An online resource based on the award-winning nature guide – maryholland505@gmail.com

WELCOME TO A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH THE FIELDS, WOODS, AND MARSHES OF NEW ENGLAND

Find more of my photographs and information similar to that which I post in this blog in my award-winning book NATURALLY CURIOUS

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Amphibians On The Move

Every spring, frog, toad and salamander lovers await the first warm, rainy night in early spring in hopes of observing hoards of amphibians awakening from their winter hibernation and migrating from their upland hibernacula to wetlands to breed.  For many in the Northeast the start of this migration began this week.  Monday evening temperatures hovered around 60°F. in the Champlain Valley Basin in Vermont and it was raining lightly.  Hundreds of Blue-spotted Salamanders, Spotted Salamanders, Wood Frogs, Four-toed Salamanders, Eastern Red-backed Salamanders, Spring Peepers, and Eastern Newts were rescued from moving cars as they crossed roads in order to get to their breeding grounds.

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Posted by  |  March 20, 2026 | Categories: Uncategorized, Amphibians, March, Spring Peeper, Spotted Salamanders, Wood Frog, Eastern Newt, Eastern Red-backed Salamander, Blue-spotted Salamander, Four-toed Salamanders | 3 Comments

Bud Scales

Bud scales are modified leaves that cover and protect immature leaves, stems, or flowers within a woody plant bud from dehydration and damage during dormancy. They are present from the development of buds in the summer until spring, when they are shed as the new growth within them emerges.

 During the winter months, the appearance of buds and the arrangement, color and number of their bud scales can be helpful sources of tree and shrub identification. Most woody plants, including American Beech, have “imbricate” scales which overlap like shingles. Others, like dogwoods and Nannyberry have two or three scales that meet in the middle without overlapping (“valvate”).  Still other buds, like those of Hobblebush and Witch Hazel, lack any bud scales and their buds are referred to as “naked.”  Willows, whose buds are just beginning to swell and open, are unusual in that they have only one bud scale which consists of two fused scales. 

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Posted by  |  March 16, 2026 | Categories: American Beech, Bud Scales, Buds, Hobblebush, Nannyberry, Uncategorized, Willows, Woody Plants | 7 Comments

Cecropia Moth Pupae: A Nutritious Treat

Cecropia Moths spend approximately 10 months as pupae inside cocoons fortified with three layers of protection.  These silk layers are tough enough to thwart most predators, but there are a number of birds present in winter that are equipped to reach the innermost chamber where the pupa resides. Chief among them is the Downy Woodpecker, which is responsible for up to 90% of raided Cecropia cocoons (see hole drilled in upper part of cocoon). Other birds, including Blue Jays, Red- and White-breasted Nuthatches, Ravens and an occasional Black-capped Chickadee also prey on these pupae. Eastern Gray Squirrels, White-footed Mice and parasitic wasps are responsible as well for preventing these moths from reaching adulthood. (Inset photo: male Downy Woodpecker)

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Posted by  |  March 13, 2026 | Categories: Black-capped Chickadee, Blue Jays, Cecropia Moth, Cecropia Moth Cocoon, Cocoons, Downy Woodpecker, Eastern Gray Squirrel, March, Parasitic Wasps, Raven, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Uncategorized, White-breasted Nuthatch, White-footed Mouse | 3 Comments

Eastern Chipmunks Emerging

The first sign of spring can often be heard or seen the beginning of March in most of the Northeast. Each year it’s always fun to see what you hear or see first that tells you that winter’s in the rear-view mirror.  A striped rodent that has spent the winter in an intermittent state of torpor is likely to appear any day, if it hasn’t already.  Eastern Chipmunks somehow detect that days are lengthening and temperatures are rising from their subterranean tunnels and soon scamper above ground. One of their two annual breeding seasons occurs in early spring, and there is no time to lose — females mate usually within a week of emerging above ground and will give birth in about a month. 

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Posted by  |  March 9, 2026 | Categories: Mammals, March, Torpor, Uncategorized | Tags: | 5 Comments

Muskrats Gathering & Grooming

Muskrats remain active all winter, although they, like beavers, are restricted in their movements once the water freezes in the ponds or marshes where they reside.  Winter is spent resting and grooming themselves in their lodges, swimming under the ice to procure food such as cattail roots, and feeding in their roofed platforms or“push-ups.”

Once ponds and marshes begin to melt in early spring, muskrats are quick to be out on the ice or their lodge in the sunshine and fresh air. If you should happen upon a muskrat at this time of year, you are likely to see it grooming itself or its litter mates.  Muskrats are fastidious groomers — they use their paws and teeth to comb through their fur, distributing water-repellent oils from scent glands. 

