This handsome Usnea strigosa was found on the ground, having been dislodged from its home in the tree canopy by a wind-storm last night. [The top of a tree was actually snapped off by the wind, and lay across the forest service road that led to my mountaintop destination. Half an hour's work with my hand saw combatted the chill of the morning and soon-enough had me on my way.] The Usnea strigosa was placed in a crevice on the trunk of the tree to create an attractive scene, and to give it a second chance in life.

Chicks at nest site. This is the second nest found at the boat basin. My estimate is that the chicks are about 14 days old at this point. The parents are leaving for most of the day to go foraging on their own with only occasional checks/feedings back at the nest.

It is interesting to see the pin feather development. There is already cyan color (blue-green) on the wing feathers even though they are still mostly pin feathers.

Two photos.

Juvenile Green Heron (4) from the same brood, Lake Loretta, Albany, Dougherty County, Southwest Georgia, U.S.

eBird CHECKLIST S18662826

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©williamwisephoto.com Exner Marsh Nature Preserve; McHenry County, Illinois. July 17, 2022.

• Mostly cloudy, with a high near 79.
• Sunrise 5:32 am; Sunset 8:26 pm
• Daylight Hours:14 hours, 54 minutes (-1m 32s)
• Moon: 80.5% Waning Gibbous

October Big Day birding at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia. October 8, 2022.

• Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
• Sunrise 7:27 am; Sunset 7:03 pm
• Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 36 minutes (-2m 1s)
• Moon: 98.1% Waxing Gibbous
• Fifty-two bird species in one location! https://ebird.org/checklist/S120404524

October Big Day birding at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia. October 8, 2022.

• Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
• Sunrise 7:27 am; Sunset 7:03 pm
• Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 36 minutes (-2m 1s)
• Moon: 98.1% Waxing Gibbous
• Fifty-two bird species in one location! https://ebird.org/checklist/S120404524

The Osprey dove and caught a fish. Almost immediately the Bald Eagle materialized and pursued the Osprey (Osprey Observation here). I didn't see the outcome because almost simultaneously, a Least Bittern flushed near my feet. The bittern was a lifer so I had to get it! This was all within a few minutes of leaving my car, so I knew it would be a good day!

October Big Day birding at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia. October 8, 2022.

• Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
• Sunrise 7:27 am; Sunset 7:03 pm
• Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 36 minutes (-2m 1s)
• Moon: 98.1% Waxing Gibbous
• Fifty-two bird species in one location! https://ebird.org/checklist/S120404524

October Big Day birding at Phinizy Swamp Nature Park, Richmond County, Georgia. October 8, 2022.

• Mostly sunny, with a high near 80.
• Sunrise 7:27 am; Sunset 7:03 pm
• Daylight Hours: 11 hours, 36 minutes (-2m 1s)
• Moon: 98.1% Waxing Gibbous
• Fifty-two bird species in one location! https://ebird.org/checklist/S120404524

• margins of calyx lobes are distinctly ciliate
• calyx is glabrous, not puberulent
• calyx lobes oblanceolate
• leaves acute
• leaves widest near the middle
• leaves dark green
• corolla lobes incurved

If you go to this area in the CVNP be aware that there are a lot of TICKS in this field. Take the necessary precautions.

I tried to stay on the gravel path away from the tall grass. However, when I stepped into the low grass on the edges of the gravel, the ticks would get on my shoes and climb.

If you go to this area in the CVNP be aware that there are a lot of TICKS in this field. Take the necessary precautions.

I tried to stay on the gravel path away from the tall grass. However, when I stepped into the low grass on the edges of the gravel, the ticks would get on my shoes and climb.

Furious mockingbird scolding coming from my back yard alerted me to the presence of this beautiful, rusty-colored hawk, which was perched in my bitternut hickory (Carya cordiformis) and considering potential meal options.