Mourning Cloaks

This past Sunday I explored the area of Connetquot River State Park just north of Veteran’s Highway. During my walk, I came across this butterfly. It's a Mourning Cloak. The unusual name refers to its resemblance to the dark coats worn by mourners in the olden days. Unlike most other butterflies that migrate in the fall, Mourning Cloaks stay, hibernating in tree cavities and bark. They emerge in the early spring, before most migrating butterflies arrive, and for this reason they are often one of the first butterflies to be seen.

Spring Azures

This weekend, in some of the more remote areas of the Connetquot River State Park, these little butterflies were fluttering about. I believe, although I am no entomologist, that they are Spring Azures. Unfortunately, my photograph (of one with its wings closed) doesn't capture their overall beauty because it is only when they are flying with their wings open that you see the lovely bluish azure color that is referred to in their name.

Turtles

Yesterday I walked in the Connetquot River State Park and also around West Brook Pond. It was as if I was out on the first day that nature was waking up from its long winter nap.  I rejoiced when I saw that the turtles had returned to sunning themselves on the logs at West Brook Pond. It was like meeting a long lost friend that I had missed very much. This caused me to go to every local spot where I usually see turtles at to try to see more, but it was only at West Brook I saw them. Next weekend I will definitely be checking out again all the favorite local turtle hangouts, because they are one of my favorite creatures to see and photograph when I'm walking.

Ospreys

Ospreys near West Brook Pond

I start looking for the return of Ospreys to our area around St. Patrick’s Day. This year the birds seemed to have arrived about a week later to Oakdale than they usually do.  I can’t say that I blame them, since it is still cold here. Something I find interesting about Ospreys is that even though they mate for life, they take separate vacations. Couples just returning to our area will raise their young here, and when their parenting jobs are done in the fall, they will part and migrate to different places in Central or South America.  It is an interesting arrangement they have which seems to work well for them.