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Ephemeral spring wildflowers and wildlife sightings

5/12/2019

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In the world of natural history, the term "ephemeral" is generally used in reference to spring wildflowers that bloom briefly. Although wild birds and animals have longer lifespans than the short-lived blossoms on many of our early-season plants, actual sightings of wildlife are often equally fleeting and transitory. The critters shown here appeared for an ephemeral moment to some quick and alert photographers.
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One of our favorite early spring ephemerals: Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) in New Braintree 8 May 2019. Wesuspect it's a favorite because it blooms around the time we start to wonder if spring will ever come.
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Yellow-throated Vireos (Vireo flavifrons) started arriving from their wintering grounds in Central & South America and some Caribbean Islands the second week in May. Vireos are not as ephemeral as some of the fast-moving warblers. Photo by Alan Rawle, Hardwick, 11 May 2019.
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On 5 April, Doug Wipf had to get his camera focused quickly in order to capture a picture of this American Mink (Neovison vison). This semiaquatic mustelid is described as restless, curious, and bold.
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This Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) pair, oblivious to the Red-bellied Woodpecker lurking in the background, engaged in courtship feeding of dried mealworms in Rutland on 3 May 2019. Photo by Ted Purcell.
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The Eastern Pine Elfin (Callophrys niphon) will lay its eggs on buds of White Pine and other species of pine, one of the few butterflies to use conifers as host plants. Not a particularly rapid flier, this butterfly was less ephemeral than some. New Braintree 8 May 2019
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A fleeting look at a fast-moving moose in Rutland on 11 May. Photo by Doug Wipf.
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Ted Purcell found this Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) perching longer than expected in Rutland on 12 May 2019.
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The colorful Jack-in-the Pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum) is pollinated by flies. Watch for the bright red berries later in the fall. But for now enjoy the spring appearance! Photo by Joanie Gentian 8 May 2109.
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A Spring Peeper (Pseudacris crucifer) spent a short time on a glassdoor pane in Hardwick on the night of 7 May. This was an ephemeral sighting, but the evening chorus of peepers will continue for many more weeks.
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Even if you just catch a flash of orange and black out of the corner of your eye, you'll know that Baltimore Orioles( Icterus galbula) are back in central Massachusetts. Photo by Alan Rawle, 15 May, Hardwick.
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Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum) was just beginning to bloom on south-facing slopes alongside wooded wet areas in New Braintree 8 May 2019.
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The lovely fiddlehead form of emerging ferns is short-lived. Photo by Joanie Gentian, New Braintree, 8 May.
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A Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) flies from his perch to catch insects on 11 May in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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Sporting bright breeding plumage as he heads into the nesting season, this White-throated Sparrow in Rutland on 3 May was on the verge of departure for more optimal territory. Photo by Ted Purcell.
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Despite weighing from five to twelve pounds on average, with some large individuals getting up to as much as fifteen pounds, the Groundhog (Marmota monax) can disappear from view at astonishing speed when it senses danger. This one made an ephemeral appearance lasting only a handful of seconds. Inspired by the photographer's presence, it retreated to the safety of its burrow. Photo 20 May 2019 by Alan Rawle, Hardwick.
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A Closer Look at Those Dead Trees. .  .

