June 19 – My Nature Journal
June 19, 2024 Nature Journal
Mallard
Anas platyrhynchos
A female Mallard and her three little ducklings were foraging for food in a large retaining pond created during the construction of a nearby apartment complex.
Mother Mallard did a terrific job keeping herself and her three ducklings under cover and hidden from potential threats; only the rustling of the grass and ripples in the water hinted that the birds were even there.
The ducklings came into the open only once, for only a few moments, and only after I was on the highest point of the walkway, looking down from above. The mother duck never emerged from the grass and reeds at all.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
Pillbug
Order Isopoda
Pillbugs are terrestrial crustaceans, cousins to the more well-known aquatic crustaceans like crayfish, lobster, and crabs.
Harmless little detritivores, these arthropods are famous for rolling into tight balls when threatened. The top (or dorsal) surface of each of their body segments is covered with a hard, tough exoskeleton. When curled into their defensive positions, their exoskeletons act like armor and protect their soft underbodies.
Pillbugs generally live undercover, pushing and eating their way through leaf litter and other organic material.
But this adventurous little animal must have been looking for something more, as it had left the soft humus of the forest floor behind and set off across a five-foot wide paved trail.
Propelled at great speed by seven pairs of jointed legs, it seemed to me to be an isopod on a mission—presumably to get to the other side.
Today’s Nature Journal Snapshot
|
Time of Day |
Early afternoon |
|
Setting |
Oak, hickory, pine forest |
|
Temperature |
84° F / 29° C |
|
Weather |
Overcast, glimpses of sun |
|
Humidity |
52% |
June 19, 2024 Nature Journal
Common Snapping Turtle
Chelydra serpentina
Common Snapping Turtles live in freshwater lakes and ponds throughout the eastern United States and they are fairly common in my area.
But they also never fail to thrill me when I spot one on my nature walks. Today’s turtle wasn’t very big as far as these reptiles go. I’ve seen much larger turtles in this lake and a truly gargantuan one in a different location.
This turtle was about half again the size of an large pond turtle and far bulkier and heavier-looking. But this species punches above its weight, thanks to their hard, sharp, pointed beaks, the fantastic bite speed and force that gives them their common name, and a predatory nature.
Blue Grosbeak
Passerina caerulea
Blue Grosbeaks are very pretty birds. Males are especially beautiful, with their brilliant blue and chestnut plumage.
Unfortunately, they’re not common in my area. I was lucky to spot this male some distance away. He gave me only a moment to lift my camera and press the shutter button; there was no time for fancy adjustments to camera settings to get a better exposure. After a mere second, he flew far, far away, never to return—a frequent occurrence in wildlife photography.
So even though I can wish this was a better exposure, I’m grateful to have it. It’s the only one I was going to get.
Today’s Nature Journal Snapshot
|
Time of Day |
Early evening |
|
Setting |
Large lake |
|
Temperature |
54° F / 12° C |
|
Weather |
Passing clouds |
|
Humidity |
30% |
