Red Squirrel

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
On my shed roof.

June Collecting

June was disappointing, wet,cool and very windy. My bog really didn't produce what I was hoping for, but I did manage to come up with more species.
Both top & bottom views are included for the majority, but not all of those collected.

I was going to wait and post this later, but work schedule looks like I'll post it now.

Bittacomorpha

Phantom Crane Flies! These guys are just an interesting little critter that I've really begun to see in the last few years. Whether they are becoming more prolific or it's because I've become more aware of them, I'm not too sure. Probably the latter. I walked out of the house this morning, and there at the door was a Phantom.

Bald Mountain

This June has been wet,cold, miserable. When the sun does shine, I'm too busy playing catch up. So the forecast for today was overcast, spotty showers in the mountains. Perfect conditins to go for a hike. At least it wasn't pouring rain.
So I went up Bald Mt. Its a small hill between Rangeley and Mooselookmeguntic Lakes. It's also one of the most popular trails here, and that's mainly due to it's accessibility. Doesn't mean that it is the best for the uneducated and out of shape masses. It usually claims it's share of broken and twisted ankles. But it's a beautiful mountain with great views and it's home.It has an observation tower on top.
I love being in the mountains in the clouds.

Wood turtle

Clemmys insculpta

Back in the rain.

Blue-eyed Grass ( Sisyrinchium L.)

Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)

Speckled Alder (Alnus rugosa)

Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

Tamarack (Larix laricina)

Robert Hunter once wrote a song called "Keys to the Rain." I wish I had those keys right now. The forecast is for rain clear until the end of the coming week. Maine is a maritime climate, no doubt about it. And so what does one do when it rains seemingly without end? Go outside and take some photographs.

Sunny day

Aspen (Populus tremuloides)


Bunchberry (Cornus canadensis)

Bracken Fern (Pteridium aquilinum)



Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis)

Pooter

We have not had much sun this month. It has been a wet month and so when the sun shines, even for a few hours, it's time to rejoice. Or pick yourself up from your fetal ball and dry your eyes and have some fun.
It has been with some trepidation that we go into summer here in western Maine. The last few years summer began in July and ended in early August. So while the sun shines it's good. With luck and hope we might have summer.

Albatross Necropsy

If you have a weak stomach, don't watch, you have been forewarned. But you should watch it and see how plastics harm our wildlife.

Lupines And Blue Flag

Pseudoscorpion

Yesterday morning while I was shaving, this little guy came walking down the wall. Pseudoscorpions are pretty common in my house, and perfectly welcome to share my space.

Savannah Sparrow and Dark-eyed juncos

(edited: had a brain cramp, and called a Savannah Sparrow a Grasshopper Sparrow. I guess I should read my own posts more carefully.)

Bears in the night.

Around 2:45am on the 11th, a bear stopped by the house to check out the bird feeders. I stepped out to push it away, which is usually pretty easy, you just go outside. Well I heard claws on tree bark, and knew I was dealing with a mom and cubs. I didn't see the cubs, but saw mom. She looked at me started popping her teeth and I bolted.
Here's what she left behind. (No I can assure you it wasn't me.)


And that was the second bear in a week.

Beetles in the News

Concerning the effects of the mountain pine beetle in Colorado, Elevation Outdoors Magazine has a piece on the beetle and it's possible effects on recreation.

Food

Growing up in New Jersey did have some benefits. Ecologically, it is the northern range of a whole host of plants.I spent a lot of time in the Pine Barrens. And the shore. Hot and humid in the summer, it does carry a lot of good memories for me. Out in the Pines, nighttime was an incredible mix of sounds.

We also had good food. Harvest Cake, Blueberry Crunch, (works great with a berry mix,yumm!) and Pepper Hash. And of course Jersey tomatoes and corn.

And I can't forget peaches.

Or blue crabs.

Yellow-rumped warbler

Dendroica coronata

Violets

Lady slippers

Lady slippers,moccasin flower, whatever you call them it's still Cypripedium acaule. When the mosquitos are at their worst and the blackflies are swarming, you can be sure they are blooming.