Oasis

Posted By on January 12, 2016

In the backyard, across the water, there is a strip of land wide enough to act as an excellent buffer between this and the neighborhood next door. I would go exploring there but am afraid of Alligators! Alligators are abundant here, but they do something called brummation, which is a reduction in their metabolic activity. So, they disappear. The last one I saw was several weeks ago. Since I don’t know exactly where they do this brummation, I am wary of accidentally awakening one.

Hum. Well, however, this strip of land acts as an excellent noise and pollution buffer, as well as a wild animal habitat. I’ve seen raccoons and deer there, and there’s been some discussion of a fox, if they exist in this region. The preservation strip of swampy land makes the backyard a bit of an oasis. Quite early this morning, a white tailed deer broke cover over there just briefly. He/she was alone and my camera happened to be on video. This is the best image I could extract.

MVI_1398 066

I also believe I captured a belted kingfisher munching on a fish. Again on video so it is not entirely clear.

Relaxing after a meal of fish, this belted kingfisher seems to be keeping an eye out more.
Relaxing after a meal of fish, this belted kingfisher seems to be keeping an eye out more.
A treasure in its beak, sitting in the huge oak tree in the backyard.
A treasure in its beak, sitting in the huge oak tree in the backyard.
Fall leaf in red (maple?)
Fall leaf in red (maple?)
Fall leaf in yellow
Fall leaf in yellow
I think this is a tricolored heron. It is from a screen grab from two days ago. I thought it was a mystery bird, but I think that is what it is. The beak does look shorter than others I have seen but the posture is very familiar.
I think this is a tricolored heron. It is from a screen grab from two days ago. I thought it was a mystery bird, but I think that is what it is. The beak does look shorter than others I have seen but the posture is very familiar.
I think this is a tricolored heron. It is from a screen grab from two days ago. I thought it was a mystery bird, but I think that is what it is. The beak does look shorter than others I have seen but the posture is very familiar.
I think this is a tricolored heron. It is from a screen grab from two days ago. I thought it was a mystery bird, but I think that is what it is. The beak does look shorter than others I have seen but the posture is very familiar.
  • Aperture: ƒ/8
  • Camera: Canon PowerShot SX510 HS
  • Taken: 12 January, 2016
  • Focal length: 129mm
  • ISO: 80
  • Shutter speed: 1/40s