Don’t worry, this is not a poisonous snake! This is a nonvenomous water snake, probably a Diamond-backed Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer). See the round pupil? If this were the similar-looking Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous), it would have elliptical “snake eyes.” I admit, that distinction is not one I’d like to be close enough to see in real time!

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I took this picture of this Blue Mud Wasp (Chalybion californicum) because I thought its metallic blue color was pretty. It was also busy grooming itself by rubbing pairs of its legs together, as you can see here. It was fun to watch for a few moments before I trudged on. I had already turned away when I noticed a strange movement out of the corner of my eye… Read the rest of this entry »

April’s ID Challenge Contest has come to a close and we have a winner! AJ was the first contestant to get the most number of correct answers, and has won a $10 donation from Birder’s Lounge to a nature/conservation/wildlife charity of her choice. AJ has chosen World Wildlife Fund!

Prize for winner of April, 2009 ID Challenge

And now for the answers: Read the rest of this entry »

Today is Earth Day – so what does that mean? I did a little research and learned that the first Earth Day was April 22, 1970, and was organized by Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson. Read the rest of this entry »

This is the view from a road running through part of a man-made wetlands in Combine, Texas.  This partnership between private land owners, scientists at Baylor University, and the area water district is a really cool idea that seems to provide a win-win-win situation. The wetland center is scheduled to open to the public this fall! Read the rest of this entry »

Been a busy bee? Busy bee on a bluebonnet? (I love alliteration)

Me too…glad April 15th is over!

Now there is time for everyone to have a go at this month’s ID Challenge! Remember, the prize is a $10 donation from Birder’s Lounge to the wildlife/nature/conservation charity of your choice! See entry form at the bottom of this post. Read the rest of this entry »

This picture shows much more than a bunch of nondescript trees with a lot of bird nests. THIS is a rookery! Wikipedia defines a rookery as “a colony of breeding animals.” The term “rookery” is named after a crow-like, European bird, called a Rook (Corvus frugilegus).  Read the rest of this entry »

Meet my friend Myrtle. Myrtle Warbler, that is – and yes, Myrtle is a “he,” not a “she.” Myrtle prefers to go by his other name, Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronada). Don’t get  him started about the whole “butter-butt” thing.   Read the rest of this entry »

I usually go out into nature alone, walking the trails in the forests and the fields. I am never by myself though…meet a few of my birding buddies. Read the rest of this entry »