Krista Melville
Hammonds Plains,
Member since December 1, 2018
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Meadow Vole Snuggle
Each spring as the snow melts on our lawn, damage from meadow vole 'runways' becomes visible. While checking out the destruction this past May I noticed a little clump of dry grass in the middle of our yard. To my surprise it contained three tiny meadow voles. I covered the area to protect it and within a few days the babies were fully grown and left the nest.
Tended
A late instar Silvery Blue caterpillar is feeding on a vetch blossom while being "tended" by an ant. These two have a mutually beneficial relationship. Silvery Blue caterpillars secrete droplets of a nutritious sugary liquid that attracts ants and the ants, in turn, protect the soft and vulnerable caterpillars from parasitic wasps.
The Glance
With weather conditions in our favor and the formation of the "Atlantic Bubble" just days prior, my Dad and I were elated to make it to the Machias Seal Island Migratory Bird Sanctuary early this July so he could check this item off his bucket list. The small island in the Bay of Fundy is home to the most southerly colonies of the Atlantic Puffin. I captured this one as it walked across the rocks next to our blind.
The Hitchhiker
I spotted several of these female wood ticks questing with front legs outstretched on a clump of tall grass while walking along a trail one evening. They certainly gave me the creepy crawlies and I triple checked to make sure none of them hitched a ride home with me!
Frog Surfacing
A green frog surfaces from the depths of the pond.