Be vary, vary quite; I'm hunting for plants

Today I went on a plant hike with my new boss and a bunch of plant experts to try and get a grip on the plants and important ecosystems of South-central Pennsylvania. We were in the area around Buchanan’s Birthplace State Park in Franklin County, PA. Despite finding a large number of very interesting plant (wild ginger, hoary puccoon, shooting star, pawpaw, and dozens more I am too tired to remember) I also saw a great variety of birds. Again, you only get the list as I didn’t bring my camera today: Canada Goose, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, Pileated Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Chimney Swift, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Wood-pewee, American Robin, Eastern Bluebird, Wood Thrush, Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Common Raven, American Crow, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Red-eyed Vireo, Yellow Warbler, American Redstart, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Meadowlark, Common Grackle, Brown-headed Cowbird, Baltimore Oriole, Chipping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal.

State Game Land 211 (Stony Creek)

Yesterday I went to PA state game land 211 to do a little birding. It is a very nice, large track of forest that runs between two ridges up a very nice, cold-water trout stream. The birding wasn’t bad, but there were plenty of butterflies and other things about. The best sighting was the mink that came galumphing towards me with fish in mouth. It came with about 10 feet before realizing I shouldn’t be there. Below is my bird list plus some photos: American Crow, Black-capped Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, Red-eyed Vireo, Canada Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tanager, Brown-headed Cowbird, White-throated Sparrow, Northern Cardinal. Hover your pointer for an explanation.

White Clay Creek State Park (DE)

On April 29 Sara ran a half-marathon at White Clay Creek State Park. While Sara was running I went birding in the park. I found a large number of birds while Sara ran around (quite quickly, too). The Prairie Warbler, White-eyed Vireo and Carolina Chickadee were new for both of us and the Orchard Oriole was also a new one for Sara. Below is our list (no photos as I didn't bring the camera): Canada Goose, Turkey Vulture, Mourning Dove, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Downy Woodpecker, Tree Swallow, Eastern Wood-pewee, Eastern Bluebird, Catbird, Northern Mockingbird, Blue Jay, American Crow, Carolina Chickadee, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Wren, Carolina Wren, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, White-eyed Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Common Yellowthroat, Palm Warbler, Orange-crowned Warbler, Prairie Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Ovenbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Orchard Oriole, Chipping Sparrow, White-throated Sparrow, Song Sparrow, Eastern Towhee, American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal.