Breakneck Hill Conservation Land

The fields were being mowed today at Breakneck Hill.  Most of the nectar sources are gone by anyway, so I don't feel badly about it.  This is a wildlife-friendly mowing schedule compared to a lot of other places where I walk.

I saw a couple of Clouded Sulphurs and one Orange Sulphur today, but they were all from a distance.  Watching for butterflies is tough this time of year anyway, when milkweed seeds and falling leaves are all blowing in the wind distracting the eye.

There were some nice birds to make up for the lack of butterflies!

Apple Camouflage 

(click to enlarge and see who's eating the apples)

Yellow-Rumped Warbler

Ruby-Crowned Kinglet

Downy Woodpecker

 GORGEOUS!!

The rotting apples in the orchard are a popular substitute for flowers this time of year.

Meanwhile, outside my office window this afternoon, I was entertained by:

American Robins
Black-Capped Chickadees
1 Dark-Eyed Junco (first confirmed sighting of the fall)
1 Northern Cardinal
1 Red-Bellied Woodpecker
Tufted Titmice
1 Yellow-Rumped Warbler