The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what's going on around you. What's the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or peahens in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like lots of photos. :)
A little while ago I took an afternoon walk along the St Pete FL waterfront with the specific purpose of seeing how many shorebirds I could find on a typical summer's day. So here are the results of my photo safari. (Some of my IDs are only tentative, and I welcome any corrections for anything I got wrong.)
Great Blue Heron with his feathers ruffled.
Oystercatchers. I don't see these very often.
Skimmers, and what look to me to be two different kinds of Tern. I think the bigger ones are Royal Terns. Not sure about the smaller ones . . . ?
I think this is a Willet.
There were Laughing Gulls and Bonaparte Gulls everywhere.
Crows on the beach. Maybe Fish Crows . . . ?
Yellow-Crowned Night Heron.
I'm pretty sure this is a juvie Night Heron, but am entirely open to being corrected on that.
A pair of Snowy Egrets.
A Reddish Egret.
A Great Egret.
A Green Heron trying to be inconspicuous.
Oddly enough, I did not see any Pelicans or Cormorants, which is rather unusual. But all in all, it was a pretty good safari. :)
And now it is your turn--what's going on in your neck of the woods? :)