A Study in Yellow

More goldfinches; I told you I had a bunch of pictures.  The first two are of the female are my new favorites.

Posted in: American Goldfinch

More Goldfinch Goodness

Here are a few of the male American Goldfinches I've been seeing.  They are a little more flighty than the females and won't let me get as close for some reason.  Videos coming soon so stay tuned!

Posted in: American Goldfinch

Goldies Love Thistle!

I have quite a few pictures (and videos)  I've taken this week of the American Goldfinches attacking the Canada, Bull, and Prairie Thistle.  Rather than put all of them up at once I'll spread them out over the week so keep coming back!  Here are the first few of the female goldfinches.

Posted in: American Goldfinch

Budding Antlers

A couple bachelor White-tailed Deer were munching on vegetation when I walked by, oblivious to my presence.  They were really in to what they were eating.  They finally took notice of me and ran off but not before I got these pics.  You can see their antlers are starting to form and are still in velvet.  When an antler is in "velvet" that means it is still growing and is a live tissue.  Once the antlers are done growing they shed the velvet and all that is left is the bone.

Posted in: White-tailed Deer

Spring Darter Watching

Rainbow Darter (may be our most common local darter)

Spring is the time to look for colorful things. Birders chase warblers arriving from down south. Reptile and amphibian enthusiasts (herpers) take to the field with hopes of finding brightly colored salamanders and snakes. Wildflower lovers head to the forest in search of blooms. There is, however, a group of animals that relatively few people think about looking for—the darters. Darters are a group of small fish in the perch family that are known for their bright colors. Unlike the majority of our freshwater fish, most darters lack a swim bladder—the gas-filled organ that makes fish buoyant. These “gravel jacks,” as they are sometimes called, dart quickly from place to place almost as if they are jumping on their large front fins.

Beginning as early as February, the males’ bright colors begin to intensify for breeding season. In some species this results in colors that rival even the most impressive tropical fishes, yet several darter species can be found in small streams in our back yard!

The orangethroat darter can be found in some of the tiniest creeks in our area. This individual has taken development of his breeding colors to the extreme!

The greenside darter is one of our largest and most common local darters.

This is where darters get their name!


Here’s that same species, the speckled darter. It can be found in streams just south of Louisville.


The banded darter is another relatively common local darter. They can be found in large local creeks, such as Floyds Fork, and often seem to prefer submerged vegetation.


The logperch, although relatively drab, is the largest darter in Kentucky. It can often be found on the bottom of small pools in larger local creeks.

Darters are North America’s second most speciose group of fishes (after the minnow family), and Kentucky is one of the best places in the world to see these colorful little fishes. In the Louisville area many of the smaller streams are clear and perfect for finding darters. Otter creek, Floyds Fork, Silver Creek, and many of the smaller streams all have darters. From Louisville, you are within day-trip range of several of the most biologically diverse freshwater streams in the United States. The Green River, Cumberland River, Licking River, Red River, Blue River, and their tributaries are all excellent spots to find darters. Some streams may have more than 10 species in a single 100 foot section!

The bluebreast darter is found throughout our area, but seems to have a very spotty distribution.

This is a striped darter from a small stream in the Daniel Boone National Forest

The best place to look for darters is in riffles and just upstream and downstream of this fast water. The fact that darters lack a swim bladder allows them to sit on the bottom of swift water without constantly having to fight the current, and many species call riffles home. However, there are species that are adapted to slower pools, swamps, submerged vegetation, and many other types of aquatic habitat. They are easily caught with seines or dipnets (you will need a fishing license), but my favorite way to find them is by snorkeling in small, clear streams. Sticking your head under the water opens up a whole new world. Even if the water is relatively shallow, it seems there is still five times as much going on under there than we can see from the surface!

Five-lined Skink

Leaving for work the other day I saw this little guy scurry out from underneath my car.  So naturally I made myself 15 minutes late for work by taking pictures of the little Five-lined Skink.  I see this little lizard a lot when I'm watering my garden.  He lives in the siding on my house and it is always nice when he comes out and visits.

This is an adult male, which you can tell by the bright red throat and face.  You may be familiar with the juvenile of this species, they are the small lizards with the bright blue tails.  When they mature they lose the blue on the tail and the stripes become less defined. 

Posted in: Five-lined Skink