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Thursday, September 12, 2019

A gathering of Killdeers

When wild creatures exhibit unexpected behaviors it triggers our curiosity and challenges us to understand the reason. It's tempting to interpret things anthropomorphically, in terms of what we humans do. (Ironically, we often find it more difficult to justify some of the actions of our own species.)

While in New Mexico I remember a large raucous flock of American Crows clustered in a tree along the Rio Grande River. I noticed that all their beaks were pointing towards one spot, occupied by a Bald Eagle.

Here in our local south Florida wetlands preserve, a few Blue Jays suddenly assembled in a treetop and within minutes their urgent calls attracted a large flock.  I assumed they were mobbing a raptor, most commonly a Red-shouldered Hawk or maybe a Merlin.


However I could find no trace of such a predator. Then they stopped calling and quickly dispersed. Was this actually some kind of readiness drill, a way to muster up all the jays within earshot to assure they will be prepared for a real emergency? Or was it simply a neighborhood social gathering, a "meet and greet" occasion?

Blue Jays 01-20180410

It is understandable when a Blue Jay confronts an American Kestrel...

Blue Jay and Kestrel 2-20101210

Blue Jay and Kestrel 3-20101210

...but why did this one attack a Great Egret?

Blue Jay attacks egret 02-20160915

Blue Jay attacks egret 03-20160915

This week on September 7, as we were walking out in dark twilight before sunrise, I heard Killdeers calling up ahead. It appeared that a pair had been visited by an unwelcome interloper. The two ganged up on it (him?) and appeared to drive it (him?) away:

Killdeer intruder and pair 0607AM 03-20190907

The next morning I was surprised to see that three Killdeers were confronting a fourth one whose puffed-up feathers made it appear bigger than them. It engaged in a brief physical encounter with one of the three and one flew off-- was it the interloper?:

Killdeer gathering 05-20190908

Killdeer gathering 01-20190908

The remaining three took flight, calling loudly. Was this a victory lap?

 Killdeer in flight 04-20190908

Killdeer in flight 01-20190908

Of course I have no earthly idea as to how to interpret what I saw. The sexes are similar, it is not this species' normal breeding period, I do not know if a bonded pair or a family was involved in the encounter, but it certainly was unusual and interesting! (Also, the grammar is confusing-- a couple of Killdeers or a flock of Killdeer?)

The rising sun gilded the distant clouds over the southern horizon, providing a backdrop for a line of storm clouds passing closer by:

Storm clouds to south 20190825

The view to the north before sunrise:

View to north before sunrise 20190826



Manicured lawns and uniform white metal fences distinguish the "civilized" side of the canal from the Wounded Wetlands to the right:

196th Avenue Canal 02-20190825

Ovenbirds usually arrive in good numbers by the second week in September, but I only saw one and it was very shy and retiring. This was the best I could do. Luckily I was able to focus on its eye:

Ovenbird 01-20190909

Among the warblers, the American Redstart can be most exasperating to see and photograph. This one  darted rapidly and erratically through the dense foliage of a Live Oak, flashing the bright patches on his wings and tail. This imperfect photo of an adult male offers a glimpse of his dynamic beauty:

American Redstart 01-20190909

A female American Redstart (or first year male which is nearly identical) provided me with a better view. She is yellow where the male is red or orange, and is quite beautiful:

American Redstart 03-20190911

As you may have surmised from the foregoing discussion, birding was slow this past week. I missed reaching my "Minimum Daily Requirement" of 20 species almost every morning. However, migration should pick up in the coming days. In  the meantime, some non-avain critters attracted my attention.

The Halloween Pennant, true to its name, chooses the tip of the highest perch:

Halloween Pennant - Celithemis eponina 02-20190907

This habit was the undoing of this pennant, as an immature Green Heron offered it a resting place on the tip of its bill. The heron seemed to anticipate the outcome as the dragonfly approached:

Green Heron catches dragonfly 01-20190906


Green Heron catches dragonfly 02-20190906

Green Heron catches dragonfly 04-20190906

Despite Florida's fame for harboring a large number of exotic plant and animal species, Scarlet Skimmer (Crocothemis servilia) dragonflies have the honor of being our only introduced dragonfly. The male is brilliant red:

Scarlet Skimmer - Crocothemis servilia 02-20190907

The female Scarlet Skimmer is cloaked in gold:

Scarlet Skimmer  - Crocothemis servilia possible 20190104

Dragonlets are small skimmers. This is the Band-winged Dragonlet, male...

