Life on the Chautauqua Ridge 

The Native American fishing tribes of the Great Lakes area called the full moon in August the Sturgeon Moon since it is traditionally the best month of the year to catch them.

The Native American fishing tribes of the Great Lakes area called the full moon in August the Sturgeon Moon since it is traditionally the best month of the year to catch them.

An update on our turkey brood: As of this morning there are eight of the original 11 little ones left. This seems to be a very good survival rate at this point in the summer.

Heavy clouds around the sunset this evening created a fiery looking cauldron in the sky.

Another brood of wild turkey has joined the original group that's been visiting our yard this summer. The second hen has a brood of two younger poults for a total of ten little ones.

Makes me sad to think they will be gone soon. Most of our hummers are gone by Labor Day and that's just a few weeks away. :-(

She chooses the feeder over the hibiscus almost every time!

One of the wild hens that frequents our yard with her little ones.

Not so little any longer and there are still eight from the original brood of eleven. Their chances of survival get better each day. I saw a hawk fly over them this morning and it circled a few times and maybe decided they are too big now because it moved on.

We're hungry!!!

Barn Swallow feeding little ones on the fly.

Looks pretty pathetic with his molted head.

Monarch butterfly on Wild Carrot, also known as Queen Anne's Lace or Bird Nest Flower.

Barn Swallow fledglings huddle together in the cold rain.

The grapes are starting to turn color.

Cautious and watchful wild turkey hens with their little ones in our back yard.

Hummingbird moth on Buddleia blossoms.

Wild peppermint is in bloom and is loaded with Pearl Crescent Butterflies.

Evening low in the 50 degree range tonight. I love this weather!

This Great Spangled Fritillary is a perfect example of fleeting beauty since they don't sit still for very long.

Common Buckeye Butterfly which is not so common in this part of the United States. It's normal range usually stops in mid-Pennsylvania and this is only the second time I have seen one in this area of western New York.

Aphrodite Fritillary Butterfly on wild peppermint blossoms. (Identification of this butterfly was confirmed by BAMONA as an Aphrodite, not a Great Spangled Fritillary as I had originally incorrectly identified.) BAMONA is the Butterfly and Month Organization of North America. Their correct ID can be viewed here: http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/sighting_details/732121

Black-capped Chickadee taking a shower in my water garden.

The exact moment the sun slips below the horizon.

Our fledgling Blue Jays are getting big!

This squirrel chewing on a stick almost looked like he was playing a musical pipe!

At least she thinks she is...

Tonight's waxing crescent moon just before moonset.

Monarch migration is now underway and the Journey North organization is tracking their movement. If you are so inclined, you can help out by reporting your Monarch sightings at: http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/fall2012/update082312.html

The camouflage on a Green Heron is amazing. This guy was 20 feet in front of me for at least 10 minutes before I realized he was there.

One of the swans that lives in Cassadaga Lake next to the wonderful spiritualist community of Lily Dale, New York.

...but a happy Green Heron!

Summer colors reflected on the water.

We went out looking for water and marsh birds early this morning. An immature Green Heron flew right up to me and pranced around on a log for a few minutes and let me snap away resulting in some really nice Heron portraits.

When another heron in the marsh called out, the feathers on this guy's head stood right up.

Our male Ruby-throats haven't been seen for a few days now. Just the females and young ones remain and they will be leaving any time now. After that, all we will see are a few migrants passing through that spent their summer further north. Safe travels my friends, you are amazing creatures!

Our male Ruby-throats haven't been seen for a few days now. Only the females and young ones remain and they will be leaving any time now. After that, all we will see for the next few weeks are a few migrants passing through that spent their summer further north. Safe travels my friends, you are amazing creatures!

This is a Barhead Goose that originates from India. It is the highest flying bird in the world and will fly 35,000 feet at 100 mph. This photo was taken at the Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary in Delvan, New York which is the largest waterfowl sanctuary in the United States.

This is an endangered Red-breasted Goose which originates from Siberia. They have been hunted to near extinction and are considered to be one of the most beautiful geese in the world. This photo was taken at the Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary in Delvan, New York which is the largest waterfowl sanctuary in the United States.

Showing off some very colorful wings!

The population of the Hawaiian Nene Geese was reduced to 30 birds by 1952. It is the world's rarest goose. It is believed that there are 800 left in the wild and about 1,000 in captivity in zoos and sanctuaries. This photo was taken at the Gooseneck Hill Waterfowl Sanctuary in Delvan, New York which is the largest waterfowl sanctuary in the United States.

One of my favorite birding spots this summer seems to be at its peak in beauty. All told I have seen Cedar Waxwings, Mallard and Wood Ducks, Yellowthroat Warblers, Kingbirds, Blue and Green Heron, Least and Spotted Sandpipers, Belted Kingfishers, Bald Eagles, Osprey, Great-crested Flycatchers, Purple Martins, Barn Swallows, Ruby-throated Hummingbirds and Canada Geese here.

Intense look from this big Red-tailed Hawk.