Lmst

Successful burn. Say hi to Haylee and Linda.

#prescribedfire #prairie #conservation #landstewardship #masternaturalist

A girl stands with a drip torch waiting for some progress before continuing down the line

A lady shrouded in smoke mops some leaves that ignited

This is a view of a backing fire, one that intentionally moves against the wind

This morning I’m attending the graduation of our 2025 KC-area Missouri Master Naturalist interns. 30 incredibly talented, passionate and interesting folks from all walks of life. All united in our shared goals of land stewardship, public education, and c-science.

I’m so proud of this chapter I have the honor of leading.

BONUS: I see @JimHindsKC!

#Missouri #KC #volunteers #conservation #naturalist #masternaturalist

An auditorium full of interns and their families awaiting graduation

Off to Central Park Conservatory Garden and Harlem Meer to look for bugs!
#Naturalists #MasterNaturalist #CentralPark #NYC #MacroPhotography #Insects

We were asked to be extra careful with photos this year because goose handling looks… troublesome or even violent.

It isn’t —we’re literally there to help— but I can see how folks could misunderstand what’s going on. Especially when there’s a feisty one, or a wing gets loose.

Hand around neck, for example: Not choking, nor weight bearing. It’s more about support, and prevention of goose bites. Other hand goes under wings which is hard to see. Anyway, one could easily assume something nefarious.

#missouri #conservation #masternaturalist #canadagoose #lakelife #gooseroundup #KC

A number of conservation, fish and wildlife and naturalist types of all ages, genders and diversities, helping in organized chaos to sort, classify sex, and band wild Canada geese population

I wore the perfect shirt, as one does. 💅 #missouri #conservation #masternaturalist #canadagoose #lakelife #gooseroundup #KC

Fat guy wears a blue shirt with a Canada goose, red octagon behind it. Big white letters read disservice animal

It’s a GREAT morning for a goose roundup! Doing some avian conservation work for a few hours today. Round ‘em up, sex ‘em and band ‘em. 🤩

#missouri #conservation #masternaturalist #canadagoose #lakelife #gooseroundup #KC-ish

Early morning sunrise reflected off of a lake in the foreground lots of great color, reds and oranges

Another cool find in my garden today: the weirdest looking ant I've ever found.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/286181482

A new species for me, and a new species record for my garden, now at 13 Ants, 149 Hymenoptera, and 514 Insect species/taxa.

cc: @futurebird

#iNaturalist #Ants #Formicidae #Hymenoptera #Insects #Bugs #HabitatGardening #Brooklyn #NYC #MasterNaturalist #MacroPhotography #MacroMonday #NaturePhotography

@colinpurrington
I don't *think* I have any rot holes in the three trees on my property (though the cherry is a possibility). NYC iNat obs only start in 2023; likely gone unobserved until then.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=674&preferred_place_id=1&taxon_id=361289

Aside from being a new species record for my garden, my observation stands out:
* Earliest. No other May obs. FOY 2025.
* All other obs in green spaces: cemeteries, parks, natural areas.

#iNaturalist #MasterNaturalist #Insects #Bugs #Diptera #Flies #Syrphidae #Brooklyn #NYC

I discovered this spectacular thing in my garden on Tuesday. I didn't post it until now because I wanted to upload a high-quality photo that did it justice.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/284584753

#iNaturalist #MasterNaturalist #Insects #Bugs #Diptera #Syrphidae #HabitatGardening #Brooklyn #NYC

My 20 most recently uploaded #iNaturalist observations:

Bug
Bug
Bug
Bug
Bug
MUSHROOM!
Bug
Bug
Bug
BIRD!
Bug
Bug
Bug
Bug
Bug
Bug
Bug
Bug
Bug
PLANT!

Bees: 10
Other Insects: 5
Other Arthropods: 2

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?user_id=xris&verifiable=any

#UrbanNature #Naturalist #MasterNaturalist #Brooklyn #NYC #HabitatGardening #Bees #Bugs #NaturePhotography

A phone browser screenshot of my 20 most recently uploaded iNaturalist observations as described in the post.

Whew! Made it from #KC to Columbia, #Missouri for the Missouri Dept of Conservation partners round table. Treacherous drive with a fierce and gusty wind. 💨

Can’t wait to meet with so many like-minded folks who have the future of our beautiful state in their missions and hearts. Full house!

#naturalist #conservation #masternaturalist #fishandwildlife #wildlife

Panoramic photo of what must be hundreds of folks from across the state gathered to learn, connect and share on conservation topics.

