Got Nectar?

Ruby Throated Hummingbirds are feeding heavily right now, adding weight for their flight south.  Ruby Throated hummers weigh less than a nickel and 1/2 of their weight is in the pectoral muscles of their breasts which are the muscles needed for flight.  While Hummingbirds frequent backyard feeders they prefer natural sucrose and small insects. It takes them about 20 minutes to digest the sucrose and they are 97% efficient at converting the sucrose to energy. Hummingbirds do not suck nectar through their beaks but lick the nectar with their raspy tongues.  Males begin the migration a few days before the females in order to establish their territories in the wintering and breeding sites.

Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird feeding in Jewelweed
9/15/13

Twin Girls!!

 The 2nd caterpillar became a female adult today in this series of photos by Sue Peters, Indiana Master Naturalist.  This Monarch will now begin the trip to the OYAMEL FIR TREES in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico.  After wintering on the fir trees, the Monarchs will begin the trip north where, in Texas, they will mate, lay eggs and die as the generation they began continues the trek north.

 

God speed, little ladies! 





 

IT'S A GIRL!

                                                                                                                     

A PICTURE'S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS.

THIS SEQUENCE TOOK PLACE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF HOURS.

THANKS TO SUE PETERS FOR SHARING HER PHOTOS.

It won't be long now!

While the Monarch caterpillars formed their chrysalis within a few hours of each other they are at different stages of development at day 10.  It looks like they are on schedule to soon make the flight to the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico.  The black crumb climging to the left chrysalis is the remains of the caterpillar skin after the formation of the chrysalis.
Photo:  Sue Peters

"Is it FALL yet?"

When it is 95 degrees F. and the dew point is over 70 degrees how do you keep cool when you just can't get to air conditioning?  If your a Fox Squirrel you just find a shady branch on a Mulberry Tree and hang out. 

On the Way to Adulthood

9/05/2013

Huey caught up to Louie about 3 hours later.  About 14 days from now we should see the emergence of the adult Monarchs.
Photograph:  Sue Peters

Growing Up On Milkweed

On 8-28-13 Jody Heastman, DNR Indiana Master Naturalist Program Coordinator, Ouabash State Park, held a class on the plight of the Monarch Butterfly.  After the class people were allowed to take some of the Monarch Caterpillars home to raise to adulthood and release at the appropriate time.  This is the story of two of those caterpillars taken by Ind. Master Naturalist Sue Peters.

As received 8-28-2013




In "J" position, 10:24 am, 9-04-2013

 

                                                   Louie, on right, made a chrysalis! Huey, on left won't be far behind 
                                                                              9-4-2013, 6:05 PM
                                                            Photos by Sue Peters, Allen Co., Indiana



         

A Room With A View

Humans provide many opportunities for our feathered and furry friends to lead a more comfortable and productive life.  Bird feeders are just an example of out attempts to entice song birds to our backyards for the simple joy of watching birds eat and just live life.  On the down side, bird eating raptors find well stocked bird feeders an open buffet with a great selection.  On the plus side, some members of the wildlife community find the feeders cozy and welcoming.  Some designs work better than others.

The only problem here is that "Rocky" seems to be sitting in his dinner plate.


Photo by:
Jonathan Ormiston
Noble Co., IN





 

This design seems to work well for raising a family also.

 This female Flying Squirrel is raising two youngsters where all the world can see.



Photo:
Deer Run - Allen County Parks
Allen Co., IN


Flying Squirrels, in Indiana, are not often seen during daylight hours. While a more correct term would be "Gliding" Squirrel, they have developed an excellent way to move about the forest expending the least amount of energy.  This mother seemed very calm about having visitors as she groomed and cared for her naked young.