Observations and photos from walks along the Schuylkill River. Most photos taken around August 13th.
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The area I walk is paved trails along the Schuylkill River in Center City Philadelphia and leading into the eastern edge of Fairmount Park on either side of the river. The terrain is fairly level with a bit of low river bluff and a few rocky outcrops. Grass along the trails is mown, with specific trees and shrubs planted along the trail — birch, cherry, winterberry, honeysuckle, etc. Near the Art Museum especially there are flower beds amidst some outdoor sculpture gardens. And just off the trails is “waste area” that hosts a wide variety of additional plants and wildlife including sumac, evening primrose, thistles, etc. The waste area plants are a mix of natives and invasives and actually a cross-section of “pioneer species” that are the first into recently disturbed ground.
And the there is the river itself. A dam is located right beside the old waterworks. Above the dam is a pool where boat races are held. The protective wire and rope barrier above the dam is a popular perching spot with gulls and cormorants. Below the dam the river has enough tidal variance that small rocky islands appear and disappear. And there is enough duck weed and other vegetation about to support a year-round population of ducks and geese. Canada Goose and Mallard Duck are common, but I have also seen Wood Ducks, Coots, Green Heron, and Great Blue Heron in the area as well.
Below are three photos of a particular plant growing along a trail in waste area. By the leaves, flowers, and fruiting body it appears to be a member of the mallow family, Indian Mallow (Abutilon theophrasti). I have seen these before in the waste areas, but it seems to be very prolific this year.
* — I am not good at identifying dragonfly species. But I like getting good pictures of them very much.
** — This looks interesting from an ID standpoint. A little under an inch long. Looks like two primary wings and they fold at the side. Large eyes on the side of the head. And really long forelegs. I considered, and then ruled out, assassin bug due to the lack of prominent antennae. And the smallness of the antennae and the eyes make me think “cicada” along with the wings, but cicada usually appear more squat and fat than this.
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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.