Wednesday, April 15th, 2015

Didn't get to the river today, instead I went back to the lake. The most interesting thing I saw today was probably a pair of Cardinals doing some sort of courtship dance.

That's really what I love about this time of year, the chance to see some behaviors that you usually wouldn't. Down at the beach I also saw an American goldfinch, which was another colorful surprise.

Besides the finch there was a small group of Buffelhead ducks and one Mallard diving around the end of the northern pier. I'm glad the Mallard was there because he really illustrated for me just how tiny these Buffelheads are.

Buffelhead Ducks

Buffelhead Ducks

Male Mallard

The nature preserve was a bit quieter, mostly gulls and a couple Mergansers. I also saw some odd little nest I hadn't noticed before. I'm unsure what built it, and it looks like it isn't currently being used.

On the way home I saw another House Finch and was able to get some photos, so that was a nice follow-up to yesterday.

I know I keep saying it, but I really want to stop going to the lake shore. I see new things each day, but I could really use a change of scenery.

Tuesday, April 14th, 2015

Things were pretty quiet down by the lake this morning. I'm definitely going to make a point of hiking along the river tomorrow, if only to change things up a bit.

I did see my first butterfly of spring, an Eastern Comma that was flying around the beach at the preserve.

Eastern Comma

It actually made me remember how interested I was in starting an entomology collection. We'll see, taking photos may turn out to be just as satisfying. Over the lake a saw a small group of what I believe were Blue-winged Teals as well as some Mallards and Canadian Geese.

Blue-winged Teals

More Teals

Female Mallard

Canadian Geese

On the way back to my apartment I also saw some Brown-headed Cowbirds, who I don't believe I've ever positively identified before. As parasitic birds (the only in North America) their mode of living is a bit cruel, but I nevertheless find them pretty fascinating.

Male Cowbird

Female Cowbird

In any event I'm looking forward to adding insects to the list of things I obsessively photograph and identify.

Robin about to take off

Afternoon Update: Had a nice appointment with Dr. Gielow. In a moment of serendipity he spotted a male House Finch out the window, which is yet another bird I have yet to see an positively identify, so that was a nice surprise. I love the red heads. It's funny how even though they are apparently quite common, seeing one for what felt like the first time makes it seem so exotic and special. Wish I could have gotten a picture, but hopefully I'll see one again on a hike.

Sunday, April 12th, 2015

I set out at 7:45 this morning and went to Atwater Beach. There was a huge flock of Red-breasted Mergansers out of the lake. There was a lot squabbling and they were also doing this interesting head-dip, sometimes in-sync with each other.

In addition to the Mergansers the Red-winged blackbirds were also back out in force. I got one really nice shot of one calling and some nice close-ups of another.

After Atwater I walked over to the nature preserve. There wasn't quite as much happening there today, I saw more Yellow-bellies and wood thrushes, as well as a pair of Ruby-crowned Kinglets and a Cardinal.

Sapsucker

Wood Thrush

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Ruby-crowned Kinglet

Male Cardinal

I think that since I've been going to the Nature Preserve for a week I'm going to switch it up and start hiking along the river next week. Hopefully it will result in seeing a new set of wildlife.

Afternoon Update: Went for a wonderful walk along the lakeshore downtown with Ryan and Paige. It was really great to see both of them. While we were down there I saw a small group of Greater Scaups, which was a nice surprise. I love the blue bills.

Male

Female

Today's photo:

How flattering

Saturday, April 11th, 2015

No specimens today but I did wind up with some pretty great pictures.

I think it says a lot about the quality of a camera that I was able to get some good pictures, because I have no idea what I am doing. I should really look into taking a class, or perhaps reading the manual a bit more.

Bluff at Atwater Park

I any event I was out by 6:30AM which felt great. It's so nice to feel like I have something to look forward to in the morning. I got some really nice pictures of birds in flight this morning, completely by accident. The best is probably this one I got of a Black-capped Chickadee.

Black-capped Chickadee in flight

Besides the usual songbirds I saw mostly woodpeckers today, Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers but also a bunch of Red-bellied Woodpeckers which I don't think I've ever identified before. There is this dead tree kind of near the beach which is probably home for a nesting pair because I saw one go into this knot hole while a male that was fending off what I believe were some European Starlings.

The nest is in the knot left of the woodpecker

Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, probably a male

I did also see a turkey when I first entered the preserve, but I was quite far away and I wasn't quite quick enough on the draw to get a photo. I did hear it when I was leaving, but I wasn't able to see it again. Perhaps another day. My plan today is to pick a church and go sketch. I'll let you know how that goes.

Afternoon Update: First reptile of the year!

Butler's Garter Snake

I went to the Urban Ecology center after lunch, mostly to sketch St. Casimir's from the little hill that overlooks the river, and when I was walking up I saw this wonderful little Garter Snake. I think it was still a little lethargic, because while it did try to scoot away I was able to catch it very easily. I remembered that they smelled, but I had forgot just how hard it was to wash out of your hands. It seems like they are neigh identical, but I think this may be a Butler's Garter snake. It could very easily be a Common Garter Snake, but their stripes don't seem to be quite as sharp as the Butler's, which seems to be closer to this guy.

Either way, great find.

I'll try to scan the sketch at my parent's house when I go there this evening for JD's birthday. For the moment, here is today's photo:

4/11/15