Bill Danielson, Author at Greenfield Recorder - Page 16 of 38

The rusty cap, generally gray appearance and 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 RecorderMay 14, 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 7, 2023

Four wild turkey hens enjoyed dust baths in my backyard last week. One of them seemed extremely reluctant to abandon her spa treatment.

Speaking of Nature: A spa day for the hens

by Bill Danielson May 1, 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 April 29, 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 23, 2023

This photo shows some gelatinous masses of wood frog eggs that were laid in a very shallow puddle in an old forest road. Each little black dot represents a frog embryo.

Speaking of Nature: Amphibians in April

by Bill Danielson April 9, 2023

This gray birch, growing in a hayfield, was badly damaged by the big storm in March. If conditions are good and the trunk stays upright it may provide a housing opportunity for woodpeckers, chickadees or even bluebirds.

Speaking of Nature: Stimulus for cavity nesters

by Bill Danielson April 2, 2023

When I hear the year’s first song sparrow singing in my yard I will laugh out loud with joy.

Speaking of Nature: The first day of spring

by Bill Danielson March 26, 2023

This photo of a female brown-headed cowbird captures the scrutinizing gaze of a female bird constantly on the lookout for potential victims.

Speaking of Nature: Great Plains nomad — The brown-headed cowbird

by Bill Danielson March 19, 2023

This enormous eastern cottontail actually has rolls of fat around his neck and a rather large tear in his left ear.

Speaking of Nature: The biggest rabbit I’ve ever seen

by Bill Danielson March 12, 2023