Cottonwood on Lower Flat - March 26 2007Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.Here’s are big cottonwood on the lower flat. The bark on these trees are so thick.
Sap seems to be ousing from the buds
At the base of this tree is where I found an owl pellet.
Owl Pellet found on lower flat- March 26 2007Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.I’m walking on the lower flat near our cotton wood tree by the lake and I look down and see this thumb nail size owl pellet. Owl pellets are basically owl vomit. Owls regurgatate hair and bones that they can’t digest.
Owl pellets inspection is a good way to find out about the rodent population in a given area.
Here are some of the newly emerging wildflowers:
Hepatica
Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.
I can’t remember what this flower is??? I’ll have to look this one up:
These are dutchman’s breeches:
Mating Ground bees #3 on Upper Flat - March 25 2007Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.
Mounds from these solitary miner bees (a.k.a. digger or sand) are all over the ground again. These bees are swarming all over the ground. This is the first time I’ve seen them actually mating.
Ground bees are one of the polinators of the early wildflowers found here at camp.
FYI: Male bees (all species) can’t sting.
sapsucker holes - March 25 2007
These holes in this tree are made by the yellow bellied sapsucker. They make the holes which allow the sap to come out which attact insects which the woodpecker then eat. It’s basically a insect trap made by a bird. Pretty ingenious.
Originally uploaded by Camp Naturalist.
I’m not sure if these are ants? These may be queens that are leaving to make new nests.
