An unofficial place for Ron and others to chat about the Kalkar Open Space
This Green Heron (Butorides virescens) chick recently hatched at Kalkar Quarry. Its plumage will shift as an adult, and it will get somewhat larger. This chick spent the first 2-3 weeks of life helpless in the nest, flying away by about the 3rd week of life. Thus, this bird might be 1-2 months old.
Photo by Grant Pogson
Ruddy Ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) are almost cartoonish in appearance. We haven't had many in the Kalkar Pond, and this guy stayed for only a few days this July. They are known to get harassed by Pied-billed Grebes which are year-round residents of Kalkar Pond. The grebes sometimes attack Ruddy Ducks from below the water, grabbing at their legs - a behavior called "submarining".
Photo by Grant Pogson
The Pacific Chorus Frog (also called Pacific Tree Frog) (pseudacris regilla) is a very loud creature in spring at Kalkar Pond. Males sing different pitches to fill the night chorus to attract mates. They lay eggs that hatch tiny tadpoles. The video shows the tadpole shortly before metamorphosis into the frog phase is complete. You can see the tadpole breathing (via gills) and see the legs that indicate the tadpole is well into metamorphosis. The small critters "swimming" around the tadpole are Daphnia (a small crustacean). Video by Ron Goodman.
The image shows a froglet (name for a frog recently-transformed from tadpole stage) perched on a tule (bulrush) stem. It will get 2 to 3 times this size by adulthood. Photo by Song Nelson.
Snakes frequent the trails in Kalkar. These two were found this week.
Left: Pacific Ringneck Snake (Diadophis punctatus) Right: Northwestern? Garter Snake (Thamnophis sp.)
Main photos by Song Nelson, reference closeup unattributed.