by Marlene Berlin I recently discovered a new ecosystem up in my trees – by looking down. I returned from vacation to find a sticky black substance on my backyard deck. Above was a crepe myrtle I’d had planted in the spring. I looked up to find many leaves covered by the same black substance. […]
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Backyard Nature: Dragonflies put on an action-packed airshow
by Marjorie Rachlin photos by Larry Meade, North Virginia Bird Club Have you noticed the dragonflies lately? Swooping over your front yard? Dodging the cars in the Politics and Prose parking lot? Patrolling in a loop-the-loop over your garden? But where’s the water? Dragonflies always live near water, right? Actually, they will use any large […]
Backyard Nature: Water striders chat, caterpillars attack, and bullfrogs duel
by Marlene Berlin In Rock Creek Park and along its tributaries, you can see some fascinating critter behavior if you keep your eyes searching – and your curiosity on high alert. Recently I saw what appeared to be ripples in Rock Creek from droplets of water landing from above. But it was not raining, and […]
Backyard Nature: A slithery surprise at the Tregaron bullfrog pond, and the not-entirely-green green tree frogs at Linnean Stream
by Marlene Berlin One recent Sunday, I headed with a friend to Tregaron Conservancy in Cleveland Park, taking the Rock Creek trail from Pierce Mill south to Klingle Trail. From that trail, the conservancy is located just beyond Connecticut Avenue to the right. I wanted to check out the activity in the bullfrog pond,
Backyard Nature: Make birds feel at home in your backyard or on your balcony
by Marjorie Rachlin Do you ever wonder what those birds in your backyard are doing? Do your children ask, “What’s that bird?” There’s an easy way to find out. Just install a few simple attractions like a bird bath, a hummingbird feeder or a wren house. I have all these “amenities” in my Forest Hills […]
Backyard Nature: Seeing ghosts in Rock Creek Park
by Marlene Berlin The last few times I have walked up the steep slope in Rock Creek Park on a trail from Gates Road, I have come across this odd ephemeral flowering white plant called Monotropa uniflora. Monotropa is a Greek word that means “one turn,” and in the case of this plant, it refers […]
Backyard Nature: Hello, hummingbirds
by Marjorie Rachlin It’s time to get your hummingbird feeder out. The ruby-throated hummingbirds are here, having flown all the way from Central America in early May. A feeder with sugar water will give you a close look at this busy, tiny bird. An adult male ruby-throated hummingbird, as its name suggests, has a lovely […]
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Backyard Nature: An owl stands its ground in Rock Creek Park, and an uncommon backyard sighting
by Marlene Berlin The people you meet on Rock Creek Park trails are generally friendly. The same can’t always be said about the wildlife. I took a hike in Rock Creek Park on a sunny but cool day in late April. As I headed back toward home, I saw this common short-eared owl. It was […]
Backyard Nature: Turkeys on the trail
Before the Soapstone trail’s March closure for the sewer rehabilitation project, it was a popular place to take a stroll. And apparently, it still is. Minsuh Son, who can see the trail from her backyard, spotted two wild turkeys on the main trail last Friday. This fellow’s female companion was just out of frame. Son […]
Backyard Nature: The Broad Branch frogs are putting on a show
by Marlene Berlin I must admit I have been worried about the frogs. I’m used to hearing the hum of the American toad permeate the neighborhood beginning in early March. This spring, I heard nothing. Not until last week along the Linnean trail. Many years ago, when I first noticed the high-pitched hum, I was […]