Muskrat

Exploring Richard M. Nixon County Park in York this weekend, we heard someone exclaim, "I need a naturalist!". As we hurry over, a woman and two small children stare inquisitively at a large rodent. Merely 15 feet away from us, this muskrat sat minding his own business. He nibbled some wood, went for a swim under the ice, and then cleaned himself for us. As if we weren't even there.

The muskrat is much smaller than a beaver and has a long rat-like tail.

Richard M. Nixon County Park, York, PA

Money Shot!

Green Heron + Leopard Frog

Pickering Creek Audubon Center

Easton, MD

Monarch Caterpillars

Exploring the milkweed...

Lots of monarch caterpillars nibbling...

Ahhh the beauty of evolution... allowing this zebra striped caterpillar to consume the poisonous milky white juices of the milkweed plant causing the toxins to ooze through its squishy body and keep predators at bay!

Predator!

A gorgeous northern water snake finds a meal in the brackish creek.

We discovered her taking shelter between the canoes.  These beautifully unique animals were swimming right next to us, minding their own merry business, as we paddled in just a few moments earlier.  (American eel!)

Green Heron

My favorite heron, the smallest one, fishing at Pickering Creek.

Photo taken from a kayak by Kim Frey

(Click photo to view larger image)

Striped Wintergreen in bloom!

Hiding right near the base of a beech tree, this little beauty was nestled between some roots, fallen leaves, and spider webs. I almost overlooked it.

Bird Nests

Lots of new life this spring and summer.. here's a few I got to see up close.

Red-winged blackbird on the edge of the creek in the marsh grasses.

Carolina Wren nest in a little hole on the top of a storage tank in the backyard. The nest is made with oak tree flowers, fine twigs, and leaves.

Northern Cardinal nest in a very young tree.

Wood duck nest on wood chips covered in down feathers in a wood duck box (substitute for a natural tree cavity) near a wetland.

Barn Swallow nest made of mud under the dock.

Eastern Pheobe nest on a ledge made of mud and moss.