One afternoon, in just one hour, I saw twelve different kinds of living creatures at a pond. Here they are, can you ID them all:
Top left are the Red-necked Grebes which I ‘discovered’ for the first time early this spring.
The ubiquitous mallard on the left second down, and at the bottom left, the American Coot.
The Franklin Gull on the upper right and below it, the Black Tern, which was so fast that I could hardly get a clear picture.
The red-winged blackbirds (third left down) as usual, called loudly and posed for me. The one big picture on its right is the female red-winged blackbird.
So what’s left are the bottom two… I was surprised to see a Grackle by the pond hiding behind the cattails, its head a beautiful, iridescent blue:
But the highlight of that one hour at the pond, two kinds of herons together, the Great Blue Heron and the Black-crowned Night Heron. Unfortunately I did’t have a clear pic of them both. They were hanging out and flew away together as I tried to get a few steps closer. That was the first time I saw a Black-crowned Night Heron, well, without the crown here:
The Great Blue Heron with Franklin Gulls accompanying:
And the two Herons flew away together:
Didn’t I say twelve different kinds of living creatures? There are ten in the first tiled gallery. Well there was a beaver but I wasn’t able to capture it in picture as it dived and swam away. But this one I had lots of time to get my camera ready: Human
The birds didn’t seem to mind the loud choo-choos. So, let’s give an air elbow bump, live and let live.
***
Ripple Effects 
You are far better at ID than I am! Terrific photos and wonderful sightings, especially the two kinds of herons together and in flight. Isn’t it great to be in the right place at the right time with the right equipment? Bravo!
LikeLike
I went back there several times but didn’t see the herons again. I’m hopeful though. Seeing both together sure was a bonus.
LikeLike
Wow, fantastic Arti, thank you for sharing — and the male Grackle is stunning!
LikeLike
Thanks, Heather. Yes it was quite a surprised to see a Grackle there, more distinguished than the ones I usually see.
LikeLike
I had great fun with this, and tried to ID as many as I could before looking at your text. I got the Great Blue Heron, but not the Black-crowned night heron, because I’ve never seen one of those in flight. I usually see them perched somewhere. The mallard, grackle, coot, and red-winged blackbird were easy because they’re so common here, too. But I’ve never seen the Red-necked Grebe, and never can sort out the various gulls and terns. Wonderful photos — and good of you to include the human species, too!
LikeLike
O and I just learned to ID a female yellow-headed blackbird. Never noticed them before all this time, only the males.
LikeLike
Wow! Those photos you captured of the herons are amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Ellen. Sure hope to see them again.
LikeLike
Oh the blue heron is gorgeous. Was the grackle all alone? They are usually in small to large flocks here.
LikeLike
Yes, the grackle was all alone, surprised to see it there. As for the herons, I was more delighted in seeing the night heron as that’s my first time sighting it. Couldn’t ID it right there… had to Google later to check out its real identity. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very nice shots, Arti. I love the sheer variety of co-habiters. I’m pretty much zero on identification, but love it when photos are accompanied by names.
LikeLike
Thanks. It’s more fun knowing who they are. 🙂
LikeLike