3/27/2019

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From Atlas of Polish Mushrooms https://www.grzyby.pl.pl/gatunki
. .  .that from afar look like they've had their bark pecked away so that the pale cambium layer is exposed. While walking in the woods this winter, we occasionally observed, from a distance, trees that appeared to have been severely ravaged by Pileated Woodpeckers.  Usually these were small (<12 inches in diameter) and clearly dead trees, and our recollection is that they were pines. The bark removal, which is what it looked like to us, extended up and down almost the entire length of the trunk. Having rarely come upon trees with such extensive excavation, we walked over to see more clearly. What we saw--and it's embarrassing to admit how many times in subsequent hikes we continued to be lured by the illusion--was a massive fungal layer, pale in color, engulfing the tree. "What IS this stuff?!?" a few of us wondered.
     Finally samples were obtained and sent off to two fungi enthusiasts who have provided mushroom/fungi education at Club functions, Joe at Mass Audubon, and David Hibbett at Clark University. Fungi expert Larry Millman also weighed in after he examined a specimen we sent.  Larry wrote: "Its hyphal system, basidia, spores, and substrate indicates that it’s Perenniporia subacida." The color is somewhat darker than most specimens I’ve seen of this species, but age can change colors. . . and, as Leif Ryvarden says of P. subacida, “A very variable species.”
      We seem to have had a bumper crop of Perreniporia subacida this winter, likely due to the extreme humidity and high rainfall of summer/fall 2018. 
    Perenniporia is a genus that includes bracket-forming or crust-like polypores. Polypores are a group of fungi that form fruiting bodies with pores or tubes on the underside; most inhabit tree trunks or branches, consuming the wood. We're more accustomed to seeing polypores in the form of "shelf mushrooms" or brackets growing perpendicular to the trunk. The crust formations sure had us fooled until we took a closer look. Glad we did!
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Larry Millman. See lawrencemillman.com
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Winter 2018-2019: Keeping Us On Our Toes

3/2/2019

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     One thing we can say about winter in central Massachusetts is that there are always surprises--amount of snowfall; freeze-and-thaw cycles; bird visitors from the north; breeding birds that didn't migrate south; resident bird populations seeming to be "up" or "down"; mammal movements. Temperature-wise it was a real roller-coaster ride affecting semi-hibernation patterns of raccoons, opossums, and other animals.  Snow fleas, or springtails, (Hypogastrura nivicola) put in an appearance in Petersham on 3 February, between bouts of single-digit night-time temperatures.
     There was constant refrain of "No birds are coming to my feeders!" especially during the first half of the season. Was this due to the lack of snow cover and the dispersal of our usual feeder visitors? On the other hand, some uncommon species were noted, and high numbers of Cooper's and Sharp-shinned hawks and Barred Owls seemed to be popping up everywhere. This was probably partially linked to the heavy mast year (acorns and other seeds) that provided so much food for rodents in fall 2017. Raptors and owls raising young in 2018 should have had abundant food and thus more successful broods. Voila!  More owls and hawks in the landscape.  According to some biologists, some of these hawks and owls likely were from regions north of Massachusetts. 
     Small local irruptions of a few other northern breeding birds, including Evening Grosbeaks and Pine Grosbeaks, occurred throughout the area. And, although feeder activity was low in some places, feeder-watchers who persisted and occasionally fed high-quality items such as mealworms eventually attracted a variety of visitors.
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One of four Barred Owls seen in Hubbardston 5 January 2019. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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A female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker returning to a feeder in Rutland in early January was believed to be the same individual (with more mature plumage) as the immature sapsucker observed at the same location early in the season. Photo by Doug Wipf.
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Female Yellow-bellied Sapsucker 7 January 2019. Photo by Doug Wipf.
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Immature Red-shouldered Hawk 16 February 2019 in Hardwick, near dusk. Was this a bird that over-wintered or an early arrival?
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Eastern Bluebirds visit a mealworm buffet in Ruitland. Photo by Anne Greene.
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Raccoon in south-facing tree cavity, catching some late-afternoon rays 5 February 2019 in the south Quabbin region.
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When it comes to preference by birds, not all crabapple trees are created equal. The fruit of some cultivars remain untouched in even the coldest weather. Obviously the trees at MWCC are the "right" species of crabapple. We would welcome information from botanist(s) about which crabapple species to plant if we want to attract fruit-eating birds to our properties. Photo 26 January 2019 by Doug Wipf.
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A coyote appears to be contemplating its next move in Rutland in mid-February. Photo by Anne Greene.
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A few Pine Grosbeaks for many days in late January stayed at the Mt. Wachusett Community College campus in Gardner, feeding on the fruit of a favorite crabapple tree. Photo by Doug Wipf.
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Porcupine safely perched in a tall hardwood tree in New Braintree 17 February 2019. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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Sharp-shinned Hawk 31 December 2018, Rutland. Photo by Ted Purcell.
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A Carolina Wren takes advantage of mealworms at a feeding station in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.
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A male Pileated Woodpecker excavates a characteristically large opening in a pine tree in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.
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As you might expect of a typically nomadic species, a small flock of Evening Grosbeaks were one-day wonders in Anne Greene's yard in Rutland around mid-January.
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White-throated Sparrows were fairly common in the area all winter. Photo by Ted Purcell 31 December 2018, Rutland.
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An Evening Grosbeak in Rutland shows off its strong, seed-cracking beak. Photo by Anne Greene.
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The early bird: a Red-bellied Woodpecker catches a mealworm at sunrise in Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.
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The Open Half of Winter 2018-2019

