Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Lake Martin, LA

I really have a good man with which to live out my days on earth. Nearly every weekend Double D drives me to various swamps, bayous, marshes, etc. to indulge my photography habit. And since I bought him a pair of binoculars, he is becoming quite a birding enthusiast himself. He even went to a hummingbird talk with me one evening last week. What a good sport!

These are from a couple of weeks ago. I've been knee deep in ibises, pelicans, and wrens so these photos haven't had a chance to make an appearance. I think they've waited long enough.
Anhinga - Lake Martin, LA
Lest you think I take only bird photos, here are a few landscapes of Lake Martin.

Marshy swamp filled with algae

A boardwalk at Cypress Island Preserve on the south end of Lake Martin

Gimme a C!

More algae

Notice the little snake peeking from behind the sign. Didn't see that until it was on my monitor.

Linking with




51 comments:

Evelyn S. said...

Wow! Is the first photo a heron? The reflection in the second image is terrific....as is the photo with the trees in the green algae...looks like grass! These are wonderful photos, Gail, and that little snake head is just special.

Ann said...

i am in awe of the beauty you share through your photography!! the boardwalk photo is my favorite. it touches my senses...i can smell,see and hear..the water,footsteps on the boardwalk,the air in the trees and the grasses..i can touch the smoothness of the rail along the walkway..so many hands have smoothed it over time!!
gorgeous photography!!

TexWisGirl said...

lovin' the snake!

great anhinga! love the frilly tree growth in the 2nd shot. the 'c' photo actually spells icy. :)

and kudos to your good man. :)

Karen said...

What a lovely place to walk and take photos. Terrific bird shot. Very interesting landscape, I thought the trees would still have leaves, being down south. Cute snake. Isn't it great when you get a surprise like that when viewing your photos!

beth said...

you are a lucky girl to have that awesome man with you on the weekends indulging in your love !!

your photos make me want to head south...badly !!
xo

Ruth Hiebert said...

Your scenery pictures are as beautiful as the bird shots.Enjoy the time you can spend with your man. I sure miss not having mine around any more.

Stephanie said...

Gail, your pictures are astounding! I feel like I am right there in the moment. Like the bridge picture, I felt like I was actually on the bridge - amazing! I love the swamp picture. And the snake ...(shivers)... I detest snakes, but I will admit, it was a great shot :)

Hugs and blessings,
Stephanie

mick said...

The photos are beautiful and it looks such an interesting place to visit. Beautiful photo of the Anhinga also.

Jackie said...

Hi Gail! I am popping in to visit in between storms.

Oh my goodness these are all so very wonderful.

I love the one with the bridge. You are a great photographer. My biological father was from LA. And, I have family living there too.

I love that part of the country! It's a great place for wildlife photography. But those snakes spook me!

I am now following you and thank you for following me. I am humbled and honored!

Happy WW! :-)

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I think that Anhinga may be my new favorite bird. Or maybe it's just your photography that makes the bird so beautiful. The first landscape photo, with the reflection and the red tree in the center, is fabulous. I had to go back and look at the "C" picture after reading TexWisGirl's comment, and I laughed out loud when I saw "ICY." The second algae shot, with all the trees, is lovely, too. And I didn't see the snake until you pointed it out. Yikes!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Phil Slade said...

I would just love to take a look aroung that place, especially in Spring when I guess it would buzzing with warbler song. Your pictures make it look so fascinating Gail. No wonder those Anhingas are also called "snake birds" with that winding old neck.

eileeninmd said...

Love the Anhinga, great capture! Your Cypress swamp shots are beautiful. Cool capture of the snake. Thanks for sharing, have a happy day!

Stewart M said...

I like it when you find a surprise on the monitor.

Shame its a snake - it could be a Monitor Lizard!!

(sorry!)

Great picture of the Anhinga.

Cheers and thanks for lining to WBW.

Stewart M - Melbourne

Lynn said...

A C never. An A+ as always. Finally an interesting blustery morning here on the gulf. Beautiful sky and a brisk breeze tossing the trees rather than the bland days we have been having. You are a natural with the your camera ~ you could have waited eons to capture the snake.

Suzan said...

Sounds like you have a wonderful husband too! Great that he's right there with you and driving you to all the beautiful places that you shoot. Your swamp photos with all those lovely cypress trees are amazing and especially like your red bush reflection photo!!
All lovely Gail!!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

What a GORGEOUS place and the Cormorant image is AMAZING!

Anonymous said...

Love that bridge! The anahinga (sp?) looks very much like the cormorants here in the east.

Unknown said...

Great series!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

carol l mckenna said...

