Photo of the day

[gumpus]

Just heard a report of 25 footers!

Good thing I decided not to go paddling.

 

[lowangle al]

Sunrise at my place this morning. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

[GeoBoy]

Red sky in the morning, sailors warning!

 

[kona]

Similar spot to last shot I posted, skim not yet there. Fortunate to live here. Ready for snow

 

[Farback]

 

[GDahl]

Photo from Olive Branch, of the Salt Fork, East Central Illinois @1995. I am paddling my Blackhawk Fish Hawk, which was my beloved river "partner" from 1989-2021. Sorry for the fuzzy look...this is a "photo of a photo" using my phone camera.

 

[gumpus]

I was delighted to get on the water for a brief paddle today. It's been unusually cold and snowy for this time of year in southern Michigan.

 

[GDahl]

I was delighted to get on the water for a brief paddle today. It's been unusually cold and snowy for this time of year in southern Michigan.
View attachment 151627

Beautiful photo ! which river ... the St Joseph perhaps?

 

[gumpus]

which river ... the St Joseph perhaps?

Yes it's the St Joseph...less than 10 miles from Lake Michigan. Yesterday I came across some geese that all just swam away silently, without even a murmur.

 

[Marc Ornstein]

Juvenile alligator, today, on the the Withlacooche River, near Floral City FL.

 

[lowangle al]

This was a couple of nights ago during the last super moon of the year. The snow made it exceptionally bright. Unfortunately my Baker tent died last spring and I had to rig up a tarp shelter.

 

[Marc Ornstein]

Another couple from yesterday, on the Withlacoochee River.

 

[Alan Gage]

Another couple from yesterdayView attachment 151671View attachment 151672, on the Withlacoochee River.

Nice shots. Is that a snail kite?

Alan

 

[Marc Ornstein]

Maybe. Getting mixed opinions. Some suggest, northern harrier.

 

[Marc Ornstein]

Maybe. Getting mixed opinions. Some suggest, northern harrier. I wasn't going to post this last photo but if it helps with ID...

 

[Alan Gage]

Maybe. Getting mixed opinions. Some suggest, northern harrier.

When I zoomed in the bill was very hooked, which made me think Kite. Doesn't look like a harrier to me. I see plenty of harriers during migration but have never seen a kite. Juvenile snail kite pics seemed to match up pretty well.

Alan

 

[Erica]

When I zoomed in the bill was very hooked, which made me think Kite. Doesn't look like a harrier to me. I see plenty of harriers during migration but have never seen a kite. Juvenile snail kite pics seemed to match up pretty well.

Alan

There are snail kites seen along the Withlachoochee River. That’s a great photo of a bird not often seen.

For those unfamiliar with the snail kite, it eats only apple snails.

 

[Marc Ornstein]

Juvenile, Little blue heron on the Withlacoochee River.

 

[stevet]

Pretty sure it’s a snail kite. While the males are dark gray all over, females and juveniles are “streaky brown” according to the Merlin app from Cornell.

If you enjoy watching birds and you don’t have this app, put it on your phone. It is amazing. You can identify birds by photo and even by their song. You can get a live answer as to what you are currently listening to. Just point your phone toward the sound.

 

[Tsuga8]

I'd say snail kite as well.

Agreed on Merlin app, though I prefer the Audubon app for visual ID. Merlin is absolutely amazing for audio, though it does get things wrong from time to time.