 2-3 days.
- Attached are two common residents of our mountain properties. Anyone who lives in our area and has a deciduous canopy anywhere near their home site is well aware of the nocturnal sounds made by the Katydid (Family Tettigoniidae). The injured specimen shown in the photo, which is the True Katydid (there are other similar species), was about to be attacked by several Yellow Jackets. The din created by these Arthropods is so loud around my cabin at night it has caused me to close all doors and windows! With first light, the scratchy rendition ceases, only to begin again at nightfall. Their sounds will continue through most of August, and then will gradually decrease with the coming of fall.
- Also attached is a recent photo of the male Spicebush Swallowtail (Pterourus troilus) on, of all things, a Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa). There are several species of the Swallowtails, and all of them are endearing to those who love and appreciate the beauty of nature.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

7-26-08 - The Photo That Wasn't!



- Seasonably warm with a few showers about this morning on the mountain properties.

- I have seen a lot of deer this week...adults and fawns. The males still have antlers in velvet and we still see many fawns with the characteristic spots. The spots gradually fade and by the autumn, typically they are gone from the coat of the young deer. One fawn was in my driveway as darkness fell last evening....with mom watching from the nearby forest. I saw them again early this morning, so all must have been quite tranquil around my place last night.

- It has been a good season for most flora and fauna. The large Chestnut Oak just off my back deck has a good crop of acorns this year. I see young rabbits all over the place, especially at dusk.

- The greatest photo that was never taken. Tuesday morning, early AM, two adult Gray Foxes (Urocyon) trotted through my yard and hesitated in my driveway, just in front of my front porch. Alongside the adults were three young foxes, perhaps 5-7 weeks old. Though small, they had the distinct bushy tails, perky ears, and coloration of the adults. The family posed long enough for a photo (I had left the camera in the car) and then casually trotted up my driveway and disappeared into the long grass. Two items about this species you may find interesting....1) They, unlike the Red Fox, can climb trees....and do so often to avoid trouble. 2) Both mom and dad fox help care for the young, as was evidenced on this occasion. After about 4 months the youngsters will be on their own.

- Since I missed a great photo with the foxes (quite frustrating...as an opportunity such as this will likely never occur again), today we will settle for one more deer photo.....the doe featured hung around my front porch all morning, and was still nearby as I departed.

Friday, July 18, 2008

7-18-08 Observations


- A bit warmer this morning on the mountain properties. The last three mornings have been delightful...upper 50s to low 60s with low humidity readings.
- Typical summer weather today and forecast for the rest of the week....pleasantly warm and sunny, with highs in the upper 80s and night time lows in the low to mid 60s.
- I have been hearing the Barred Owls and Whippoorwills frequently. Their call is a trademark of the late evening stillness in the mountains.
- A new pavilion is being constructed in Stone Creek Park, just south of my cabin. This pavilion, which covers a stone fire pit, looks out over the small lake in the park. Stone Creek Park is one of 10 nature parks found along our private roads and hiking trails.
- Attached is a recent photo taken near the entrance to Stone Creek. This doe did not seem to want to move very much. I suspect her offspring were hidden in the tall grass just across the split rail fence. Just two days before, I had watched twin fawns near this same spot, standing in the tall grass. Their ears gave them away, protruding above the grasses like the ears of a Siamese cat!