The Osprey dove and caught a fish. Almost immediately the Bald Eagle materialized and pursued the Osprey (Osprey Observation here). I didn't see the outcome because almost simultaneously, a Least Bittern flushed near my feet. The bittern was a lifer so I had to get it! This was all within a few minutes of leaving my car, so I knew it would be a good day!
October Big Day birding at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia. October 8, 2022.
Obscured for landowner privacy
They're back! And noisy lol
Right bird, next to Downy Woodpecker. Captured and released as part of regular banding operation
This would be a fine observation if I had thought to record the alarmed coughing sound it was making. No stamping though. In reality it was clear to see. The second photo shows his flag as a white blur.
Fruiting on poplar.
Algodones Dunes, Imperial County, California
I’m assuming it’s a European Rabbit rather than a cottontail because it’s in the middle of the city. I see there are reports of cottontails in Calgary though. The tail is not very big.
Male Green-veined White (Rapsweissling), feeding on a late blooming Sage hybrid.
As I was taking a picture of this female Common Merganser (Gänsesäger) in the channel at the entry of Nymphenburg Palace, she suddenly raced away with her bill and eyes under water. I first thought she was chasing Black-headed Gulls, but she surfaced with a Chub that was so large and heavy that she lost her grip on it. She must have stunned the fish, because she pulled it out again after searching for it under water. This time, she didn’t only struggle with the weight of the fish, she was also surrounded by excited Gulls who wanted to get a bite. The Merganser tried in vein to get airborne with the heavy load, and eventually had to drop her prey… She seemed pumped up and excited after this catch and shook her feathers and flapped her wings for a bit. And then she continued her search.
For the Chub: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34861851
Four ospreys seen fishing in lake. These two seemed to be playing with one another flying in tight formation.
My family encountered this fox along the side of the road while driving the Top of the World Highway, a few miles after the Alaskan border, in the Yukon Territories. This fox was extremely curious, running up to our car and posing in the middle of the road.
Leaves 8-9 mm wide, not rolled-up but with strong V in the middle. Not growing in tufts. Stem base spongy.
He's off the back tail of the furthest fighter to the right.
Myrtle.
Freeze Frame
I was experimenting with trying to freeze the backyard birds in mid flight.
Saw this single clump in 2018 while on our walk near Confluence Park. Have looked for it since but have never seen it again.
Chub (Döbel) who got away since it was too large for the Common Merganser (Gänsesäger) who caught it. For the Common Merganser: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/34861833
riparian
Galium asprellum? Or triflorum?