Bombs away!

A frog in a log in a bog.

Actually, a toad, and yes, IN a log, located in somewhat of a bog.  I have found thousands of toads UNDER logs in my life.  Never have I found a toad INSIDE a log.  A solid log, that is...perhaps just soft enough to allow an amphibian access to the protective pulp within. 

Find the toad (Bufo americanus) in the first photo.  This was taken immediately after I tried to flip the log, but instead broke the top part off, revealing the toad. 

By the way, the toad was returned to its chamber after I snapped a few photos.

Video Land.

Keep low, Doe.

Michigan Sunset

On Vernal Pond

The red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) is one of the most common species of songbirds (and birds in general) in most of its range.  I saw a number of them this morning, including this male.  It is hard to get a really good picture of them, since they were wary of me (the crunching of leaves and sticks as I approach doesn't help), and for the time being, I am using only a simple point-and-shoot digital camera with average zooming capabilities.  But, I thought this one turned out pretty good.

 I found this female western chorus frog (Pseudacris triseriata) underneath some bark.  She wasn't being a willing candidate for my photographic efforts, and even though it was a near-record low of 44 degrees (for mid-May), she was froggy and wouldn't sit still.  This was the best I was able to muster.  These frogs are extremely adaptable and can endure very low temperatures.

 The blue-spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale) is one of my favorite local amphibians.  I always get excited when I find one.  The blue-black combination is so unique to this group of animals.  They are fairly common, but secretive.  I found two today, but since they were nearly identical, I'll leave you with an image of the first.

Apple Blossoms

Yeah, pictures of flowers are all too commonplace and played out.  But, these were on MY apple tree in MY backyard.  So, booyah.  They don't last long- this was taken less than one week ago, and whatever flowers are left on the tree are wilted and dying.

Backyard Lagomorph

This cottontail rabbit (genus Sylvilagus) was squatting in my backyard.  It sat perfectly still as I knowingly walked within a few feet of it while taking out the trash.  I again passed it by when I went back into the house, and again it sat motionless.  Only when I returned with my camera did it become nervous and twitchy- it bounded across the yard toward the house (hence the aluminum siding backdrop), and was very wary (and hairy).  I took a few pictures and tried getting closer before it took off under the fence and returned to urbanization.

Vintage Shelter

Accipiter cooperii

When I arrived home from work and was fiddling for the key to the front door the other day, I heard a commotion in the tree right out front of my house.  I looked up and saw a raptor (no, not a dinosaur adept at opening doors and eating Australian big-game hunters), perched on a limb, beginning to eat a smaller bird.  I'm not all too good with bird identification, so I wasn't sure what it was, but it wasn't anything I've seen before.  I often see red-tailed hawks, but this one was a little smaller and the appearance was way off.  I eventually learned it was a Cooper's Hawk, and a female at that.  I watched as it ate the entire bird (I'm not sure what species the prey was), plucking its dinner's feathers out and sending them fluttering to the ground.  I took some photos, as I'm not sure when I'll witness this again.

Mini-hangar

One of the coolest garage graphics of all time.

It's the time of year for slimies

Limax maximus, an alien slug species from Europe.

Bufo americanus, one of the most common amphibian species in Chicago.


I found these two denizens of detritus while on a stroll yesterday, in between delugues.  It's amazing how abundant this variety of slug is during the spring, and then afterwards, they disappear.  The toads, on the other hand, are hardier and remain active during all but the hottest, driest times of summer (and of course, winter).

Oh, deer.

It's spring time!The local deer really aren't too concerned that I was right there.

Emydoidea blandingii

Don't let this smile fool you.  The Blanding's turtle is an endangered species in Illinois as well as in most of its range.  Due to habitat loss/fragmentation, numbers have dropped dramatically, though to date it has no official federal status.  I took this photo at The Grove in Glenview, where there are several Blanding's turtles on display in a mixed-species setup that also includes sliders, painted turtles, softshells, and box turtles.

One of the many

I clearly have a squirrel problem.  They are all over the place.  It's funny, because they are essentially arboreal rats with fur instead of hair.  That's all the difference it takes for these things to be hand-fed by various neighbors who must think they are "helping" the poor starving animals.  Well, my immediate neighborhood has a healthy supply of overweight squirrels that like to bury everything from bread to pieces of fruit in my lawn, creating a war zone in the process.  The squirrel in this photo was in the apple tree in the backyard.  Look how rotund it is.  This is one of scores of squirrels that have literally infested the area.  They are by far the most ubiquitous animal around here.  Since all natural predators (with the exception of the occasional hawk) have been eradicated from the area, these little punks are carefree and have been wreaking havoc everywhere.  And the noise they make when they see a dog or cat...it is the most annoying sound in the world.  They'll sit up in the tree, or atop the light pole, and kind of make this mini growling noise.  It can go on for an hour or more.  Kind of makes me wish the periodical cicadas were in full force to at least drown these guys out.