NATURE
MONCTON INFORMATION LINE, October 2, 2020 (Friday)
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Edited by: Nelson Poirier nelsonpoirier435@gmail.com
Transcript by: Louise Nichols nicholsl@eastlink.ca
Info Line # 506-384-6397 (384-NEWS)
** Peter Gadd got a photo of a GREATER YELLOWLEGS [Grand
Chevalier] and a LESSER YELLOWLEGS [Petit
Chevalier] side by
side at the Miramichi Marsh yesterday.
It surely does show the Harley and the Scooter size differential
scenario.
There is a lot to note in Peter’s
photo:
• the
Greater Yellowlegs is more boldly barred on the flanks with the Lesser Yellowlegs
being more weakly barred on the flanks
• the
Lesser Yellowlegs is slimmer, thinner
necked and shorter billed with a smaller head, finer legs, and sometimes a more
peak or angular crown with the Greater Yellowlegs more round headed.
• the
bill of the Greater Yellowlegs is thicker at the base
• the
black nostrils can be seen more readily on the Greater Yellowlegs where they
are more difficult to see in the Lesser Yellowlegs.
the head tends to be nicely rounded
on the crown and nape of the Greater Yellowlegs whereas the Lesser Yellowlegs
has a steeper fore head and flat crown and sharp angle of the nape that creates
a slight peak at the rear crown. The thick neck of the Greater Yellowlegs tends
to have more of an S curve at the base rather than the straight or thinner neck
of the Lesser Yellowlegs
- TThis may be more than most want to digest of this differential but this photo is a special opportunity.
Gilles Belliveau leaves some
comments as to size perception affected by few things even though size
differential is a significant factor.
The most significant thing though
appears to be the depth of the water where both birds happen to be standing. The
Greater Yellowlegs appears to be on higher ground in very shallow water
as you can see most of the tarsus so the water level is just deep enough
to cover its toes. The Lesser Yellowlegs is in much deeper water as the water
level is up onto its tibia with the joint completely under water which drops
the bird significantly lower in the frame and Gilles suspects that is creating
an illusion that makes it seem even smaller in relation to the Greater
Yellowlegs. There are a few other things like the angle of the birds which he
thinks is also having an effect here that is making this illusion even more
dramatic.
** Lots of berry-producing trees took a
real hit with the cool spring followed by dry weather, to leave many Mountain
Ash trees with few berries. Not so for
Lynda Leclerc’s Moncton yard tree. It is
loaded with berries and the AMERICAN ROBINS [Merle d'Amérique] have indeed found it. Lynda tried to photograph the flock through a
window, but they were very skittish and camera-shy – but Lynda’s photo does
show the fruit-laden tree and one brave Robin.
** Rheal Vienneau spotted one of our
large DARNER DRAGONFLIES [Aeschne] soaking up the warmth on Sunday in his
Dieppe garden. Unfortunately, the photo
does not show the detail to identify it.
The darners tend to be among the larger dragonflies, and it’s not
unexpected to see them flying on warm days in October.
** Brian Stone shares some excellent
photos of the very common SMOOTH LEPIOTA MUSHROOM in different stages in one
photo to nicely show the partial veil separating from the cap as it expands,
bulbous base, and all white. The second specimen from the left is a different
species. The Smooth Lepiota is a totally
harmless edible mushroom, but we do not use it as an edible due to its
similarity to the deadly DESTROYING ANGEL which tends to grow in a different
habitat, and there are very subtle differences to the observant eye. I hope we have these specimens to demonstrate
at the mushroom event on Sunday afternoon.
There is still room left for more participants, so start gathering fresh
mushrooms you see and join us. No need
to be a Nature Moncton member. Just
follow the regulations and bring mushrooms.
The write-up is repeated below.
Nature Moncton Wild
Mushroom Field Trip
Sunday, October 4, 1:00
p.m.
Roger LeBlanc’s yard and
woodlot at civic # 3764, Rte. 115 in Notre Dame
Nature Moncton will sponsor a Field Trip to give an overview of wild
mushrooms, identification tips, which ones make good edibles, which ones do
not, which ones are toxic, some culinary tips where applicable, or whatever
participants want to hear more about or contribute to the exchange. The event
will be led by Nelson Poirier.
