The title photo was taken at Sardis Lake Wednesday ( 8-9-2023 ) morning. It has nothing to do with today’s diary but I wanted to show it and another that was taken earlier that same morning. Here is a link to varieties of lightning — stormhighway.com/…
My thanks to foresterbob for peaking my interest in the differences after his excellent diary on the “mystery of the fallen tree”.
Cloud to ground Negative strike. Often a fractured structure.
Caution: Snakes and Spiders ahead.
After the group mission statement, I’ll share my observations from Wall Doxey.
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Wall Doxey State Park is 22 miles north of my home, and is a niche of wildlife delights. I arrived hoping to find some early migrating __? ? ?__ (fill in the blank). The reports by members here of animals coming and going in their areas, gave my adventure seeking urges a boost.
I parked down by the lake (a huge pond in reality) and got to the action in under a minute. A bird lit and scampered through the branches as I tried to focus the camera. This is the best photo I could get. I went through all my research materials to attempt an Id. I am sure it is a Vireo, but not one I’m familiar with.
I’m leaning toward a Bell’s Vireo;
instead of the unlikely Blue-headed Vireo — Vireo solitarius alticola (Appalachian subspecies)
but I can dream big and toward the exotic.
There are always dragonflies flying at Wall Doxey. I was able to catch a few while I was there. The first was easy to spot because it looked like a dark red bullet zooming overhead. It lit higher than I wanted so I wasn’t able to get the rich Ruby tones of it’s upper wings and body.
Carolina Saddlebags — Tramea carolina
Here is what my camera missed that Mark Swanson captured in Illinois 2017.
Isn’t this a delightful sight?
While I was strolling, I spotted this Eastern Wood Pewee on a twisted iron bird feeder.
A different species of dragonfly popped into view. The larger “Sky Pirates” will land occasionally (usually on a higher perch) to scan the horizons. This guy had been buzzing for mosquito most of the time I was near the pond.
Blue Dasher — Pachydiplax longpipennis
Another view (older photo).
Like birds, under wing and upper wing shots appear different to the observer.
Then a familiar customer slithered by. This is the head of a Speckled King Snake. It was in no hurry because there were no Summer intruders (human) around. I didn’t impede it’s leisurely progress.
The remaining 30 inches of this snake look just like it’s body.
Above the snake was this beauty. She had a pristine web large enough to catch a huge meal.
Yellow Garden Spider (aka Writing Spider) — Argiope aurantia
A wonderful surprise happened. I was walking toward the water release structure when I spotted a shape on the cover. I thought it was a Cotton Mouth Moccasin. I was wrong.
Northern Water Snake on 8 inch wide board.
The round pupils, lack of “pits” associated with venomous snakes and the more rounded head secures it’s non-toxic status. A smooth transition from head to body also indicates a non-venomous snake. Though the body markings resemble a Diamond-backed Water Snake, the shape of the head is not as pronounced a triangle as the Diamond-backed species.
Nerodia sipedon
It’s nearing harvest time for some woodland plants. Dark red clumps of tiny berries topped the Sumac and Elderberry, while tiny white drupes highlight the tips of Poke Weed and American Beautyberry. The Red Buckeye — Aesculus pavia have fuzzy tan nodes that will soon produce brown nuts (for which the plant is known).
As many as three seeds per pod when mature.
I offered my Bug of the Day earlier last week. It is such a beauty that I am bringing it back today.
female Blue-tipped Dancer — Argia tibialis
These little fliers will darken as they age. Beginning with pastel hues early in their life and maturing to the rich tones of the one pictured.
Nearing the end of it’s life cycle, the males will become almost purple in color before it’s demise.
Not sure what my day (work schedule) has in store, but please feel free to threat this as an Open Thread. I’ll be along shortly to join you.