Mating River Otters! I can't believe they were in this ultra small waterway. Very vocal. Second time I've seen mating River Otters, the first was a few years ago at Berry Springs Park and Preserve.
Last day of the Caddo Lake Bioblitz -- such a great weekend! Today, we were lucky to be guided by Hunter, the refuge manager. Spotted some very cool stuff!
A male eating Tasajillo (Cylindropuntia leptocaulis)
After attending a presentation by ECR TMN members at a Rotary club meeting, I visited Sumuel Park to check on the status of its large cottonwood tree and met some folks who consented to have their photograph made standing by the massive trunk. Catkins visible on the tree limbs.
See previous observations of this tree:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/65239963
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129218458
See: https://txmn.org/elcamino/chapter-projects/special-projects/big-trees-of-milam-county/ for more info on this tree.
(iNat AI is getting smart! Eastern cottonwood was first on the list of suggested species for this observation.)
Two nestlings at nest with two adults attending. Food was delivered by one adult and the second adult fed itself and the nestlings. Nestlings are not as developed as suggested from observation on 2/20. Nestling on left in images was doing plenty of flapping and hopping after feeding. Fledging does not appear imminent.
In the pond and eating crawfish.
Adult bald eagle flying into nest with 2 juveniles
Photo by PP or CP. Entry by CP.
Very large. In a small creek. Part of the time its head was underwater for long periods of time.
Lifer!
It was a privilege to assist Texas Turtles at one of their AST study sites.
What a wonderful time I had with fellow TPWD folks at a staff meeting this week! Had a really cool opportunity to do some black-lighting with Ross and others at Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area. Didn't stay out too long (so dry!), but a few cool things did show up.
Saw the tortoise on the way to pelican overlook and it ran in the grass as we came back around it was out again. One of three wearing transmitters to help with a Texas Tortoise study
inclined toward Tanager due to white spot, but beak structure indicates bunting
What a magnificent evening at Grand Park in Frisco -- it was a bit cooler today, so that made it even more pleasant. A whole slew of bugs showed up at the sheets! :)
On my way west to the parents' place, I stopped by Central Park in White Settlement -- watched a great blue heron try to swallow a large catfish, and I also spotted a few other things. :)
Been hearing them call at night too.
Lifer for sure!!!
Had a wonderful evening at Tandy Hills -- set up a few blacklights and a bunch of bugs came!
On my way back north from the Texas Chapter of Wildlife Society Conference, I did a bit of black-lighting at Huntsville State Park. WOW -- lots of stuff showed up, including like 40 luna moths! :)
iNat auto ID
What a wonderful evening at Gus Engeling WMA after a landowner workshop earlier. I put up some black-lights around this bog and sandy area. Tremendous biodiversity here! *still working on ID's
Went to go looking for quetzals! Our guide Jimmy knew exactly where to go -- we spotted about 9 individuals and I got photos of a few of them. We spotted other cool stuff too. :) ID's still pending...
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/sambiology/25760-costa-rica-wow
Today, we went into the forest for an extended walk. We stopped at a few places to collect some data. Locations of these observations approximate, and ID's lacking -- got some work to do!
https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/sambiology/25760-costa-rica-wow
After the Wildlife Society Meeting, I went a tiny bit north of Spokane to this natural area. It was super cool but quite amazing! :)