Saturday's Critters #299

Welcome to Saturday's Critters!


If you love all God's creatures like I do and also like to blog about them and take critter photos this is where you can share your critter post. Link up your post and share your critters, join in with my critter party ! You can share any kind of critters the real ones, pretend ones, statues and paintings, a new or old post!

I may be on my blog break, if so I will catch up with comments ASAP.



I am sharing some archived images, 3 Swan species that are found in the USA.  The first and most recent photo is of the Mute Swan seen at Bombay Hook NWR in Delaware. The Mute Swan is the easiest swan to id with it's orange bill. The Mute Swan is non-native in the USA. 

The second swan is native to Maryland the Tundra Swan. The Tundra Swan is seen in huge groups in the late winter months. My Tundra photo below was taken in Pennsylvania in the month March. 

The third swan is the Trumpeter Swan usually seen in the western states but sometimes can be found in Maryland. My Trumpeter photo below was taken in Washington State. The obvious difference between the Tundra and Trumpeter Swans is the size. The Trumpeter Swan is larger than the Tundra Swan, there is also a difference in bill shapes. I personally would need to see both swans up close to notice the bill shape. 

Random rants and in the news, for the critter lovers:

In the news, the EDF (Environment Defense Fund) is helping to restore 30,000 acres of Monarch butterfly habitat. The population of the western Monarch is down 86% last year. Habitat creation and conservation will help the Monarch along their migration pathway. The Monarch can travel an amazing 3000 miles to reach their winter home in Mexico. Some of the Western Monarchs will overwinter in Southern California where conditions are similar to Central Mexico. To stay warm tens of thousands Monarchs will cluster together on one tree. 

You can report your Western Monarch sightings here  .

I can count on my two hands how many Monarchs I have seen in the summer of 2019. The Monarch below seems to like our Buddleia or butterfly bush. The Monarch migration on the east coast is usually in October unless the weather gets colder earlier.

The biggest reason for the decline in the Western Monarch population is due to habitat loss and pesticide use across their range. Weather, such as heavy rainstorms and the wildfires also contribute to the population loss. Monarch population east of the Rockies seems to be doing better compared to the western population which is in a free fall. We can all help by planting milkweed and flower species that contain nectar and eliminate the use of pesticides.  












I appreciate and thank everyone who links up their post and for all the wonderful comments !


Here is a list of my linky parties;

Also visit:  I'd-Rather-B-Birdin. Thanks to the gracious host: Anni.