While it’s the first day of fall, it is another hot and humid day on the island! Last weekend when we drove through Ding, we saw only one bird along the whole drive. It was a yellow-crowned night heron. We didn’t even see birds flying overhead. It was upsetting because you have to assume it had to do with the red tide. However, today, we saw several different types of birds.

We saw two Great Blue Herons. This one appears to have the beginnings of mating plumage.

The second one didn’t have the fluffy plumage, but it was still very pretty. I love these huge birds!

We saw a few Little Green Herons. I was able to get a photo of two of them. It was so good to see them.

A couple of days ago, I saw a hawk attack a Little Green Heron and they landed in our neighbor’s yard. The hawk flew away and I went to check on the heron. I could tell that it had at least a broken wing. I called CROW (Center for Rehabilitation of Wildlife) on the island and they sent a volunteer to pick it up. But, it also had a broken leg. I doubt the little guy made it.

I could watch the Reddish Egret do his little dance and his antics all morning! They seem to work harder than the other birds for their food!

And it is always great to see the Roseate Spoonbills!

This fairly long yellow rat snake was just chilling in the road. They are known by several names and aren’t venomous, but as far as I’m concerned, they are still a snake!!

Below is the lone Yellow-Crowned Night Heron we saw last weekend.

And then back to our neighborhood. This hawk has been hanging around, trying to catch one of the ducks behind our house. He’s most likely the one that attacked the Little Green Heron. He has that hungry look in his eye, doesn’t he?

My post wouldn’t be complete without a couple of pics of the eagles in the nest!