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Saturday, February 9, 2013

Flora and Fauna, Part II

Leftover fall foliage, Bluebonnet Swamp, 1/25/13

Dried grass, Bluebonnet Swamp, 1/23/13

Unknown blooms, Tickfaw State Park, 1/26/13

Glistening pine needles, Tickfaw State Park, 1/26/13

Calliope Hummingbird, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/2/13
I've been waiting to get a clearer shot, but I've not seen him since and may not again. Sigh.

View of eagles' nest from atop the levee. Notice the red barge floating behind the trees. 2/2/13


Northern Cardinal, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/5/13

Wildflowers among the cypress, Atchafalaya National Wildlife Refuge, 1/27/13

Wildflowers, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/1/13

American Goldfinch, Bluebonnet Swamp, 1/25/13

Purple Finch (immature or female), Bluebonnet Swamp, 1/25/13

On another note (but still somewhat in the fauna category), I'd like to wish my little Sparky a happy birthday. Ten years ago today he was presented as a lost stray at the emergency vet clinic while I was working there. We immediately locked eyes, then souls, and have been connected ever since. He's about 11 or 12 now and the effects of old age are starting to slow him down. Spark Plug, I love you. You're my sweet little monkey and always will be.

Please visit Madge and her wonderful meme. Thanks for hosting!

52 comments:

  1. LynnFebruary 9, 2013 at 6:46 AM

    Happy birthday, Spark Plug. I like how you are putting the dates on your sub titles. Part II is super, Gail.

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  2. JackieFebruary 9, 2013 at 6:47 AM

    Happy birthday Sparky. You have grown lovelier with age!

    The photos are just awesome! It's impossible to pick a favorite.

    But, I am partial to swamp photo!

    Happy Saturday Gail and Sparky!

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  3. The CrankyFebruary 9, 2013 at 6:55 AM

    Happy Birthday Sparky! Beautiful photos Gail, cardinals have always been one of my favourite birds...sweet of nature and a spark of colour in our drab winters.

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  4. Amy BurzeseFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:06 AM

    Aww, sweet Sparky. Happy birthday! Great photos, Gail, as usual. Thanks for sharing them.

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  5. eileeninmdFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:19 AM

    Happy Birthday, Sparky! Gail, these are all awesome photos! Wishing you a happy weekend!

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  6. SuzanFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:51 AM

    Yeah!! I'm not the last to comment!
    Happy Birthday Sparky! He's a cutie!Sounds like both of you have been blessed! and love the cypress trees in the swamp!! Your hummingbirds must not migrate? Or they must leave here and go to where you are!!
    Have a great weekend!

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  7. carol l mckennaFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:51 AM

    Happy Birthday, Sparky Plug ~ You are adorable!

    Gorgeous photography of wildlife and beautiful place ~ Have a raging Snow Blizzard going on here in MA ~ Wild and Wooly ~

    Carol of: (A Creative Harbor) ^_^

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  8. Optimistic ExistentialistFebruary 9, 2013 at 8:25 AM

    That cardinal picture is AMAZING!!

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  9. KathyFebruary 9, 2013 at 8:49 AM

    The small purple flowers are oxalis. You will also sometimes see them in pink or yellow.

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  10. Linda at To Behold The BeautyFebruary 9, 2013 at 9:20 AM

    The glistening pine needles, for whatever reason, really captured my eye. The cardinal shot is wonderful...one of the best I've ever seen. And Sparky is adorable...and one lucky dog to have been brought to your clinic and then to your heart and home.

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  11. Lisa GordonFebruary 9, 2013 at 9:26 AM

    A VERY Happy Birthday to you, Sparky!!!

    Gail, he is just adorable! You are very fortunate to have each other.

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  12. Chatty CroneFebruary 9, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPARK PLUG! I could fall in love with you too. I love Disco like that.

    I LOVE YOUR Photos - the hummingbird actually drinking out of that straw like thing. Feeder I guess. And the eagle.

