The fields are covered with these grasshopper nymphs. The flock of turkeys has grown to three hens and at least 10 chicks because of the abundance of food. I have asked bugguide.net for help in identifying the grasshopper._/\_/\_
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Grasshoppers on Red Clover
The fields are covered with these grasshopper nymphs. The flock of turkeys has grown to three hens and at least 10 chicks because of the abundance of food. I have asked bugguide.net for help in identifying the grasshopper._/\_/\_
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Monday, July 27, 2009
Turkey Hen
After sitting for hours on the porch with the Kodak on a tripod (my Canon was being dried out, but more on that later), one of yesterday's hens came close enough for this shot. I never realized how, well, unattractive turkeys are!
Technorati Tags: Meleagris gallopavo, wild turkeys
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Sunday, July 26, 2009
Mount Kearsarge
We took a short hike around Morey's Pond and found a view of Mt Kearsarge (2,937 ft or 895 m). Just a bit taller than my Barton Mountain (2235 ft or 681 m). Kearsarge's prominence is 2,000 feet (610 m), but Barton Mountain's prominence, especially at my house in Vermont, is only 800 feet (244 m) in some places. Someday this summer we have to hike up this mountain. The prominence at Morey's Pond is obviously not too high. At Morey's Pond we saw salamanders, frogs, blueberries, the fruit of lily of the valley, beaver dams, human dams and many other wonderful sights._/\_/\_
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Common Garter Snake
We came home to find Buddy the Cat being all excited with this snake. Since the snake was trying to bite Buddy (and even though garter snakes are not poisonous, they can inflict a hefty vet bill) we persuaded Buddy to not injure the snake. Buddy stood by, watching, while I photographed the encounter.
NH Conservation Status: Not listedState Rank Status: Widespread and secure
Distribution: Throughout NH
Description: A small striped snake measuring 18-26 inches. Has variable color patterns but typically has 2-3 yellow, brownish, or greenish stripes running vertically down the top and sides of the snake. May also have variable black spots between the stripes.
Commonly Confused Species: Eastern ribbon snake; Brown snake
Habitat: Found in a variety of habitats including woodlands, hillsides, wetlands, backyards, and even urban areas. Will use a variety of cover objects for shelter including rocks, logs, stumps and other debris such as trash piles and sheet metal.
Life History: Breeding may occur in spring or fall. Ten to 40 live young are born from July to September. Hibernation may be solitary or communal in rock crevices, holes, stumps, or foundations.
Conservation Threats: Species is secure
Thamnophis sirtalis_/\_/\_
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tannery Pond
Pond Outlet. The beach and pond can be seen through the trees on the left.
Wilmot, New HampshireThis was the site of at least three tanneries over the years. Two tanneries were destroyed by fire (1837 and 1884). The tanneries used hemlock and/or oak bark to tan animal hides. The bark was pulverized and used to soak un-haired raw hides. "By 1874 the hemlock bark was worth more than the lumber." Around 1900 he tannery discontinued operation. By 1915, heavy snow had collapsed the roof. The building was dissassembled in 1920. The pond, full of natural tannin, also has remnants of the tannin used in manufacturing hides two hundred years ago. Source: Glimpse of the Past: A History of Wilmot, New Hampshire The town now has a beach where Wingnut has swimming lessons.
An interesting (for me) quote from the Wikipedia article on tannin: "The leaching of tannins from the decaying leaves of vegetation adjoining a stream may produce what is known as a blackwater river."
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An interesting (for me) quote from the Wikipedia article on tannin: "The leaching of tannins from the decaying leaves of vegetation adjoining a stream may produce what is known as a blackwater river."
The Blackwater River flows across the road from where I now live in New Hampshire.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Love These Names
Hens and Chicks (Sempervivum tectorum)
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum)Technorati Tags: Buckwheat, Fagopyrum esculentum, Hens and Chicks, Sempervivum tectorum
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Do You Know What This Is?
We can't find this identified anywhere. In the early spring it began to grow wild in the garden. I described it then as "Lacy, feathery — like fennel.. Root: short carrot-like tap root. Frost resistant. Pops up in early New Hampshire spring. No scent to the leaves when crushed.. Has daisy-like white flowers with yellow centers. Grows about 3 feet (1 meter) tall. Or taller."
Below is the photo from the spring before it bloomed:_/\_/\_
Monday, July 6, 2009
Correction: Sheep Laurel
Sheep Laurel (also called Lambkill) (Kalmia angustifolia)In a previous post, Wildflowers & Berries, I misidentified this Sheep Laurel as Mountain Laurel. I wrote that I wasn't entirely sure it was mountain laurel because of the size and age of the plant. While reading Summer World: A Season of Bounty by Bernd Heinrich, I suddenly came across a mention of swamp laurel. With that clue, John and I were able to identify our laurel as sheep laurel because of its location and growth pattern. Sheep laurel has the identifiable growth seen above. The flowers develop on last year's growth and this year's growth is above the flowers.
The best source of information about this wildflower is at www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/kalang/all.html.
And now, because of its importance and value, I will shamelessly promote Heinrich's book. Click, buy it, and enjoy a wonderful summer read:
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Sunday, July 5, 2009
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