As I mentioned previously, sometimes I see the most when I just stay still especially if within view there are several habitats intersecting. At our relatives’ cottage, the front deck is a perfect place to spend an hour to see a parade of interesting creatures going about their own activities. Here are some glimpses from a visit early in August.
One of several Blue Jays that inspected the area.
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It’s hard to see in a photo, but this White-breasted Nuthatch had found a moth on the trunk. It carried it up to a level part of the tree and then bashed it repeatedly before eating the body. I felt sorry for the moth but impressed with the Nuthatch.
In good acorn crop years like the one when this was written, I watch Chipmunks squabble below, listen to them chirk, and occasionally see one race up a tree trunk.
Of course the lighting isn’t always perfect for photography. This Ruby-throated Hummingbird approved of the fuschia plants hanging from the eaves.
While checking a flock of chickadees who arrived en masse, I discovered this imposter. This Black and White Warbler was also looking for insects in the White Pines overhead.
Looking down under this same tree, I saw this Indian Pipe flowering.
Checking what else was down there, I spotted a White Admiral that was not in the more southerly pattern of a Red Spotted Purple.
Looking at the lake, I watched Mama Mallard showing off her yoga poses.
The Loon appeared briefly, perhaps enjoying one of the hand-fed-bread sunfish that live under the dock, before it slipped silently back underwater and away.
A variety of caterpillars usually amble along the deck boards. For size comparison, that green twig is actually a pine needle.
Dragonflies, both large ones like this and smaller Meadowhawk-sized ones often perch to bask in the sunlight on the boards below the eaves. I’m not sure what kind this one is although it looked about the size of a Common Green Darner.
Fortunately, this was not a Beaver. Unfortunately for our neighbours’ Button Bush, however, this Muskrat wanted to line a new sleeping platform under their floating dock.
There are times when I toodle around in the canoe or hike around with the Deer Flies and I wonder why I don’t just stay on the deck instead. I carefully don’t notice that I’ve probably seen more from the deck than from anywhere else, in case I lose all incentive to move.
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Do you have a favourite spot to watch the world go by? Please share your experiences with a comment.
I’m wondering if you have ever gotten an ID on the black and yellow caterpillar with the pine needle. We have a bunch if these in our pine trees and are trying to find out what they are!
Thank you.
Hollis Smith
Readfield Maine
I am not sure, but I am afraid they may be
Introduced Pine Sawfly Diprion similis
which is a non-native pest.
If you see one on your pines, maybe try to catch it (without touching it, I don’t know if they are irritating to the skin) and take it to an Extension Office for id?