Goldenrod, Solidago

Goldenrod

Solidago

- Goldenrod - 

Persian Speedwell, Veronica persica

Persian Speedwell

Veronica persica

- Mighty Little Blue Flower - 

Butter and Eggs, Linaria vulgaris

Butter and Eggs

Linaria vulgaris

- Butter and Eggs -

Deptford Pink, Dianthus armeria

Deptford Pink

Dianthus armeria

- Shouting for attention -

This little flower is easy to overlook when rambling through the countryside. However, during peak summer months, Deptford pinks' tiny little blossoms shout for attention. These small blossoms top out at about only a half inch in diameter.

Red-Legged Grasshopper, Melanoplus femurrubrum

Red-Legged Grasshopper

Melanoplus femurrubrum

Red-Legged Grasshopper
 

While the grasshopper probably is not most folk's favorite creature, it still is a critter that deserves cataloguing and attention. He is in the same order as Jiminy Cricket and the locusts that

Black Raspberry, Rubus occidentalis

Black Raspberry

Rubus occidentalis

 

Summer hasn't truly begun for me until I can taste the sweet, tart fruit of the black raspberry plant. And, after a well earn day of working in the summer sun there is no more tranquil way to unwind than to go foraging. In my part of the Catskills, this tasty fruit begins to appear in early July and continues to fruit to the end of the month.

The black raspberry is related to the more famous red raspberry and blackberry but its unique taste has earned it its own right. The fruit tends to be smaller, seedier, and tarter than the other two species. But where I wander they are bountiful and make up the backbone of my foraged fruits. And, like all (non-poisonous) berries, they are good for one's health.

When foraging for this berry it's best to wear long sleeves and long plants because one will have to dive into masses of thorny, sticker branches to get the finest fruits. But all that hard work and those bleeding scratches pay off for that one delicious little berry! Take note, if one waits too long, the birds will greedily snatch up the fruit leaving none behind. And finally, remember, black bears also like berries!

Fellow naturalist, Dave Spier, has more information on and appreciation for the black raspberries here.

The darker, the tastier

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubus_occidentalis

http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-Raspberries-and-Blackberries-Apart

Barn Swallow, Hirundo rustica

Barn Swallow

Hirundo rustica

 

I got lucky with this photo. My little Coolpix Nikon really isn't meant for taking pictures of birds. Birds generally move quickly and fly away when one gets too close. But this little swallow sat on his perch for a long time letting me photograph him (or her).

 

Barn swallows are particularly fun because they live close to humans, preferring man-made structures for shelter. I find them fun to watch when I cut the lawn. They dance and tumble around behind the mower snatching up all the seeds and insects that my mower flings into the air.

 

Despite there fun nature I do worry a bit about these birds residng so close to humans. Their nest and fecal matter can pose a health risk to humans and domestic animals if they are contaminating food or water sources. But one does require special permission to remove swallow nests.

 

Head profile

Looking away

 

Reader's Digest Book of North American Birds (2012)

http://allstateanimalcontrol.com/animals/swallows/swallow_faq.php#9



White-Tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus

White Tailed Deer

Odocoileus virginianus

 

White-tailed deer are common throughout New York. They are famous for there distinctive white tail which can been seen as the deer run away. This white flag is to warn other deer of potential predators.

 

 

A spotted fawn seen near the side of the road