A Walk in Nature
with Jane Dysert
Episode 3, June 14, 2024
(Editor’s note: Each morning, Jane embarks on a journey through nature’s wonders, and fortunately for us, she brings her camera. Through her lens, she invites us to share in the magic of nature, offering us a glimpse of the beauty and serenity that surrounds us. With every click of her camera, Jane brings us closer to experiencing a profound connection with the natural world—a connection that fills our hearts with joy and our souls with peace. So why not start your day with a dose of Jane’s captures? Let her photographs be the sunshine that brightens your morning, the breeze that whispers tranquility into your day. With Jane’s snapshots by your side, your day is bound to be a little brighter, a little lighter, and a whole lot more beautiful.)
American White Pelicans use their gular pouches as a means of capturing food—not as a place to keep it tucked away for extended periods. The highly-flexible sacs can expand or contract, and the lower jaw bones they’re connected to are capable of bowing outwards, which enables the birds to use their sacs as fishing nets. Once a pelican captures its prey, the bird drains any water it may have accidentally captured with it by tilting its head and contracting those pouch muscles. (Fun fact: Some species can hold three gallons’ worth of liquid in their gular sacs.) Usually, the prey is swallowed immediately after the water purge.
Shasta County
I’m a huge Osprey fan!
Good evening, Jane! We haven’t seen swallows in our yard for a few years now, sadly.
Strange contortions for this American White Pelican and its gular sac!
Baum Lake
Shasta County
During the breeding season the top of the White Pelican’s head becomes dusted with black. Love the early morning back light.
Drake Mallard in eclipse molt at Baum Lake.
My old Nikon D5600 still works! LOL
Baum Lake
Of course the camera works, and it’s all because of you who has spent thousand of hours & thousands of shutter clicks behind that camera that make your photos pretty special
This Pelican pic made me laugh – looks like a punk rocker hairdo!
Baum Lake
Elegant Mourning Dove making eye contact.
Tehama County
Fluffy Horned Lark enjoying a couple insects.
Tehama County
Western Meadowlark with a huge bunch of breakfast bugs.
Tehama County
Most of the time Green Herons appear to be stout, compact herons. When perched or stalking, they tuck their neck into the contours of their body and appear quite small. Only when threatened or when striking prey is the true length of a Green Heron’s neck revealed.
Redding CA
Found this adorable Cackling Goose hanging out with the big boys yesterday morning.
Cacklings are small; some are barely larger than a Mallard. In contrast, the largest Canada Goose can weigh twice as much as a Cackling Goose. A compact, small goose, with short neck, rounded crown, rather long wings, and short legs. The small bill is short and meets the forehead at a steep angle.
Redding CA
I think I can! I think I can! I think I can fly! Well, maybe in about six more weeks.
Mallard babies – Redding CA
Good Morning to You
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