Sightings – Page 50 – Sharon Friends of Conservation

Wild Sarsaparilla – 10/2/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/2/13 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Location: woods near Beaver Brook Common Name: Wild Sarsaparilla Scientific Name: Aralia nudicaulis Comments: You might know Sarsaparilla as a sweet soft drink that was first introduced in the 19th century. Wild sarsaparilla is a common plant found in the northern and eastern parts of North America and grows on creeping underground stems. This plant was […]

Harvestman (Daddy Longlegs) – 10/2/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/2/13 Observation Time: 12:15 p.m. Observation Place: Woods near Beaver Brook (near Sharon train station) Common Name: Harvestman (Daddy Longlegs) Scientific Name: Opiliones family Comments: Harvestmen are 8-legged arachnids, but they are not true spiders. Their bodies are oval-shaped and have no waist like a spider. They do not produce venom, and they are harmless to humans. Harvestmen are omnivores, eating a variety of organic […]

Cross Orbweaver spider – 10/1/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 10/1/13 Observation Time: 3:40 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Cross Orbweaver spider Scientific Name: Araneus diadematus Comments: Native to Europe, but common in North America. Its name comes from the sign of the cross on its abdomen. More Information: GeoChemBio

Locust Borer Beetle – 9/30/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/30/13 Observation Time: 2:45 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (front yard) Common Name: Locust borer beetle Scientific Name: Megacyllene robiniae Comments: I spotted this beetle near locust trees. More Information: Tumblr: Animal World

Jerusalem Artichoke – 9/22/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/22/13 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer fields Common Name: Jerusalem Artichoke Scientific Name: Helianthus tuberosus Comments: Before the arrival of Europeans, Native Americans cultivated H. tuberosus as a food source. The tubers persist for years after being planted, so that the species expanded its range from central North America to the eastern and western regions. Early […]

Ladies’ Tresses Orchid – 9/22/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/22/13 Observation Time: 2:10 p.m. Observation Location: King Phillip’s Rock area Common Name: Ladies’ Tresses Orchid Scientific Name: Spiranthes cernua Comments: These wild white orchids grow on a spiral stalk (hence the name Spiranthes). More Information: Go Orchids or Nature Northeast

Milk Snake (roadkill) – 9/12/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/12/13 Observation Time: 4:30 p.m. Observation Location: Moose Hill Street Common Name: Milk Snake Scientific Name: Lampropeltis triangulum Comments: Sad to see this beautiful non-venomous milk snake run over by a car. Milk snakes are generally docile, but when alarmed, they sometimes shake their tails against dead leaves to imitate the sound of a rattlesnake. More Information: Virginia Herpetological Society

Belted Kingfisher – 9/9/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 9/9/13 Observation Time: 2:05 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam Common Name: Belted Kingfisher Scientific Name: Megaceryle alcyon Comments: These charismatic birds dive for fish. Believe it or not, they nest in burrows on the banks of streams and ponds. More Information: University of Massachusetts

Red-tailed Hawk (juvenile) – 8/14/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 8/14/13 Observation Time: 7:00 a.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Red-tailed Hawk (juvenile) Scientific Name: Buteo jamaicensis Comments: Red-tails are big, but they only weigh a maximum of about 3 lbs. They can live up to 30 years. They feed predominantly on small mammals. I took these photos out the kitchen window. More Information: PBase

Praying Mantis – 7/30/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/30/13 Observation Time: 5:50 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road backyard Common Name: Praying Mantis Scientific Name: Mantis religiosa Comments: This insect looks like it is praying, hence the name. It can swivel its head 180° to look for prey. More Information: Wikipedia

Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (female) – 7/30/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/30/13 Observation Time: 3:35 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond Road near soccer fields Common Name: Twelve-spotted Skimmer dragonfly (female) Scientific Name: Libellula pulchella Comments: This species of dragonfly is relatively large. Lots of different species of dragonflies live in Sharon. Can you find and phoyograph one that’s not already recorded on this web site? More Information: Ecobirder

Wood Nymph butterfly – 7/27/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/27/13 Observation Time: 2:43 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Wood Nymph butterfly Scientific Name: Cercyonis pegala Comments: It’s a thrill to get so close to something wild and beautiful. More information: Mass Audubon Butterfly Atlas

