April 10, 2013

Notes and changes since last report

• It was overcast, 60°F and calm at 3:00 PM on April 10, 2013.
• Palm and pine warblers have returned as has the field sparrow.
• In the Fern Glen hepatica, spring beauty, and colt's-foot were blooming with others moments away.
• As for butterflies, the eastern comma was out.

The Trails

• Along the Sedge Meadow Trail, honeysuckle bushes were just putting out their leaves.
• As seen from the boardwalk over the swamp, skunk cabbage leaves were getting big.
• The tunnel behind the Sedge Meadow was a good place to observe palm warblers and both kinglets.
• The sun made a surprise appearance as I passed along the bluff above the Wappinger Creek.
• At the bottom of the hill, patches of dogtooth violet - or trout-lily - leaves were up.
• In the sandy flood plane farther along, the alien lesser celandine had started blooming.
• At eye level, spicebush buds were swelling.
• As if in a CSI episode, it was only in the digital darkroom that I noticed the spider lurking amongst said buds.
• Japanese barberry too was leafing out.
• From a sunny patch on the Cary Pines Trail, my first of the season eastern comma rose as I approached. This happens right here every year.
• In the Fern Glen's limestone cobble, the race had begun. Hepatica was in the lead...
• ... with spring beauty right on its heels.
• Dutchman's breeches was following close behind...
• ... with early meadow rue trailing behind.
• How about one or two more of the hepatica? I love the fuzzy stems and sepals.
• Deeper in the 'Glen, trillium and wild leek (or ramps) were thrusting up leaves.
• At the edge of the pond lurked a bull frog, water striders and elusive newts.
• Behind me at the kiosk was fresh litter. I hesitated to mention it, but litter is a problem in natural as well as urban areas. Keep America Beautiful's website, LitteringIsWrongToo.org describes what it is, why it's bad, and what can be done about it. With the Wappinger Creek a stone's throw away, "ocean gyres" and "ocean garbage patches" came to mind. A NY Times article provides a good intro.
• Back by the bridge, colt's-foot had finally opened.
• Heading out through the Old Gravel pit, I heard the trill of the pine warbler; I'd been told it was back.
• Behind the Carriage House, the Japanese cornelian cherry was filling out now.
• Here too the magnolia buds were just starting to open.
• All this in a week's time.