March 21 – My Nature Journal
March 21, 2026 Nature Journal
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle
Harmonia axyridis
Let me just state for the record that I’m well aware that the proper name for these beetles is “lady beetle”. However, when I was growing up, these tiny, shiny, red-with-black-polka-dots insects were always called “ladybugs”.
Normally, I prefer as much scientific accuracy in my nature journaling as I can manage. But I make an exception in this case.
Lady beetles are “ladybugs” to me—and always will be.
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Sciurus carolinensis
Today’s nature walk turned even more entertaining than usual, thanks to a group of three juvenile Eastern Gray Squirrels.
Eastern Gray Squirrels are common in my area. Therefore, my nature walks almost always include several squirrel sightings. But usually, I only see adults.
Baby and juvenile squirrels stay in their nests until they’re ready to start foraging on their own. And since Eastern Gray Squirrels nest high up in trees, I usually spot juvenile squirrels only when they leave the nest.
But today, a group of three juvenile squirrels cavorted in, out, and through their nest which was located high up in the trunk of a dead tree. I counted at least four different holes into the nest, each occupied at different times by at least one or more miniature squirrels.
I find Eastern Gray Squirrels entertaining at the worst of times. These three tiny juvenile squirrels added the joy of boundless, youthful energy, and max cuteness to the mix.
Red-tailed Hawk
Buteo jamiacensis
I left the entertaining antics of the juvenile Eastern Gray Squirrels, and ran straight into one of the squirrels’ serious enemies—a Red-tailed Hawk.
In my experience, Red-tailed Hawks like to perch up high, in open areas where they can watch for movement on the ground easily.
This bird was no exception; the limb upon which he perched belonged to a very tall tree. But because the tree grew on a steep slope just to the right of the trail, the hawk was lower and closer to my position than he otherwise would have been.
Red-tailed Hawks are common in my area but I see them less frequently than other hawk species, especially Red-shouldered Hawks (Buteo lineatus). And when I do spot Red-tails, it’s often only from a distance.
So this hawk’s choice of a relatively low perch led to a rare treat for this nature journaler.
Clouded Sulphur Butterfly
Colias philodice
American Robin
Turdus migratorius
Pond Turtle
Family Emydidae
Tufted Titmouse
Baeolophus bicolor
Today’s Nature Journal Snapshot
|
Time of Day |
Late morning through early afternoon |
|
Setting |
Hardwood and pine forest and meadow |
|
Temperature |
77° F / 25° |
|
Weather |
Sunny with lots of broken clouds |
|
Humidity |
40% |
