RUSSELL PETERSON WILDLIFE REFUGE, Wilmington, DE (2016-8-23)
This is an urban wildlife refuge. While we were visiting we were told by the staff that Peterson is one of only 12 urban refuges in the country.
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This is the view, looking back to Wilmington, from the bridge to the nature center. Christina River in foreground.
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This is the nature center at the refuge. The bridge behind the building is the one we just crossed. Follow our red line path from the car.
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This is the view once outside the nature center. We took the route around the boardwalk trail. Amazed, are you, that we found our way back?
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Purple Loosestrife and red Cardinal Flower are in bloom.
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Pallid (yellow) Jewelweed
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Giant Ragweed towers over the other vegetation. Its flowers will open soon and let go of their pollen.
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A red dragonfly waits for prey.
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Swamp Rose Mallow, aka Crimson-eyed Rosemallow or Marsh Mallow. If it looks familiar, yes, it's a Hibiscus.
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Also common in wetlands are blue Pickerelweed and white Smartweed.
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Red-winged Blackbirds
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Goldenrod was just beginning to pop here and there. In another month it will turn the marsh yellow.
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Duck Potato! I've been wanting to see this flower for a long time!
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We got looks at Blackbirds, yes, but didn't realize they were in molt until looking at photographs.
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Am curious to learn what grass or plant the Blackbird is on. I haven't been able to find a lead.
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A moth in fruiting Water Hemlock.
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An upside down Skipper working the Purple Loosestrife.
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Oh, look, a bench . . .
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A Monarch nectaring on Climbing Hempvine.
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A treat for us, a Red-shouldered Hawk next to the River.
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At the river three Osprey flew by. Karen took the picture, I couldn't zoom in close and hold the camera steady enough at the same time.
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This is the classic Osprey silhouette in flight. The wings make an "M" shape. You can tell them from other raptors at a great distance by this flight profile.
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This is what I would feel like if I could fly.
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Our largest skipper, the Silver-spotted. The sun shining on it made me gasp when I saw it. I hope you get to see it too.
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A Red Admiral butterfly put on a show for us also.
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The last photos of this trip are of the Amur Honeysuckle. It's an introduced and can become invasive.
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Amur Honeysuckle may be invasive but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the beauty of the flowers. Do they remind you of hands waving "hi" at you?
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