churchyard
Category: fauna
Platanus occidentalis
In tree care, there is the notion of the unhealthy unstable tree. Such trees are slated for removal.
This tree was such a tree. It had the anthracnose fungus, so some of its leaves would fall off early. Additionally, it had some dead branches in its crown.
The solution? Take it down.
I know a lot of people that have a bit of dead wood in their crown, androgenic alopecia, dental caries, neuropathy, gray hair, short-term memory loss… This is something we humans call “aging”.
In humans, this process is allowed to go on until something called “death” occurs, usually about half of a lifetime after the onset of the unattractive aging symptoms.
We hold trees to a different standard.
Anas platyrhynchos
The mallard lives in wetlands, eats water plants, and is gregarious. It is also migratory. The mallard is the ancestor of all domestic ducks, and can interbreed with other species of genus Anas. This interbreeding is causing rarer species of ducks to become genetically diluted.–Wikipedia
horse eye
If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee
then how canst thou contend with horses?–Jeremiah
Fort Macon, Cow Island, Terns?
1/400th of a second and their wings still blur.
Communicate with Virginia and the EPA about the waters of Virginia with this form letter, courtesy of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The EPA’s public comment period for the draft Chesapeake Bay TMDL closes in thirteen hours (Midnight, November 8). Virginia’s comment period closes November 11.
The water above, Beaufort Inlet Channel, NC.
Driving later today to Emory’s promotion at Cherry Point MCAS.
Rattus norvegicus?
Found her on Franklin Street, rat nap.
Didelphis virginiana
New work on view at McGuffey Art Center in Charlottesville, The above a personal favorite, “Juvenile”, ink on paper, by Selena Hitzeman.
Lived with two house-possums in the 1970’s. I had heard they were good at killing mice and could be house-trained.
I think the DMB owns the cabin now, near Foster’s Branch.
Carassius auratus auratus
Haliaeetus leucocephalus, Hyphantria cunea
The good thing. Eagle was on overwatch while I pushed the lawnmower.
On the ground, trees are defoliated by some variety of tent caterpillar. They seem to be partial to walnut and pecan trees but they are munching on the yearling oaks as well.
Silhouetted.
Hoping someone can help me with critter ID.
RMH says:
The fall webworm feeds on just about any type of deciduous tree, where leaves are chewed; branches or the entire tree may become defoliated. Worldwide, it has been recorded from 636 species,[6] and is considered to be among the most polyphagous of insects. In the eastern U.S., pecan, walnut, American elm, hickory, fruit trees, and some maples are preferred hosts; in some areas persimmon and sweetgum are also readily eaten. In the west, alder, willow, cottonwood and fruit trees are commonly used.–Wikipedia