One of my photos (and long description) made the annual report for an awesome nonprofit @Jillianmarisa and I support as Master Naturalists here in Missouri. Pretty cool to turn the page and see it. ❤️

#MasterNaturalist #Missouri #KC #SparkBird #Conservation #Naturalist #rubythroatedhummingbird #invasivespecies #DescribedMedia

Photo of a young ruby-throated hummingbird perched on a plant that resembles a cat tail, with many buds all around it. In the foreground are additional stalks and in the background are purple flowers. The description reads:

A Native Amongst Invasives by JL Johnson

This photo represents conservation in Missouri because it speaks to the complexity of the work before us in managing our lands. The RubyThroated Hummingbird brings joy to all, not just, conservationists and naturalists. Hummingbirds are “spark birds” for many, they draw folks in. This a specimen is perched on, and flanked by Mullein, an introduced species from Europe with invasive Bull Thistle in the background. While many might find beauty in the juxtaposition of these three, a naturalist sees an opportunity for conversation about the challenges that introduced and invasive species pose for conservation in Missouri.

Here in #Missouri, September is peak #hummingbird season. At least that's what our conservation department says. And after seeing swarms of them at our feeders all last month, and exactly zero so far this week, I tend to believe 'em.

Gosh, I sure am going to miss those beautiful, cheerful buzzy guys. I hope they enjoy their migration across the gulf of Mexico. Get some sunshine and spicy food for me, friends!

#backyardbirding #rubythroatedhummingbird #birding #kc-area #naturalist #masternaturalist

A ruby-throated hummingbird lift its head showing the beautiful red scales on its neck

A ruby-throated hummingbird, mostly sharp. Its wing is blurred because they beat so fast. It’s sticking its tongue out, just a little bit. In this video, you can see the brilliant ruby fish like scales on its throat

This guy's video gave me the warm fuzzies
last night. He's literally doing what I want to do... with the land we don't even have yet. Turn your waiting room into a classroom, I guess.

Love to see other folks doing it b/c our dreams are dependent on a lot of things falling into place. And there's no promise they will. Anyway, check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LvaX748pVI #wildlife #conservation #naturalist #masternaturalist #missouri #plantnative #birding

Hey, #Missouri and Missouri-adjacent areas.

September is the best month for #hummingbird feeding, before their long trek to Central America for winter.

Here's a screen shot of a story I whipped up for our local Missouri #MasterNaturalist newsletter.

#backyardbirding #BackyardBirds #Birdstodon #birding #naturalist #Ornithology #nature #wildlifephotography

The three baby bluebirds who were raised in our front box (atop a repurposed chickadee nest!) fledged yesterday. @Jillianmarisa got to see one leave. Lucky! I imagine this is our last brood for 2024, getting pretty late in the year. What fun it has been!

Given the uniqueness of the nest, a friend who is an ambassador to Missouri Bluebird Society wants to send it in for analysis.

#EasternBluebird #Missouri #KC #BackyardBirds #masternaturalist #birding

Inside a large square bluebird box is a green spongy nest, mostly trampled down

Long time since my last #EasternBluebird update! (Part of a long 🧵)

The new couple did wind up taking over the chickadee nest in our front box, and laid 5 beautiful eggs. Here are a few photos from the past 30ish days. The babies are mostly feathered and I assume close to fledging.

#Missouri #KC #BackyardBirds #masternaturalist #birding

A green mosey nest with minor bits of grass and five beautiful blue eggs

Babies huddled together, mostly feathered out at this point

OK so the goose roundup was way too fun. We were able to get 41 in total. Roughly 50/50 split on already banded vs ones we banded. And two cute fluff balls, too. My @effinbirds shirt was quite popular. A+ experience. Would do again.

#CanadaGoose #DisserviceAnimal #Missouri #masternaturalist #BirdBanding

A rotund and bald fellow wearing fake glasses added after the photo was taken holds a goose.

I’m up super early so I can help the conservation department with a “goose roundup.” Apparently they have found a way to catch entire flocks for banding efforts.

I am hoping my @effinbirds disservice animal shirt is a hit with the volunteers. And if it isn’t, IDC, because I think it is the perfect shirt for the occasion.

#CanadaGoose #DisserviceAnimal #Missouri #masternaturalist

Screenshot of a marketing photo picturing a shirt with a large stop sign. The words in the background in the foreground is an illustration of a Canada goose. The caption reads disservice animal.

Before coming to the conference I knew basically nothing about freshwater mussels. So that session was a real eye-opener. Here are some freshwater mussel facts.

- 300 species in North America. 75+ in Missouri.
- Among the most imperiled species in the U.S.
- They are parasites! I had no idea.
- So many unique ways of “infesting” host fish including luring them, and grabbing
- Garment buttons used to be made from their shells. Many modern day buttons are still made to look like them.

#missouri #aquaticlife #masternaturalist

#MasterNaturalist

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