Almost..but not quite.

 

I have come to realize that Field guides often point out "diagnostic" field marks that in fact really aren't. They may be the norm for a certain species, but not diagnostic by any stretch.

I have collected a sample of photos that demonstrate how a field guide can lead you down a bumpy ID path.

 

 

 

 

 

European Golden Plover

Almost.. but not quite

 This plover shows an erect stance, pot-bellied breast, skinny "necktie", ect. Compare the structure to the Black-bellied plover behind it. It's an obvious difference. But, the ID didn't pass the muster

Little Stint

Almost..but not quite.



This bird shows rufous tones, a gape notch that doesn't really matter, and a split-supercillium among other traits. It was called a Semipalamated sandpiper.

Long-toed Stint

Almost..but not quite



 This bird shows what every field guide says is diagnostic- a pale base to the lower mandible, dark centered scapulars, and an erect stance. Come to find out Least can also sport these traits. Who knew.

Common Ringed Plover

Almost..but not quite



 This is a July bird in tattered plumage. No doubt a female, but no takers on the ringed Plover.

 

Aphrodite Fritllary

Almost..but not quite

 Even butterfly guides stumble. The marks on the basal cells, as show w/ arrows, are noted in all guides as diagnostic for Aphrodite, but now always. This bug has been called a Great-spangled fritillary although the guides show clean basal cells for that species.

 

Hickory Hairstreak

Almost..but not quite

The guide states the blue HW cell needs to be longer than the adjacent orange cell which in this photo is almost 2x as long, but it's a Banded hairstreak.
The moral of the story is field experience and hours of observation can usually trump the Field Guides

Quieter Times

I wish to go back to a  Quieter Time,
To step from these changes, not walk that fine line
To jump from this tightrope suspended in space
Falling into your arms back to yesterday's place

To lie by your side on a lace afternoon
Our bodies awash in the glow of the room
The curtains alive from a soft salty breeze
The passing of Summer stirs the Autumnal leaves

From the porch of a seaside resort town hotel
To moments before parting into passion we fell
Never dreaming these decades of future would pass
Never seeing each other yet the memories last

Yet I in this aerial test can't turn 'round
If the balance is shattered I'll lose what I found
So I steady myself before moving ahead
Hearing echos of whispers of words we once said

Yes I wish to go back to the times spent with you
The best that I've known from the old or the new
So cherished these memories of love that we shared
That they balance my steps as I move thru the air....
h tomlinson