1/23/2019

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     Winter remained open throughout December and into January, so we scheduled an exploratory hike on January 19th to Rum Rock and Osgood Swamp, a section of Mass Audubon's Rutland Brook Sanctuary near the Barre/Petersham town line. Temperatures were in the brisk 20s F, and the woods were still and quiet.  Nevertheless, signs of ongoing animal and bird activity were everywhere--fresh woodchips and exposed rotted tree cavities produced by woodpeckers, the pungent odor of a porcupine shelter in a small den under a rocky outcropping, coyote and deer scat, and--most dramatic--extensive evidence of high beaver activity. Beavers continued to practice their superior engineering skills as long as they could still move through the water. Remember that very wet fall? Plenty of pretty high water--becoming ice-- everywhere!
    Besides the truly impressive glacial erratic known as Rum Rock, scenic interest was provided by granite ledges, caves, ice formations, lichens, and ferns, as well as views of the expansive wetland.
     Many thanks to tracker-naturalist Nate Rosebrook for the photos.
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A Record-Setting Wet Fall

11/13/2018

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Flooding on Ruben Walker Road, Ware River Watershed, Barre, 7 November 2018
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Flooding on Ruben Walker Road, Ware River Watershed, Barre, 7 November 2018
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Wettest fall season standings at Blue Hill Observatory. On November 7th, CBC News reported, "we’re on pace to compete for wettest fall without a landfalling tropical system. It’s already been the 15th wettest fall (Sept-Oct-Nov) on record at Blue Hill Observatory with several weeks to go."
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Green-winged Teal, Rutland Brook Sanctuary, Petersham/Barre, 4 November 2018
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Savannah Sparrow, Barre Falls Dam, 21 October 2018. Photo by Doug Wipf.
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Harvard Pond water level was a bit higher than average on 6 October 2018.
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An amazing variety of fungi were present along a very short portion of the trail at Harvard Pond on 6 October.
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It was a banner year for amphibians like this Pickerel Frog (Rana palustris) found in late September.
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Canada Geese lift off at dusk on 20 October 2018 in Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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Winter Wren, Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick, 11 November 2018
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The extraordinarily wet and humid summer and fall resulted in a bumper crop of colorful fungi in October. Photo taken at Harvard Pond, Petersham mushroom foray on 6 October.
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White-throated Sparrow 14 October 2018 Hardwick. Photo by Alan Rawle
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A White-crowned Sparrow easily found a puddle for bathing on 11 November 2018 in Hardwick. This species breeds much further north and is only seen here on migration. Note the differences between this bird and the White-throated Sparrow above.
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Bobolink Summer

