Naturally Curious with Mary Holland

The Yellow-rumped Warbler is one of the most common warblers in North America.

Over the past 30 years, ticks, mice, deer, and weather have been tracked in a location with significant Lyme disease by the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies and Bard College.

There are two edible fungi, Hen of the Woods (Grifola frondosa) and Chicken of the Woods (Laetiporus sulphureus), which are both fruiting now.

Have you noticed a large number of dead skunks on the road lately?

Congratulations to Katie Koerten, the first NC reader to correctly identify the Mystery Photo as the early “egg” stage of a fruiting stinkhorn fungus.

If you think you might know what today’s Mystery Photo is, go to http://www.naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com, scroll down to “Comments” and enter your thought.

Isabella Tiger Moths spend the winter in their larval, or caterpillar, stage — otherwise known as Woolly Bears.

Picture a giant marine fish with no tail that weighs between 500 and 4,000 pounds, may be ten feet long, is flattened laterally and moves by flapping its two large fins.

Because they possess lignin and cellulose, trees are difficult for most organisms to break down, for they don’t have the enzymes necessary to digest these compounds.

Naturally Curious calendar orders can be placed starting today through November 15 by writing to me at 505 Wake Robin Drive, Shelburne, VT 05482.

There were many very informed and creative Mystery Photo guesses on Monday’s post.

What creature does this structure belong to, and what does it do?

One wildflower that you can still find blooming in early fall is Turtlehead.

When Eric Carle wrote The Very Hungry Caterpillar he may well have had a Polyphemus Moth caterpillar, one of the giant silk moth caterpillars, in mind.

Cool September days mark the start of Black Bears’ feeding frenzy.

If you look closely at the head of the Common Ringlet butterfly, you will see a bit of yellow, which is an Ambush Bug (see insert) which has patiently been waiting in the flowering Joe Pye Weed to capture an unsuspecting pollinator.