March 03 – My Nature Journal
March 03, 2024 Nature Journal
Metric Paper Wasp
Polistes metricus
I spotted these two Metric Paper Wasps crawling around on a concrete bridge railing. Although this species has a reputation for being fairly calm, I kept my distance. I don’t mess around with any wasp, no matter how good their reputation, and Metric Paper Wasps can certainly sting when riled.
Song Sparrow
Melospiza melodia
This Song Sparrow was flitting around on this partially submerged tree branch as I crossed a bridge above it. The water looks icy in the photographs, but it’s not. The water is actually just incredibly scummy—so scummy that I can’t believe this bird was actually drinking it.
But I suppose wild animals must make do with what they have. I only hope the nasty water didn’t hurt this sparrow.
Pond Turtle
Family Emydidae
Yellow-bellied Slider
Trachemys scripta scripta
As usual, the lake abounded with basking pond turtles today. This Yellow-bellied Slider was in a typical position, balanced on a partially submerged log with head and neck outstretched. He remained completely motionless as I paused to take his picture but was clearly aware of me. I could almost feel him evaluating whether I was a threat and whether he needed to dive into the water for protection. So I moved on quickly and left him to his sunbathing.
Today’s Nature Journal Snapshot
|
Time of Day |
Mid-afternoon |
|
Setting |
Large lake and oak/hickory forest |
|
Temperature |
72° F / 22° C |
|
Weather |
Mostly sunny |
|
Humidity |
46% |
