Here are Mickey Raine’s photos of the Chrysalis stage. Mickey and his wife, Elaine, took in more than two dozen caterpillars by request to save them from predatory conditions at several butterfly gardens. Be sure to view the first two posts from today if you have not already. The grand finale to come!
In part two of Mickey and Elaine Raine’s incredible documentation of the caterpillar-to-chrysalsis-to-Monarch Butterfly, we see the caterpillar entering the chrysalis stage, where they will stay for 8 to 12 days before emerging as majestic Monarchs. Stay tuned today as we go through the remaining stages!
Over the past month Mickey and Elaine Raine have seen the wonder of nature in action and up-close, specifically the transformation of more than two dozen caterpillars into beautiful butterflies. Mickey and Elaine helped save these caterpillars by request from predatory situations and bringing them to his own backyard.
Throughout the day we’ll be posting his awesome photos that show the amazing journey. We begin with a look at the prep stages for the caterpillars and their entrances into the Monarch safe houses where they would enter the Chrysalis stage. You’re in for a treat today. This is truly awe-inspiring!
Here’s our second batch of photos from Joe Koscielny taken at yesterday’s DeKorte walk. These mainly focus on some “house sitters” (great pun, Joe!)
Joe Koscielny sent some great photos from yesterday’s DeKorte walk, where 30 species and taxa were spotted. Here’s the first of two batches, with the second to come in a little bit. Thanks as always Joe!
Northern Parula
Northern Parula
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
A hearty welcome to our newest blog contributor, Steve Ceragno, who sent in the following photos he took at DeKorte over the weekend. We look forward to more of your submissions!
Common Yellowthroat
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Red-tailed Hawk
Those who came out to DeKorte for yesterday’s nature walk with the BCAS were treated to more than 30 species and one taxa! Below is a complete list and we’ll have photos later on. Our next walk is Tuesday, Oct. 18 at Mill Creek Marsh in Secaucus. Don’t miss it!
Mallard |
|
X |
Double-crested Cormorant |
|---|---|
X |
Great Egret |
X |
Osprey |
X |
Northern Harrier |
X |
Red-tailed Hawk |
X |
Greater Yellowlegs |
X |
Lesser Yellowlegs |
X |
Ring-billed Gull |
X |
Mourning Dove |
X |
Chimney Swift |
X |
Belted Kingfisher |
X |
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker |
X |
Northern Flicker |
X |
Peregrine Falcon |
X |
Marsh Wren |
X |
American Robin |
X |
Gray Catbird |
X |
Northern Mockingbird |
X |
European Starling |
X |
Common Yellowthroat |
X |
Northern Parula |
X |
Blackpoll Warbler |
X |
Yellow-rumped Warbler |
X |
warbler sp. (Parulidae sp.)Yellow Warbler |
X |
White-throated Sparrow |
X |
Song Sparrow |
X |
Swamp Sparrow |
X |
Eastern Towhee |
X |
Northern Cardinal |
X |
House Finch |
X |
American Goldfinch |
Ron Shields took these photos of what appears to be a juvenile Cooper’s Hawk yesterday and last week on Disposal. Looks to be the same guy.
Yellow-bellied Sapsucker
Credit: Marie Longo
Autumn is a wonderful time of year in the Meadowlands, a time when the hectic days of summer slowdown in favor of the cool season’s winds and the beautiful golds, scarlets and crimsons of fall colors.
I don’t think I could live in a part of the country that didn’t have a real change of season like we have here in New Jersey. Every season brings many changes to the natural world, and none more dramatic and diverse than autumn.
Just as our lifestyle changes in the fall, it also changes in many ways not only for the birds of the Meadowlands, but also for our backyard birds.