Sunday, January 27, 2013

Birding From East To West

Double D was good to me this weekend. On Saturday he drove us 45 minutes east to visit Tickfaw State Park and today he drove us 35 minutes west to visit the Atchafalaya (UH-CHAFF-UH-LI-YA) National Wildlife Refuge. Since the weather is nice it's imperative to take advantage. Pretty soon it will be hot, humid, and swarming with mosquitos, so we've got roughly 3-1/2 months at this point to hit all the nature areas. In addition to moving here for my mom, nature was #2 on the list, and since last year was consumed with my mom's illness and passing, we didn't get to visit as many as we had hoped.

At Tickfaw we saw our first yellow-bellied sapsucker. We also spotted red-bellied woodpeckers, and the usual cast of characters: cardinals, chickadees, hairy woodpeckers, and mockingbirds. Unfortunately my pictures did not turn out as I had hoped from Tickfaw. Today wasn't much better, but I was able to get several shots of a carolina wren that was gracious enough to pose out in the open for a few nervous seconds.







Two benches overlooking Whiskey Bay at Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge
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51 comments:

Gone Country said...

Wow, those are some amazing shots of the Carolina Wren! I have yet to capture them on 'film'. They're always so fast and jittery. Awesome captures!

Unknown said...

Fantastic captures of that sweet little bird!

TexWisGirl said...

adorable little poser. :) yup, gotta take the weather opportunities while we have 'em. :)

Unknown said...

Gorgeous photos! I am always so in awe of photographers that can get such amazing shots of birds. One day I hope to come close.

Anonymous said...

Those are lovely shots of the bird! And the two seats in the last photo looks wonderfully inviting.

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I think you did very well with that little wren. Don't they have the perkiest little tails? I'd say you were quite brave to take that "underbody" shot. The picture with the benches is just wonderful.

Kerry said...

What an adorable little bird. I never tire of your bird shots. I would love to watch you in action!

Stewart M said...

I do love the shots of the wrens - are they very loud for their size?

Stewart M

Anonymous said...

what a sweet hubby you have! i always enjoy our little carolina wrens with their little tails that stick up, that seem to say "look at me! look at me!" great job, gail!

Amy Burzese said...

Great shots. Too bad about the yellow bellied sapsucker. I really should learn to ID more birds outside your common yard bird.

carol l mckenna said...

Your photography is so exquisite and professional ~ would love to know what software you use to edit and put your signature on your photos? Beautiful!

Carol of: A Creative Harbor ^_^

renae said...

oh Gail! Lovely photos of this sapsucker that wouldn't hold still, looks like. Awesome job my dear!!!

Thanks for your nice words. I'm trying to just place one photo on my site on Monday, because I am linking up with Tamar. Do you know her? Her photo are well done. Her blog is Random-osity. If you aren't following, well, you should. Click on the button on my post at the bottom and it should like to her post.

Keep smiling. I can tell you are behind that lens.

Anonymous said...

We don't see the underside of these birds very often at all... I really like that color. The benches look like a nice place to sit & watch the day pass, so pretty.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

Are those Wrens? I love wrens!!

Anonymous said...

Nice shots! That little wren showed you all his good sides!

hootnonny said...

Cooperative little guy. I especially like the one from underneath.

Anonymous said...

I have been so wrapped up in my online art classes and studio creations that I have fallen behind in visiting my favorite photographers! It certainly appears that you and Bertha are getting along very nicely! Your photos continue to be extraordinary!

Barb said...

Wonderful photos of the little wren - I'm glad it "sat" for its portrait.

Unknown said...

Nice close ups!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Sylvia K said...

I do love your photos of the wren! What a cutie! He did seem to be enjoying the photo op!! Hope you have a great week! Enjoy!

Anna said...

Great captures of the wren, Gail!
Love it...
Warm greetings from Holland,
Anna

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Great shots Gail

Lisa Gordon said...

This little one is just adorable, Gail, and I LOVE the photograph of the benches. Wonderful simplicity.

Patrice said...

Beautiful shots, Gail - looks like a nice day!

Fun60 said...

What a reward at the end of the day to have photos as good as yours.

Inspired By June said...

Wrens are always twitching around so much, I'm amazed at your captures! Great job! They are such little characters!

Deanna said...

I don't know if I like the name of that bird...yellow bellied sap sucker or the pics the best. What a silly name for a beautiful little bird.

EG CameraGirl said...

The Carolina wren seems to be quite the character!

Anonymous said...

Marvelous!!
~Linda

Tina said...

Gail your bird images are always so beautiful! Glad you and your husband are taking the opportunity to get out there while the weather is nice. We're in the midst of winter here, just had a dumping of snow today but are getting rain tomorrow and Wednesday with a high of 10 Celsius, crazy winter weather :-) Hope you're doing well and that this new year brings you much joy.

Hilary said...

What a sweet little critter .. such beautiful captures. And I love the photo of the benches. It's such an intimate setting.

Unknown said...

The name of that bird cracks me up.. I just love seeing your birdy shots.

Hugs~

Shug said...

Great photos....I'm so glad you spelled out the pronunciation of atchafalaya....I always try to pronounce it when we are down your way, but have never know the real way to say it. Thanks so much for all your prayers. Big hugs to you..
shug

Jackie said...

I have to agree with everyone else. These are some great photos. I love the two benches at the end...great touch!

Happy day! :-)

betty-NZ said...

I was called a yellow-bellied sapsucker when I was a kid, but it's good to know how pretty they really are!

eileeninmd said...

Gail, sounds like a wonderful place for birding! Your Wren shots are wonderful, they are cute subjects. The bench shot is awesome, well done! Have a happy day!

Phil Slade said...

Great shots Gail.I can see that your Carolia Wrens are just like our Common Wren - never atill but always active trying to frustrate the photographer. I call ours Wriggle Butts.

Lynn said...

Morning Gail. We are already getting mosquitoes. Mild weather is good for the utility bill ~ not so good for killing bugs. Love the photo of the two benches . . .

Rosemary Aubut said...

Gail outstanding photos! You are the master my friend! He just looks like the sweetest little guy! Enjoy your travels looking forward to more gems like these!

Dana said...

Wonderful photos! I love those old benches.

Karen said...

A sweet little bird and fabulous captures!

renae said...

Hahahaha, Gail! You are so funny. LOL

Hey, let's meet in Austin TX this summer? I have invited Chatty Crone (you know her, right?) from GA and you and we could have a fit of a great time!!!!

genie said...

I am so envious of your getting to visit the wildlife refuge. Our closest one is Back Bay over on the Atlantic. Right now we are either freezing our kazoos off or it is 60 degrees. This has been the most bizarre winter. Your wren shots really did turn out well. Love the once showing the under belly. I am surprised your little friend allowed that shot. Thanks for the visit. It is so nice to be back up and running again. genie

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Beautiful shots. I totally want to come along next time!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Have I ever told you how your photos are something so beautiful it makes me smile ear to ear? B

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Great series ...that Carolina wren is just plain adorable! I'm pretty sure we drove past the Atchafalaya Refuge or at least a sign pointing to it...so many places in LA we didn't have time to go to.

Barbara said...

These are awesome!!

Reena said...

So love your little wren! They are so skittish!

Tammy@Simple Southern Happiness said...

I love Wrens, They have a way of getting on our screen in porch to nest.

You have the most amazing places to go to photograph. One house we hope to go take a look at, has a nature preserve next to it and a river. Know where I will be if we do decide the house is for us???? YEP! dats' right...

LOVE your last picture of the 2 benches.

Unknown said...

Beautiful series of this little bird.

Jori said...

You amaze me, truly!