Diario de rtwhitson3

My posts from January 31 and February 5 of this year included photos of a dove, maybe 2 doves, with bright, metallic splotches of a pink shade of color on the sides of the neck. The bird from January had it on the right side of the neck, the bird from February had it on the left side.

I have observed doves for many decades and have never seen this before. It could be the same bird, but I couldn't get photos of both sides either time. I keep looking for it/them(?) again, but no luck so far. I think it very interesting that 2 of them with such a distinctive mutation could show up here in the space of 6 days. If it is 2 birds, I would almost bet they had the same parents, but my best bet is that it is the same bird.

I will continue to watch all mourning doves in this area very closely.

It's been a long time since I used the journal, so some good points today.

We've been seeing painted buntings at our feeder for since as early as April, and had never seen them before this. I have word from 3 other sources, including one photograph on Nextdoor of other folks in Lexington and Columbia that have also been seeing them. Apparently they are working their way north and west. How long will they stay, and will they be back next year? Who knows, but I'm documenting them every day I see them.

Also, I've photographed an otter in the 12 Mile Creek, almost directly behind our house, twice now in the past week or two. I have a good idea of where it is denning up. It seems to be alone.

Well, since my complaint yesterday concerning my 8 unconfirmed observations, 3 of them were confirmed. So I'm well over 90% confirmed now. I suppose that's not too bad. Thanks to Ikirk!

I passed the 100 observations/postings mark yesterday, number 100 being a snake (Dekays'). I am disappointed that I have several postings that have never been confirmed with an ID by others. One might be due to poor photographs, but the majority of the others should not be any problem to ID. These represent a total of 8 postings, 1 of which has been confirmed, but only to the genus level (some Boletes that I can't ID further myself). This is nearly 10% of my postings, so I am disappointed. I would rather have confirmed IDs available to researchers, than simply large numbers.

When I look at the lists of some other folks I follow however, they seem to have an even higher ratio of unconfirmed observations, so perhaps I'm not doing too bad.

Ms Hewitt, the malacologist, is very close to 25,000 observations! Incredible! With contributions in these quantities, even without 100% confirmations, she's making the researchers happy, I'm sure. She is a researchers herself, of course, and publishes too! A model for the rest of us.

I have heard nothing from the SCHS to date.

Joined the TTYHP Project today. Hilda Flamholtz has already added 4 of my observations from INat to the project collection. I will add all the others when I get it figured out.

Joined the South Carolina Herpetological Society today.

I was hired into a new job July 2 this year, so May was my last spate of observations, not that I enter very many anyway. I will continue as I can, but I travel now and as I typically fly, I don't bring my camera. Since I work in industrial facilities I just don't see too many opportunities anyway.
The exception is my current job site in Texas. There is a small herd of about whitetail deer, around 7 generally seen together, that hang around the entry drive of the facility. They seem to have no fear of vehicles. I have tried taking photos with my IPhone, but the results never seem worth entering. Besides, they are there every day, so it's no big deal.

There are also a truly tremendous number of vultures that assemble around the plant, and perch on the high superstructures. One day a couple of weeks ago I tried to count them. I couldn't keep track of them, there were so many, continuously wheeling around in the sky. I believe there were at least 50 or 60. I see it every day and still can't get over it. They are obviously breeding well, and so must be eating well. But what could they be eating in such quantities around an industrial site? I haven't been able to determine for sure if they are black vultures or turkey vultures, but I'm pretty sure they are Coragyps, as I have seen them quite close, within 75 or 100 feet, and have never seen a red head yet. Could be both as I have seen Coragyps and Cathartes flock together. That was in a feeding situation though, and this is not.

I was a member of a group, including my Mother and Father in law ( Dr. Albert and Janet Jabs), who were guided on a nature tour at Timmerman Trail this afternoon. As I entered the street leading to the trailhead I was able to get photos of a Turkey Vulture feeding on carrion in the street.
The tour was lead by Dr. Rudy Manke, a well known local biology professor and TV and radio personality. I had not met him previously. He was extremely knowledgeable of course, and a humorous, engaging speaker, very practical. I scared a snake into a pool of water before I was even able to get a photo of it. Probably some Nerodia species, possibly a Cottonmouth. Most of the tour Dr Manke discussed the botanical species we were encountering, but some insects too, as well as their interaction with the flora. He was able to "voice" Cope's Gray Tree Frogs and Mockingbirds for us. We probably covered no more than 250 yards of trail in 2 hours (and the same distance back out within that same time frame).
At the very end of the walk however, we encountered a Copperhead that was crossing the trail. Dr. Manke captured it in his butterfly net and held it for us to get some photos. I entered those photos as observations here in INat of course. A very beautiful animal, and a wonderful end to our great nature walk with Dr. Manke. We were all very appreciative.

Returned from Manatee County, Fla. on the 18th, arrived there on the 13th. Observed many animals, including 4 species I added to my observations here. Also photographed some variety of invasive gecko. Not a good photo and I can't ID the thing, so I won't enter it unless someone manages to help me with that. 2/20/2018

Posted my 3rd observation of herodias today (2/6/2018). Don't mean to be repetitious but they are bloody well POSING for me in our backyard! I live right on Twelve Mile Creek, and the birds love it as much as I do apparently. Wish I could afford a better camera. Joined "Herps of South Carolina" project today, but doubt I will have anything to post for some weeks. You never know though, it was about 70 degrees F today here in Lexington, but rain and cooler temps forecast for the rest of the week.