3:00 snapshot #1638: Friday

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3:00 snapshot #1639: Saturday

The salty slush that we New Englanders drive on half the year destroyed the exhaust system of Alexis' car. That was only one of many minor but expensive issues that it faced. She decided now was the time to get something a little newer and better.

Car lot mushrooms

Mica caps (Coprinellus micaceus) are hardy enough to be feeding on submerged tree roots (and whatever pollutants are in the mulch and soil) at the edge of this used car lot in Walpole, Massachusetts.

Something else to look forward to

While doing some weeding in the back corner of the yard I was surprised by this: the ootheca of a Chinese mantis. This means in a few weeks many tiny mantids will emerge and begin eating any insect they can catch, including each other. Most likely we will find one or possibly two adults in late summer, as large as an outstretched palm, with searching intelligent looking eyes and raptorial forelegs. It's not a native species, alas, nor is it legally protected in any way despite popular misconception.

Art and generosity

My dear friend Jason Eckhardt happens to be an amazing and award-winning illustrator. He generously drew and donated this rhino illustration to be auctioned at our Bowling for Rhinos event! If you would like to bid on it, register for the event and come by--it's in Malden Massachusetts this Thursday evening, so plan accordingly if you are in Australia or Toronto or something. Go here to register: http://www.zoonewengland.org/szevents#rhinos

If you just want to help us out, feel free to chip in a few bucks--all the money goes directly to help protect rhino habitat in Africa and Indonesia. Go here to donate: https://www.crowdrise.com/aazkznebfr

Feet off the table, please

What is it about picnic tables that impels our domestic animals to become mountain climbers? Here the new ladies come over to see if Alex has any treats for them.