Nature Notes
On April 16, 2004 the Westborough News started carrying a bi-monthly column known as Nature Notes prepared by Annie Reid and Garry Kessler on behalf of the Westborough Community Land Trust. The column uses striking photography and commentary to describe the plants and animals that residents encounter while walking the trails throughout Westborough.
Anne and Garry were awarded the WCLT 2004 President's Award having contributed their many talents, most recently in nature photography and writing, to the growth and vitality of the WCLT. The couple's love of nature motivated them to explore the Westborough woods with their two daughters for the last 25 years.
For those who missed a column or wish to review the previous articles we present here the previous Nature Notes articles. If you wish to get the latest articles subscribe to the Westborough News For those who wish to read the articles from the beginning start here. Or pick the article of interest from the following indices:
Nature Notes by Date of Publication
September 26, 2008 |
Old-time bitter medicine
Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)
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September 12, 2008 |
Fragrant water-lilies linger on local ponds
Fragrant water-lily (Nymphaea odorata)
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August 29, 2008 |
A surprising salamander
Red-spotted newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens)
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August 15, 2008 |
The minty month of August
Eastern bluecurls (Trichostema dichotomum)
Western bluecurls (Trichostema lanceolatum)
Wild mint (Mentha arvensis)
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August 1, 2008 |
Strange plants of summer
Fungus-root partnership (Mycorrhiza)
Indian-pipes (Monotropa uniflora)
Pinesap (Monotropa hypopithys)
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July 18, 2008 |
Dragons and damsels
Damselflies (Zygoptera)
Dragonflies (Anisoptera)
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July 4, 2008 |
Pearl crescent butterflies
Pearl crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos)
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June 20, 2008 |
Westborough’s snakes are harmless
Garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)
Ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus)
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June 6, 2008 |
Treasure-hunting for trilliums
Nodding trillium (Trillium cernuum)
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May 23, 2008 |
May brings yellow warblers to Westborough
Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater)
Yellow warbler (Dendroica petechia)
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May 9, 2008 |
Wildflower, weed, or invader?
Celandine (Chelidonium majus)
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April 25, 2008 |
Watch for wildflowers in Westborough
European windflower (Anemone nemorosa)
Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
Rue anemone (Thalictrum thalictroides)
Windflower (Anemone quinquefolia)
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April 11, 2008 |
Ospreys return to Mill Pond
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
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March 28, 2008 |
Special concern for blue-spotted salamanders
Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
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March 14, 2008 |
At home in Westborough’s vernal pools
Fairy shrimp (Eubranchipus)
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February 29, 2008 |
Moon over Westborough
Physical environment
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February 15, 2008 |
Return of the mallards
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
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February 1, 2008 |
Winter bluebirds brighten Westborough
Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
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January 18, 2008 |
Prepare to notice nature in 2008 by taking the 2007 Nature Notes quiz
A Nature Notes quiz
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December 14, 2007 |
Winter marks return of deer-watching season
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
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November 9, 2007 |
The famous red-breasted nuthatch
Black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus)
Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
White-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
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October 26, 2007 |
Late butterflies
American copper butterfly (Lycaena phlaeas)
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October 12, 2007 |
Belted Kingfishers Dive and Burrow
Belted kingfishers (Ceryle alcyon)
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September 21, 2007 |
The case of the mysterious jelly balls
Bryozoans (Pectinatella magnifica)
Jelly ball animals (Pectinatella magnifica)
Moss animals (Pectinatella magnifica)
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September 7, 2007 |
Bullfrogs in our ponds
Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus)
Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)
Green frog (Rana clamitans)
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August 24, 2007 |
Carnivorous floating flowers
Bladderworts (Utricularia)
Horned bladderwort (Utricularia cornuta)
Purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea)
Swollen bladderwort (Utricularia inflata)
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August 10, 2007 |
A caterpillar's life
Black swallowtail caterpillar (Papilio polyxenes)
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July 27, 2007 |
From caterpillar to butterfly
Black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
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July 13, 2007 |