    I wish I could see them for real - but this is the next best thing.
    sandie

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  13. TexWisGirlFebruary 9, 2013 at 9:49 AM

    first, happy birthday to your little sweet sparky. :)

    second, love the light and bokeh in several of your flora shots. just gorgeous. i think you're ahead of us in springtime. :)

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  14. Ruth HiebertFebruary 9, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    Gorgeous pictures. Each of your shots is so clear and bright. I love that.

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  15. UnknownFebruary 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM

    I can't believe how much colour you have surrounding you - leaves, birds, branches - so pretty!

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  16. Hootin AnniFebruary 9, 2013 at 10:34 AM

    I'm celebrating a birthday with such a cutie pie. Sparky is darling.

    Your photos, they're all so magical. I love the glistening pine and the swamp photo with the bald cypress. Exceptional.

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  17. the wild magnoliaFebruary 9, 2013 at 10:47 AM

    So happy I can tag along on your photo adventures.

    Great pictures of the feathered babies, the swamp, and your little Sparky.

    Happy Birthday Sparky.

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  18. the wild magnoliaFebruary 9, 2013 at 10:47 AM

    So happy I can tag along on your photo adventures.

    Great pictures of the feathered babies, the swamp, and your little Sparky.

    Happy Birthday Sparky.

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  19. hootnonnyFebruary 9, 2013 at 10:59 AM

    What a blessing for Sparky to end up at your vet and in your heart! These pics are awesome. Two favs: the yellow wildflowers among the cypress and that red cardinal!

    Have a great birthday celebration w/Sparky.

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  20. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2013 at 2:09 PM

    Ok, Gail, I don't think I've ever seen the eye of a Cardinal so clearly in a pic before... that's amazing... he's one handsome fella! =)
    I wish we had Eagles here... if they are here, they stay hid.
    Such a sweet lil hummingbird.
    Beautiful shots, of course, you should hang the unknown blossoms on the wall, that's beautiful =)

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  21. HilaryFebruary 9, 2013 at 2:56 PM

    Awww.. happy birthday, wee Sparky. What a cutie! May he have many more birthdays to share with you.

    The unknown blooms look to me like they're red maple buds about to grow into leaves. If you look closely at your first photo, of leftover autumn leaves, you can see the new buds beginning to shoot beneath the leaves.

    Lovely shots .. one and all.

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  22. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2013 at 3:33 PM

    Happy Birthday to Sparky.. he's too cute! We have a rescue dog too, and she is a delight! This whole series of shots is marvelous... love the bokeh and the brilliance in the pine needle image and the Cardinal is a red feathered gift... Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #69!

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  23. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2013 at 3:56 PM

    Happy Birthday 10th Sparky. You were both bless to find each other.

    Wow, your photos blow my mind with their beauty, well done Gail.

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  24. HansHBFebruary 9, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    Great post! Lovely photos!
    Happy Birthday from me too!

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  25. AnonymousFebruary 9, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    Marvelous!!
    ~Linda

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  26. ShugFebruary 9, 2013 at 7:32 PM

    So different to see Fall foliage this time of the year, but it sure is purty! And...clever shot with the red barge in the back ground...love it!
    I'm supposing that there is no threat of getting eaten by a gator this time of the year? If so, it sure looked like you were too close to that swamp!!

    Hugs...I love all the photos!
    shug

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  27. Evelyn S.February 9, 2013 at 8:06 PM

    Wow, Gail! I especially love the "unknown blooms," maybe because they say "spring!" to me. But I'm so impressed with the bird images....you capture them in fantastic poses, the kind of pose one sees on greeting cards and calendars. ;-)

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  28. rainfield61February 9, 2013 at 9:28 PM

    Happy Birthday, and a beautiful day.

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  29. UnknownFebruary 9, 2013 at 9:50 PM

    Happy Birthday to your little cutie pie. And once again your photos blow me away. They look amazing my friend.