9/15/2018

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PictureCourtship display by male Bobolink at Moore State Park, Paxton, June 2018 by Bill Platenik.
   Our Grassland Bird Initiative volunteer teams monitored several central MA locations this summer. Bill & Carol Platenik made dedicated weekly visits to Moore State Park in Paxton, where a bird-friendly mowing regime has been established. Todd& Alice Livdahl and Wendy Howes observed at Mt. Jefferson Conservation Area in Hubbardston which used to (and may still) designate one field for mowing after July 4th. At DCR Ware River Watershed Prison Camp fields in Rutland, with a current mowing contract stipulating mowing after August 1st, Doug Wipf and Linda Mueller made regular visits throughout the nesting season. We are still looking for volunteers to monitor High Ridge WMA in Gardner/Westminster. Bobolinks nested there successfully this year, but no one was able to formally monitor. The WMA has established late mowing--after August 1st--regimes for all the fields, so prospects for grassland bird species are very good there.
     Volunteer Ted Purcell observed a town-owned field at Glenwood School in Rutland and found many Bobolinks early in the season, but the fields are part of the Town's mowing contract and are not currently being managed for wildlife and grassland birds.
    Photographer Anne Greene of Rutland found Bobolinks at fields owned by Alta Vista Farm in Rutland and gave the owners information about grassland birds available through Mass Audubon: https://www.massaudubon.org/our-conservation-work/wildlife-research-conservation/grassland-bird-program
   Overall it was a good year for Bobolinks in both protected and non-protected areas. High amount of rainfall caused some haying delays which benefited birds. Heat and humidity helped insect populations and therefore boosted Bobolinks' food supply. The highest number of Bobolinks were encountered at Moore State Park, where a huge flock of over 130 birds--including adults and this season's fledglings--was seen in mid-August.  
     Thanks to all who pitched in on behalf of grassland birds!
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Female Bobolink at Moore State Park, Paxton, June 2018, by Bill Platenik.
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Male Bobolink at Moore State Park, Paxton, June 2018 by Bill Platenik.
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Bobolink at Alta Vista Farm, Rutland, by Anne Greene.
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Photo by Bill Platenik.
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Singing Bobolink at Alta Vista Farm, Rutland, by Anne Greene.
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Alta Vista Farm, Rutland. Photo by Anne Greene.
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Bobolink pair 8 June 2018 at DCR Ware River Watershed Prison Camp fields, Rutland. Photo by Doug Wipf.
PicturePhoto by volunteer Bill Platenik.
DCR's Moore State Park in Paxton has adopted field management guidelines that allow mowing of pathways of the perimeters of all fields along the walls and a single mower width path through the center of the largest fields. Agricultural mowing of the hay/tall grass will take place after the nesting season, in August or September.
One of the center paths, which is maintained starting in April and therefore not attractive to Bobolinks, is shown here. It also provides good access for bird monitoring.
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Two female Bobolinks at DCR Ware River Watershed Prison Camp fields, Rutalnd, 8 June 2018 by Doug Wipf.
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Bobolink pair at Prison camp fields, Rutland, 8 June 2018 by Dough Wipf.
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Tree Swallows checking out a nestbox at Moore State Park, Paxton, June 2018. Photo by Bill Platenik.
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Although it wasn't officially part of his grassland bird monitoring job, Bill Platenik documented this young porcupine at Moore State Park, Paxton on 23 August 2018.
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Female Bobolink at DCR Ware River Watershed Prison Camp fields, Rutland 8 June 2018 by Doug Wipf.
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Male Bobolink at Prison Camp fields 18 June 2018. Photo by Doug Wipf.
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Female Bobolink carrying food--which confirms nesting--at Moore State Park, Paxton, 16 June 2018 by bill Platenik.
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A couple of molting Male Bobolinks at Moore State Park, Paxton, in August. Photo by Bill Platenik.
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Two more male Bobolinks losing their alternate (breeding) plumage August 2018, Moore State Park. Photo by Bill Platenik.
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On 18 August 2018 at Moore State Park, Paxton, photographer Bill Platenik counted more than 60 Bobolinks flying about the fields. Males were starting to molt into basic (non-breeding) plumage, which resembles female/juvenile plumage.
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Savannah Sparrow, a species that prefers tall grass for nesting, at Moore StatePark, Paxton, June 2018. Photo by Bill Platenik.
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Tropical Central Massachusetts

