Questions, Comment, Sightings

Tonight’s post begins with a question. Earlier today I saw several great blue herons feeding along moving water. One bird in particular has caught my attention. This bird had something hanging, likely from the right side of its mouth, that looks abnormal.

I have done some research on great blue heron tongues and found photos showing connecting strands on both sides of the tongue. I wonder if this bird had its right connective tissue severed while attempting to swallow a fish - a fish that may have had sharp fins - and that may have still been alive and flopping around in the mouth/throat. Maybe that did not happen. If someone has another idea, please share it. Otherwise the bird appeared fine.

Something Special

To me there is something special about paddling on a quiet night like we had tonight. Whether you prefer a canoe or a kayak, it does not really matter. What seems to be special is the “quiet” that happens when paddling.

I have several boats that I could use for my evening calming sessions, but I prefer muscle power. There are no…

Skeeter Bite on Top of Skeeter Bite

For reasons unknown to me I had an overwhelming urge to check for fungi this morning. From a dietary standpoint the choice was worthwhile as we and my mother had another meal of golden oysters tonight. From a blood volume consideration, I had…

Flowers and Insects

After the rain this morning I wandered our budding prairie plot looking for blossoms and insects. So far our growth has been minimal, but after years of drought I am seeing beautiful…

A “New to Me” Species and Many Others

I fought zillions or more bugs this morning to photograph wildlife at Sweet Marsh. One of the bird species was a “Life” bird for me - one I have not seen before. It is always a pleasant surprise to see another new wildlife species.

Waiting For Darkness

Somehow Kristy managed to spot this waved sphinx moth as she was mowing tonight. She let me know about her find and I quickly got off the water (canoeing) to check it out. I believe this to be a waved sphinx moth.

Waved sphinx moths are sometimes called “hawk moths” or “hummingbird moths” for their hovering and probing of flowers with their proboscis. In fact, several info sources I found suggest that other than drawing up blossom nectar, the adults of this moth species…

Brave Fellow?

It’s one thing to pick up a live snapping turtle in the wild. In fact, most folks won’t risk fingers to lift a snapper. It is another thing, perhaps a demonstration of bravery, to pick up a wild snapping turtle and let it sit completely unconfined on your hand. Everything is at risk - from your thumb, to your fingers, and maybe the…

Iowa Weather

This afternoon and evening’s weather has certainly created dramatic viewing. I think experiencing nature’s strength through clouds, wind, rain, and worse in wide open areas makes for memories (and photos). As I type this we are…

Not Skeeters, Ticks, Gnats, or Poison Ivy

None of the above were too challenging to force me to miss listening to, watching, and photographing a male blue-gray gnatcatcher. This little bundle of energy has his work cut out for him. Please Mr. Gnatcatcher… go after the skeeters and gnats. Show us how good you are!

The same challenges, with more emphasis on poison ivy, made it difficult to check the status of the…

Grandparents/Cousin Camp 2024

After the past few days, Kristy and I know for sure why you have kids when you are younger. Wow, “Grandparents/Cousin Camp 2024” was full of activities and good time. Joining us were our good friends Scott, Doris, and Jeni.

Kristy and I have a small camper that probably would have housed all of us. But I also enjoy tent camping and wanted to introduce our grandkids to the fun of…

Almost, But Not Quite Ready

It won’t be long until this young American kestrel takes its first flight. Tonight it was hanging out of its nest box quite far, but not enough to fall to the ground.

I have watched many birds take their first flight, but never a kestrel. My question is do…

Fun Finds, Educational Finds, Nice Lighting Find

Fun Finds:

Early this morning, before work, I wandered our little prairie project looking for blossoms. So far there was just one blossom, but it was pretty and a hoverfly on the blossom added a nice touch.

While in the patchy grass I heard a different bird call than normal. This was one I had heard before, but not yet…

It Happened! There is Hope!

For three years I have been trying to surprise our two oldest grandkids with wildlife/nature photography programs at their school. Finally, today, it happened.

First I completely surprised our oldest grandson when I showed up at his classroom, logged onto the computer, and shared interesting wildlife photos and videos. His class of third-graders were so attentive.

A little later the same happened for our princess, my favorite granddaughter, except it was not a surprise. Her little brother told her what happened. Still, it was fun talking with 108 fifth-graders and their teachers.

As we talked I shared several “rescue” stories that did not end well for the wildlife we were attempting to help. Each group of students followed the same emotional path…

So Much From Various Themes

On this Memorial Day holiday we remember those who gave all for our country’s freedom. I often wonder if we remember and live appreciatively enough for the sacrifices made.

The day was very busy with many photography themes captured.

My day began by checking for the prothonotary warbler(s) that I have not seen since the rain and flooding began…

In the Rain

When it rains and pours and drizzles, wildlife eventually seems to accept they will get wet and begin to move around. Birds and bugs come out in big numbers. And, fungi began to appear and grow and capture my attention.

For the birds and darker fungi I focused my Nikon on them. For the golden oyster fungi I introduced my pocket knife. From my edible fungi find I was able to…

More Plentiful Than Wildflowers

Early this morning, after the sun climbed high enough to light a local forest, I went for an interesting hike. First I challenged ticks with a non-Deet spray. So far, so good - no ticks found. Then I challenged mosquitoes and lost. I had no bug spray and did not dig my net out, so the biters won.

Now let’s discuss the title. On my hike I found a couple of wildflower species that I photographed, but I found far more fungi to point my Nikon at. I will share images below.

Ignore the Quality (or lack of), Cherish the Experience

Today was another day spent at the healing place to the North. Between appointments we spent time watching the live feed from the peregrine falcon hack box. We waited for more than an hour to see a parent bird come to the hack box. When we had precious few minutes left before having to move to our next appointment, an adult falcon brought in a bird for breakfast.

In the timespan of 45-seconds or so we watched a once live…

Comfortable Hummer

This little hummingbird was so comfortable with me tonight that I was able to walk right up to it with my camera to shoot away. Seldom are hummingbirds that easy to photograph. I like that!

Apparently during the warm weather season of 2024 I am a tick magnet. I had yet another one tonight. Yuck!

Rising Water

Rising water pushes snakes (and other wildlife) out of their normal “safe” areas to less than ideal spots, like on the road.

Picking up snake…

After the Storms

Soon today and tonight’s threatening weather will be out of the area. The atmospheric energy is running out.

Rain… we have had…