November 2, 2009

With the sun shining this afternoon, NBNC staff salvaged one of the last opportunities to have lunch outside (without the aide of winter clothes). We were delighted to hear the winnie of an American Robin, which was hanging around the bird feeder. We were also privileged to hear one of our resident Blue Jays imitating the call of a Broad-winged Hawk. They do this fairly regularly here, and are quite convincing (we always look up when we hear it).

The true surprise of the day was a Red Admiral, sunning itself on a post in the field. It held its wings perpendicular to the sun in an effort to absorb the most possible heat. And so we pose the same question we did on October 19: Will this be the last butterfly of the season? Only time will tell.