More nature features from Lee County and the vicinity, with a few side trips.

Fri Aug 15 11:37:31 EDT 2003

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NATURE FEATURE: The Common Wood-Nymph is a butterfly which flies only in
July and August, the months when I am usually hard at work indoors in
front of a computer.  Last week, I went out looking for the Common
Wood-Nymph several times with no luck.  Today, having long ago given up
on finding a Wood-Nymph, I sat down to peruse my map.  A Wood-Nymph flew
up and landed on the map, opening and closing its wings as if to ensure
that I saw the distinctive yellow patches, then flying away.

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Sun Jul 27 13:25:29 EDT 2003

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NATURE FEATURE: A fledgling phoebe landed on my window ledge for a rest.
Its parent came and fed it as I watched, then both flew away.

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Fri Jul 18 13:44:37 EDT 2003

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NATURE FEATURE: A mayfly nymph clung to a rock in the creek.  When I
took it out, I could see the gills on the sides of its body vibrating
frantically in search of air in the still water in my hand.

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Mon Jul  7 14:15:29 EDT 2003

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NATURE FEATURE: A dinner-plate style, matted spider web narrowed down
into a funnel leading straight into a little hole in a hollow log.

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Mon Jun  9 13:00:22 EDT 2003

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NATURE FEATURE: Linear spiderwebs ran between dead rhododendron twigs.  
In the gentle breeze, light flitted up and down the length of the webs.

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Mon Jun  2 10:59:46 EDT 2003

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NATURE FEATURE: Halfway up the hill, forest interior birds began to sing 
- Hooded Warblers and Eastern Wood-Pewees!

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Thu May 29 08:47:48 EDT 2003

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NATURE FEATURE: The valley was shrouded in fog all morning.

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Mon May 19 17:14:19 EDT 2003

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NATURE FEATURE: Greenery abounds - trees are summer green and the forest 
floor is covered with herbs and poison ivy.

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Sun May 11 17:36:16 EDT 2003; Ape Cave, Washington.

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NATURE FEATURE: Deep in an ancient lava tube, white fungi coated the walls
in a slimy layer and and glittered by flashlight.

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