Look-alike butterflies
Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Viceroy (Basilarchia archippus)
Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
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June 29, 2007 |
The catbird in the catbird seat
Brown thrasher (Toxostoma rufum)
Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater)
Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
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June 15, 2007 |
An invasive rose
Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica)
Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora)
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June 1, 2007 |
A new invasive in town
Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata)
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May 18, 2007 |
Native wild violets in wet and dry places
Birdfoot violet (Viola pedata)
Marsh blue violet (Viola cucullata)
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May 4, 2007 |
Our earliest wild violet
Aphrodite fritillary (Speyeria aphrodite)
Great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
Northern downy violet (Viola fimbriatula)
Northern downy violet (Viola sagittata)
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April 20, 2007 |
Marsh-marigolds in our streams and swamps
Marsh-marigold (Caltha palustris)
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April 6, 2007 |
Blue butterfly days
Blue morpho (Morpho peleides)
Eastern tailed-blue (Everes comyntas)
Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
Silvery blue (Glaucopsyche lygdamus)
Spring azure (Celastrina ladon)
Summer azure (Celastrina ladon neglecta)
Summer azure (Celastrina neglecta)
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March 23, 2007 |
Return of the red-wings signals spring
Cattail (Typha latifolia)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
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March 9, 2007 |
Honeybees in winter
Bumblebee (Bombus)
Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
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February 23, 2007 |
Westborough's tiny winter bird
Dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis)
Golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa)
Ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula)
Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
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February 9, 2007 |
Valentine's Day for Skunks
Great horned owl (Bubo virginianis)
Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
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January 26, 2007 |
Woodpeckers in Westborough's Woods
Downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)
Hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus)
Northern flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Red-bellied woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
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January 12, 2007 |
Think you know nature? (2006)
A Nature Notes quiz
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December 13, 2006 |
Alien Invader Targets Our Hemlocks
Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana)
Daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)
Eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis)
Hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae)
Mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Queen Anne's lace (Daucus carota)
Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla)
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November 10, 2006 |
Lovely and controversial swans
Mute swan (Cygnus olor)
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October 20, 2006 |
Acorns and chipmunks
Chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
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October 6, 2006 |
From shaggy mane to inky cap
Shaggy mane mushroom (Coprinus comatus)
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September 22, 2006 |
Evening blossoms in the day
Common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis)
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September 8, 2006 |
Turtlehead and butterflies
Baltimore checkerspot (Euphydryas phaeton)
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
Pink turtlehead (Chelone lyonii)
Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)
Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Turtlehead (Chelone glabra)
Viburnums (Viburnum)
White ash (Fraxinus americana)
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August 25, 2006 |
Goldfinches and summer's thistles
Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis)
Painted lady (Vanessa cardui)
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August 11, 2006 |
A most unusual moth in town
Butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii)
Hummingbird clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
Tobacco hornworm (Manduca sexta)
Tomato hornworm (Manduca quinquemaculata)
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July 28, 2006 |
A white squirrel sighting
Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
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July 14, 2006 |
July is butterfly season
Butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa)
Chokecherry (Prunus)
Coral hairstreak (Satyrium titus)
Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Wild cherry (Prunus)
Wild plum (Prunus)
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June 23, 2006 |
The tale of the cottontail rabbit
Eastern cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus floridanus)
European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
New England cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus transitionalis)
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June 9, 2006 |
Make way for ducklings
Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)
Wood duck (Aix sponsa)