7/15/2018

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Summer of 2018 in central Massachusetts brought record high temperatures and rainfall, creating conditions that at times made us feel that we were living in the steamy tropics. It was often a challenge to get out in the field! A number of butterfly walks sponsored by the Massachusetts Butterfly Club took place, and it's hard to resist taking pictures of these pretty creatures.. Members who were outdoors enjoying butterflies, birds, and other critters in spite of the challenging weather shared some wonderful photographs.
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Common Sootywing ( Pholisora catullus) at Elm Hill Sanctuary, Brookfield. 21 July 2018, where it's main host plant Lambsquarters (Chenopodium album) was present in large quantities. Photo by Alan Rawle
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Early morning songster, a Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia), what else?
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This Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) was caught in a ray of sunlight by photographer Anne Greene in Rutland.
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Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) with some leucistic plumage (lacking pigment so appears white), Rutland, June 2018. Leucistic characteristics show up fairly frequently in birds. Photo by Ted Purcell
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Baltimore Checkerspot ( Euphydryas phaeton) 7 July 2018 DCR Kristoff Farm property, Sterling, was the only one of thisspecies found on the summer butterfly count. Photo by Alan Rawle
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Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) in Rutland, June 2018. In the breeding season this flycatcher can be distinguished from look-alike Alder and Willow flycatchers by their distinctive "cheBEK" calls. Photo by Doug Wipf
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Halloween Pennant (Celithemis eponina) at Moore State Park, Paxton, June 2018. The unmowed fields at the Park were beneficial for odonates and butterflies as well as grassland birds. Photo by Bill Platenik.
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Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) showing off its waxy red secretions on its secondaries. For a fascinating discussion of this feature, go to: https://blog.nature.org/science/2017/02/27/waxwings-really-have-wax-wings/ Photo taken in Hardwick, June 2018 by Alan Rawle.
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Dot-tailed Whiteface (Leucorrhinia intacta) dragonfly.
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Basking Painted Turtles (Chrysemys picta) in Hardwick, June 2018. Photo by Alan Rawle
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A Promethea Silkmoth (Callosamia promethea) landed on Rutland photographer Anne Greene's leg while she was in her yard in June. These beautiful moths have no mouth parts and do not feed in this adult stage. Their sole occupation is mating and egg-laying.
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The gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar dispar) infestation of the past couple of years continued throughout much of southern Worcester County. This female Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) was carrying a gypsy moth caterpillar to feed nestlings in June at Muddy Brook WMA, Hardwick, where they are common nesters. Photo by Alan Rawle
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A Common Ringlet (Coenonympha tullia) shares the grassy fields of Moore State Park in Rutland with many other insects, animals, and birds.
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Bird Biology: What Central MA Birds Are Doing in Spring

6/1/2018

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Showing bright plumage. Male Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) by Alan Rawle
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Searching for suitable nesting sites. Male Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) by Bill Platenik.
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Molting into summer breeding (alternate) plumage. American Goldfinch ( Spinus tristis) by Anne Greene
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Migrating to regions further north. Blackpoll Warbler (Setophaga striata) by Alan Rawle
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Singing. Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) by Anne Greene.
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Trying an atypical migratory route. Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), 15 April, Rutland, by Tanner Purcell.
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Alarm-calling. Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) by Doug Wipf.
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Hunting. Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) by Alan Rawle.
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Defending a territory. Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) by Alan Rawle.
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Searching for food. Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus) by Anne Greene.
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Eating. Yellow-rumped Warbler ( Dendroica coronata) by Alan Rawle.
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Stretching and preening. Ruby-throated hummingbird by Anne Greene.
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Nest-building. Female American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) by Alan Rawle.
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Resting but staying alert. Red-shouldered Hawk ( Buteo lineatus) by Alan Rawle.
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Looking for a mate. Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) by Tom Murray.
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From the Field Through the Viewfinder

3/30/2018

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While all are not representative of nature sightings in central Massachusetts, these photographs were taken by central MA residents and shown during our SHARING NATURE PHOTOS meeting on 28 March. There are some outstanding pictures here, and we think they deserve a wide audience. ​
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Tandayapa Bird Lodge, Ecuador: Crimson-rumped Toucanet (Aulacorhynchus haematopygus) by Todd Livdahl
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Holden: Eastern Screech Owl (Megascops asio) by Jim Morelly
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Quabbin Reservoir: Bobcat with deer carcass by Jim Morelly
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Rutland: Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) on Pink-spiked Celosia by Ted Purcell
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Everglades National Park, Florida: Green Heron (Butorides virescens) by Alan Rawle
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Galapagos Islands: Galapagos Giant Tortoise (Geochelone nigra) by Todd Livdahl
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Galapagos Islands: Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) by Todd Livdahl
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Everglades National Park, Florida: Purple Gallinule (Porphyrio martinica) gleaning pond lily seeds by Alan Rawle
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Tandayapa Lodge, Ecuador:
Andean Emerald (Amazilia franciae)
by Todd Livdahl
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Everglades National Park: Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) by Alan Rawle
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Florida Keys: Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) by Ted Purcell
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Quabbin Reservoir: Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) by Jim Morelly
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European Starling(Sturnus vulgaris) in winter by Anne Greene.
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Autumn scene, Rutland by Anne Greene. See more of Anne's work at https://www.annegreenephotography.com/
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Sightings During a Fickle Winter

