Raspberry Plants

Raspberry plants.

They have jaggedy leaves.  Sometimes people mistake them for poison ivy.  There is a passing resemblance - both plants have leaflets in bunches of three, with basically the same shape.

And at times, both plants can have red stems or stalks.  However, only the raspberry is thorned.

When we see the springtime raspberry canes, we are reminded of the promise of fresh berries in June.  Yum!

Virginia Creeper

This is Virginia creeper.

People sometimes mistake this plant for poison ivy, but a key difference is that Virginia creeper always has five leaves, and poison ivy only has three.

This plant is native to North America and is most often seen climbing trees.  It can grow along the ground as well.  It turns red in the fall, adding to the beautiful colorscape of the autumn woods and fields.

Another New Warbler!

I've discovered another new warbler!

I don't know how I've never noticed this stunning little bird before, but here he is at Smith's Island:

Here's another photo of one over at Fisherman's Corner South:

And one more:

This is a prothonotary warbler.  According to a post over at 10,000 Birds (check it out at the following link: http://10000birds.com/golden-swamp-warbler.htm  ) these birds take their names from early clerks in the Catholic church who wore yellow vestments.  Interestingly, they mention that John James Audubon had called this bird the "golden swamp warbler" but the other name won out.

Protho means "first", and notary means "clerk".

Prothonotary warblers nest in cavities, and can be seen on tree trunks, looking for insects to eat, in a similar manner to nuthatches and creepers.  They live in the Quad City area during the summer months.

If I've missed this brightly-colored beauty all these years, what else is out there that I haven't yet noticed?  Here's to finding more gems out on the trail!