The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns.
We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below.
Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream,visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on follow.
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After I got back from Grenada Lake (Mississippi) (to check on the Bald Eagles nest), I enjoyed funningforrest’s April 1st. diary. He put together a great little montage of sights from his American Valley. Thanks for prompting me to put this diary together, dude. I agree the everyday sights must be presented as well.
First and foremost, the eagles are fine and both were hunting. I missed filming them. There is always next time.
While I was at the sewer lagoons, I saw these few creatures.
first of season Tree Swallows
Common Snapping Turtle — Chelydra serpentina
The manager of the treatment plant wanted to show me this monster. It was trapped in one of “release boxes” (that allow treated water into the sediment lagoons) that measures 6 foot square. I have outlined the turtle to show how large this behemoth is.
outline of shell and feet within the glare.
Nearby, a Red-winged Blackbird announced his territory while the Tree Swallow sang to the morning sun.
18 second video
It takes just a few minutes to drive to the lake from the treatment plant. When I arrived, I spotted a Kingfisher perched above an open marsh where the Heron fished. Four pair of Blue-winged Teal paddled in the shallow water while the Kingfisher stared on.
Blue-winged Teal drake
male Belted Kingfisher
1:05 minute video
I drove a little way further and found a pair of Osprey building a nest. This looked to be a young couple constructing a new nest site.
Osprey with nesting material
They were an energetic pair.
1 minute video
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I had this originally set up as a Friday Sequence but with the time lapse, replaced it with more recent information. The content doesn’t expire but things are different with the passing of time. I hope the Osprey have chicks now (I’ll have to check on that.)
However, the eagles at Grenada didn’t produce viable eggs and have left the area for now. Such is life. How are things going in your part of the world?