Band-winged Dragonlet - Erythrodiplax umbrata 02-20190805

...and an androgynous female (most females do not have the banded wings characteristic of the males):

Band-winged Dragonlet- Erythrodiplax umbrata 01-20190908

Heading out now-- migration radar looks good at 6:00 AM September 12. Our home is at the red + sign, in the green (incoming) zone :





= = =  = = =  = = = =  = = = = =

Linking to Misty's  CAMERA CRITTERS,

Linking to Eileen's SATURDAY'S CRITTERS,

Linking to SKYWATCH FRIDAY by Yogi, Sylvia and Sandy

Linking to WEEKEND REFLECTIONS by James

Linking to BirdD'Pot by Anni

Linking to Our World Tuesday by Lady Fi

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday by Stewart

Linking to Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday) by NC Sue

Linking to ALL SEASONS by Jesh

 Linking to Fences Around the World by Gosia

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Please visit the links to all these memes to see some excellent photos on display

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18 comments:

  1. Beautiful photographs. Fun to watch that heron catch the dragonfly. Stay safe!!

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  2. On the grammar front: I wonder if there is a collective noun for Killdeers? Maybe a 'slaughter' of kill-deers or is that too graphic?! Great pictures as ever.

    Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

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  3. You always have so many fabulous photos. It would be hard to pick favourites as I enjoy them all, bird life and the fabulous scenic shots.

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  4. Wow, you are in tune with your surroundings. I love your observations about the bird behaviors.

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  5. Splendid series, the interaction is always interesting to observe.

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  6. Yes I find it very interesting when I have the time to just sit and observe HOW and WHy the birds behave in a certain way and when I am at my old caravan I have all day to watch and observe the cows. Recently a calf died and eventually al the cows surrounded it and some tried to "waken" it. When they could not after about half an hour they all left and went on with eating grass including the Mum. They also all went to the Mum and it looked liked they were kissing her and saying how sorry they were. Most people just see cows in a field and do not have time to study them. Anyway you thoughts and photographs always inspire me. I am just about to go to Australia today for 6 weeks but have all my post scheduled in (bit of a marathon that was!) Unfortunately I will not be commenting while I am away but as often as I can will look at bloggers posts.

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  7. Absolutely Brilliant Shots - I Appreciated Every Single Photo - Excellent Post

    Cheers

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  8. Thanks so much for joining us birders and sharing your blog post this weekend. Those of us at I'd Rather B Birdin' appreciate your photos and narrative!

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  9. Ps...forgot to say...that migration map is awesome!

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  10. Hello, Ken! Beautiful images. I love the Jay with the Kestrel, the Killdeer are so cute. Great capture of the Halloween Pennant, skimmers and the Green heron. The sky shots are beautiful. I hope you see these migrating birds coming your way. Thank you for sharing your post. Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend. PS, thank you for leaving me a comment.

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  11. How interesting to see the migration radar...I'll look for that. We love the dragonflies and see so many right now. You always show birds I haven't seen too! It's been nicer lately with more wind to keep things cooler. Enjoy your day!

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  12. Nice shots!
    You seemed to anticipate the dragon fly's demise. Well done! :-)

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  13. So many things to see here - the red dragonfly -brilliant color! The bluejays must be the mafia of the bird kingdom, they are always loud, and they do (together) attack other birds, even large birds! The blue of your landscapes is so intense! This morning I woke up later, because it was cloudy, and received our first rain since the spring! Every time when it rains, the temps. drop about 10 degrees, so I have socks on, house shoes,long pants and long sleeves - almost a cultural adjustment after so many months of thin clothing on! Many thanks for sharing your versatile post with All Seasons, and have a great week!

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  14. I enjoyed looking at all of your magnificent shots. There is such beauty in nature

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  15. Your photography and knowledge is so impressive. Love the post and stay safe!

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  16. Congratulations on your blogaversary. Thoroughly enjoyed your photos from start to finish, and the little bird that was camouflaged, it was fun to find him. Thank you, great post!

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