Wildlife at River Ridge: May 2011

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Can anyone identify this spider?UPDATE: I think this is a Black and Yellow Garden Spider

Green-backed heron by the farm pond on Constant Run

This one definitely better viewed by clicking on it.

Red-winged blackbird by the farm pond on Constant Run

Mother Goose and her Goslings off Constant Run Rd.

Cloud break after the storm-Constant Run Rd.

Black Snake on Orleans Rd.

Like most of these, this is better viewed enlarged by clicking.

Constant Run after the rain

This was actually INSIDE THE GATE!!! This portion of the road took a beating.

Park after the rain

Don't forget you can click on all photos to see the full, enlarged version.

With all the rain there were a lot of turtles around the neighborhood. This one survived being in our dog Rudy's mouth for a few seconds. I was trying to video Poppy pointing at the turtle then Rudy surprised us. I didn't realize I had video of it but can't post us repeatedly saying 'bad dog' and 'drop it' followed by cursing!

Friday, May 20, 2011

It was sad to find a squished box turtle on Constant Run Road. Those turtles are long-lived and very territorial...and they travel short distances in the spring, often crossing roads in the process. I had to wonder how hard it would be to at least AVOID running over one while going our posted speed limit of 20mph!! And, even better, how hard would it be to get out and carry the poor guy across the road? (always carry them in the direction they are pointed).

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

May showers bring...flooding?

Sideling Mtn at Constant Run Rd.
I have a lot more photos to add but Frontier is in slow motion tonight.

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Bears, Bears, Bears

Several recent bear sightings in River Ridge and this photo comes to us from a Berkeley Springs resident off 522. They noticed big pawprints near the pool and their trash in disarray. While discussing it this guy walked back into their yard!

Friday, May 6, 2011

May 6

This will be a post without pictures since my camera was uncharged when I walked this morning.

As I left my driveway and walked up Sideling Mtn Trail toward the back gate, I heard cerulean warblers singing....at least 2, maybe more. How do I know? Because our Easter morning birdwalk at Eidolon was replete with Ceruleans...singing and hopping around in plain view. Glenn posted a great photo of one.

Judy Webb stopped to tell me that there was a bear on their deck last night. Since then, I've heard of additional bear sightings from Hardy's and Barvinchack's.

Black gum or tupelo trees are leafing out with their inconspicuous flowers. I love that tree....so pretty with its shiny, upright leaves.

Remember all of those acorns we had last fall? They are germinating by the hundreds all over River Ridge! Let's hope that some of them make it through Darwin's lottery and become mighty oaks.

Wildflowers are scarce near the back gate. Right now, I have only bluettes...tiny little four petal flowers...in the yard. But along the river, there is wild columbine and golden ragwort. The purple flowers (tall) are Dame's Rocket. They will be around in the coming weeks.

There were two large moths on the door a couple of nights ago. It was great to see a luna moth again! I didn't see one last year. The other moth was equally large and impressive...a polyphemus moth. Both moths are in the silkworm group.

Silly hummingbird story: Two days ago, I made a Manhattan complete with 2 maraschino cherries. I was just preparing to take a sip when a male hummingbird flew right at me. I set the drink down and he hovered over it....probably attracted to the red cherries at the bottom. I held my breath. Was he going to sample it? He hovered for awhile....got very close to the surface....then flew away!

Next time...photos.