What better way to start the day while it was still dark this morning than with Snoopy writing to his mom.
Last night we had a “Whip-poor-will” calling close to the cabin. I took this photo in 2016 on this day in 2016.
As soon as there was enough light I checked at the lights for moths. Today’s surprise was this “Singed pinion.” It was new for me. The current total number of species at the cabin is over 550.
At 6AM I headed out to the “Raptor Roost.” That’s what I call the highest deck which is 28 feet off the ground. I usually watch for migrants for and hour or two before we talk a walk to the Point.
My shadow on the lane as I headed to Whitefish Point Road. Today there were a lot of Sharp-shinned Hawks, Broad-winged Hawks and Red-tailed Hawks. There were a few harriers and even a Peregrine Falcon. Then it was back to the cabin and then a walk in the woods.
Another new patch of “Menzies rattlesnake plantain,” an orchid that should be blooming in another two months.
Butterflies are quite numerous. Comptons tortoiseshells, one on the left are quite common. Green commas, one on the right are never as common as Eastern commas.
A final plant is this “lycopodium.” There’s a huge patch (100s of individual plants) about a quarter mile south of us just off of Whitefish Point Road.
More tomorrow…
Michael's Place 