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Daily Bucket - A look at Sardis Lake in September [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']
Date: 2025-09-15
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There was a “Home Game” at the University of Mississippi on September 13th. I despise the traffic during those events, so I find ways to sneak out of town for my own sanity. I headed west toward the lower level of Sardis Lake. The empty dark highway during pre-dawn offered a promise of serenity.
There was an out of the way cove that provided me with lots of mixed sights. I’ll share the many photos I collected.
A Northern Mockingbird studied my every move after I set up my viewing station. The Prairie Warbler (title photo) was one of the first birds I noticed.
Northern Mockingbird
I heard the chatter before I saw the female Kingfisher. She was tucked in the thick foliage of a Bald Cypress. It didn’t take long for her to dive away to catch breakfast.
Belted Kingfisher female
The sun’s rays took longer to reach into the recesses bordering the water’s edge. A Parula Warbler blended with the shadowy nook.
Northern Parula Warbler
I picked as many of the flitting targets as I could focus on. I was surprised at the number of birds that were molting.
Indigo Bunting male
Blue-grey Gnatcatcher
The light penetrated into the dark spots. There was a burst of activity from the limbs hiding the morning’s meals. The struggle of prey and predator increased.
Yellow-throated Warbler female
Yellow Warbler female
A Chipping Sparrow juvenile was escorting a fledgling toward the best places to hunt.
Chipping Sparrow juvenile
Chipping Sparrow fledgling
There was a movement on the ground that caught my eye. I wondered if it might be a Vole or other ground mammal. Here is what I discovered.
An adult Mourning Dove and her fledglings were roused by my presence.
Mourning Dove and young
The activity migrated into the tops of the vegetation. Species normally found in the higher strata showed their skills as they filtered in.
Acadian Flycatcher
Eastern Kingbird
European Starling
A quiet swept over the area as sky hunters arrived, surveyed the scene and moved on.
juvenile Red-shouldered Hawk
Mississippi Kite
A bright flash in the shallow water turned out to be a Great Egret. I was reminded that the entire lake was there to explore as the tall wader stalked.
A lone Cormorant perched on one foot before beginning her day.
Double-crested Cormorant female
I sweep my eyes along the shore line and looked for motion. I spied a churning close to the weeds overhanging the water. I recorded a video until I was able to identify the actors of that drama.
51 second video
A close-up photo of one River Cooter.
The moment the turtles left the site, Black Vultures attacked the remains with enthusiasm. I scanned onto the shore to show how important this discovery was to the Vulture flock.
18 second video
One Vulture dried in the Sunshine after getting soaked during the melee.
A sand bar had developed near the head of the cove because of the drought Mississippi has experienced for the last month. A lame Canada goose hobbled along as it kept an eye on an Osprey that prepared for a bath.
47 second video
A final scan of the area and I saw two waders working the grassy area of the sand bar. I recognized a Little Blue Heron and suspected the other bird was a blue phase of the same species. During my video, I realized it was a Tricolored Heron.
Tricolored Heron (a lifer for me)
38 second video
I expect that some of my videos caught the growls of my stomach. I headed toward the truck to reach home and lunch. The back roads were empty and I drove easily in the glow of a fruitful morning.
My Bug of the Day is one of the remaining swarm insects that arrive late in the Summer. This is a Giant Mayfly — Hexagenia limbata. These insects spend 90 % of their life as water nymphs. Millions of them (like Cicada massive emergence) crawl from the wet confines of youth, endure a metamorphosis and gather for enormous mating clouds. This single creature was hunting a mate before time lapsed in it’s life cycle.
I hope there is a place were you can escape to and the world there creates a sense of calm. If there happens to be interesting things there as well, Please let us know what they are. I’d love to hear about those times and items.
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