Saturday's Critters #203

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!

If you love critters like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!

Sharing some birds from our visit to Lake Erie and Presque Isle State Park in Pennsylvania.

We tried to get to park early in the morning, I wanted to see if I could find some new birds. We did see lots of Wood Ducks.

Hermit Thrush

We watched this Belted Kingfisher banging a fish against the tree branch it was sitting on.

Northern Flickers

A large groups of Cormorants.

Great Blue Heron

Green Heron

 I hope you enjoy my post and photos too! I appreciate and thank everyone who links up their post and for all the wonderful comments!

Here is a list of my linky parties;

Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host: Anni.

Happy Saturday, enjoy your weekend!

Enjoying My Neighborhood

Happy Thursday, enjoy your day!

Have you ever notice all the variety of life in your neighborhood and nearby habitats? Definition of Biodiversity: the variety of life in the world, or in a particular habitat or ecosystem. 

I live near a lake and forest, in which there is always something to see. If you have a small pond, river or your very own backyard habitat, the ecosystem is amazing. The threats to the ecosystem are many, a few are loss of habitat, over exploitation and the spread of non-native species. 

The first time I saw the Green Heron at our lake. It is great to see such a variety of birds at our lake.

Lesser Yellowlegs, I was confused since this bird's leg colors look like bright orange to me?

A couple of Solitary Sandpipers at our lake.

Below some shorebirds, the Greater and Lesser Yellowlegs and a Solitary Sandpiper.

My mosiac from our walk on the local fire road lined with tall pine trees, next to the lake, some fall leaves and mushrooms, an Osprey in flight, our lake and a Belted Kingfisher across the lake.

A view of the sky and clouds, later the same day after our walk on the fire road. 

I am thankful to live in a state and neighborhood with such biodiversity. It is the variety of life,  I have only seen a small amount of species contained on earth. Biodiversity is important to people and the health of ecosystems. It is beautiful when you take in the wonder of it all. 

I am always thankful for your visits and your comments.

Thank you Michelle for hosting. Thankful Thursday

Thank you to the hosts of   Skywatch Friday


Thanks so much for visiting and for your nice comments. Have a happy day!

Belted Kingfisher

Hello,

This week I am sharing the Belted Kingfisher. Unless it is a rare sighting, the Belted Kingfisher is one of the only Kingfishers seen in the USA. I usually hear their sharp rattle sound before I see them. They are shy birds around me, take off before I can get a sharp clear photo. I am always trying for that great shot though. I hope you enjoy these Belted Kingfisher photos.

The are known to hover and then plunge head first into the water for their catch of fish.

The adult female Belted Kingfisher has a rufous belly band. The male has a bluish belly breastband. Both male and female have white underparts and a dark crest.

They are often seen perched in trees near the water.

I have so many favorite birds, the Kingfishers are another favorite.



I hope you enjoyed my photos and post.
As always I thank you for stopping by and as always I appreciate your comments.

My list of memes for today, I hope to see you there. Thanks to both of the host below.


Thanks to Michelle for hosting Nature Notes

Thanks to Stewart for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday