July 23, 2016
It would feel odd not to have a Philadelphia-centric Bucket while DK is spending a lot of time on events in Philadelphia. So today we take a walk along the trails of Philadelphia’s Pennypack Park on a very warm Saturday morning. 1,600 acres of woodland, wetland, and meadow in northeast Philadelphia. The paved trail walked today is the main one that runs parallel to Pennypack Creek for the most part. It is used by joggers, bicyclists, and supports horseback riding as well. There was even a fisherman using one of the bridges to fish in the creek.
And right at the parking area we were using is the Fox Chase Farm; one of two working farms in Philadelphia. This one is run by the School District of Philadelphia as an educational farm and includes its own dairy herd.
The creek is in a shallow valley and not flowing that quickly at this time. Tributary streams come in from either side now and then. Exposed rock in and along the creek appear to be the usual metamorphic rocks in the area — mica schists and quartzites; probably Wissahickon Formation.
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note any observations you have made of the world around you. Insects, weather, meteorites, climate, birds and/or flowers. All are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
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Bird and small mammal sightings were the usual critters for the northeastern US; gray squirrel, chipmunk, House Sparrow, Starling, Blue Jay. A fair number of Gray Catbirds about as well.
Besides the beetle and hornet above there were a number of butterflies seen but not photographed; white cabbage, skipper, and two Tiger Swallowtails.
One thing I note from my various eastern US hikes and how many of the species I see often and sort of see as “natives” are not native North American species.
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Now It's Your Turn
What have you noted happening in your area or travels? As usual post your observations as well as their general location in the comments.