More this and that...

This is another entry where I'm going to show some of the interesting things we have seen I our travels that do't quit fit under my regular entries.  

We took a trip to Brandywine Falls yesterday.  Brandywine Falls is part of the National Parks system. It is one of the most popular spots in the area.  

 On the way down to the viewing platform I saw 3 plants I had never seen before.  

This is a bryophyte.  A bryophyte is a plant that has no vascular system.   I don't really know anything else about them since I just found out about them the other day.  

This fungus, though I don't know what kind it is was on the side of a tree, was very interesting as well.  I haven't been able to identify this yet.

red trillium.  This is the first time I've seen a red one.  I've seen tons of white ones but never a red one.  

And Dutchman's Breeches.  I've been looking for this plant too.  

not a very good picture but it's early meadow rue.  

American Coot.  I love these guys.  I always picture them as needing headphones and roller skates.  they kind of ease on down the canal just like the song. The way their necks go back and forth when they swim  I just love it  they always make me smile when I see them. 

Pied-billed grebe

Common Loon in eclipse plumage.  This was kind of neat to see.  He is actually unable to fly while in this plumage as far as I am able to understand.  He is passing from his breeding plumage to his year-round plumage.

I liked this picture with the reflection.  It's a Great Blue Heron.

Here's a close-up of the same bird.  He was very cooperative that day.

Here's venus on top and jupiter on bottom.  I took this picture for my sister.

Blue Phlox

And I thought I would show you the ending of coltsfoot.  Looks like dandelion but it's not.  notice it does not have the dandelion leaf.

Heron feet in Yellow creek. Haha it rhymes.  

Golden ragwort i think

And I finally found out what happens to the bloom on a skunk cabbage.  It just kid of withers on the side.

miterwort.  also called bishops cap because the flowers look like little bishops hats or miters.

Very cool experience.  A barred owl.  This was taken the night we were out looking for woodcocks and barred owls.  saw woodcocks though I couldn't get a picture but I did get this owl.

We interrupted this guy while he was dining on a rabbit.  I took the picture through my car window and I'm glad I did because as soon as I got out of the car he took off and wouldn't come back.  By the way he is a turkey vulture.

Goose anyone?  This old burner is in a lake by the canal where the waterfowl hang out.  This year a pair of Cananda Geese have made a nest in it.  It strikes my funny bone as it looks looks like they are jumping in the fire for dinner every time they access their nest.  Right after this goose left another one came out.