A Walk in Central Park

Last week I led a nature walk in Central Park for the American Museum of Natural History's Membership Department. Even though I got rained on twice, there was a lot to see. Here are some of the wild creatures that were in the park on Wednesday.

Turtles were basking in The Lake. Red-eared sliders are the most commonly seen.  Click to enlarge.

Scanning the waters there often turns up a Chinese softshell turtle like this one. 

This ladybug pupa was in the bushes near the Ladies Pavilion. An adult  Asian multi-colored ladybug will emerge. The light-colored spines at the upper left are diagnostic for the species; I hear they are the remnants of the spiky skin of the last larval stage. 

This raccoon was hanging around the Oak Bridge. 

A pair of Paria beetles was mating on a leaf. 

An ant-mimic spider lurked. 

This Isodontia wasp glittered in the fleeting sunshine. 

A green Agapostemon bee posed on a pink rose. 

And the Shakespeare Garden was full of blossoms. 

You never know what you will find when you  take a walk in the park, but... John Muir once said: "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."