Mystery Critters

Mystery plant started by itself in this pot. Let it grow until flowering.....

Fleabane! Maybe a bird planted a seed!!...
Mysteries at Chelsea office...A few of these neat flies were slowly fluttering in front yard. You could see black and white spotted wings. When this one landed, it looked a lot like a dobsonfly, except for wings. Close relative in same family---a dark fishfly! Never saw one before...

Small unknown birds were flitting around quickly in the front yard and field. Looked like either wrens or warblers. One landed far away and there are markings on wings and head stripes. I think it might be the white crowned sparrow that Lynne2 has seen....

No mystery! It's Leonard, of course! Their den is under the decking....

Park Osprey Cams

While Mom was sitting on 2nd clutch of eggs, Dad brought a nice fish....

These are not really clear (you may have to enlarge), but finally have a cam working on Nest 2---the garbage bag nest! Chicks popped up when Mom finally stood! Chick #1 kept climbing out of the nest bowl and also popped #2!!...

There are THREE!! One in middle is sitting low.....

Dad had brought in lunch, so all were up and at 'em.....

Little Foxes 5-11-11

Believe it or not, there are 5 kits!! Found them at their playground near main den opening playing "go for the throat"!!....

A few came out in the field for a short while.....
Two in the shade....

A third ran up the field...

Four back under the trees....

Osprey and Eaglet at Park 5-10-11

Our other osprey cam nest was decorated with a plastic bag. Our #1 pair has chosen a plastic oil can on left!!Are they motoring??....

Got a little closer picture of the eagle nest with a little help from my friends. This is about full size. Next two are cropped. Still difficult to see eaglet well--sun is in back.... Another eaglet appears to be low and in back of this one...

Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary 5-3-11

Merkle is a State Park adjacent to Patuxent River Park (county). Took a trip there to see if a special resident had arrived. Along the road was a bluebird box with tree swallow!! "Well, my head is blue!".....

Osprey regulars are here....
THEY'RE BACK!!!! The first pink lady slipper on the block/path is on the left side by itself to greet you!....
Other clusters on the right side......
These 2 were in a small cluster a little further down the road. A new spot discovered! Saw at least 30+ including those not in bloom yet...
(There are more pics of these flowers on blog, one year ago!)

Merkle , cont'd.

Walking past the flowers towards the deck on River, this huge empty nest was around the corner!! Had heard a lot of chirping while looking at flowers....

Looking towards the shoreline, this was spotted....
An osprey.....
And look who's in the nest!!! A real nest isn't often seen, but there are only 2 platforms nearby on the River...

Foxes! They're Back!!! 5-4-11

After 4 years, we can see a fox family again!! Mom...

Someone wants lunch.....

More want lunch!!...