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Hawaii (Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Kauai) is great… in addition to being ten degrees cooler that Florida at the right time, it is a beautiful combination of sea and mountains. Though I had been there 30+ years ago, I really didn’t have much of a sense of the place. We were there for two weeks in […]

Hubricht’s Bluestar (Amsonia hubrichtii), NYBG

Looks very 4th of July!

Two Cormorants on Long Island Sound

Two double-crested cormorants (Nannopterum auritum) near Sprite Island on Long Island Sound.

Five Coots

American coots (Fulica americana) are distinct from ducks. Members of the rail family, they have lobed toes rather than webbed feet, allowing swimming and walking across the marsh. Gregarious, they form large rafts, and defend using a repertoire of splashes and calls. A raft of five coots suggests that by staying anchored, working harmoniously with […]

Purple Loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)

Purple loosestrife poses a severe threat to North American ecosystems. Its rapid growth outcompetes native plants, reducing biodiversity and degrading habitats for birds, amphibians, and fish. But it sure looks nice…