fauna – Page 14 – Black and White

Eacles imperialis

mothra — Eacles imperialis is one of a few saturniid species in a regional decline throughout the northeastern US, with some New England states lacking records for many decades. A colony on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, has been the subject of scientific and local political activity, especially concerning preservation of sensitive frost-bottom oak/pine habitat.–Wikipedia

Asterocampa celtis

butterfly — Hackberry trees are the only host plants of the Hackberry Emperor.

Pelecanus occidentalis

pelican Wilmington NC — Wish pelicans would take the place of Chesapeake Bay geese.

Butorides virescens

heron — Green herons are one of the few species of animal known to use tools. In particular, they commonly use bread crusts, insects, or other items as bait. The bait is dropped onto the surface of a body of water in order to lure fish. When a fish takes the bait, the green heron will then grab and eat the fish.–Wikipedia

Town Creek

slabtown — Outside the window, deer, deadrise

snake in the grass

black snake — I hope black snakes eat moles and voles…

RVA

Z dam — When I was a child the James River and its tributaries between Bosher’s dam and Williams Island was my playground.

Hugenot Bridge — I walked east along the south bank of the James River last week. The City of Richmond has done a commendable job providing trails and access. The river is now enjoyed by many.

stinging nettle — In the 60’s there were few trails. We’d bush whack through stands of this (Laportea canadensis?) taller than we were.

Anura

tree tube frog — Tree tubes offer protection from the herbivores, insects and an extended growing season for saplings. I do wonder what the environment has to offer for a frog? How did he/she gain access?

two parent household Branta canadensis

geese and goslings — During the second year of their lives, Canada geese find a mate. They are monogamous, and most couples stay together all of their lives. If one dies, the other may find a new mate. The female lays from two to nine eggs with an average of five, and both parents protect the nest while the eggs incubate, but the female spends more time at the nest than the male.–Wikipedia

These geese have gone native, they no longer migrate.

Sciurus carolinensis

squirrel in tupperware — I planted seventy sunflowers, covered the seeds with cayenne pepper, ginger and garlic.
I had a 6 sunflower control group inside a squirrel proof enclosure.
100% of the sunflowers in the enclosure germinated.
In the wild, six out of seventy have survived to date.