Almost every morning I'm out for a long walk. And most mornings, I see some interesting critter. So, I'll try - no promises - to get some photos and post a note when I do. It won't be every day, but I'll try to do it regularly for a while. Here's today's report:
Just off the beach at Ramsgate at about 7:00 AM there was a single dolphin making its way westward. I don't see them there many mornings, more in the afternoon. Pretty soon, there was a silvery fish about 10" long jumping out of the water, trying to escape. After a while, more fish and probably 3 or 4 more dolphins. The dolphins worked the school of fish for about 5 minutes. I'd guess at that point they had either eaten most of them or broken up the school, because after that I didn't see either again. Sorry, no photos. They were too far out for the simple zoom on my pocket camera.
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Beach FanaticAuthor
For everyone who would like to see a Bald Eagle, I don't think this one is just passing through. Some out-of-town visitors saw one diving in the gulf for fish off the beach just east of Eastern Lake in October. I saw one soaring with a Turkey Vulture back in November, I think, over 30A at Watersound. Now it was over by Little Deer Lake. I think it could be the same one and that it's been here all winter. If it's not actually roosting in the Deer Lake area, it sure comes back regularly.
SoWal Expert
Me too, but you already knew that.
Speaking of hawks, I've seen so many this year, and so have others and so we are thinking that perhaps they know something we don't, like it would be a mild winter or an early spring this year?
Next weekend, MANgo and I are going on an Eagle watch cruise. They migrate from Canada to CT and can be seen January-March.
http://hartford.about.com/cs/daytrips/a/aaeaglewatch.htm
Will take pics.
Oh man! Wish I was going! This reminds me of YEARS ago, in another life, we went on the Vanishing Texas River Cruise. We were "supposed" to see eagles. Didn't see a damm one. Drank a lotta beer though.
Moderator
Mrs. Singinchicken and I caught this guy in a tree below the bridge going across Deception Pass above Seattle back in May of 06. Very impressive! Absolutely amazing when it took flight...
SoWal Expert
Mrs. Singinchicken and I caught this guy in a tree below the bridge going across Deception Pass above Seattle back in May of 06. Very impressive! Absolutely amazing when it took flight...
Color me green.
SoWal Expert
For everyone who would like to see a Bald Eagle, I don't think this one is just passing through. Some out-of-town visitors saw one diving in the gulf for fish off the beach just east of Eastern Lake in October. I saw one soaring with a Turkey Vulture back in November, I think, over 30A at Watersound. Now it was over by Little Deer Lake. I think it could be the same one and that it's been here all winter. If it's not actually roosting in the Deer Lake area, it sure comes back regularly.
One flew across 98 near the Fabrice stretch of road- he was low enough that we could see that he had some sort of fishing line or string hanging from his leg.
SoWal Expert
One flew across 98 near the Fabrice stretch of road- he was low enough that we could see that he had some sort of fishing line or string hanging from his leg.
Beach Fanatic
Franny, the pink flamingo is native to TN now!We bought it at Shady Oaks Antiques when we were down there in August. We also have a native to TN hippo also.
I do wish I could have gotten a picture a few weeks ago of the owl that was in the tree above me by our side porch. I did not even know he was in that tree until I saw him fly out across our backyard. And of course I didn't have my camera outside with me.
I guess better late than never! So actually the pinkie is a sowal bird!
Beach FanaticAuthor
Cooper's Hawk
It's been a while since I posted an update to the critter report. I saw a Cooper's Hawk late this afternoon, perched on a post in my neighbor's yard. It was a little too far for the zoom on my cheap pocket camera, so here's Wikipedia's photo. When it flew off, a mockingbird went after it, scolding and chasing. Understandable, since Cooper's prey on other birds.
It has striking red eyes, yellow legs with serious looking claws, and a pale mottled chest, not all gray as this photo suggests. About 16" beak to tail.
Oops, somehow I posted a thumbnail of the photo. Clicky on it for the bigger picture.
It's been a while since I posted an update to the critter report. I saw a Cooper's Hawk late this afternoon, perched on a post in my neighbor's yard. It was a little too far for the zoom on my cheap pocket camera, so here's Wikipedia's photo. When it flew off, a mockingbird went after it, scolding and chasing. Understandable, since Cooper's prey on other birds.
It has striking red eyes, yellow legs with serious looking claws, and a pale mottled chest, not all gray as this photo suggests. About 16" beak to tail.
Oops, somehow I posted a thumbnail of the photo. Clicky on it for the bigger picture.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
These ghost crab burrows are under the trash bag at the Ramsgate walkover. There are a couple at the Eastern Lake walkover, too, also under the trash bag. The crabs are pretty elusive - I've only seen one of them, but you can clearly see their tracks in the photo.
These little guys are cute and pretty easy to catch with your hand if you can get close enough! We practice catch and release. Try going after dark, that's when they seem to be most active.
Beach FanaticAuthor
I was wondering if the Cooper's Hawk was living here or just passing through. Seems like, for the moment, it's living here. It just swooped over my car as I drove up about 5 minutes ago. In flight, it's a good-sized bird, wingspan about 24 to 30 inches, I'd guess.
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