Hello Bogota de Tom

99th and 100th Bird Species on the Year

99^th and 100^th bird species seen this year tallied over the weekend- all on Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island.  99^th was this rufous-phased screech owl- partially obscured, however clearly visible peering out at me from the hole in the tree. 100^th was a killdeer.

 

 

Snow is mostly melted, however observe the white shelf fungus on the diagonal branch matching the snow. Will it change color in the spring to match the background?

 

                                                                           Gooseberry Beach.

 

Goose Chase

A Barnacle Goose, a straggler from Europe, has been found in the midst of an estimated flock of 10,000 Canada Geese near the Newport Navy base. I have seen one before in Rhode Island, but not on Aquidneck Island, so I went chasing. No luck.

Some of the flock, note those on the ground. Although this looks like it is inland, Narragansett Bay is only about a quarter mile away. 

More of the flock, which continued to stretch out way to the right.  

British Soldiers lichen, a splash of bright winter color along a drab breakwater mere yards from the ocean 

USS Saratoga, mothballed on the base

First Entry- Winter Walk

Happy New Year from Newport, Rhode Island, USA

This is my newest blog and thank you for looking.  The last two years, my blogs have been devoted to my wildlife observations connected to water- both salt and fresh water. For this year’s twist I have decided to add animals that I have seen terrestrially.  So here goes.

In the first week of this new year, I have been able to get out into the field twice. Collectively, I have able to observe about 68-species of birds and two types of mammals. Nice start. I will list these species in the sidebar to the right.

Last Sunday, I hiked Second Beach, Third Beach, and Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge. Here are some photographs from this snowy wonderland.

Small harbor seal

Brant

Snowy owl invasion year- agreed terrible photo. Eyes shut too.

Although difficult to tell, these are snow buntings.

Some scenes....

Second Beach

The dot in the wave is a surfer. He certainly is earing his stripes.



Looking east from Sachuest Point NWR to Little Compton

Now in the dead of winter, it is hard to believe that those buildings on the far shore of Third Beach are where I have spent my last three hazy. lazy, crazy days of summer- the Third Beach Minnow Aquarium

Not to be forgotton- the marine side of life. The ubiquitous surf clam.

Skate's eggcase- "Mermaid's Purse"



And this one caught up in the ice pack.

Thanks again for looking.