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May 26, 2006 |
Bluebirds in Westborough
Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
English sparrows (Passer domesticus)
European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)
House sparrow (Passer domesticus)
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May 12, 2006 |
A mighty collision and much glaciation
Geology of Westborough
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April 28, 2006 |
Good things from spicebush
Spicebush (Lindera benzoin)
Spicebush swallowtail (Papilio troilus)
Spicebush swallowtail (Pterourus troilus)
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April 14, 2006 |
Tiny frogs herald springtime
Spring peeper (Hyla crucifer)
Spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer)
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March 31, 2006 |
Wild ducks on our ponds
Hooded merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus)
Wood duck (Aix sponsa)
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March 17, 2006 |
Visitors to our vernal pools
Blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale)
Jefferson salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum)
Marbled salamander (Ambystoma opacum)
Spadefoot toad (Scaphiopus holbrookii holbrookii)
Spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum)
Wood frog (Rana sylvatica)
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March 3, 2006 |
Early birds get the dried fruit
American robin (Turdus migratorius)
Cedar waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum)
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
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February 17, 2006 |
Ancient evergreens under the snow
Ground cedar (Diphasiastrum digitatum)
Ground cedar (Lycopodium digitatum)
Pipsessewa (Chimaphila umbellata)
Prince's pine (Chimaphila umbellata)
Princess pine (Dendrolycopodium obscurum)
Princess pine (Lycopodium obscurum)
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February 3, 2006 |
Nuthatches in the winter
Red-breasted nuthatch (Sitta canadensis)
White-breasted nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis)
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January 20, 2006 |
Woolly bears and winter
Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella)
Woolly bear caterpillar (Pyrrharctia isabella)
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January 6, 2006 |
Think you know nature? (2005)
A Nature Notes quiz
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December 9, 2005 |
Canada geese overhead
Canada goose (Branta canadensis)
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November 18, 2005 |
It's time to talk turkey
Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
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October 28, 2005 |
Lobster claws on the path
Lobster mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
Orange mushroom pimple (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
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October 14, 2005 |
Puffballs in the grass
Gem-studded puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)
Giant puffball (Calvatia gigantea)
Pasture puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis)
Pear-shaped puffball (Lycoperdon pyriforme)
Pigskin poison puffball (Scleroderma citrinum)
Purple-spored puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis)
Skull-shaped puffball (Calvatia craniformis)
Vase puffball (Calvatia cyathiformis)
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September 30, 2005 |
Fish-baiting green herons
Green heron (Butorides virescens)
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September 16, 2005 |
September's wild orchid
Downy rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyera pubescens)
Nodding ladies'-tresses (Spiranthes cernua)
Pink lady's-slipper (Cypripedium acaule)
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September 2, 2005 |
Spotted Joe-Pye-weed in purple landscapes
Spotted Joe-Pye-weed (Eupatorium maculatum)
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August 19, 2005 |
Summer hummers
Beebalm (Monarda didyma)
Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)
Canada lily (Lilium canadense)
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Catawba rhododendron (Rhododendron catawbiense)
Cigar plant (Cuphea ignea)
Columbine (Aquilegia canadense)
Cypress vine (Ipomoea quamoclit)
Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
Fuchsia (Fuchsia)
Giant blue sage (Salvia guaranitica)
Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica)
Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)
Orange spotted Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
Pineapple sage (Salvia elegans)
Red buckeye (Aesculus pavia)
Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)
Ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)
Shrimp plant (Justicia brandegeana)
Shrub verbena (Lantana camara)
Silktree (Albizia julibrissin)
Trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
Trumpet honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens)
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August 5, 2005 |
Tiny orchids of August
Downy rattlesnake-plantain (Goodyera pubescens)
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July 22, 2005 |
Cardinal flower attracts hummingbirds, butterflies
Cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis)
Hummingbird (Archilochus colubrus)
Indian-pipes (Monotropa uniflora)
Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)
St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)
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July 8, 2005 |
Milkweed and butterflies in our meadows
Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca)
Milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetraophthalmus)
Milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii)
Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
