No bucket so far today and I actually have some interesting observations (no photos though).
The Daily Bucket is a regular feature of the Backyard Science group. It is a place to note of any observations you have made of the world around you. Rain, sun, wind...insects, birds, flowers...meteorites, rocks...seasonal changes...all are worthy additions to the bucket. Please let us know what is going on around you in a comment. Include, as close as is comfortable for you, where you are located. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the patterns that are quietly unwinding around us.
Took a short break from my end-of-semester madness this afternoon and walked down to the lake, with my scope on my shoulder, leaving behind the emails from students who have suddenly become desperately concerned about their grade and a grade that didn't get entered properly three months ago.
Sunny and coolish (mid-60s). No one about at all - no fishermen, no dog-walkers. Just me. And I picked the right time to show up. Here's what was percolating birdwise at Lake Jackson.
About sixty gulls in a flock - careful scanning revealed about half a dozen Bonaparte's Gulls mixed in with the ring bills. A Florida first for me.
At least 50 Ruddy Ducks (probably more) scattered about. I don't think I have ever seen so many in one place before. Usually just see one or two, maybe half a dozen. In with the Ruddy's was a Red-breasted Merganser - a first for Lake Jackson for me. And a small flock (approx 10) of Buffleheads, one male and a bunch of females.
These is probably the most ducks I've ever seen at once on the lake, especially in the height of hunting season. And none of them were Ring-necked Ducks which are, in my experience, by far the commonest winter duck on Lake Jackson.
Also seen were an Osprey, a pair of Greater Yellowlegs, several hundred coots, a couple of great egrets, and a cormorant or two.
I rushed home and tried to find a spot to see if there were any yard list opportunities. Unfortunately the bulk of the birds was too far to the south to be visible but I did manage to see a group of Ruddy Ducks and the Merganser.
So that's the aquatic avifauna for today at the south end of Lake Jackson, Tallahassee, FL. What's up in your neck of the woods?
"Green Diary Rescue" is Back!
After a hiatus of over 1 1/2 years, Meteor Blades has revived his excellent series. As MB explained, this weekly diary is a "round-up with excerpts and links... of the hard work so many Kossacks put into bringing matters of environmental concern to the community... I'll be starting out with some commentary of my own on an issue related to the environment, a word I take in its broadest meaning."
"Green Diary Rescue" will be posted every Saturday at 1:00 pm Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.