MagiStream

I remember one time (a few years ago lol when I was still in high school) when I was walking home from the bus stop. Our neighbors across from us had a tall tree in their front lawn, and perched in that tree on one of the branches that day was a beautiful red-tail hawk. We had a pair of them that lived somewhere around our neighborhood, so we'd see at least one of them fairly often, and that was the explanation for the disappearance of the chipmunk family that used to live beneath our front porch

But anyway, I saw it perched there, and I wanted to take a closer look, so I went to stand at the base of the tree, looking up at the hawk. Of course it noticed me, and it turned its head to look down at me with those piercing eyes. It was an incredible experience, to lock gazes with one of those impressive creatures. I could only hold it for a moment, and then I went back to my house.

I guess that's part of the reason why I fell in love with raptors.

Well, it is definitely spring here, the grackles are back. So I get to wake up to that in the mornings, a whole flock of noise, chatty grackles all squawking at each other from the tree/bird feeder. *le sigh*

I think I seen falcons. I know it's a raptor and its body isn't solid like a hawk...I think I seen a praire falcon mainly.

Yesterday I got a...treat? As I was on my way home on the bus I saw some birds circling over an abandoned field. I think they were mainly vultures, though they were too distant to actually say. But I guessed there was something there that was causing them, because from the shows circling birds mean death and I was right...I think they found a deer carcass and were around it.

I saw those two missing geese. None of the ducks though. But there were three Canadian geese on the pond...I guess three won't be too bad, but it is if they're sick or if they chased off the ducks.

Anyone good with snake identification? This was in my road this morning. It was acting strange (mouth open, moving head back and forth... trying to regurgitate?). Found it dead later in the day. My best guess is a common garter snake, but I couldn't find any pictures at match the colors exactly.

Looks to be some form of garter snake. They come in MANY colors. Species is defined by the number of scales on the cheeks and some other morphological differences. Your description sounds like he was likely hit by a car. Looking at the photo, he looks bloated and has a few odd kinks in places. Very sad. Poor guy. He was awfully pretty.


I saw a magpie at the edge of a field today. A starling was nearby watching him intently. And then I saw the magpie grabbing and tossing a mouse or vole! Pretty sure he killed it and took it off somewhere private to enjoy a nice, big meal. I was driving by, so I didn't get to see the full show. Definitely a WOAH! moment. Not the first time I've seen a magpie hunt, but still impressive, especially considering this rodent was bigger than the magpie's head!


Also, saw my first pelicans, swallows and osprey of the year yesterday. yay!

TNHawke wrote:Looks to be some form of garter snake. They come in MANY colors. Species is defined by the number of scales on the cheeks and some other morphological differences. Your description sounds like he was likely hit by a car. Looking at the photo, he looks bloated and has a few odd kinks in places. Very sad. Poor guy. He was awfully pretty.

Thanks. I am just not that familiar with snakes, so I wasn't sure if they did have many colors and patterns within a species. The little guy was dead when I took the picture. When first found, it would slither, but preferred to stay still with an open mouth. I really wanted to take a few more pictures, but the neighbor's dog ran over to see me and trampled the body.

It makes me wonder if I will have more wildlife around. Due to recent flooding, some ducks have been around.

We were coming home from some shopping the and I spotted an Osprey in a nesting pole. That was pretty cool.

Also discovered that Starlings like the suet feeder, I've seen them clinging to the sides eating from it.

Lol, starlings and squirrels and the dogs are the only things I've ever seen eat suet.

I saw my first wild reptile of the season over the weekend. It was a little side-blotch lizard who went skittering off between rocks.

TNHawke wrote:Lol, starlings and squirrels and the dogs are the only things I've ever seen eat suet.

I saw my first wild reptile of the season over the weekend. It was a little side-blotch lizard who went skittering off between rocks.

I think the woodpecker is waiting for the starlings and grackles to lessen up. Same with the Nuthatches. That's who we're trying to attract with the suet xD And I have seen them at the feeder