Kip’s Comments - April 27, 2025

Noticing Details

As I explored the outdoor world today I was rewarded for paying attention to details. One of the rewards was to see a threatened/endangered turtle species and a second reward was to spot the first two downy yellow fuzzballs (also known as Canada goose goslings) of the year.

Let’s begin with turtle details…

The many number of turtles crowded onto this log caught my attention. Then, as I studied each turtle, I noticed a Blanding’s turtle in the middle of the mix. Once again I am seeing a more mature Blanding’s turtle - not a smaller (younger) turtle. I have yet to see a younger Blanding’s turtle. The second turtle picture shows the “over-achiever” turtles of that area. Notice how high some climbed on the log.

Blanding's Turtle with Painted Turtles on Log - Image 962936

Painted Turtles - Image 963135

Not too far away was a great egret I did not notice on my initial assessment of wildlife in the area.

Great Egret - Image 963096

For a larger bird seen today I share this view of a sandhill crane. This one was much closer than most are.

Sandhill Crane - Image 963141

On the opposite end of the size scale, again requiring a notice of details, was this song sparrow. This species tends to be in brushy settings, making “clean” pictures of them a challenge to create.

Song Sparrow - Image 963336

I will end this post with three views associated with Canada geese. First I found my first goslings of this nesting season. Then I found a goose incubating eggs on a nest. Finally, I spotted a nest with exposed eggs. It is not often the eggs are so readily visible. I wonder if the adult was startled off the nest.

Canada Goose Goslings - Image 962945

Canada Goose on Nest - Image 963030

Canada Goose Nest with Eggs - Image 962999