The Wood Ducks on Grassy Lake, the pond by my office parking lot, are now the proud parents of four little ducklings. This morning I saw the mom with the four ducklings, and as she swam around thelilypads, the ducklings would walk on top of them following her around. It looked like they only entered […]
Category: Wildlife
Where the flamingos fly: Mumbai, apparently!
When you think of flamingos you think of the great flamingo migration, a sea of pink in Tanzania, or maybe even a funny cartoon with these dancing, lanky creatures but the last thing you would think of is Mumbai. Strangely, this modern chaotic city provides a temporary home to these lovely coral-colored birds. They visit […]
Azamidani, Mount Unzen
This morning I tried Azamidani to see if any migrants were passing through. Seems a bit early still, as the Grey-bellied Bullfinch and Red-flanked Bluetail were still there, however all the wintering thrushes had gone. It seems likely that migrant warblers should be passing through any day now. Among the Grey-bellied Bullfinch was one male […]
Domesticated bees do not replace declining wild insects as agricultural pollinators
Sprinkled with pollen, buzzing bees fly from one blossom to another, collecting sweet nectar from brilliantly colored flowers. Bees tend to symbolize the pollination process, but there are many wild insects that carry out the same function. Unfortunately, wild insect populations are in decline, and, according to a recent study, adding more honey bees may […]
Lesser Yellowlegs
This past Saturday, I was at Merritt Island NWR (Blackpoint Dr) and at various times a Lesser Yellowlegs flew by and sometimes landed not too far from me. Usually when something like this happens, I don’t have time to check my camera setting and get the shot. So I sometimes shoot with the setting I […]
NOAA declares “Unusual Mortality Event” for California Sea Lions
Beginning in January 2013, unusually high numbers of stranded California sea lion pups have been observed on the Southern California coast. Marine mammals naturally come ashore along our beaches if they are sick, wounded, or injured. This year, pups have been washing up with obvious signs of emaciation, dehydration, and low body weight for their […]
Eagles and Harriers
March seemed to be a good time for Marsh Harriers and Greater Spotted Eagles down in the Dubai Pivot fields. Whilst I am used to seeing many Harriers this time of year, Greater Spotted Eagles are a different story. Whilst fairly common down the road at the Ras Al Khor sanctuary, in my experience this […]
The White Hawk
Another nice morning spent on Mull’s moors as the high pressure continued for the rest of the week. A pair of Hen Harriers were quartering the rough grass tracking each others every move like they were attached with a piece of string. Both birds broke out into their high pitched squeaky display call and the […]