What is man without the beasts? If all the beasts were gone, man would die from a great loneliness of spirit. For whatever happens to the beasts, soon happens to man. All things are connected. - Chief Seattle
This is the place to continue your journey with me to help you realize how every aspect of nature is an integral part of your life.
On Time Arrival
It was near full moon and the tides were strong so at low tide this morning the conditions were right for great fishing for a variety of wading birds. This egret was one of many coming in for breakfast.
Submarining
I have seen many brown pelicans dive from various heights to scoop fish from the ocean. This was the first time I watched one approach in shallow water on the flats during an incoming tide to catch its meal.
Look closely and you can see its beak between the mud bottom and the top of the water. Pretty amazing considering the size of its beak.
Harmony
What could be better. A butterfly and a honey bee sharing the same blossom on our butterfly bush to feed and to pollinate.
Nature teaches us all.
Hard to Swallow
In between tides at the flats this morning made for deeper water. Among the normal mix of herons and egrets, the pelicans arrived to fish for a meal. This brown pelican was processing its latest catch. You can see the outline of the fish in its pouch. Just for information, the thick layer of skin in a pelican's mandible is officially known as the "gular pouch"
Bee for Me
The feeding activity for the birds, especially the hummingbirds, has increased significantly over the past couple of weeks. During the same time, visits from the Baltimore orioles has dropped significantly.
The grape jelly feeders usually dominated by the orioles have been taken over by yellow jackets which some birds, like hummingbirds, stay away from.
The exception appears to be the finches which hang around the grape jelly feeders and periodically pluck a yellow jacket from the frenzy which they appear to enjoy as part of there protein diet.
Of course, we welcome the activity personally and photographically.