What are those?

What are those green spots?

A: frogs

B: algae

C: none of the above

(answer in comments)

(no peeking)

A pious bug from China

The Chinese mantis is a species of praying mantis that thrives here in suburban N.J.. They camouflage extremely well with their enviorment (surroundings). They stalk up on their prey (mainly grasshoppers) and devour until their full. Scrapes and bites hurt from these mantises, I know that from experience. The Chinese mantis is also my trademark.

devin's nature blog

Canadian Invasion

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The Canada goose is a large waterfowl (water bird) that thrives here in New Jersey. They are very light due to their hollow bones. Like all birds these hollow bone enable them to fly. Even though they are everywhere they are majestic.

Enjoy my photos

Devin's Nature Blog.

The Mighty Monarch

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Monarch butterflies begin life as caterpillars like all butterflies. The caterpillar above is named Charlie and at the largest he'll grow at two and half inches. Next he'll form a cocoon and go through metamorphosis. Finally it will come out as a butterfly. Devin's Nature Blog ENJOY!!

A peep or two in spring

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Spring peepers are the first frogs to start calling in spring. Their call goes like this "peep". At their largest they are the size of a nickel. They live in the woods. They are tree frogs. They can be told apart from other frogs by the X on their backs. Enjoy.

Devin's Nature Blog

Something to hum about

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Above are three male ruby throated humming birds with their elegant ruby throats. Females have white throats. Their nests are the size of silver dollars! WOW!! "VVVVVVRRRRRMMMMMMMM squeak" is what humming bird call sounds like. I have humming birds in my back yard. Enjoy!

Devin's Nature Blog

Slimy Summer days

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When frightened slimy salamanders release slimy substance that acts like glue. That substance gives them their name. They live under logs and in tunnels they built. Like all amphibians they absorb water through their skin.Enjoy!

Toad Today

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Fowler's toads are brown with golden eyes at night. Unlike American toads Fowler's toads have multiple warts per spot and have a white racing stripe down their back. The biggest one I've ever seen was the size of about the size of a dinner plate.It was Toadzilla!! Their great coloration gives them outstanding camouflage.Enjoy

Jewel of creek

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Ebony Jewelwings are very friendly damselflies, they will often will land on you. They live near creaks and water sources. Males are an electric blue green color. Females are brown. I have shown a photo of the male and female Jewelwings mating. When they are mating, they make a heart shape with their bodies. Hope you find a jewel of your own. Enjoy!

Devin's Nature Blog

It's not easy being green

Check out my camouflage - (click to enlarge)

(click to enlarge)

Green frogs have a distinctive hump on their back so you tell them apart from bull frogs. Green are colored to blend in with their environment and do it very well.They live in marsh swampy areas and sometimes in vernal pools. Enjoy!!

Devin's Nature Blog

Hawks of the Pond

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Pond hawks are a species of Dragonflies that like to eat grasshoppers. Every time I've seen one eating they have grasshoppers in their mouth. Male are a beautiful electric green color and females are a dazzling blue color. Enjoy my photos. Devin's Nature Blog

Picking Pickerels

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(click to enlarge)

Pickerel frogs are explosive jumpers. They jump so quickly that their orange patches on their thighs flash predators so that they can get away. When they are stressed, they are toxic to other species of frogs. They range throughout the United States and Canada. Hope you enjoy my photos. Devin's Nature Blog.

Is it a bee, hummingbird,or a moth?

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FOOLED YOU! It's a Hummingbird Moth. It has characteristics of all three. It flies like a hummingbird looks like a bee, but it's moth. It hovers from flower to flower sipping nectar. Enjoy my photos. Devin's Nature Blog.

Artistic Turtle

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Painted turtles can be distinguished from other turtles by the red and yellow markings. They are freshwater turtles. Enjoy! - Devin's Nature Blog

Flapping Friday

mallard female (click to enlarge)

mallard male (click to enlarge)

Mallard ducks can be found all over the northern hemisphere even in Asia. They can be up to three pounds and prefer fresh water. Males with their elegant green heads use it to attract a mate. Enjoy my photos. - Devin's Nature Blog

Male Tigers Spotted in suburban NJ

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(click to enlarge)

Up above are tiger swallow tails not real tigers. The spectacular male is a bright yellow with black stripes like tigers. They have tails like tree swallows (type of bird) that gives them their name. Look in gardens for these tigers. Enjoy my photos. - Devin's Nature Blog