Category: Critters

A monarch film I hope you’ll see

We thoroughly enjoyed The Flight of the Butterflies at the IMAX theater at the Kentucky Science Center in Louisville recently. The film tells the amazing story of monarchs’ (Danaus plexippus) migration from North America to Mexico and back. It also tells of Dr. Fred Urquhart’s lifelong quest to solve the mystery of the monarchs and how he engaged citizen scientists to learn more about monarchs and discover their wintering place in Mexico.

Click below to play the movie trailer. Then click in the bottom right corner to see it in full screen mode.

Chip Taylor, the Director of Monarch Watch, gives this film a rave review and reports that monarchs are in serious trouble. Their population is half of what it was in the 1990s. I’m glad to know that 40% of proceeds from this movie goes to Monarch Conservation in Mexico. I’m hoping the movie will inspire people to plant more milkweeds. They are essential for the survival of monarchs since milkweeds are the only plants the caterpillars can eat.

This film documents an amazing story and the photography is spectacular. I truly hope you can see it. The film is playing in Louisville until January 18, and is or will be showing soon in other IMAX theaters. If you go, I’d be glad to know what you think about it. I would also appreciate you sharing this information with anyone else who might be interested.

Correction of hawk identity

In last week’s post, “Life and death in the backyard,” Harry and I thought the bird we’d seen was a red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus). However, we were not certain and I invited other ideas. Thanks to the comments of excellent birders, we are now convinced that it was a Cooper’s hawk (Accipiter cooperi).

Immature coopers hawk with squirrel it has killed Continue reading “Correction of hawk identity”

Life and death in the backyard

Eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) are very much a part of our backyard. They are entertaining to watch. However, they also frustrate us by eating so much of our bird seed and digging where I’d rather they didn’t. When we saw a hawk eating one of them last week, I had mixed emotions.

Red-shouldered hawk eating a grey squirrel

I felt sad for the squirrel. Yet I also appreciate the majestic beauty of hawks and the part they play in the balance of nature. I know they must eat to survive. Bottom line, I’m glad to have seen this hawk at close range, and also glad we still have squirrels in the backyard.

After checking our bird guides and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornitholgy website, our best guess is that this is an immature red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus). If so, it’s the first one we’ve seen in our yard. If anyone has a different idea I’d be glad to hear from you.

Golden asters and butterflies

After a scarcity of butterflies during much of the summer, I’ve appreciated seeing several in the backyard lately. Our Golden Asters (Chrysopsis villosa) are in full bloom and have attracted several visitors.

four different butterflies nectaring on golden aster
1. Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) 2. Orange Sulphur (Colias eurytheme) 3 & 4. Variegated Fritillary (Euptoieta claudia)
5 & 6. Gray Hairstreak (Strymon melinus)

Continue reading “Golden asters and butterflies”