Eastern Cottontail rabbit – 7/27/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/27/13 Observation Time: 1:50 p.m. Observation Location: Sharon train station Common Name: Eastern Cottontail rabbit Scientific Name: Sylvilagus floridanus Comments: The Eastern Cottontail is an introduced species that is now common in Sharon. Much rarer is the native New England Cottontail, which is smaller and has shorter ears and a black spot on its forehead. If is very hard to tell these two […]

Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly – 7/24/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/24/13 Observation Time: 11:45 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Juvenal’s Duskywing butterfly Scientific Name: Erynnis juvenalis Comments: Even relatively drab butterflies are beautiful. More Information: Massachusetts Butterfly Species List

Great Black Wasp & prey – 7/18/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/18/13 Observation Time: 3:15 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road Common Name: Great Black Wasp Scientific Name: Sphex pensylvanicus Comments: This photo shows a great black wasp carrying a paralyzed katydid to its burrow. Sphex pensylvanicus is a species of digger wasp. It lives across most of North America and grows to a size of 20–35 mm (0.8–1.4 in). The larvae feed on […]

Viceroy butterfly – 7/17/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/17/13 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area near soccer parking area Common Name: Viceroy butterfly Scientific Name: Limenitis archippus Comments: This butterfly is smaller than the famous migrating monarchs, and the black markings are different. Note the black line on the hind wings. Monarchs do not have this line. More Information: NatureWorks

Tiger Swallowtail butterfly – 7/17/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/17/13 Observation Time: 1:30 p.m. Observation Location: 4 Gavins Pond Road (back yard) Common Name: Tiger Swallowtail butterfly Scientific Name: Papilio glaucus Comments: As I was picking raspberries in the garden, I saw this gorgeous butterfly, so I ran inside and grabbed my camera. More Information: Wikipedia

Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (male) – 7/15/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/15/13 Observation Time: 3:10 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Eastern Amberwing dragonfly (male) Scientific Name: Perithemis tenera Comments: This red-winged dragonfly is smaller than most other dragonflies. More Information: Odonata Central

House Finch (female) – 7/13/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/13/13 Observation Time: noon Observation Location: Gavins Pond soccer fields Common Name: House Finch (female) Scientific Name: Setophaga discolor Comments: Male house finches have reddish coloration on their head and breast. Females are brown. Both have a heavy, conical beak for cracking seeds open. More Information: All About Birds

Wood Nymph butterfly – 7/13/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/13/13 Observation Time: 11:05 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Wood Nymph butterfly Scientific Name: Cercyonis pegala Comments: Note the “pink earth” lichen in the background of the upper photo. More information: Mass Audubon Butterfly Atlas

Indigo Bunting – 7/11/13

Observer: Molly DellaRoman Observation Date: 7/11/13 Observation Time: 3:00 p.m. Observation Location: Trustees of Reservations Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Indigo Bunting Scientific Name: Passerina cyanea More Information: All About Birds

Snowberry Clearwing Moth – 7/9/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/9/13 Observation Time: 4:35 p.m. Observation Location: soccer parking area near Gavins Pond Common Name: Snowberry Clearwing Moth Scientific Name: Hemaris diffinis Comments: This diurnal moth is about the size of a bumblebee. More information: Butterflies and Moths of North America

White-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly – 7/8/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/8/13 Observation Time: 5:40 p.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: White-faced Meadowhawk dragonfly Scientific Name: Sympetrum obtrusum Comments: Males are red. Very similar to Ruby Meadowhawk and Cherry-faced Meadowhawk. This species seems to be in decline. More Information: Nature Search Two more photos taken 7/19/13 at about 5:30 where Turning Mill Brook flows under Wolomolopoag Street:

Band-winged Meadowhawk dragonfly – 7/4/13

Observer: Paul Lauenstein Observation Date: 7/4/13 Observation Time: 8:30 a.m. Observation Location: Gavins Pond area Common Name: Band-winged Meadowhawk dragonfly Scientific Name: Sympetrum semicinctum More Information: Wikipedia

Scarlet Tanager – 7/1/13

Observer: Molly DellaRoman Observation Date: 7/1/13 Observation Time: morning Observation Location: Trustees of Reservations Moose Hill Farm Common Name: Scarlet Tanager Scientific Name: Piranga olivacea More Information: All About Bird

« 1 … 48 49 50 51 52 … 59 »