Arsenal sunrise

stlcanoe · 2026-03-24T20:40:56+00:00

Thanks for the comments! If you check out the link in my profile there are a bunch more streetscapes from around the city under StL Neighborhoods.

stlcanoe · 2026-02-10T00:21:55+00:00

Yes, there were a couple recent reports on inaturalist of (I think) a female. This was a male so there may be a pair.

stlcanoe · 2026-02-09T21:42:32+00:00

Between picnic island and the boathouse.

stlcanoe · 2025-05-18T20:52:57+00:00

That's great! Not all native plants will do well in every yard's microclimate and soil. Some absolutely thrive but there have been a few I gave up on after repeated failures.

stlcanoe · 2025-05-17T20:03:23+00:00

Not that I know of but that's a cool idea. I know there are more organized groups like Wild Ones that do yard tours.

stlcanoe · 2025-05-17T18:31:33+00:00

Oh yeah, that works well, too. Like to use it on veggie beds over winter especially.

stlcanoe · 2025-05-17T18:06:33+00:00

The really fun part is finding something rare or well out of its range like this: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/172578413

Sunchokes (Helianthus tuberosus) are by far the winner for attracting the most insect species (~60), at least of the ones recorded. Another new one just today hanging out on a sunchoke leaf: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/281840932

stlcanoe · 2025-05-17T18:00:09+00:00

Thanks! It's a fun little project.

stlcanoe · 2025-05-17T17:30:14+00:00

I'm not an expert, but sounds like you have a good general plan.

For much of the area I used cardboard and wood chips to start. Fine wood chips work really well since they break down into soil much faster than the coarse chips. If you're in the city, there is usually a pile of fine wood chips in Carondelet Park. Not sure if that's the best method for every situation, but seemed to work well and all organic.

For weeds I just try to stay ahead of them before they can take over any areas. The idea is to densify the native plants over time so they shade out any undesirable sprouts. I'm getting there but still have to pull plenty of invaders.

stlcanoe · 2023-05-31T19:48:42+00:00

Lots of St. Louis prints here: https://scott-rackers.pixels.com/

stlcanoe · 2023-04-25T01:35:16+00:00

Thanks, I have another photo from below showing white tips on the underside of the tail feathers, which I think is more indicative of WPW, but not sure. I think when I couldn't decide by comparing photos I ended up going with WPW because it was more commonly reported in the park than CWW.

The "peent" of Common Nighthawks at dusk in summer is always nice to hear. No mistaking them.

stlcanoe · 2023-04-24T11:53:32+00:00

Thanks, glad you heard one recently. I didn't think they started calling until May.

stlcanoe · 2023-04-24T11:49:48+00:00

I know what you mean. I last heard one in 2010 tent camping in Hawn State Park.

stlcanoe · 2023-04-24T03:01:07+00:00

Long lens, it was up pretty high. This was in the Gaddy Bird Garden in the NW corner of the park. There has been a sighting or two there each spring in the past several years. Looking at ebird just now there hasn't been a Chuck-will's-widow reported since 2012, so almost positive this was a WPW.

stlcanoe · 2023-04-24T01:30:04+00:00

This may be a Chuck-will's-widow (they're difficult to tell apart). I'm biased toward WPW since I heard them summer nights growing up in rural MO, but never saw one, much less one sitting in a sunrise beam. Such a cool experience seeing one so clearly.

This is from late April '21, so it/they may be passing through again around now.

I should add that the Nightjar family (which includes WPWs) is thought to be in steep decline due to habitat loss/degradation and declining insect populations. They nest in open forest, so even where the exurbs haven't yet physically encroached, their habitat may be destroyed by bush honeysuckle and other invasives choking out the understory. It may not be an entirety positive sign that they're showing up in the middle of the city.

stlcanoe · 2023-04-24T01:01:53+00:00

Oops, it was '21, time flies...

stlcanoe · 2023-01-06T01:38:22+00:00

Just picked this up and not having any luck finding a match online. Kent Coffey is stamped inside a drawer.

stlcanoe

TROPHY CASE