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Yellowjackets: The Death of a Colony
Leonard Weber November 1, 2023 There are two related social wasps that I have paid special attention to over the years in Eliza Howell Park: Bald-faced Hornets and Yellowjackets. Most years, I find at least one active nest of each. This year, I have visited the site of an underground Yellowjacket nest regularly over the…
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Frost on Flowers: A Late October Walk
Leonard Weber October 23, 2023 It was cold and sunny when I arrived at Eliza Howell Park this morning. As soon as I realized the extent of the frost, I focused my attention on some of the flowers I have been watching this fall. It’s fascinating to see how different they look when frosted. A…
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Late Season Monarchs: An Update
Leonard Weber October 4, 2023 A little more than three weeks ago, I reported seeing several Monarch caterpillars in Eliza Howell Park and noting that they will not be among the early departures on the long migration to Mexico. (See “Monarch Caterpillars in September,” September 11.) Since then, I have been looking for their chrysalises…
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Sneezeweed: Flower and Insects
Leonard Weber September 25, 2023 When I think of late September wildflowers in Eliza Howell Park, I usually think of goldenrods and asters. This year, however, I am spending more time in a patch of a different species: Common Sneezeweed. Common Sneezeweed is a perennial that grows well in wet soil; this patch is in…
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Nine Fruiting Vines: Annual September Walks
Leonard Weber September 20, 2023 Nature is cyclical. The same phenomena can be observed at approximately the same time each year. One of the items on my annual September nature-walk agenda in Eliza Howell Park is to check on the fruit of a variety of vine species. 1. Virginia Creeper Virginia Creeper is one of…
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Monarch Caterpillars in September: Not Quite Ready to Migrate
Leonard Weber September 11, 2023 There are many Common Milkweed plants in Eliza Howell Park, in various locations, and I sought out a significant number of them on my most recent walks in the park. By the second week in September, the seedpods have developed but are not yet open for dispersal of seeds. Many…
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Milkweed Tussock Moth: Another Milkweed Caterpillar
Leonard Weber August 28, 2023 It is widely known that milkweed leaves are eaten by the Monarch butterfly caterpillar. What is not so well-known is that another colorful caterpillar also feeds on the leaves of the Common Milkweed. August is a good time to seek an introduction to the Milkweed Tussock Moth caterpillar. There are…
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Goldenrod Soldier Beetle: Abundant in August
Leonard Weber August 20, 2023 While insect watching in the Eliza Howell Park wildflower field recently, I have been impressed by the presence of a large number of Goldenrod Soldier Beetles. Given the name of the beetle, it is no surprise to find them nectaring on the goldenrods that are just starting to bloom. What…
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Dogbane Leaf Beetle: An Introduction
Leonard Weber August 14, 2023 As is often the case with insects, the first time I saw a Dogbane Leaf Beetle, I didn’t immediately know what it was. After identifying it, I followed up with a little research. Today, I went looking for the beetle in Eliza Howell Park and was pleased to find three…
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Eliza Howell Nature Walk 