Participants are asked to start gathering specimens up to 4 days in
advance to bring to display on set-up show-and-tell tables where specimens can
be identified and discussed. Try to gather fresh specimens where possible,
place them in damp moss in a flat container or place in a paper bag, and
refrigerate with a large felt marker label "Do Not Eat". Do not store them in plastic bags. The
collections participants bring in will be an important part of the event as we
will get to see a much greater variety of specimens this way than an outing to
just one habitat.
Please take note that some Covid-19 protocols will apply. Participants
who bring specimens will be asked to place them on a set-up table themselves.
Nelson will point out features and commentary using plastic gloves and then all
will go into a garbage can to be disposed of unless photos are wanted first,
but no touching a second time. Physical distancing will apply except for
participants within their bubble. Participants will have to be limited to 20 to
help observe restrictions. The walk through Roger LeBlanc’s woodlot afterward
will require similar restrictions which by now we are getting used to.
Please register with Activities Committee Chairperson Louise Nichols at
nicholsl@eastlink.ca as soon as possible due to the limit on participants to
observe Covid-19 restrictions.
As always all are welcome, Nature Moncton member or not. Just bring your
enthusiasm and mushrooms!
**After
sunset on Thursday Brian took a few pictures of the rising full HARVEST MOON.
The Moon was close to the planet Mars but the planet was a bit below and the
clouds rolled in before the pair rose high enough for a portrait.
Brian got
up early Friday morning to see if the sky was clear to get a photo of the
Harvest Moon and Mars setting in the morning sky if it was not cloudy. He also
noticed the planet Venus was clear and bright and very close to the bright star
Regulus in the constellation of Leo. There seems to be a dimmer star near
Regulus that he was not sure of identify.
Tonight
(Friday) the Moon will be much closer to Mars and if the sky is clear it will
make for a much more interesting sight.
** It’s Friday and time to review the next week’s Sky-at-a-Glace, courtesy of sky-guru Curt Nason. We may be losing the evening light, but that does give more opportunity for observing the night sky.
This
Week’s Sky at a Glance, 2020 October 3 – October 10
This is a good time of year to double your sky observing time. For the next few
weeks, before we return to Standard Time, the sky is dark and the stars are
blazing when most people are up to start their day. And it is not bitterly cold
or snowbound. Orion and his dogs are prominent to the south, with Taurus,
Auriga and Gemini arching over them.
In early evening you can see the 4th, 5th and 6th brightest stars. Look for
yellow Arcturus sinking to the west, blue-white Vega overhead and Capella in
Auriga rising in the northeast. Later, notice the positions of the circumpolar
Big Dipper, Little Dipper and Cassiopeia. The next morning go outside and see
how they have changed. Sometimes it is nice to have a little assurance that the
world keeps right on turning.
This Week in the Solar System
Saturday’s sunrise in Moncton is at 7:20 am and sunset will occur at 6:54 pm,
giving 11 hours, 34 minutes of daylight (7:25 am and 6:59 pm in Saint
John). Next Saturday the Sun will rise at 7:30 am and set at 6:41 pm,
giving 11 hours, 11 minutes of daylight (7:34 am and 6:46 pm in Saint John).
The Moon is at third quarter next Friday, setting at 3 pm and rising at 11:30
that evening. Jupiter and Saturn are at their highest for observing an hour
after sunset. Telescope users might catch Jupiter’s stormy Red Spot around
10:30 pm Sunday and 9:30 next Friday. Mars will dominate the sky over the next
two months. On Tuesday it is closest to Earth, one week before it reaches
opposition. A telescope is required to see any of its features, but its
brightness and ruddy colour are an awesome naked eye sight. Binoculars will
show a yellow-orange disc. Mercury is a difficult binocular target, setting
just 35 minutes after sunset. Venus will be just below Regulus this Saturday
morning. On Wednesday evening and Thursday morning you might see a few extra
shooting stars from the Draconid meteor shower (formerly called the
Giacobinids).
With astronomy meetings and outreach activities on hold, you can watch the
local Sunday Night Astronomy Show at 8 pm, and view archived shows, on YouTube
at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAEHfOWyL-kNH7dBVHK8spg
Questions? Contact Curt Nason at nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca.
Nelson Poirier,
Nature Moncton

VENUS AND REGULUS. OCT. 02, 2020.. BRIAN STONE