Hudson River Park July 27, 2013
Tina and I road our bikes from 151st and Broadway down to Union Square to the Green Market. We stopped at a largely native plants garden planted with a variety of milkweeds, bee balm, black-eyed Susan and others. This garden was located at 27th Street and Hudson River Park.
There were many Northern Golden Bumble Bees, which I found interesting since I had not seen them in other gardens in Manhattan. As I was watching, one of the Golden Bumble Bees left a flower and was apparently buzzing around another Golden, but on closer examination the second bee was being eaten by an immature mantis! The bee was about 1/3 eaten, but still struggling. The first bee watch and adjusted its position a couple times and got very close before leaving.
After visiting the Green Market and heading back north along the Hudson we stopped at an amazing garden in Hudson River Park at 91st Street. I spent about an hour circling the perimeter getting several new species for the summer. In addition to those photographed and posted here, I saw a female Cicada Killer Wasp which did not stop for a photo. There were lots of great nectar producers in this garden so there was a wide variety of pollinators in the area. I was at this spot mid afternoon.
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Golden Northern Bumble Bee (Bombus fervidus)Observer
jholmesDescription
There were many of these guys feeding on Bee Balm. One fell victim to an immature praying mantis. Picture in another posting.
Photos / Sounds
What
European Woolcarder Bee (Anthidium manicatum)Observer
jholmesDescription
There were at least 3 in this small garden, up to the usual, casing everyone around, taking a sip of nectar now and then.
Photos / Sounds
What
Red-banded Hairstreak (Calycopis cecrops)Observer
jholmesDescription
Feeding on Black-eyed Susan in flower garden. This one was about 15+ feet away so the photo is not great, but I think that orange red band is a give away.
Photos / Sounds
What
Sharptail Bees (Genus Coelioxys)Observer
jholmesDescription
This one spent 5+ minutes sampling many flowers in a small patch. Many opportunities for photos.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
jholmesDescription
This Condylostylus patibulatus was skipping about in the foliage searching for prey.
Photos / Sounds
Observer
jholmesDescription
This Condylostylus sp. was flitting about the foliage and caught some small insect, which it is busy with in this photo.
Photos / Sounds
What
Silver-spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)Observer
jholmesDescription
At least two of these Silver Spot Skippers were frequenting the Butterfly Bush.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eurasian Drone Fly (Eristalis arbustorum)Observer
jholmesDescription
This one was busy feeding at the dill flowers. There were MANY, three on this single flower head. I loved the way the light was highlighting the bristles all over their bodies, including the eyes.
Photos / Sounds
What
Leafcutter, Mortar, and Resin Bees (Genus Megachile)Observer
jholmesDescription
This female was busy gathering nectar and pollen when a male came into the area and she raised her abdomen as seen in this photo.
Photos / Sounds
What
Western Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)Observer
jholmesDescription
There were several in the garden.
Photos / Sounds
What
Two-spotted Longhorn Bee (Melissodes bimaculatus)Observer
jholmesDescription
A quick look at a beauty, a male Melissodes bimaculata. I only saw this one over the span of about an hour at this garden.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)Observer
jholmesDescription
This one had a run in with someone, missing a significant part of one of the hind wings. This one was spending a lot of time at the butterfly bush.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)Observer
jholmesDescription
Lots of these Cabbage Whites, as usual. The most common butterflies in the area.
Photos / Sounds
What
European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula)Observer
jholmesDescription
Saw about three of these in my hour at this garden.
Photos / Sounds
What
Yellow-legged Mud-dauber Wasp (Sceliphron caementarium)Observer
jholmesDescription
This one was scanning the daisies for prey.
Photos / Sounds
What
Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis)Observer
jholmesDescription
This one was observed just as I arrived at the garden, it moved from one butterfly bush to another then I did not see it again for the rest of my 1 hour stay.
Photos / Sounds
What
Great Black Digger Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)Observer
jholmesDescription
An amazing wasp! Those blue wings! This one was feeding on these flowers, I am not sure of the flower ID.
Photos / Sounds
What
Virginia Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica ssp. virginica)Observer
jholmesDescription
These big guys always amaze me that they can stay in the air. Their large massive bodies move with amazing speed. And draw down the flower head when they land.
Comments
Add a Comment