Heckscher State Park

 

The sun setting at Heckscher State Park

 

The moon rising over Heckscher 

I love that the full Moon always rises at sunset.

Caterpillar

This week feeding from the milkweed plants at the Connetquot River State Park were some Milkweed Tussock Moths. Monarch butterfly caterpillars also like to feed on milkweed, but I didn't see them. Years ago, I had a friend who planted milkweed in her backyard so she could observe Monarch caterpillars. I don't feel the need to do this, because I know of places in Connetquot where the plant can be found and caterpillars observed. During my walk on Sunday, I met with the park supervisor, who, as we were talking about the caterpillars, mentioned to me his general rule of thumb for classifying them. If they are smooth they are usually butterflies, and if they are hairy they are more likely moths. Something to keep in mind.

West Nile

This Saturday I saw signs about the detection of the West Nile Virus in mosquitoes at the Connetquot River State Park. I admit I still walked there. For me it is just a reminder that even in my place of paradise I need to take precautions.

A Cormorant Flies into a Parking Lot

I wish I could come up with a punch line for this scene, but I just can't. This cormorant landed in the lot just as I had parked my car at Heckscher State Park. He seemed at home hanging out with the seagulls and didn't even seem to mind my photographing him. I watched him for quite sometime before he finally flew away.  Somethings I just can't explain like why a cormorant would land in a parking lot and hang out with the gulls. Maybe he just wants to feel like one the gang.