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Daily Bucket - Red-shouldered Hawk [1]
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Date: 2025-02-05
Thank goodness there is a place where I can escape the world’s troubles and wander in the solitude of nature’s embrace. Sardis Lake (Mississippi) Waterfowl Wildlife Refuge beckons me when my spirit is fraught and requires comfort. Here are the results of a yesterday’s visit.
The Daily Bucket is a nature refuge. We amicably discuss animals, weather, climate, soil, plants, waters and note life’s patterns. We invite you to note what you are seeing around you in your own part of the world, and to share your observations in the comments below. Each note is a record that we can refer to in the future as we try to understand the phenological patterns that are quietly unwinding around us. To have the Daily Bucket in your Activity Stream,visit Backyard Science’s profile page and click on follow.
I had been wandering through the woods and tall grasses looking for any sign of life beyond the insanity of current human conditions. I found several interesting things.
When I visited Noxabee Mississippi Wildlife refuge (last weekend) I saw alligators basking in the sun’s warmth. I’d never heard of these reptiles emerging from hibernation so early in the year. Here was the bigger (6 to 7 foot long) animal on the bank of a pond.
I normally don’t watch where I place my foot during the winter months because I expect venomous snakes are absent. I changed habits in anticipation. I saw no snakes, but did catch this Red-eared Slider making it’s way toward a pond.
I figured I’d lift it up to get a look at the under side and check for markings. The black dot pattern on the belly plates are a classic indicator of the species.
There were lots of tiny birds (mostly Sparrows) feeding on the grasses and ground insects. I took several shots for my files and to id later. Here is a good selection of my findings.
Field Sparrow
Song Sparrow
Swamp Sparrow
The bird below had a moment that I was lucky to catch on film. I’d never heard of a bird belching, but that is what happened just as I took this shot. The tiny audible noise surprised both of us. The distortion of it’s body was astounding.
Unlike the hawk in my title photo, there was no expulsion prior to launching from the perch.
hawk with a pre-launch release
Typical of my outings, I found a bird I can’t identify with certainty. Here it is and I’d sure appreciate any other opinions naming the species.
I’d be thrilled if this is a Vesper’s Sparrow.
The highlight of my day was observing the courtship behavior of the Red-shouldered Hawks. I saw the male and then heard the female calling nearby. I found both and filmed the interaction. The video below shows all the action.
55 second video
The smaller and brighter colored male approached the larger (more subdued colored) female and they began to converse. The male then flew to an adjoining tree to collect a limb for a potential nest. At the end of the video, you can see the male flying off with his gift toward their new home. I was encouraged there might be a new family this season.
I hope you have a place to renew your soul when stressful times are abound. I bet a focus on nature will restore your inner calm.
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