August 2016
The diary title comes from a Clifford Simak SF story first published in 1959. Other diaries and comments cover people recording the events in their wildlife infested demesnes while I stay cooped up in a city apartment without a bird feeder in sight. A bit depressing. However, a better viewpoint is to hold the city itself as my front yard that can be easily explored and documented as its own sort of special environment by simply walking out the door.
And my afternoon walk patterns make it easy to visit certain spots repeated as the seasons progress and document the local variations. So this diary will also update some things that were documented in previous diaries or comments. The photos in this diary are all from August walks along the banks of the Schuylkill River in the general vicinity of the dam in the title picture.
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and/or flowers. All are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. |
Plants
I have previously commented that sometimes it seems that almost *all* the plants I see on my walks are not North American natives, but instead are naturalized invasives who have come and settled here over the past 250 years, much like many of our ancestors.
Once I started looking around more closely along the river banks (the west side is “wild” as compared to the east side by the trail which has a retaining wall) I noticed a lot more patches of both loosestrife, jimsonweed, and the evening primrose.
The catnip was an interesting discovery. I have come across it in the wild in 3-4 locations, but this is the first such spot here in Philadelphia.
The below picture is a sort of stand-in for all the trees. They got a lot of attention in the spring diaries since there was a lot of bloom activity during this time.
And special mention to the duckweed. In comments on other buckets I have been reporting on the masses of duckweed in the river on a day-by-day basis in addition to the local weather.
Insects
Most of my recently posted photos in this area have been bees and wasps. That is due to finding 2-3 spots that are very popular with nectar gatherers (see mountainmint above), and the fact that the warm weather is favorable to them. Fairly few butterflies seen in comparison, and usually the white cabbage butterflies though I have seen a Monarch or two recently. (yea!) I could probably do a long diary of nothing but insect photos at this point. But here I will stick to newer pictures I find particularly interesting in some way. (Note: I don’t want it to seem I am ignoring ants. They are about, but I usually don’t take pictures of them.)
Not pictured but about as well are cicadas and crickets. I can hear them, but have not spotted one to take a picture of.
Critters (Birds and Mammals)
Aquatic birds are pretty common along the river. At least three species of gull; Canada Geese; and a variety of ducks. A few herons. Plus the resident cormorant flock (30+ when I counted the other day.) LBJs include sparrows, finches, and even a wren or two. And so on up to the resident families of Red Tailed Hawks and Peregrine Falcons.
Mice and rats are about but rarely seen. Chipmunks and Gray Squirrels are the commonly sighted rodents. Groundhogs (Marmota monax) can be found here and there. Most likely to see domestic animals such as dogs since the trail is a popular walking spot.
One thing I should not completely ignore given it’s a city is the humans. The environment here is essentially driven by their activities, needs, and changes imposed to meet those needs.
*******
"Spotlight on Green News & Views" will be posted every Saturday at noon Pacific Time and every Wednesday at 3:30 Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.
*******
|
Now It's Your Turn
What have you noted happening in your area or travels? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.