Nature & Wildlife

The hummingbird moth belongs to the genus of sphinx moths (Hemaris), in the family (Sphingidae). While in the garden, individuals can easily mistake the familiar humming sound of these moths in flight for bumblebees or hummingbirds. Hummingbird moths beat their wings rapidly and hover over flowers to collect nectar. This moth looks almost identical to […]

There are about twenty species of chipmunks found in North America. Here in Maine, we have the eastern chipmunk (Tamius striatus). The other species of chipmunks are smaller, belong to the genus (Eutamias), and live in the West. The eastern chipmunk is a small, striped rodent, belonging to the squirrel family (Sciuridae). Every spring and […]

A couple of years ago, we had a family of groundhogs take up residence under our shed in the backyard. You can read all about them here. I haven’t seen any of these family members until now. About a week ago, a groundhog found its way into the pool area. It squeezed under the fence […]

This has been quite an exciting season regarding our wildlife sightings. The pool area has been a hot spot in particular. Our first sighting involved seeing our first porcupine here on the property. On this particular evening, we were cleaning the pool and we heard something out in the woods. It was way too loud […]

Although spring has technically arrived several weeks ago, it sure hasn’t felt like it until today. We still have some snow on the ground here, but the weather is really starting to warm up. A few of our annual visitors have arrived such as the American woodcock (Scolopax minor) and the eastern phoebes (Sayornis phoebe) […]

When putting out feeders for the birds, you also have to consider other critters showing up for a free meal. I lucked out for a while without anyone showing up other than the birds. We now have the occasional raccoon (Procyon lotor), skunk family (Mephitidae), eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis), American red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus), […]

Ice covered maple trees (Acer). An ice covered spirea flower (Rosaceae). A rock wall covered in ice. A frozen beech leaf (Fagaceae). Beech tree leaves (Fagaceae). Ice covered bee balm (Monarda). Maple Trees (Acer) covered in ice. An ice shape on a tree limb. Beech Leaves (Fagaceae) with ice. A fallen black spruce (Picea mariana) […]

Ice formations in stream bed during the winter. Shoreline ice shapes. A close-Up of an ice formation in a stream. The broken edge of a sheet of ice. Icicles hanging from a branch. A break in the ice. An ice pattern on stream bed rocks. Where the ice and water meet. A dripping ice formation. […]

Snow covered trees during the winter. A snow filled field in Kingfield, Maine during the winter. Mount Abraham located in Franklin County, Western Maine. A view of Mount Abraham And Sugarloaf Mountain located in Western Maine. Snow covered apple trees (Malus) in the backyard. A snow-covered country road. An empty bench on a snowy day. […]