Category: Uncategorized
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American Kestrel: The Smallest Raptor
Leonard Weber October 28, 2024 Taking frequent long nature walks throughout the year, I see approximately 110 different bird species annually in Detroit’s Eliza Howell Park. In mid-October this year, I saw an American Kestrel, a species that is not one that I spot every year; this is the 8th year in 20 years of…
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October: Leaf Senescence
Leonard Weber October 19, 2024 Many times on nature walks in Eliza Howell Park in October, my attention is divided between fauna and flora. I am alert to migrating birds and am looking for the last butterflies of the year, but it is impossible not to notice the changing foliage. I was able to arrive…
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The Sparrows of October: Three of Nine
Leonard Weber October 13, 2024 In a typical year, I see about 55 different bird species in Eliza Howell Park in Detroit during the month of October. Some of these are summer residents that have not yet departed south for the winter; some are year-round residents; some are migrants that spend neither summer nor winter…
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Looking for Mushrooms: Abundance on a Beech Log
Leonard Weber September 29, 2024 There are many fallen logs in the woodland of Eliza Howell Park, as is normal for an old forest. Fall is a wonderful time of the year to check out these logs and to note the variety of mushrooms that can be found. The log mushrooms are often fascinating in…
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Common Buckeye 2024: A Tribute
Leonard Weber September 19, 2024 I have always found the Common Buckeye a most attractive and intriguing butterfly. Though usually not common in frequency of appearance in Eliza Howell Park, 2024 has been something of an exception. This year, I have had the opportunity to see one quite frequently, sometimes for close-up looks. With these photos,…
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The September Monarch Butterflies Are Different
Leonard Weber September 12, 2024 September is a good time to observe Monarch butterflies in Detroit’s Eliza Howell Park. During the first third of the month, the caterpillars can be found relatively easily on milkweed leaves, eating steadily. Here are three from the past week. Many of the milkweed leaves are turning brown, and some are…
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Some Early September Nature Walk Stops
Leonard Weber September 7, 2024 The seasons are constantly changing, even from week to week. Here are a few examples of stops on nature walks during the first week of September 2024. Wild grape vines (the species here is probably Riverbank Grape) grow in various locations in the park, often climbing trees and/or shrubs. They…
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Eye-catching Insects on Goldenrod
Leonard Weber August 29, 2024 This is Goldenrod season in Eliza Howell Park, a time to stop and watch. Each year, I am impressed not just by the number of insects present on Goldenrod but also by how striking many of them are. I do not resist the urge to take photos. Sometimes, there is…
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Turtles in the Park
Mara Crawford August 26, 2024 On a summer morning, Painted Turtles can sometimes be observed in the small meadow pond at Eliza Howell Park. By afternoon, they are often out of sight. Perhaps the shallow pond warms sufficiently throughout the day to provide the turtles with a comfortable enough environment that they do not need…
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Acorns in August: Six Species
Leonard Weber August 16, 2024 The middle of August is a good time to visit different oak trees to get an early view of fall acorns. Most acorns are now large enough to locate – and to assess abundance – though they are not yet fully developed. My primary interest in doing “acorn rounds” at…
Eliza Howell Nature Walk 