The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what's going on around you. What's the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or peahens in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like lots of photos. :)
Fall is coming to the Northeast. Now's the time to take walks and leaf-peep, admire the late flowers and generally feel the pleasant melancholy of the changing season. Follow me over the orange leaf pile for a walk with Gracie the Wonder Pug.
We are blessed with a lovely town park not 10 minutes from our house. It fronts on the Mohawk River and has acres of woods, a pond with a covered bridge and a small dog park. That is, the dog park is small - it's not just for small dogs. ;)
Gracie loves the park and gets ridiculously enthusiastic when we tell her we're going. Google "screaming pug" and you'll have some idea of the cacophony we experience.
I do no such thing
Our park is set up for people. It is not a wildlife or nature sanctuary by any means. The town pool is located inside its borders along with the local Little League fields, a boat launch, a large playground for children (and adults, if they are so inclined) and a huge pavilion for parties. You might think a place so dedicated to human activity would be lacking in natural appeal but, if you know where (or how) to look, it can be full of wild life.
Along the edges of the fields and paths, many wildflowers can be found, including fall asters,
goldenrod,
and many other plants that have a beautiful fall aspect. Cattails are found all around the pond and thankfully, no purple loosestrife has found its way in yet.
Patridgeberry (Mitchella repens) has an edible, if dry and unappetizing, berry,
as does wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), though its berry is much tastier. The leaves are good to chew on, too.
Animals are a bit harder to locate as they tend to avoid people, but even with a hyper pug tearing it up,
It's a damn lie. I'm the soul of restraint.
we spotted a few critters around the day we visited; a garter snake,
and a little tufted titmouse that followed us for some way, scolding the whole time.
We even found a big, furry caterpillar! I believe this may be the same kind of caterpillar Most Awesome Nana posted a week or so back, a hickory tussock moth.
On the way out, we stopped at the dog park so Gracie could run free and get her ya-ya's out.
We had one last bit of excitement on the way back to the car. We couldn't believe our eyes! Thank goodness that is a quiet road. You can't see it from these photos but the road hairpins just out of frame on the left, coming straight towards where I was standing. Cars are forced to go very slow. Still, we were worried.
Fortunately, Momma and fawn finally retreated from the edge of the road around the time Hubby and I were getting ready to chase them off. Gracie never even noticed them - she was too tired from barking at the titmouse.
So, how is fall going in your part of the country?
"Spotlight on Green News & Views" will be posted every Saturday and Wednesday at 1:00 pm Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.