Finally got some freaking ducks today. Maybe its just because I got up on the roof rather than sleeping in for a change. Before I went out to check the salamander traps I got up on the roof around 7am and Winging in from the south were some low flying Ducks (and geese, tho nothing special in the Goose department (resisted calling a minima a Cackling)) the ducks were some good love leading in were some Mallards but right behind were 4 drake Redhead! Yard lifer 131. Then I went out for a local county vernal pool inventory project I'm working on, and found some new township records for Jefferson, Smallmouth, and Spotted Salamanders, hence the pic above. I just love those little guys. At the place I was salamandering I had some more Redhead, Wigeon, and Mallards as well as ring-billed gulls and a fly over Great Blue Heron at a flooded field pond, also a EAPH. So I new I had to get back to my yard in hopes of finding my local Phoebe. Right before I had to go to work this evening I busted out a quick walk around the yard. At "duck bend" of the creek I encountered not only a pair of Wood Ducks but also a threesome of Hooded Mergansers! A spectacular drake and two hens. So cool, not a common yard bird for sure. Good looks from above (the overlook at duck bend is a bit of a hill). On the way back in at the old fence line trees was a tail flash of a FOSP. I almost made myself late to work to try and get a better look, turns out there were really 6 Fox Sparrows! Several of them finally perched higher up so I could bask in their foxy glory. One even performed a partial song. Lovely.
very nice post Warner, I've never seen a smallmouth salamander, and its been quite a long time since I've seen a (living) spotted salamander. I'm too high on a rocky bluff in an urban environment to get any of these slimy darlings. It is still many weeks before I head into the woods to to look for the buggers, it may be another month before woodland ponds melt.
ReplyDeleteI have a buddy who swears that the Fox Sparrow song is his favorite bird song. I almost agree, but just before I do, I can't help but think of those wonderful moments in the desert grasslands after a monsoon when those most dreamy of singers, Cassin's Sparrows are languidly twittering (the old-fashioned kind of twitter!) away........
ReplyDeleteya know I did catch that but forgot to comment when he tapped upon smallmouth salamanders, so much more exciting that even a real minima in the midwest!
ReplyDeleteAgain I find I must always fact check my posts or the post police will eat me alive, at least it's fun for you. Yah I mean "lesser" Canada goose. Whatever it was it wasn't a cackling or a salamander. These mistakes happen when I bust out posts at 1 am. And yes by almost late to work I mean only a few min as opposed to my usual 30 min :)
ReplyDeleteI'm surprised that Warner even knew there was a 'minima' taxa. Not surprised that he new that there was a smallmouth sally.
ReplyDeleteIts true, I was born and raised a herper
ReplyDeleteHey Ben,
ReplyDeleteI put up a bunch of pics the other day of my trip to SEAZ last summer- sweet herp photos included. I've got more to come, but lord knows when I will get the time to throw them up.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theowlranch/
Forgot to comment there Skyeman, I dig your photos. Love all that spadefoot toad action. SEAZ is a land of many wonders. I really, really need to go there to bird and herp the crap out of it. Good leps there too for me. Its really bit of a shame I've not been there to do all that yet. I've been there, but only in the dead of winter.
ReplyDelete