Viceroy (Basilarchia archippus)
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June 24, 2005 |
Not-So-Deadly Nightshade
Belladonna (Atropa belladonna)
Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)
Eggplant (Solanum melongena)
Peppers (Capsicum)
Potato (Solanum tuberosum)
Tobacco (Nicotiana)
Tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum)
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June 10, 2005 |
A sheepish laurel
Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia)
Sheep-laurel (Kalmia angustifolia)
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May 27, 2005 |
Wild geraniums are native to the area
Wild geranium (Geranium maculatum)
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May 13, 2005 |
Nature Notes in the classroom
Gibbons 7th-graders use Nature Notes
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April 29, 2005 |
The first butterfly of spring
American elm (Ulmus americana)
Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
Paper birch (Betula papyrifera)
Willow (Salix)
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April 15, 2005 |
Swamps in bloom
Skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus)
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April 1, 2005 |
An owl in the nest
Great blue heron (Ardea herodias)
Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus)
Osprey (Pandion haliaetus)
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March 18, 2005 |
The mourning dove's coo
Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura)
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March 5, 2005 |
Time for pussy willows
Mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
Pussy willow (Salix discolor)
Viceroy (Basilarchia archippus)
Viceroy (Limenitis archippus)
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February 18, 2005 |
Squirrel tales
Flying Squirrel (Glaucomys volans)
Gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Red Squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus)
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February 4, 2005 |
Westborough's Atlantic White Cedars
Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus lebani)
Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)
Hessel's hairstreak butterfly (Callophrys hesseli)
Hessel's hairstreak butterfly (Mitoura hesseli)
Northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis)
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January 21, 2005 |
Wintergreen under the snow
Birch, black (Betula lenta)
Checkerberry (Gaultheria procumbens)
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January 7, 2005 |
Think you know nature? (2004)
A Nature Notes quiz
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December 10, 2004 |
Christmas fern in the woods
Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides)
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November 26, 2004 |
Winterberry in our wetlands
Winterberry (Ilex verticillata)
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November 12, 2004 |
Red-tailed hawks overhead
Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
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October 29, 2004 |
Witch-hazel flowers for Halloween
Witch-hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
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October 15, 2004 |
Fall is mushroom season
Fly agaric (Amanita muscaria)
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October 1, 2004 |
Flowers that never open
Closed gentian (Gentiana clausa)
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September 17, 2004 |
Butter-and-eggs for beauty, not breakfast
Butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris)
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September 3, 2004 |
Jewelweed is ready to pop
Orange jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)
Pale touch-me-not (Impatiens pallida)
Purple jewelweed (Impatiens glandulifera)
Purple touch-me-not (Impatiens glandulifera)
Spotted touch-me-not (Impatiens capensis)
Yellow jewelweed (Impatiens pallida)
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August 20, 2004 |
Late-summer sneezing
Goldenrod (Solidago)
Goldenrod spider (Misumena vatia)
Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia)
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August 6, 2004 |
Invasion of the Purple Loosestrife
Cattail (Typha latifolia)
Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria)
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July 23, 2004 |
Ghostly Indian-pipes by the path
Indian-pipes (Monotropa uniflora)
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July 9, 2004 |
Watch for painted turtles
Painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)
Snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
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June 25, 2004 |
St. Johnswort on the roadside
St. Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum)
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June 11, 2004 |
Wild iris in the woods
Blue flag iris (Iris versicolor)
Blue-eyed grass (Sisyrinchium)
Yellow flag iris (Iris pseudacorus)
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May 28, 2004 |
Land of Swamps
Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
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May 14, 2004 |
Westborough's Pink Lady's-Slippers
Moccasin-flower (Cypripedium acaule)
Pink lady's-slipper (Cypripedium acaule)
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April 30, 2004 |
Great Blue Herons at Mill Pond
Great blue herons (Ardea herodias)
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April 16, 2004 |
Signs of spring: Wood frogs and vernal pools
Wood frog (Rana sylvatica)
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Westborough Community Land Trust, PO Box 838, Westborough , MA 01581
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