Kip’s Comments - April 26, 2026

Things We Seldom See

Our outdoor world provides many surprises - some good and some not so good. A good surprise for me today was finding a dunlin. Dunlins are shorebirds that feed in marshes and mudflats. Today’s observation was the second dunlin I have seen. The picture is nothing spectacular, but does show the dunlin for those not familiar with what the species looks like.

Dunlin (on left) - Image 1092020

A not so good surprise was to find a dead river otter on a road. The otter had about 200-yards to go to reach water, but was required to navigate a four-lane highway. A river otter on a roadway is no match for any vehicle. The otter lost the battle. I did move the otter off the road so carrion-eaters (eagles, vultures, etc.) didn’t also perish at the same site.

Dead River Otter on Road - Image 1092090