Bill Danielson, Author at Daily Hampshire Gazette - Page 15 of 22

Note the size of the eardrum on this female bullfrog and see that it is about the same size as the eye. In males, the eardrums are much larger.

Speaking of Nature: Answering the bullfrog’s call

by Bill Danielson For the GazetteJune 27, 2023

About the size of a nickel with broad petals, the flowers of the maiden pink are always found in my lawn.

Speaking of Nature: Mood-boosting flowers: Pausing for a particularly pretty pair: maiden and Deptford pinks

by Bill Danielson For the GazetteJune 20, 2023

I stumbled upon this song sparrow fledgling in a patch of "old field" in my backyard. I was initially so close to the bird that I had to take several steps backward to reach the minimum focus distance of 9 feet for my telephoto lens.

Speaking of Nature: Thank heaven for little birds

by Bill Danielson For the GazetteJune 13, 2023

Look at the central yellow disc of this Philadelphia fleabane flower and you will notice that some of the yellow bits are actually projections. These are the actual flowers of this composite inflorescence.

Speaking of Nature: A “No Mow May” miracle: Analyzing a mystery plant

by Bill Danielson For the GazetteJune 6, 2023

Note the heavier black markings on the face, throat and breast of this male black-and-white warbler.

Speaking of Nature: Completing the set: the black-and-white warbler

by Bill Danielson For the GazetteMay 30, 2023

Perched atop a long stem with multiple leaves, the blossom of the yellow lady's slipper is simply gorgeous. It is also a deceptive "trap" for bees that are lured by the promise of nectar, but then tricked into pollinating.

Speaking of Nature: More elusive than Cinderella: Finding the rare and gorgeous yellow lady’s slipper

by Bill Danielson For the GazetteMay 23, 2023

The rusty cap, generally gray appearance and the wash of lemon-lime green on the wings and tail were a real puzzler to me, but this turned out to be a green-tailed towhee that was very far from its normal home.

Speaking of Nature: The green-tailed towhee: What are you doing here?

by Bill Danielson For the GazetteMay 16, 2023

This female racoon has her hands full. She is trying to assess the threat of my presence while one of her babies is chewing on the side of her face and another (note the ear under her chin) is occasionally kicking her in the throat as it plays with its unseen siblings.

Speaking of Nature: Parenthood and the midnight raiders — Raccoon breeding season

by Bill Danielson May 9, 2023

About the size of a Ping-Pong ball, the flower of the trout lily is a real hidden gem in the forest. The flower "nods" toward the ground, but when the six yellow petals curve back on themselves they reveal the pistil and stamens that will help to produce the next generation of plants.

Speaking of Nature: Hidden gem — The trout lily

by Bill Danielson May 2, 2023

With a large white beak, a dazzling crescent of yellow on the dark forehead and a large patch of white feathers on the wings, there is nothing in our area that looks quite like an evening grosbeak. Feeders stocked with sunflower seeds will be the greatest draw for these birds.

Speaking of Nature: Eight-minute appearance — A male evening grosbeak

by Bill Danielson April 25, 2023