Thursday, September 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
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Survivor
11:49 PM
Ryan Ankeny
I went for a short walk down a gravel road yesterday since I was finding some good warblers and other birds. Instead I found this little Red-eared Slider turned upside down in the road. I thought he was a gonner and started kicking him with my foot to flip him over and realized the turtle inside the shell was still alive. He was bleeding from the scratch on the top of his shell that looked like it was a failed attempt by an animal (possibly raccoon of feral cat?) to make a meal out of him. I placed him back on the road facing towards the wooded swamp and he wasn't there when I came back through an hour later. My wife doesn't think he made it but animals are tough, especially these little guys. I bet that in a matter of days it will be as if it never happened. :)
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American Golden Plover
11:32 PM
Ryan Ankeny
Found this little guy yesterday on the top of the hill where they recently finished dumping trash. This was a life bird for me, as are most peeps and plovers. Very cool.
Also yesterday I saw: Nashville, Kentucky, and Yellow Warblers (possibly feeding on trumpet creeper or more likely grasshoppers), dozens of Indigo Buntings and American Goldfinches (definitely feeding on dogwood tree), Common Nighthawk, Lesser Yellowlegs, and many Eastern Meadowlarks singing.
Also yesterday I saw: Nashville, Kentucky, and Yellow Warblers (possibly feeding on trumpet creeper or more likely grasshoppers), dozens of Indigo Buntings and American Goldfinches (definitely feeding on dogwood tree), Common Nighthawk, Lesser Yellowlegs, and many Eastern Meadowlarks singing.
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Landfill Buffet
11:26 PM
Ryan Ankeny
I have been finding some peculiar plants on the landfill lately. First it was a tomato plant growing alongside the road and now I have found what I believe to be a Sweet Melon. I'm not sure if their seeds were A.) dropped by birds, B.) blown in on the wind, or C.) came from the trash. However they made it here I'm not sure, but I am sure of one thing, they will be staying in the ground and not on my dinner plate. Here are some pics of what I am calling the Sweet Melon.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
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Quick Pics
7:55 PM
Ryan Ankeny
A couple quick pics I'd like to share.
Red-tailed Hawk
Can you guess what type of bird this is below?
Red-tailed HawkCan you guess what type of bird this is below?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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Kestrels Galore!
10:29 AM
Ryan Ankeny
I came back from vacation this week to find quite a spectacle at the landfill. One small wooded lot has become the home to over 35 American Kestrels. I couldn't get an accurate count because there were so many swooping and gliding at once. I know there had to be at least 35 at one point but very likely closer to 40 or 45. Their activity is focused on one hill and one woodlot that runs along Grade Lane. If interested they can be seen from the road but the best view is from the landfill. Not sure why they have decided to descend on the landfill this week but I'm not objecting. Possibly there is an abundance of meaty grasshoppers and other bugs, though I haven't really noticed a difference in the insect numbers.
The Kestrels are reminiscent of large swallows as they ride the wind or hover in place over a potential meal. I've never heard of a fallout of Kestrels before but I guess there is a first time for everything.
The Kestrels are reminiscent of large swallows as they ride the wind or hover in place over a potential meal. I've never heard of a fallout of Kestrels before but I guess there is a first time for everything.
