September 9th. Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These and a few more photos of this moth are posted to a FlickR album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanmalcolm/albums/72177720311080598

 

Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) were working the Goldenrod (Solidago sp.).

 

 

 

 

 

This bee has s nearly full load of pollen on its hind legs.

 

A Thick-headed Fly (Family Conopidae, Physoconops sp.)

 

One of the bushy early Asters.

 

The beetle is a Shining Flower Beetle(Family Phalacridae). As an undergraduate work-study job in the late '60s, I was tasked with extracting the male genitalia of my boss' - and later my - study group, the Hydrophilidae. He gave me a vial with hundreds of little beetles which I dutifully began dissecting. I was well along in the job when he realized they were Phalacrids, not Hydrophilids. Argh! But at least I got paid for the work if not for the damage to my eyesight.

 

I won't attempt to ID this true bug nymph.

 

 

 

Fall color of the Burning Bush or Winged Euonymus (Euonymus alatus) has gotten more intense.

 

Showy Goldenrod (Solidago speciosa) is distinct enough from other species in the genus that I feel confident in my identification. I don't recall ever seeing it at Raymond Brook Marsh before.

 

 

 

September 11th. On a rainy afternoon, the sun came out so I headed to the trail. Nifty clouds.

 

Unfortunately, as I headed west, conditions changed rapidly...

 

...and I walked in pouring rain. (It doesn't show up in the picture.) By the time I got back to my truck, I was soaked.

 

A dead Snapping Turtle (Cheldra serpentina) in the trail. Looks like a bike ran it over.

 

October 12th. One Day-lily plant (Hemerocallis fulva) is still blooming at the Route 85 parking lot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The anthers are just starting to open and offer pollen.

 

A bee-dragled Bumble Bee (Family Bombidae) probably spent the night on the Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) blossoms.

 

Bad hair day.

 

 

 

Indian Pipes (Monotropa uniflora). Parasitic on other plants. Lacks chlorophyll in flower, stem, and leaves.

 

Monotropa is Greek for "one-turn", referring to the sharp bend at the top of the stem.
The specific epithet, "uniflora", means single flowered. Other Monotropa species may have multiple flowers.

 

An afternoon stop at Cranberry Bog in East Hampton. I hadn't seen this Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) in several weeks.

 

It's the bird with the hole in its throat where the stub of its damaged tongue protrudes.

 

Opposite the blue trash barrels and above the parked cars, look up and see a large nest of Bald-faced Hornets (Dolichovespula maculata).

 

The wasps were very active.

 

 

 

 

 

Honey Bees (Apis melliffera) were active...

 

...as were Bumble Bees (Family Bombidae).

 

 

 

Another Yellow-collared Scape Moth (Cisseps fulvicollis).

 

Note the metallic blue abdomen.

 

Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos).

 

 

 

 

 

September 13th. Low hanging fog ahead of thunderstorms and heavy rain expected later this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

A DEEP crew repaired this sinkhole on July 3rd and 4th, but it washed out yesterday and no doubt will further wash out today.

 

The Indian Pipes (Monotropa uniflora) have pushed up further through the leaf litter.

 

September 14th. Scroll up to compare the view from this spot yesterday in the fog. Dramatic difference.

 

As predicted, yesterday's heavy rain washed out more of the patch done by a DEEP crew on July 3rd and 4th. (See above to compare.)

 

September 15th. Northern Harrier? (Circus cyaneus).

 

 

 

 

 

Note the white rump.