Ebony Jewelwings are found along forest streams and rivers with moderate to swift currents. They are active during the day and spend the night in bushes and other plants. Primary food is other insects. They are preyed on by dragonflies, birds, frogs, spiders, fish and water beetles.

One of the most common meadow butterflies, the Pearl Crescent flies low over the grass with alternating flaps and glides. Males will dart out from perches or break their flight pattern to investigate any passing form – butterfly, bird or human. Adults take nectar from composite flowers such as asters, thistles and fleabanes. I saw many among the fleabanes on this day.

Grass identification is not as obvious as for many other plants. The pictured grass is everywhere in rich deciduous forests at the moment.

It is in the “Poa” or Bluegrass family and the common name is, appropriately, “Woodland Bluegrass.”

The tip of the leaf in Poa resembles the bow of a boat.

Park scenes:

Some botany:

NATURE POETRY

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.” – Robert Frost

Miles Hearn