A Sparrow in the Grass

A spontaneous trip to Van Horne Park led to an unexpected encounter with a Song Sparrow hidden in the winter grass.

https://islandinthenet.com/chasing-birds-on-a-whim-a-winter-day-at-van-horne-park/

Eastern Amberwing at Ven Horne Park

After I had my fill of photographing the Blue Dashers at the retention pond in Van Horne Park, I was ready to leave when I noticed a dragonfly fluttering nearby. Its brown colour caught my eye, quite different from the Blue Dashers I'd been photographing. At that moment, I had no idea it was an Eastern Amberwing.

Unlike the Blue Dashers, which seemed to pose patiently for my camera, this dragonfly was quite active. It moved around a lot, making it a challenge to capture a good shot. I must [...]

https://islandinthenet.com/eastern-amberwing/

Blue Dashers at Van Horne Retention Pond

20 July 2024

After the disappointing visit to Fairview Farm Wildlife Preserve, I decided to stop at the retention pond at Van Horne Park. On the 45-minute drive home, my mind drifted, and I had a brief conversation with myself about bacon.

[caption id="attachment_116518" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis) · 20 July 2024 · FujiFilm X-T3 · XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR[/caption]

When I say bacon to someone from the United States, they usually think [...]

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Retention Pond

On July 18, I decided to visit the retention pond near Van Horne Park around 8 AM to stretch my legs and enjoy some fresh air. Of course, I brough along my X-T3 and Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS W. I think it had rained earlier that morning because the leaves of the tall grass were still wet.

I had hoped to photograph dragonflies but found none. Instead, I turned my camera toward the water and the plants around the pond. The surface of the water was dotted with tiny duckweed (Lemna [...]

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Variable Dancer

Today (June 12), I visited the stormwater retention pond near the Audi dealership on Route 206. It's a beautiful spot that has evolved into a thriving natural habitat, filled with marsh plants like Broad-leaved Cattail. This time, I was on a mission to photograph dragonflies and damselflies.

Lately, I’ve felt a need to shift my focus from birds to other subjects. My trusty Fujinon XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lens has been my constant companion, and I wondered what else I could capture [...]

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Great Blue Skimmer (Libellula vibrans)

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#Dragonfly #GreatBlueSkimmer #Libellula #LibellulaVibrans #MontgomeryTownship #Odonata #RockyHill #VanHornePark #Wildlife

On my early morning outing to Van Horne Park, I was prepared for every photographic opportunity that my minimalist camera kit could accomplish. I had the XF150-600mmF5.6-8 R LM OIS WR which I used to photograph deer and rabbit and the XF16-55mmF2.8 R LM WR and MCEX-16 macro extension tube which came in handy for macro photographs of native wildflowers, like Foxglove Beardtongue.

Penstemon digitalis, commonly known as Foxglove Beardtongue, is a wildlife-friendly native perennial plant. It loves moist, well-drained soils but can adapt to various soil types, including sand, loam, and even clay. While I don't have specific information about the soil type in Van Horne Park, the park seems to have the right soil conditions. I found more than one patch of this wildflower as I walked around Van Horne Park. Most of the park receives full sun to partial shade.

Foxglove Beardtongue is highly beneficial to insects and other wildlife. It attracts a variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. The tubular white flowers, which bloom from April to June, is an excellent nectar source.

From what I read online, Penstemon digitalis can be planted in personal gardens. It may be an excellent choice for my flower beds. The plant grows to a height of 3-5 feet with a spread of 1-2 feet. It's also deer-resistant and has medium drought tolerance, which adds to its appeal for me.

https://islandinthenet.com/foxglove-beardtongue-penstemon-digitalis/

#FoxgloveBeardton #MacroPhotography #NativeWildflower #PenstemonDigitalis #VanHornePark

Foxglove Beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)

#NativePlant #FoxgloveBeardtongue #VanHornePark #MontgomeryTownshipNJ #Macro

https://islandinthenet.com/foxglove-beardtongue-penstemon-digitalis/

Black-shouldered Spinyleg (Dromogomphus spinosus)

https://islandinthenet.com/black-shouldered-spinyleg-dromogomphus-spinosus/

#BlackShoulderedSpinyleg #Dragonfly #Dromogomphus #DromogomphusSpinosus #MontgomeryTownship #Odonata #RetentionPond #RockyHill #VanHornePark #Wildlife