June 13, 2006
Odds and ends
Last week I participated in the Orsay Nature Nightjar (Engoulevent d'Europe) watching excursion to Angevilliers. While heading to our departure point I stopped to photograph the stunning Bee Orchids on campus again.
I was extremely surprised to see this monstrous Coypu emerge from the river Yvette.
As dusk approached we were repeatedly buzzed by this dragonfly sp - it resembled a Downy Emerald, which is seen in similar heathland habitats in the UK.
In spite of good, warm weather, Nightjars were heard only. However, we had some great fly-pasts from roding Woodcock (Becasse des bois) - we were even able to hear the low grunting notes between the squeaks. It was a good night for astronomy too - Jupiter and its moons, and Saturn's rings were clearly visible through my 30x scope.
Yesterday an evening trip to the Etangs de Saclay didn't produce the hoped-for Little Bittern (Blongios nain), but a couple more surprises - a Little Tern (Sterne naine) with a couple of Commons (pierregarin) was on show for all of 5 minutes before disappearing. I also got my lifer Lesser Emperor dragonfly!
While waiting for the bus home I was able to catch this singing Black Redstart bathed in the evening light.
This morning while taking a shower I had almost as much of a shock as Janet Leigh in Psycho when this huge Hornet appeared from behind the curtain! It appears to be a queen based on size and posessing 6 (rather than 7) abdominal segments.
I gingerly trapped it in a wine glass and released it back into the great outdoors after obtaining this mug shot.
