It’s been a mixed week. The downer part was having my bike stolen while I was on campus. I was in the lab for about an hour and a half and came out to find my bike gone. I’m pretty sure I had it locked but I only used a cable and padlock. Obviously nothing that will stop a determined thief. Anyway, I wonder if the miscreant’s parents will ever get married. Or if someone will kick his mother as she runs down the street barking.
We didn’t get in too much in the line of outdoor activities during the week, but we got out both days this weekend. The weather was great. About 25 degrees cooler than what we expect for this time. Quite comfortable. Saturday we went to Riverbend Natural Area, a local park on the Grand River. Instead of chasing birds I was chasing a riverine clubtail, an uncommon dragonfly that was reported there. Didn’t see the clubtail but some other cool things were out and about. As we were leaving we ran into a couple other Odonata aficionados who did see the clubtail but we had to go pick up my new bicycle.
Blue-fronted dancer.
Double-striped bluet. A new species for me.
Female meadowhawk, not sure which species.
Calico pennant.
Cute orange mushrooms.
Wood frog.
Today we hit Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge. Someone reported a red knot, red-necked phalarope and a few other good things there yesterday. We didn’t get the red knot or the phalarope but we did get a pectoral sandpiper and an American white pelican. The pelican was a really good bird to get. They’re reported occasionally in the refuge but aren’t always real obvious. While scanning sandpipers another birder passed us and told us where to look for them. And Lise got a stilt sandpiper so now I’m allowed to sleep in the same room as her again.
Today’s outing put me at 230 species (92.0% of the goal) and Lise at 224 (89.6%).
Ed's and Lise's Biggish Years 