A Tree Frog, almost hiding in plain sight.
The big leaf was bouncing in the breeze with the frog just enjoying the ride.
Peak-a-boo Tree Frog
Category Archives: Animals
Saint Phillips Island, 3, A Deer
White-tailed Deer are one of the mammals on Saint Phillips Island, and this one was not at all disturbed by a passing pickup truck and trailer with 20 humans watching him.
It was hot that day and I hadn’t even seen a squirrel, so was rather surprised to see this buck.
He finally did stand up, but showed no alarm.
Raccoons On A Walkabout
A family of Raccoons wandered along the edge of the marsh under a pier where I was standing. I got a few shots as they disappeared into the taller grass. It was one of those interesting things to see but a missed photographic opportunity. Or so I thought.
About ten minutes later the masked bandits made a return trip, this time coming towards me.
What could be so interesting up on this dead branch?
They was not be a group shot as they continued weaving in and out of the taller grass and shrubs.
They were cautious, but continued towards the pier.
This one appeared to be the ring leader, maybe a parent although they were all the same size. He stood watch while the others went back into the tall grass before he followed.
Dolphin Splash, Take 2
I thought the Dolphin from yesterday’s post, Dolphin Splash, would move on when the first big splash was done. I stood still, watching and was surprise he circled again in the same spot.
This time even more water went into the air…
… making a cool fountain shape.
I got a couple glimpses of the Dolphin’s fin, but again did not see if he got anything to eat.
Then he really did move on and this was the last I saw of him.
Dolphin Splash
The volume of water a Dolphin can move when they are hunting always amazes me. This one was after fish in a tidal creek that started off with a small splash…
…that built up …
… to a swoosh of water.
I was not close enough to see if the Dolphin caught any fish.
The water rained back down about 10 seconds after the first image.
The far bank is an oyster bed, covered with sharp shells, so the Dolphin cannot Strand Feed here. Instead, they swim rapidly in a circle to herd and confuse the fish.
Juvenile Armadillo
I wasn’t that surprised to spot this juvenile Armadillo as Ted had just seen an adult in the nearby woods. I was surprised that he didn’t run or jump. He didn’t even seem to know or care that I was there. Not that I was making that much noise but wild things tend to know we are there way before we know they are.
I watched him as he industriously rooted around in the soft ground hoping to get a full body view. The pine cone in the next image was of standard size, maybe six or seven inches (15 – 20 cm), giving a sense of his size.
Armadillos have poor eyesight and this little one never lifted his head to have a look around, just kept on digging and rooting for lunch.
Frog, Big
I haven’t seen many frogs around the various ponds I visit. Usually I just hear the splash as they disappear. I heard this one and his pals in a croaking chorus long before I got to the pond. I finally spotted him near the edge of the water. At least two others were answering in the deeper reeds.
He was huge! Bigger than my hand.
This is a bit further out in the pond, which is the same pond that the Barred Owls hunt around. The frogs might live longer if they didn’t announce themselves with such enthusiasm.
Surprise in the Hole
I’ve walked past this tree that stands less than ten feet (three meters) from a well walked path at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens a hundred times, maybe more. Every time I notice this opening I think something should live there. An owl nest would have been fun to see.
Imagine my surprise when I looked up yesterday and saw this looking back at me!
I saw the ears of a second kit, but only one looked out while mama kept a close eye out.
A smaller side trail allowed me to get further from the Raccoon’s den but still see the opening through some branches. One kit looked out on his own before ducking down.
I continued on my walk and when I passed back by this spot about an hour later there was no movement. For every bit of nature I chance upon like this I wonder how many I just miss.
I See You
This Raccoon didn’t run when he saw me, but didn’t waste any time reversing direction either. I only got the one image before he disappeared.
Squirrel Gathering Building Material
While waiting for the Prothonotary Warbler on Knee to emerge from its nest cavity I heard an odd scraping noise. This squirrel was peeling bark off a tree.
He kept pulling and stuffing it in his mouth. The strands seemed very pliable, good material to welcome baby squirrels.
Hey, I’m beeing watched!
Then he balled it all up in his mouth and scooted around the other side of the tree where I lost sight of him.
