Fawns, Snapping Turtles, Squirrels and Turkeys

 I have been so preoccupied with migrating birds lately that I failed to post some of the other critters I have seen...

I always look forward to seeing fawns as they are exploring their world for the first time...

They haven't learned about natural predators, free roaming dogs or distracted drivers...

If one gets lucky and has a chance to watch fawns going about their business it can start your day off with a smile...

Where there are fawns there are sure to be adults. Most bucks are sporting their new antlers...

The next buck's antlers have some decent mass already...

Not far from deer I saw a lethargic snapping turtle climbing up the bank. It was almost certainly looking for a spot to deposit her eggs...

The next one was warming up by basking in the sun...

Just lifting his chin off the log seemed to be about all the movement it was interested in...

A solitary sandpiper was in the area for a day or two...

Newly sheared sheep are enjoying the fresh spring grass...

While wild turkeys search for insects in the same field...

Another species that we have in abundance is squirrels...

Mostly we have gray squirrels...

Eastern fox squirrels are becoming more common...

Surprisingly, black color phase squirrels are expanding their range and appearing in rural areas where they were not known just a few years ago...

Diminutive chipmunks are entertaining to watch...

On cold mornings the Turkey Vultures like to spread their wings and warm up in the sunshine.

Thanks for visiting, be well and come back soon.

Barred Owls and Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

 I located a pair of Barred Owls recently...

They changed location a few times...

but stayed in view...

one landed on a telephone-utility pole...

the other landed in a tree...

the one in the tree was quickly assaulted by a Blue-gray Gnatcatcher that likely weighed less than an ounce...

the barred owl weighs as much as 37 ounces and can be 20 inches long...

in spite of the size difference the owl remained wary of the smaller bird...

proving the old saying: "it is not the size of the dog (bird) in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog (bird)"...

 

No birds were injured during this encounter.

Thanks for visiting, be well and come back soon.

  

Scarlet Tanager

Scarlet Tanager sightings have been plentiful this year...

Many years I am lucky to see even one...

Thanks for visiting, be well and come back soon.