Common Redpoll...coming soon to a neighborhood near you

Flushed a small flock of common redpoll (Carduelis flammea) while doing my job at the waterfowl hunt parking area the other day on Lee Metcalf NWR (Stevensville, MT). Of late there are posted sightings of redpoll on MOB from other birders in Montana. Obviously, Nyger feeders are best at attracting these winter finches; don't forget that non-feeder habitat can be just as reliable and good for finding these birds. Here's some video from December, 2011 illustrating this point:


It doesn't hurt to use your ears/hearing in finding these species also; they have a distinct call:



Finally, a photo of how one usually sees these birds in the 'field'

Common Redpoll in flight

'Yard' Restoration...Continues

Yesterday I seeded about 400 square feet of yard to native wildflowers, photo below. Note the sand on the soil; the process of planting requires adding small seeds to 10 cups of sand, mixing thoroughly, then distributing on bare ground. That's it!!

The rock garden seed mix was acquired from Native Ideals Seed Farm. Here's a species list of what was planted:

No doubt it won't be kool-aid; hoping it will look something like this in two years or so (another part of our 'yard'):

Now have very little to mow; I've built it and they have come...wild your yard-planting time is now!

Lichen Looking

Continued my deeper segue into lichens. Have made several field trips seeking species out. Here's a short video of my adventure, mostly capturing aesthetics of lichen searching, to Kootenai Creek (Bitterroot National Forest) yesterday:

Below are two photos of somewhat common, distinct-form lichens...variously referred to as tube, bone or pillow lichens. Yes, the naming scheme fits; many plant and animal have common names that include a description of form or color. The genus is Hypogymnia and for the most part species in this genus are found growing on bark, occasionally on moss over rock. These lichens are not really small and lend themselves to photos by plain point & shoots. Taking along a magnifying lens is also a good idea for the in-the-moment experience. The color and structure of these plants is beautiful and abstract, though my questions also center how and why. On your next walk, try looking for lichens-they can even be found in urban areas :-) 

Hypogymnia physodes or Monk's-hood lichen

Hypogymnia tubulosa or Powder-headed tube lichen

Vote Now...for the correct Fritillary ID

Timely opportunity to practice decision-making before tomorrow's voting booth visit. This poll is wildlife-centric; help me determine the identity of five different butterflies that are from the genus Speyeria or Fritillary in general. This group of insects are difficult to identify because of variability in color/pattern within species. All the shots posted below capture the underwing which is key for identification. Any resource/reference may be used in voting. You might read a American Birding Association blog posting from Ted Floyd, that overviews the concept of species in the context of birds. It is excellent reflection as basis for decision-making here with butterflies. A multiple choice form follows the photos below...good luck.

Photo 1

Photo 2

Photo 3

Photo 4

Photo 5

Full Life...

Contained in a feed from Brain Pickings is a quote from Anais Nin (1946):

Technology associated with this blog posting may be superficial as Nin describes, but it a great medium to broadcast her message. Similarly, Fast Company has a Kaihan Krippendorff web posting about finding your work purpose/passion. So a simple message to you: "Get in the moment, find your purpose/passion, go for it, be the best you inc...create a full life" 

Here is a photo link of some butterflies doing just that:

Butterfly-'Coppers' subfamily Lycaeninae

Rabbitbrush...Neighborhood Butterfly Magnet

Over time I've discovered that some of the best wildlife watching may be right out the front door of your home. For sure it helps if one cultivates plants/habitats attractive to wildlife around the home site. Plus, many residential areas/subdivisions may have areas that are dedicated as "parks" in the neighborhood. That's the case where I live. It just so happens the parks (not huge in size...largest about 7 home lots in extant) here have a good native component. To my discovery, the 'beat down' looking shrubs growing in these areas, Rabbitbrush (Ericameria genus) are major butterfly attractants in late summer/early fall. Paul Opler, dean of butterfly watchers, published a paper detailed 33 species of butterfly using Rabbitbrush [Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 49 (1), 1995, 1-5]  Yes, I've been going to a large expanse of Rabbitbrush southeast of Stevensville which has been great for butterflying. However, the wildlfire smoke has been really bad there recently. So, I checked out instead the Rabbitbrush in my neighborhood parks. And I'm not talking about extensive stands, instead scattered specimens far apart that may get to 6 foot in diameter (most much smaller). Had some great action. Found west coast lady, hoary comma, juba skipper, red admiral, and clouded sulphur in an hour. Here's the video followed by photos for your enjoyment:

Clouded Sulphur

Hoary Comma

Juba Skipper

Red  Admiral

West Coast Lady

Watching Dragonflies...Learning How

Monday mid-afternoon, a hot summer day...my wife and I go to Fort Fizzle to wade in Lolo Creek for the exquisite feeling of cold, rushing water. Brrrr, water is still cool in August! I've got my Canon DSLR camera and Christine has her keen eye on rocks. The action begins, a dragonfly...it's a darner zooming by, nice! After several more darner sightings, a smaller, darker dragonfly with emerald eyes blows past. As 'Scooby Do' would say "rut row". Yep, I'm fully engaged with getting a photo of this mystery odonate. The best I could do:

Emerald species

I'm thinking this is a member of the Striped Emerald group, genus Somatochlora. Did not know or think of looking here for this genus of dragonfly. These dragonflies really fly, I mean for extended periods which photographing them challenging. And this could be a species I've never seen before. Choices according to the Dennis Paulson field guide Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West are Ocellated, Ringed, and Hudsonian Emerald (all stream species to a degree). The photo I took does show a diamond shape (if not a photo artifact) on the front of the thorax, indicative of Ringed. However, not getting any sense of white rings on the abdomen. So have gone back two other times this week after work to get a diagnostic photo. No luck. So tomorrow morning will be going to the spot for success. Had a similar challenge with Sedge Darner (Aeshna juncea) at Mud Lake near Skalkaho Pass (east of Hamilton, MT). After the fifth try I captured one in flight:

Sedge Darner

Hey, the fun is in the doing and discovery. 

Other groups of dragonflies are not as difficult at least to photograph. Meadowhawks, genus Sympetrum, are much more cooperative. Check out this video:

I encourage you to investigate your own neighborhood...learn something new and good:-)