Grooming not only makes their fur water repellent, but also functions to trap the air within it, thus providing good insulation. Clean, waterproof fur allows them to remain in cold water for up to half an hour. To stay well-groomed, they will conduct a thorough grooming before entering the water and again after they leave it. (The grooming activity also generates some body heat.)

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Posted by  |  March 6, 2026 | Categories: Mammal coats, Mammals, March, Muskrat lodges, Muskrat push-ups, Muskrats, Rodents, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Eastern Bluebirds Adapt To Winter

Even though we are well aware of the northern expansion of birds due to milder temperatures, coming upon one or more Eastern Bluebirds in a winter landscape can still surprise us. Crickets, grasshoppers, caterpillars, spiders and beetles are the predominant invertebrates bluebirds eat in the summer, but their food supply all but disappears come fall.  How do bluebirds survive all winter in the Northeast when insects and spiders aren’t available?

Like white-tailed deer and beavers, Eastern Bluebirds adapt as winter approaches by changing their diet to accommodate the food that is available. In winter a bluebird’s diet consists primarily of small fleshy fruits such as sumac, winterberry, and cedar berries.  Come spring, when invertebrates are once again plentiful, bluebirds will revert to a meatier diet.

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Posted by  |  March 2, 2026 | Categories: Avian Diets, Birds, Eastern Bluebird, March, Songbirds, Thrushes, Uncategorized | Tags: | 6 Comments

North American River Otters Sliding & Gliding

Those of us who spend time near wetlands in the winter occasionally come across six-inch-wide troughs in the snow made by North American River Otters as they slide from one spot to another. How do they manage to slide without their feet getting in the way?  Across level ponds and fields as well as down river banks these members of the weasel family flatten their body as they throw themselves on their bellies, tuck in their front paws against their chest and push off with their hind legs which are then lifted into the air as they glide up to 20 feet on ice or snow.  This form of travel is very efficient, with otters occasionally traveling 18 miles per hour. They alternately run or lope and then slide, conserving energy as they cover ground and having a good time while doing so, judging from the number of slides you can find in one spot.

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Posted by  |  February 27, 2026 | Categories: February, North American River Otter, Uncategorized, Weasel Family | Tags: | 10 Comments

Bobcats Mating

During February and March, Bobcat mating is at its peak.  It is the likeliest time to see two of these cats together, as they are largely solitary.  After a few days of courtship (running, hunting and playing together), copulation takes place, lasting less than five minutes. Bobcats compensate for this brevity with frequency, mating up to 16 times in 24 hours.  One might surmise that this could cause considerable fatigue and a cat nap might be necessary.  During the day, in the winter, if the sun is out, Bobcats are known to sun themselves, gathering solar heat and at this time of year, perhaps a much-needed rest. (Bobcat Photo by Alfred Balch)

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Posted by  |  February 23, 2026 | Categories: Bobcats, Breeding Seasons, February | Tags: | 8 Comments

Tufted Titmice Singing

The Tufted Titmouse’s song is a loud, clear, two-note phrase, repeated over and over up to 11 times in succession.  “Peter-Peter-Peter” can be heard now, even though snow and cold temperatures are still with us.   While titmice may pair up any time of the year, the singing of the males is a vital part of establishing territory and courtship.   Females occasionally sing but not as loud or as often as males.

The Tufted Titmouse’s song is familiar, while its calls are more numerous and varied. Twelve different Tufted Titmouse calls have been identified. They range from the ‘chick-a-dee’ and ‘seet’ calls made in response to predators, to the hissing done by a female titmouse in a cavity, defending her nest.

To hear both songs and calls of the Tufted Titmouse, go to https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Tufted_Titmouse/sounds .

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Posted by  |  February 20, 2026 | Categories: Bird Calls, Bird Songs, Birds, Songbirds, Tufted Titmouse, Uncategorized | 4 Comments

Eastern Coyotes Mating

For several weeks Eastern Coyotes have been engaged in courtship behavior – mutual scent marking, chasing each other, wrestling and traveling together.  They become increasingly vocal during this time, with lone females using “invitation howls” to attract mates and pairs engaging in howling duets. 

Sometime between late January and March, peaking in mid-to late February, mating takes place. This is the only time when male coyotes are capable of producing sperm. Female coyotes have a two-to-five-day receptive period when they will allow mating to take place. Mated pairs become nearly inseparable during this time, traveling and sleeping closely together.

Look carefully if you happen to be following coyote tracks at this time of year. Throughout courtship and the breeding season females often leave spots of blood in their urine or beds, which can be visible in the snow (see photo).

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Posted by  |  February 16, 2026 | Categories: Canids, Courtship, Coyotes, Eastern Coyote, Estrus, February, Mammals, Uncategorized | Tags: | 3 Comments