Looking back on, and forward to, summer
What a winter it’s been here in Vermont. It’s my first living here since '97/’98, and one more like I remember them as a kid in the eighties than what I hear they’ve been like in recent years. I’ve been more welcoming of so much snow than some, but by now we’re all looking forward to warmer, greener days. I’m eagerly anticipating spring, which is closer to two months than one from arriving here in central Vermont. But, I’ve not spent a spring here since taking up photography, so I will share some summer images to sooth our winter-weariness.
A little waterfall in Green Mountain National Forest near Warren.
Pale Jewelweed, an indicator species of rich woods, near the stream pictured above.
Female Ruby-throated Hummingbird in Lilac. The name of this species refers to the gorget of the males, but the pearly white white throats of females help to distinguish them from females of other species. This isn’t necessary in Vermont where we have only one species, with very rare exceptions, but at the western and southern parts of this eastern hummingbird’s range it’s good to know. Tail feathers also have useful field marks for female hummingbird identification.
Here she is enjoying Bee Balm nectar. This flower should really be named for hummingbirds not bees, since it is very much adapted to being pollinated by them.
Juvenile Broad-winged Hawk. Most Buteos, Red-tailed Hawks being the most common and widespread example, favor open environments, but Broad-winged Hawks are forest raptors.
Broad-winged Hawks are very vocal. After learning their loud whistle of a call in June I quickly discovered that they are very common. in the Vermont woods.
When I first spotted him this young Porcupine was napping in this apple tree. I was most appreciative when he woke up for a photo shoot. Like Beavers, porcupines feed on cambium, the living inner bark of trees, but they climb rather than fell them to access it.
Staghorn Sumac with freshly formed fruits. They were untouched for a couple months before Robins feasted on them.
This Eastern Chipmunk did a fine job of filling up her cheek pouches, probably with the seeds of the Red Maple she is under. They cache their food supplies in chambers within their tunnel systems.
Even in profile those cheek pouches are clearly well stuffed.
Fritillary on Joe Pye Weed. I think this is a Silver-bordered Fritillary, but I’m no Lepidopterist. Please let me know in a comment or email response if you can confirm or correct my ID. Joe Pye Weed is a boon to nectar-loving insects, and a beloved component of the summer color palette of wet meadows in the northeast.
Monarch on Goldenrod. The thickness of the black lines on this individual’s wings identify her as a female. I don’t know which species of Goldenrod this is. There are many here, all of which are crucial late-summer nectar sources. Allergies at this time of year have long been wrongly attributed to Goldenrod, but are actually due to Ragweed and some late-flowering grasses. Wind-pollinated plants cause allergies, not those whose pollen is insect-distributed.
That’s it for this edition, my friends. Thanks for your time and attention. I hope you enjoyed this sampling of summer splendors. It’s hard to believe right now, but summer will return. Eventually. If you are viewing this in an email please consider forwarding it to someone who might appreciate it. If you’re viewing it on my website please sign up to get my posts in your email at https://www.geraldlisi.net/ Until next time, please take care of yourselves, each other, and the land you live on.