Hmm, I looked at this for awhile and I like some things about it but the clapper rail might be a little neckier, and maybe too big? This is fun, though, I'd never even heard of rails and now I'm learning about this whole new-to-me category of birds!
But I did find the photo ID function in Merlin, which I had never realized was there before, and one of my photos it thought might be a sora, which I see someone here also thinks, so, maybe!
I tried aiming Seek at it while I was there and Seek was like "Frog?" and I was like "ooh is there a frog??" but I never did spot any frogs. I really like Seek for plants and bugs I can get close up with but anything at a distance I think it just can't see that well.
Bird ID? Small (maybe robin-sized) brown bird with very long toes, seen in mud at edge of freshwater pond today, Boston area. Beak/bill not particularly long. My phone camera wasn't good enough for feet pics but my reaction to this bird was "damn you got some long toes there".
Went to an awesome book launch event for two of my current favorite authors Sacha Lamb and Nghi Vo! Can't wait to read The Forbidden Book and The City in Glass! Thank you @portersqbooks.bsky.social for hosting them!
Coyote update: the wildlife rehabilitator shared that the coyote is feeling better this morning! Vet has been to see her and the exam went well. 🤞🌻🐺👍
COYOTE IS OUT OF MY BACKYARD! Thank you to my new hero the wildlife rehabilitator who was was willing to come get her. Hopefully coyote can be helped or at least find an end to suffering (somewhere more prepared for that than my backyard).
Huh! That's neat about gingkos.
Sorry, also, animal harm warning for my whole day here. Block me to be safe if you have any doubts. I do not wish harm on this animal but I truly do not know what kind of threat it may pose (even if not rabid there are small children in my neighborhood) and I don't think it being here is good.
I guess it surprises me that a sick coyote that can't be scared away isn't considered, like, more of a problem? Like, could it be rabid? I don't know and I don't feel able to know? I would like some kind of professional to come figure that out? At least Animal Control could call me back??