Birds of Vermont Museum - it's not only for Birds!

When we arrived, the Birds of Vermont Museum was not open yet. We crossed the road and headed to one of the trails* carpeted with wood chips that leads to a pond. The shaded path gave comfort from the heat of the day. *See trail map further below.

At first, there was not much activity around the pond. A few birds (Common Yellowthroat and a Veery), a few damselflies, and many frogs conversing. The sound of the stream as the overflow departed the pond was mellow and delightful.

We strolled slowly along one side of the pond, stopping to sit on one of the benches for some quiet birding. We listened to a Phoebe as it persistently introduced itself by sounding out its name Phoebee, Phoebe, Phoebe. A Rose-breasted Grosbeak darted from a willow tree to hawk for insects in mid-air. Later, two Great Crested Flycatchers did the same before chasing each other across the pond. 

We met a couple from Jericho sharing the ambiance and natural wonders with their young child (the mother is a wildlife biologist). 

Later we headed back down for a quick tour of the Museum.

Along with the life-like wood sculptures of many species of birds carved by Bob Spear set in natural-like surroundings, there are also nature paintings by local artists. This hummingbird painting was done by a friend of ours, Pedro Salas. Pedro is the proprietor of Bee Happy Honey.

A short time later, I returned to the pond finding it still quiet - insect activity wise, but that was soon to change. As I sat on a bench to eat an apple, looking out over the pond, I noticed a dragonfly with what appeared to be shriveled wings just in front of me at the pond's edge. 

These photos were captured just before I left the pond. The Dragonfly was still in the same place as when I first encountered it.

Black-tipped Darner Aeshna tuberculifera

Green Frog Lithobates clamitans

An Eastern Newt sallies in the clear water seeking shelter from my disturbance. 

About a half hour later, it was like someone rang the sex bell. Damselflies and dragonflies were mating all over the place. I could hardly keep up with taking photos. 

Azure Bluet Enallagma aspersum (A damselfly)

Amber-winged Spreadwing Lestes eurinus

I think these two were watching themselves in the mirror (reflection)!

Keep pushing - I am almost to the top.

About 45 minutes later, the mating activity seemed to come to a complete halt. Again, as though someone had rang a bell, this time signaling times up. 

Once the sunlight reached the outer edges of the pond, bees, wasps, and other invertebrates increased activity. After the mating event, a new set of species introduced themselves, particularly on the Meadowsweet and the Fleabane flowers. 

Some insects seemed to indicate - "I am keeping an eye on you, human."

From such a place, as Erma J. Fisk says in The Peacocks of Baboquivari, we can learn about the roles of birds and other animals in our environment and their ecology. We can learn respect for creatures different from ourselves, with senses and abilities often keener than ours. 

Virginia Ctenucha Moth Ctenucha virginica

On the way out, following the mulched pathway, butterflies, moths, and birds danced about me, wishing me farewell and inviting me to return soon. 

At Birds of Vermont - see the carved birds, local artists' paintings on display, rain and pollinator gardens, and check out the trails. Observe invertebrates that feed the birds.

Inverting (observing invertebrates) is the new birding! 

View the complete list of invertebrates I observed at this link:  iNaturailst Birds of Vermont July 15

Great Spangled Fritillary Argynnis cybele

View the list of 26 bird species Maeve observed here (e-bird checklist).