The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
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December 5, 2018
Salish Sea, Pacific Northwest
Killdeer have returned to the beach now it’s winter. In summer I don’t see these flighty colorful shorebirds since they’re off nesting in fields. Now they’re back, with this year’s babies, who look exactly like them. In fact all killdeer have the same plumage and eyes, so this group of five flying by in unison tells me the youngsters have gained competency in the past few months, even if they still hang out with their parents.
Back in September the youngsters were still following their parents around begging. It was easy to see who was who by behavior.
Sadly in October for a few days I saw one killdeer with a broken leg, it was not able to walk although it could fly, which made it impossible to catch it to take to a wildlife rehab place. I didn’t take pictures of it, I don’t like to display suffering. It did its best to keep up with the flock. Perhaps the leg healed on its own, I can’t know. Most of a wild creature’s life is in private, and I see just tiny moments on those occasions when I walk the beach.
Now in winter, everyone in this family is running along the beach foraging, and flying from one end to another, equally well. Their sharp long wings suit them for quick agile flight. They are very flighty, it doesn’t take much for them to perceive danger, with their large orange eyes. Then they’re off, calling vociferously.
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Respite in the series of rain and windstorms today. Almost half an inch of rain yesterday with wind over 30 knots most of the day. Much calmer today. Overcast.
What’s up in nature in your area today?
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