I went to Grenada, MS. to check on the Bald Eagles. The adults are constantly guarding the aerie while the eggs incubate. They will take turns hunting, but there is the threat of raiders (Crow, Blue Jays, etc) to deter. It seems these two are experienced parents. I will check back in two or three weeks and look for downy white heads bobbing up and down from the rim of the nest.
13 second video
While I watched Mr. & Mrs. “bold and beautiful”. I got to enjoy a mass of Cedar Waxwings fluttering between the wood line and the ornamental Holly in front of the office building. They must have migrated in during the weekend. They sure engulfed the drupes of the Holly with great vigor.
One tree and one portion of the Waxwings I saw.
It is better to just show the delectable sight.
This character stayed a long time selecting the best morsel.
Looking over the selections
A decision has been made
Besides the “first of season” Waxwings, there was this FOS Rough-winged Swallow. I saw a few others (a fleeting moment) but this guy stayed long enough to pose for a photo.
After a quick stretch, it was off to the races.
I got to see some other interesting species among all the Northern Shovelers that are still hanging around. Some birds I recognized and others I did not.
Gadwall and Shoveler drakes
Gadwall pair
But then I saw this strange (I assume is a Gadwall hybrid) dabbling with the Shovelers.
36 second video
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Here is the best shot I could get of the odd duck.
Foreground image to go with the video above.
Further research has led me to a Mallard-Gadwall hybrid photographed by Steve Mlodinow, Denver, Colorado in Feb. 2012
Mallard-Gadwall hybrid
Here are some of the other goodies I saw.
Wood Duck drakes
“Butterbutt” having a happy moment
Showing his back for confirmation
The time is right for Greater Scaup to be migrating through. I don’t know if these are female Greater Scaup or not, but they were delightful to watch. I grabbed this quick photo before I switched to video mode.
A female of either species has the dark bill with white patch. The roundness of this hen makes me think it is a Greater.
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My Bug of the Day was feeding on the Holly flowers in front of my house. As long as they are busy, wasp are not a problem (unless hampered in their tasks.)
Red Paper Wasp — Polistes carolina
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This is what I have for today. I hope you share your own findings.