I went down to Crescent Lake before dawn again this morning hoping to catch the morning light as it spread across the lake. It’s such a joy to just stand on the edge of the water in the early morning stillness, before all the walkers and runners arrive, and just take it all in—the sounds, the smells, the movement of birds. Where did all the pelicans go that were here the other day? Where did that funny looking crested mallard go? How are ‘my’ baby Muscovy ducks doing? Will I find anything new today?
Here’s the funny looking duck again, also known as a crested mallard. (see previous blog post ‘Duck with a Do!)
Of course I’ll find something new! There’s always something new! Today it was seven baby duck eggs hidden in a tree, one white checkered skipper on a flower, a lovely brown limpkin eating a giant snail, a sassy green heron perched on a fence, and a ‘Loch Ness Monster’ floating in the water!
I think these are the eggs of a Muscovy duck. They are located in the cavity of a tree along a busy walkway around the lake. I only had to stand on my tiptoes to see them.
Zabulon Skipper–maybe
Whte Checkered Skipper Butterfly
Zabulon Skipper–maybe
Limpkins mostly eat these very large apple snails. They also eat other kinds of snails and mussels, and sometimes insects, crustaceans, worms frogs and lizards.
It takes quite a lot of effort to get all the meat out of this giant apple snail!
This sassy looking green heron landed right in front of me and stayed for several pictures! He must have wanted to show off his spiky hairdo!This is my ‘Loch Ness Monster’. Isn’t it weird looking?? It’s actually the head of a Florida Soft Shell Turtle peeking out of the water!
This Red-bellied Woodpecker was minding his own business…
…and this fish crow came along and chased him away!
Little Blue Heron
Anhinga
Pied-billed Grebe
Muscovy Duck
Female Boat-tailed Grackle
Common Grackles (no idea what they were up to here!)
Green Heron
Anhinga catching a fishAnhinga after a day at the hair salon!
I am a 76 year old retired teacher with an avid interest in hiking and photography. I am not a professional photographer, but spend almost every day exploring the natural world, taking pictures and honing my skills. When I review the pictures I have taken, I love researching information about the things I have found-- and then sharing my results with others. The time I have spent walking in the woods (including 4 months on the Appalachian Trail at 68) has always been somewhat therapeutic. When I added photography to the mix a few years ago, it quadrupled the therapeutic effect! Opening pictures on my computer at the end of the day is like opening presents. There are always surprises! It allows me to see so many details that were not visible to my naked eye! I have learned so many new things about birds and bugs, reptiles and mammals that I never knew before--and I have also found, that when I share with others, I invariably learn something new!
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