September 11, 2019

Notes and Changes since last report

• It was 82°F, hazy and calm at 12:00 PM on September 11, 2019.
• Rain moved out of the forecast for today - a nice change, but it was warm and a bit humid.
• Warblers were moving through today.
• This week's trail report covers the Cary Pines Trail side of the trail system.

The Trails

• Today it wasn't on the lamp post, rather the kiosk.
• Yes, the red-tailed hawk that was here last week.
• It flew ahead of me down the road to the Carriage House, along which black swallowtail was feeding on thistle.
• It was overhead in the Scots Pine Allé, where a praying mantis lurked.
• At the Little Bluestem Meadow, it flew one way as a common wood-nymph flew the other.
• In the Old Gravel Pit, a pair of puffballs was just off the edge of the path.
• Plodding out of the bottom of the Old Gravel Pit, I looked up and stopped in my tracks: something hung over the path ahead.
• A barred owl.
• It flew off before I could adjust the exposure, but not too far.
• As we watched each other, a red squirrel scolded one or the other or both of us.
• Off the side of the road to the Fern Glen, a zabulon skipper darted out and back to a perch on a small oak.
• Nearby, asters were blooming.
• At the edge of the parking area, hazel catkins were ready for next spring.
• The nuts were not yet ready for this year.
• In 'Glen itself, wreath goldenrod was blooming along the side.
• A crane fly crossed the path and landed under a fern.
• Back in the fen, Virginia creeper was turning deep red.
• Across from it, poison sumac berries were turning white.
• Not far from the deck, the other easy woodland goldenrod, zig-zag, was blooming.
• Tall white lettuce could be found in a number of locations.
• Although the leaves are variable, the nodding flowers are consistent.
• Behind in the shade was a very nice plantain-leaved sedge.
• Near the stone bridge, Indian cucumber root berries were ripening to black, contrasting with the red leaf base below.
• Several small sassafras saplings were growing by the Fern Glen sign.
• Just under them was a colorful fungus.
• The edge of the pond had been opened up just a bit for better viewing.
• A painted turtle was sunning on a log.
• And a small snapping turtle was on a neighboring branch.
• Above both of them, a dragonfly launched forays from a perch.
• Out on the Cary Pines Trail, partridgeberry was occasionally in extensive patches.
• Canada mayflower was pretty spent, but a few berries could still be found.
• Next week: the Wappinger Creek Trail side of the trail system.

Sightings