Really beautiful photography ~ lovely gems of nature and scenic shots ~

Carol of A Creative Harbor ^_^

Thanks for coming by and commenting.

hootnonny said...

The swamp looks so ominous! Good thing you have a good man to accompany you!

Anonymous said...

Love that boardwalk!

Barbara said...

What a fabulous place (and husband!) Love that sneaky snake at the bottom!

Hootin Anni said...

Beautiful cormorant image!!! I love birding myself, and go very often. My husband also is a birding enthusiast.

Hey, if you ever post a photo of a bird on your blog around the weekend, I have a birding photo meme [The Bird D'Pot] on my birding photo blog..."I'd Rather B Birdin" -- you can find the link on my righthand sidebar if you pay me a visit. I'm sure your photos would be a great addition to the meme if ever you have a chance.

Hootin Anni said...

Ps....I perused the front page of your blog with the most recent posts, and I am now your avid newest follower!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Too funny you noticed the snake after the fact. Love seeing these swamp shots!

HansHB said...

Gorgeous photos!
Well done!

Reena said...

Oh what wonderful territory you have to explore. And your photos are fabulous!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Gail a good man is good to have with binoculars I am lucky like that too:)
Awesome pics. B

Rambling Woods said...

Love the photo of a bird I have never seen in person...Anhinga.. How nice that you have company on your nature explorations. Good binoculars open up a whole new world.. Thank you for linking into Nature Notes Gail... Have a wonderful week..Michelle

EG CameraGirl said...

I very much like these photos. What neat places to explore and look for birds. A good man is hard to find BUT I have one too. We're very lucky. :)

Chatty Crone said...

Okay - some people - artists - can take a photo and it is beautiful and others like me - take a picture. lol

Rosemary Aubut said...

Loving the landscapes Gail! Good idea on the binoculars for hubby! got to try that one! As always an incredible post!

Wally Jones said...

Hey! This looks like home! (Central Florida.)
Love all the images! Swamps are beautiful!
Very nice post.

Anonymous said...

Oh I just love that boardwalk!! All the gray....it is comforting for some reason.

Unknown said...

These are some amazing photos. That mossy swamp looks so cool. At first glance I thought it was grass. Now that's a lot of algae..

Hugs

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Aw great now I have to stop posting swamp pictures cause yours are better ....ok ok I'm just kidding. I can't stop posting..I'm addicted. Our swamps look quite a bit alike don't they! The snake peeking out is priceless really ...Nature Conservancy is doing a good job preserving his home!

And yes, you have a good guy! For sure. Thank him for all of us for helping you to share your wonderful talents!

Brian King said...

Gorgeous photos, Gail! The first and second ones are my favorites! The colors in that reflection are fantastic! Nicely done!

Deanna said...

Wowee...great pictures again. And what a honey you have...my sweetie would have done the same thing. He so enjoyed being with me as obviously your husband enjoys being with you. Good idea, the binocs...!!

Anonymous said...

Wow wow wow and more WOW!

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Oh my- I'm about speechless- these are fantastic!

renae said...

hey Gail! I didn't see the snake either. sneaky snake. You say the nicest things to me! You for sure, put a smile on this old face. Yay, you!!!!!

These photos are so wonderful especially the landscapes. Those are so unique. and ...I love the "C".

Lisa Gordon said...

I am fortunate to have one of those guys too, and I am always most grateful for that.

These are wonderful, Gail, especially the first one.

Happy day to you!

Thistle Cove Farm said...

You're living golden! My heart is happy for you and yours; enjoy and overflow so you can bless others.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love boardwalk pic!!

Patrice said...

Very cool, Gail - you're a lucky girl!

Dianne said...

the algea is amazing!!
and the little snake is a fantastic extra, he's cute

renae said...

This algae growth stuff in these photos is so weirdly amazing, huh? Thanks for the visit and for your noticing Anita's card with the hearts going up. She is so fun. You are following her, right? Go and see her. I am doing these features and I hope they fly as I have hoped. She has way more followers than I do but I love her posts, blog and art.

Have a grand weekend snapping up more nature and birds to share. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your PHOTOGRAPHY.

Jori said...

What a great guy! That is so wonderful that he is so supportive! Those algae covered swamps are SO cool!

Anonymous said...

Oh Gail, I'm so sorry I didn't post WW this week...

The snake is kinda freaky considering you didn't see it when shooting! =0

"C" heheheee

The boardwalk looks very similar to Mingo Wildlife Preserve east of here. I'm always looking closely where I walk... snakes are sneaky & oh so very slithery! =0

betty-NZ said...

Your photos are wonderful! I love the broodiness of the swamp and, of course, the birds are awesome!