Bullfrog, Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana (catesbeianus)
This is a female based on the tympanum being about the same size as the eye; in males it is much bigger than the eye. She found a sunbeam in which to bask. Crabtree Nature Center.
Bald-faced Hornet
These hornets build the bigger-than-a-football paper nests and defend them vigorously and aggressively. This one was gathering pollen on a goldenrod at Flint Creek Savannah.
Eastern Milksnake neonate, a block from my house.
Lampropeltis triangulum. This tiny snake likely hatched within the last 2 weeks. The babies have a bright red tinge that fades to brown with maturity.
Eastern Milksnake neonate a block from my house.
Lampropeltis triangulum
Great Golden Digger Wasp
This is a species that paralyzes insects with a sting and buries them with an egg laid on top, so the developing larva can eat the insect as it grows.
Trewlve-spotted Skimmer
Monarch Butterfly
Monarch Caterpillar
Red-tailed Hawk caught a squirrel
Instead of flying away with his dinner, the hawk walked the squirrel behind the bush and into the woods, out of sight.
First fawn of the year, May 14, 2018.
This turkey was picking up loose seed under the bird feeder when the territorial gray squirrel (lower right) attacked it.
Leave me alone, squirrel!
Yes, turkeys do fly.
Looking for Love
Sandhill Crane at Flint Creek Savanah calling for its mate
Hiding in Plain Sight
Sandhill Crane at Flint Creek Savanah
Those awkward teenage blues
Sandhill crane and its colt
Blending In
Great Horned Owl at Flint Creek Savannah
Great Horned Owl
At Flint Creek Savannah
In the Nest
Great Horned Owls using an abandoned Red Tailed Hawk nest at Flint Creek Savannah
Four weeks later, haven't seen them on the nest for 3 weeks, but the pair is still hanging around in the oak grove at Flint Creek Savannah.
Still haven't seen any chicks in the nest.
Red-tailed Hawk scouting the bird feeder for squirrels
Bald Eagle
Nesting at Fox River Marina and Preserve
Coming in for a Landing
Bald Eagle, Fox River Marina and Preserve
Tending the Eggs
Bald Eagle at Fox River Marina and Preserve
Eight Point Buck
Eastern Screech Owl, gray phase
Swing and a miss. Red-tailed Hawk grabs at a squirrel on the bird feeder pole.
The squirrel made it up inside the baffle in the nick of time.
The hawk only grabbed the squirrel's tail and the pole at the same time, but couldn't pull the squirrel out of the baffle.
The hawk had no choice but to let go and fly away.
Note the tuft of tail fur on the ground at the right of the base of the pole.
This Red-tailed Hawk didn't miss. Poor gray squirrel.
Didn't miss this one
Take out dinner.
That's a lot of weight to get airborne.
Looking for a quieter spot for dinner.
Coopers Hawk bathing in the pool
Lifeguard
