Sayre Nature

April & Jeff Sayre Fund for Nature. April (1966-2021) was an acclaimed writer of science childrens' books. Jeff co-authored the last Kaufman Field Guide.

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

April continues to make the world a better place! I love you, April!

[April Pulley Sayre @aprilpsayre]

April’s newest book, with my assitance in the field, is officially released today!

Happy Sloth Day!

/cc @SimonKIDS #BeachLaneBooks

#bookbirthday #readaloud #nonfictionbooks #childrensbooks #STEM

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

Six weeks from today we will gather in downtown South Bend, Indiana to celebrate my amazing wife April’s life. I hope to see you there.

You can request more details about this formal event via this Google Form link: https://t.co/rF1WWbLpZK…

Jeff

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

I visited April today, then took a 2.5 hike through snowy trails. Saw my first-of-year Yellow-rumped Warbler and Turkey Vulture. Came across this busy, non-human animal highway. Track ID from left to right: deer; opossum; coyote. I miss April. She would have loved today’s outing.

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

A mid-winter Hermit Thrush was a very nice surprise visitor to the water garden this morning. Not common in winter, but it’s possible. Whereas most of the surface water has frozen, the pump still circulates water and is still reachable at the waterfall. It tried bathing.

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

So long and thanks for all the ants…

https://t.co/sCBkGVDCCY

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

April’s obituary. Publishers Weekly admirably captured her spirit of adventure, zest for life, talent as a writer and photographer, and her reverence and love for nature.

https://t.co/3It7bdAUQE

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

With heavy heart, I share that April passed Saturday morning. She was interred Sunday, on a beautiful fall day, surrounded by sugar maples in their full fall regalia of orange, red, and yellow leaves. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation. https://t.co/DeXzUMi4qz

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

Just saw the first Dark-eyed Junco of the fall / winter. How’s that possible? I thought spring had started last month. It’s interesting to note that Juncos now occur more months than not in our area. So I guess they are closer to resident status than visitor. So, not #snowbird?

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

Honey bees (Apis mellifera) are introduced species in our area (country). Guess what else is introduced? A flower fly that mimics honey bees! Here’s Eristalis tenax on a native Echinacea purpurea (Purple Coneflower).

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

More photos…

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

Little trip to the prairie. How many Silphium spp. do you see? Hint: there are more than one, fewer than five. There are also two correct answers!

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

@KennKaufman This is likely an issue with many wild animals. But over the past half decade, we have anecdotal evidence that Gray Treefrogs (Hyla spp.) seem to respond favorably to the loud firework reports of an irresponsible neighbor. Perhaps thinking it’s a sign of impending thunderstorms?

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

I did not notice that I uploaded the incorrect photo with the above post. These are seed burs from Geum virginianum (Pale Avens). Here’s the picture of the smaller seed burs of Enchanter's Nightshade forming. Notice anything else in the photo?

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

Don’t be too quick to pull those nasty “weeds”. Native plants with very small flowers help tiny pollinators who may have a hard time competing for resources at larger, showier flowers. Descriptions to follow.

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

It’s also one of the plants responsible for seed burs that stick to socks and pant cuffs. But its flowers support small flies, bees, and wasps. Please think of the small pollinators before you yank a plant out of the ground. You can cut the flower stalks off once pollinated.

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

Although tiny, the flowers are delicately beautiful. Take the opportunity to get on your hands and knees and see a new perspective about the natural world! /cc @xercessociety #pollinators #nativeplants #botany #tinyflowers

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

This is Circaea lutetiana canadensis — Enchanter’s Nightshade. It’s a small-stature perennial native wildflower (less than a foot to about two feet). It can be found in rich soils in deciduous woods.

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

A celebration of #WorldBeeDay2021 Here’s a Bombus impatiens (Common Eastern Bumble Bee) pollinating one of our many native Lupinus perennis (Wild Lupine) plants. A gorgeous plant for a gorgeous insect!

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

Today we came across the largest flock of American White Pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) we’ve every seen in Indiana — 85 birds. They’re considered uncommon migrants in our region, but seem to be encountered more frequently each year — at least at Potato Creek State Park.

[Sayre Nature @SayreNature]

Overjoyed!

“Science will always be at the forefront of my administration — and these world-renowned scientists will ensure everything we do is grounded in science, facts, and the truth.”

- President-elect Joe Biden
January 15, 2021

https://t.co/o7Pel5ksKj