In With The Old, Week Twenty-One

Saguaro National Park (April 2007)

My company used to host a conference every April in Scottsdale, Arizona. Economic issues saw the cancellation of the conference this year. But for the past several I would spend a few extra days out west and in 2007 visited Saguaro National Park outside of Tucson. I had planned to visit several places in the Tucson area, but I liked Saguaro so much I spent the entire day there. 

Having a sunny day with temperatures in the mid seventies (Fahrenheit) with a steady breeze made for a wonderful day of wandering in the desert. As you can see, I'm not the only one who had visited the area.

This is a variation on a theme by Bo.

Sunday Six: May 17th

                                    Citizen Scientists ...

This is part of a group of volunteers who will be performing grassland bird surveys throughout New Jersey this May and June. Sadly, grassland bird numbers are dwindling due mainly to habitat loss at the breeding grounds. The picture was taken at Duke Farms during a workshop on grassland bird identification in the field. One of the target species, grasshopper sparrow, was the subject of my musically inclined 365 theme image.


                                    ... Doing Science

In the form of scanning for grassland birds. The purpose of the outing was to give the volunteer surveyors practice identifying and viewing the target species in the field. The habitat at Duke Farms is ideal for this. And there is no comparison between observing a bird in the field or only in a field guide.


                                    Tree Swallow

We saw approximately thirty species of birds amongst the group. Including this nattily attired tree swallow.


                                    American Toad

Not only birds make use of the grasslands. A variety of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians do as well. This fellow was pretty well hidden in the grass along the side of the dirt road. 


                                    Dr. Kristin Mylercraine

Of the New Jersey Audubon Society, shown here taking my profile picture, is the researcher overseeing the grassland bird surveys.


                                   Lichen Bench

Back at the Coach Barn there were several benches like this one. Clearly they haven't been getting much use of late. By humans anyway. The lichens seem to like 'em.

365 Theme 127: Grass, Turf, Lawn

Well, it's definitely not "turf" or "lawn". But it is definitely grass. This is another shot taken at Duke Farms, this of just part of what is one of if not the largest remaining grassland in New Jersey. It was a very hazy day, with fog and overcast skies, which explains the all white sky and the washed out tree line. 

Sunday Six: May 10th

                                   Golden Heather

I spent Saturday morning at the Franklin Parker Preserve and had fun using my macro lens to take pictures of the wildflowers growing there. The Preserve is 9400 acres in the heart of the Pinelands National Reserve.


                                    Red Chokeberry with Ants

Look closely and you'll see that the black spots in the flowers are actually ants. I've long been fascinated by ants. It amazes me how such a tiny create can show such a wide range of behaviors including fungus gardening, "milking" of hoppers, and elaborate structure building. At one job I had the people I managed even got me an ant farm for my birthday. I set it up in my office. It freaked out some visitors. 

                                    Dwarf Dandelion

I've never quite understood the distinction between flowers and weeds. This sure looks like a flower to me. But if you believe the TV ads, it is really a scourge to be eliminated at all costs. Curious.


                                    Pine Sap

This stem appeared to have been cut relatively recently but there was no other evidence of cutting or trimming in the area. The stem itself is about the size of a US 25 cent piece.


                                    Mystery Flower

I've no idea what this flower is. Neither do two friends who are pretty good botanists. If you know what it is please let me know in the comments.

Update: We have a tentative ID, Teesdalia nudicaulis (shepherd's cress). And Mike was right, it's a weed.

                                    Old Cranberry Bog

A wide view of the preserve showing an old cranberry bog. You can see a couple of the pump houses in the distance. As I'm sure you've guessed, this one is not a macro shot.

In With The Old, Week Twenty

Valley Forge (November 2005)

My sister and her family live a few miles from Valley Forge National Historic Park in Pennsylvania. And my niece and nephew love to go 'hiking' their, where hiking means we walk down the same trail along a stream every time. I always bring a camera and have gotten a few nice shots. Including this one, although I missed the peak of fall color.

365 Theme 246: Purple

A blue toadflax taken at the Franklin Parker Preserve in the New Jersey Pinelands. If you look closely you can see pollen grains on the petals. (As always, click the image for a larger version.)

365 Theme 193: Musically Inclined

A grasshopper sparrow at Duke Farms. Duke farms has some of the largest remaining grassland tracts in New Jersey. And this fellow is singing with joy about that. Or he's looking for a date. This species is threatened [pdf] in NJ, as much of the grassland in the state has been turned into farmland, which is some cases can be managed to support grassland birds, or into buildings, which cannot. 

I stole the idea for this theme from another 365 Challenger, but I cannot find my note with that person's name. If anyone knows who it was please leave a comment. Thanks. 

Update: In the comments Ellen pointed out that it was coffeemonkey from whom I stole the idea.