    Hugs~

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  30. TriciaFebruary 9, 2013 at 10:38 PM

    Happy Birthday to Sparky! He sure is a little cutie. It sounds like God meant him for you.

    Beautiful photos, as always! Hope you're having a good weekend :)

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  31. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2013 at 12:31 AM

    Your dog is just adorable! And, as always, your shots are fabulous.

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  32. Stewart MFebruary 10, 2013 at 1:53 AM

    I like the grass shot - very nice.

    Cheers

    Stewart M - Melbourne

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  33. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentFebruary 10, 2013 at 4:46 AM

    Another wonderful collection Gail. The wildflowers amongst the cypress make for an unusual yet picturesque scene.

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  34. AnonymousFebruary 10, 2013 at 8:52 AM

    Happy Birthday to your sweet little Sparky!

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  35. PatriceFebruary 10, 2013 at 10:39 AM

    I love the sight of that eagle's nest, Gail!

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  36. DeannaFebruary 10, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    You live in the most wonderful area of the country to capture such beauty. Just stunning, each of them. And Happy Birthday to your sweet Sparky He still looks like a puppy!!

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  37. StarlaFebruary 10, 2013 at 11:45 AM

    I so enjoy looking at all your photos. They just bring me a moment of joy and peace in my day!

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  38. JoriFebruary 10, 2013 at 12:04 PM

    Gorgeous!!! I love them all! The remaining red leaves, and the cardinal are my favorites!

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  39. Sallie (FullTime-Life)February 10, 2013 at 12:43 PM

    Thank you for the lovely tour of your special places (and the visit to your special SparkPlug!).

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  40. Coloring Outside the LinesFebruary 10, 2013 at 1:22 PM

    Fantastic shots- all warm and colorful...made my day. Happy Birthday to Spark Plug.

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  41. Wally JonesFebruary 10, 2013 at 4:46 PM

    What a nice series of photographs! I love your swamp!

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  42. Thistle Cove FarmFebruary 10, 2013 at 7:29 PM

    Sparky is a cutie! The thing that struck me in your photos...the SUN! It's been ages since I've seen sun like that...sigh.

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  43. KerryFebruary 10, 2013 at 8:06 PM

    awwwwww Sparky, you made me forget what it was I was gonna say. I think it was something about how amazing swamps are.

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  44. DaveFebruary 11, 2013 at 1:56 AM

    Lots of lovely photos Gail. Happy birthday to Sparkie too - Dave

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  45. Tammy@Simple Southern HappinessFebruary 11, 2013 at 6:07 AM

    Happy birthday to your little Sparky and may the lord bless you with his company for many more years.

    You do have a talent, you captured that cardnial eye, tact sharp! Lovely pictures and you honor GOD with your camera showing all the beauty he created for our eyes.

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  46. DianneFebruary 11, 2013 at 8:12 AM

    Sparky has a wonderful sweet face

    beautiful photos!!

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  47. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2013 at 8:50 AM

    More stunning images and a big HB to the little Spark Plug!

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  48. AnonymousFebruary 11, 2013 at 10:32 AM

    I simply love coming to your site and ooohing and ahhing over all of the images you capture. That cardinal is an exceptional shot! Love the vibrant colors! Big hugs, xoxo

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  49. BarbaraFebruary 11, 2013 at 1:07 PM

    Happy birthday to your precious little Spark Plug! Love all of your images, but that cardinal looks like he's posing for you!!

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  50. EG CameraGirlFebruary 11, 2013 at 2:59 PM

    It's so beautiful, Gail. The swamp is so alive in February.

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  51. Brian KingFebruary 11, 2013 at 10:39 PM

    Beautiful, Gail! I love the photo of the eagle's nest! The trees with the clouds in the background are fantastic!

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  52. Nadine, Chewy and LilibellFebruary 22, 2013 at 3:30 PM

    Sparky!!!!!! Happy Birthday to you!

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