1/15/2018

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Here in central Massachusetts, a mild fall was inevitably sidelined by the "real" winter that came in with the first significant snowfall on December 9th. Weeks of very slow-paced activity at birdfeeding stations gave way to a steady stream of visitors. Dark-eyed Junco numbers increased throughout December, and we were seeing them on roadsides, woods edges, and on the ground under birdfeeders. Christmas Bird Counts turned up many half-hardy species that either got caught off-guard or decided to stick it out. Temperatures plunged and fruit-eating birds descended on winterberry (IIlex verticillata), sumac, and poison ivy berries. Both Red and Gray Squirrels, in spite of winter food stashes, sought out feeders, too, joining the expected permanent resident birds and a few surprise species. Massachusetts made the national news when the very harsh "bomb cyclone" snowstorm followed by a frigid Arctic blast brought a deep freeze. Birds concentrated even more at feeders 4 January through 10 January. Heavy rains and unseasonably high temperatures up to the low 60s F. on 11-12 January created small ponds in fields and triggered some confusion in amphibians before giving way to returning "normal" winter conditions. 
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Female Pileated Wodpecker feeding on poison ivy berries, Hardwick, 30 December 2017 (Quabbin Christmas Bird Count) Photo by Alan Rawle
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Ted Purcell was fortunate to encounter some Cedar Waxwings (Bombycilla cedrorum) in Rutland in early January. They have been uncommon in our region since their breeding season ended in August.
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One of a flock of eight Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis) feeding on Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) berries in Hardwick on 13 January. Photo by Alan Rawle
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American Red Squirrels are primarily granivores, but incorporate other food items into their diets opportunistically. Seeds at birdfeeding stations fit nicely into their natural diets. Photo by Ted Purcell
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Winterberry or Black Alder (Ilex verticillata) produced abundant fruit in 2017. An important role played by winterberry is as a fall and winter food source for songbirds: the fleshy, bright red berries are said to be toxic to humans, but fruit-eating birds such as robins, mockingbirds, Eastern Bluebirds, and Cedar Waxwings evidently find them palatable. It is possible that, as with American Holly, the levels of toxic or unpalatable chemicals in winterberry berries decline as the fruit matures and hangs on the shrubs. In our area at least, winterberry seems to be eaten by the birds after the winter solstice.
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A Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor) in Rutland, Photo by Ted Purcell
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American Goldfinch (Spinus tristis) in winter/non-breeding plumage. Photo by Ted Purcell.
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In Rutland, this immature Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) visited Doug Wipf's birdfeeding station from fall through 29 December 2017. Whether the bird moved on prior to the oncoming storm (birds react to barometric pressure changes and can adjust their behaviors) or simply didn't survive is unknown.
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Watchful Eye


Hiker and wildlife photographer Jim Morelly sent this trail camera image of a Bobcat captured on 21 December. Jim writes: "I have been watching and exploring several central Massachusetts swamps since last winter. They certainly have shown promise [for capturing images of wildlife] . .  .the variety of tracks and scat have been consistent throughout the year. The first snow on December 9th showed continued activity with predators skirting the swamp's edge."
 
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Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus) tracks in fresh snow in Rutland, before the thaw. Anecdotal information suggests that 2017 was a "good" year for cottontail reproduction. Photo by Ted Purcell
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Northern Pintails (Anas acuta) 13 January 2018 in a flooded cornfield in New Braintree. Photo by Alan Rawle.
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YOU are the rare bird if you live in central MA and haven't encountered a Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) this winter! Photo by Alan Rawle
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This 2 1/2 inch salamander responded to the heavy rains and high temperatures of 11-12 January by emerging from its winter shelter beneath the rocks. When the temperatures dropped into single digits on the 13th, it presumably resumed hibernation, withstanding the freeze by a chemical change in the body that bathes its organs in a glucose-filled fluid "antifreeze."
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Blue Jay by Ted Purcell. Who's watching whom?
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