Ragged Robin
This European introduction has become naturalized in the northeastern US and prefers moist fields and meadows. The bright pink – purple (sometimes white) flowers are easily spotted while driving around the St. Lawrence River valley and these caught my eye on the Potsdam – Morley Road.
Lychnis flos-cuculi
Ragged Robins get their name from the flower’s appearance. Each of the 5 petals are deeply cut into 4 parts giving the flower a ragged look. The plant is not much more than a slim stem – 1 to 3 foot high with opposite, lance shaped leaves that grow smaller as they go up the stem.
Ragged Robins are a member of the Pink Family (Caryophyllaceae). The species name – flos-cuculi – means cuckoo flower.
I spotted more than the Ragged Robins on the Potsdam – Morley Road.
This is what a Fox Kit looks like when fully assembled.
OK, that was groan worthy.
I still can’t imagine how Garter Snakes got their name.
How many women do you know that use them to hold up their stockings?
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June 20th, 2009 at 11:23 am
Great pics, as always! Love the little kit.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:27 am
You have a great variety of subjects here. Keeps me interested as always.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:39 am
How interesting. I’ve never seen these on this side of the St. Lawrence — must keep my eyes peeled.
Once you get those fox kits assembled, don’t you find there are always some bits left over?
June 20th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Aw, so much cuteness is one post–the fox licking its lips and the curled up garden snake. Noogie!
June 20th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Also, did you see the snail in the background of the snake? And I’m not familiar with that Lynchis species. And finally, the St. Lawrence River is how my mom and I made the final journey of our immigration by boat from Hamburg, Germany to Detroit. (My dad flew beforehand.)
June 20th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
Love the fox photo. I haven’t seen one in a long time but sure would like to.
Garter snakes we have – they love to hang out around the pond and go after the little frogs. They could hold up stockings! Once they get a grip they don’t like to let go. Ask my brother. He’ll tell you.
June 20th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
The fox kit kinda looks like it was made from spare parts. I guess all animals do at that age, especially humans. My nephew is a good example. I like seeing foxes of any age. Great shot of the garter snake too. The last one I saw was chewing on a frog that looked too big for it. The snail is a nice hidden delight too.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
That sniky-snake is smilin’ at you! But of course I’m totally jealous because the ragged robin is one that I’ve never seen for myself. But you may force me to dig up my pic of a fox kit assembled and eating a sniky-snake for breakfast.
June 22nd, 2009 at 11:16 am
That’s the pink flower I was hoping you’d get around to ID’ing for us NY newbies
Thanks!
June 22nd, 2009 at 6:55 pm
We had a fox here a couple weeks ago that got a hen. Grrr to that little animal.
The garter is very annoying too. They slither out at the most unexpected times.
The flower is very pretty! Great post.
August 4th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
i have a lot of garter snakes in my yard is there any way to get rid of them my kids play out there all the time