These irises were clumped together near a small pond at the entrance. There were several little boys lying around the perimeter, their arms buried in water up to their shoulders, trying to catch crawfish. A worker at the center had to keep them from picking the irises and using the flowers as bait. The imagination of little boys is too cute!
Meet April!
She first appeared from the nest on Monday, April 1. (Please note that I do not name any of the wildlife at the swamp myself―my birding buddies are in charge of that.) We don't know if this is a boy or a girl, but I guess because he/she appeared on April Fool's Day, the name seemed appropriate. April is so small that my camera's AF has trouble zeroing in, perhaps because of all the fuzz and surrounding leaves and limbs. There were three of us with different models of Canons, and all had a bit of trouble in that regard. Therefore, not my best work, but at least you get an idea of what we're seeing from several hundred feet away and about 30' up. Hoping another babe emerges soon, as Barbara and Barry usually produce two.
adorable baby barred!!! SO cute!!!
ReplyDeletealso meant to compliment you on those gorgeous iris photos! :)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photography of irises and that little bird is adorable ~ ^_^
ReplyDeleteA wonderful surprise! Love the irises!
ReplyDeleteThose flowers are fantastic. And that little April is the cutest thing I've seen in a while. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteBeeeautiful flower, love the vibrant colors - April is a precious lil babyl! =)
ReplyDeleteOK I'm going to have to get with the master! My pics don't come out like that!! Teach me ..Grasshopper is ready to learn some tricks... April is precious btw. Big hugs on this cold LA day...what happened to spring???? xoxo
ReplyDeleteWhat stunning shots!!! Just gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAwe, what a cutie pie April is! And those Iris shots... stunning!
ReplyDeleteWell we'll all watch with interest for sure Gail and I wouldn't mind betting there's more where that came from. What is amazing is that they leave the nest so early - advantages and disadvantages. Like the name you guys chose but it wasn't difficult was it? Hope she is a girl or we need a new song a la Johnny Cash.
ReplyDeleteGreat flowers! Lovely colours!
ReplyDeletethose iris' are delicious and that little teeny owl is adorable!
ReplyDeleteWOW your photos always get me every time. That Iris is beautiful and the fuzzy owl is adorable. I love the names:) B
ReplyDeleteGail, your irises are absolutely gorgeous, and what a precious little one, April is!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Irises and adorable April!! Really - the flowers are so sharp and HD!! Bet it has been fun to watch April grow!
ReplyDeleteThe Irises are glorious! Beautiful pictures, Gail, and April is precious :) Thank you for sharing your gift of photography with us.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you,
Stephanie
It's great to see little April!
ReplyDeleteThe hatchling is a cute little ball softness! LOVE you iris photos Gail - amazing definition, colour and light.
ReplyDeleteThe little bird was so beautiful as well as the flowers - I see a lot of God's handiwork there. sandie
ReplyDeleteLove the irises and the owlet. It sure looks so cheerful in your part of the world right now.
ReplyDeleteWow! Those irises really pop in your photos. I think the second one is my favorite, but they're all gorgeous. And the owlett...so precious. As for the name, I guess "April" is a nicer name than "Fool." :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing capture of that little gal/guy. And your iris shots are gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteI do love visiting here to see your photos..
Hugs~
Loving the iris!!! Cute baby owl too.
ReplyDeleteOh, so precious! And that iris...oh, so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers are gorgeous! Wonderful color. That owl is just a little fuzzball! Very cute!
ReplyDeleteHoly smoke -- wow-- you are blessed to capture this sweet tiny thing.. April is a fine name.. I had a hard time focusing on the blue bird I trying to capture a few days ago and so it's not a very good photo at all but I did see my first blue bird and it's a thrill - I can believe you were thrilled to capture April.. way to go -- awesome photos..
ReplyDeleteHugs
Okay now == I want to comment on your flower photos..gee whizzzzzzzzzz gorgeous shots..the richness of the color shades are stunning!!
ReplyDeleteToday these are my favorite photos...
Hugs
Oh the baby! Hi April!
ReplyDeleteY'know, in all my days, I've never tasted crawfish. Okay...now back to your post. That April is just too precious for words!!! Adorable. And of course your photo is topnotch. Oh those iris, be still my heart. Such vividness and once again, your photos are sooooo beautiful Gail!!!
ReplyDeleteDon't work too hard.
Wow wow wow - how beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAnd your Iris has brightened my day.
ReplyDeleteHappy working.
YOu and your friends have been so blessed to see this sweet baby! And your irises are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteApril is so beautiful!! Can I adopt her and keep her?? :)
ReplyDeleteThe owlet is so perfect. Delightful. And I love the iris. My daughter's favorite flower so it is very special to me too.
ReplyDeleteyou make me feel happy and spring like.....thank you !
ReplyDeletexo
Oh Gail!!!!!! Baby April is adorable. I showed HM and he was so taken by your photo. My HM loves wildlife, natural habitats and such. He should be a Birder but his eyes and a camera don't work. He has the oddest vision. He doesn't wear glasses for distance at all but up close in a camera is zilch. Poor dude. He would love it. We have doves and quail in our neighborhood and he feeds them!
ReplyDeleteThank you sweetheart for your compliments on my outfits and such. I just learn from nature. hahahahaha, not really. I learn for other fashion bloggers and magazines and Pinterest all rolled up together. Oh and my ydd is great at it. She doesn't have patience for a blog. FB nearly drives her insane as it is. hahahahaha. She coaches me, a bit at times, too.
I have to come back. I read Tex WizGirl's comment as I was leaving and yes, I meant to say those Iris's are A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI love the Irises,but April takes the prize in cuteness.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of that precious new life just gives me chills....And what do you say about the Iris but they are gorgeous.....
ReplyDeleteI adore April...so precious. And those iris make me long for spring blooms that are just starting...can't wait to see these same iris in my pond.
ReplyDeleteOh yay Gail! I am inspiring you? Oh that is so nice to hear. Above all else on my posts, I aim to inspire. YOU JUST MADE MY DAY!!!! Happy hunting down the cutest clothes ever, okay?
ReplyDeleteI still have to stare at your iris photos here. = BEAUTIFUL!
what gorgeous photos! wow. Gods creation is amazing!!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't been visiting any blogs the way I should, so I missed the baby owl post. How wonderful! That fuzzy little thing is precious. As for the (Dutch?) iris---the color and focus is truly fantastic, Gail.
ReplyDeleteStop it! Too much cuteness for my eyes!! That baby is completely adorable! What wonderful photo's!! The iris are absolutely stunning! Happy weekend!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for these lovely captures of my absolutely favorite flowers.
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
~ > < } } ( ° > <3
That first one is amazing Gail and the little April is cute as anything!
ReplyDeleteOh my.. your iris images are just stunning. Oh but that wee barred just steals my heart. What a fuzzy little snookums!
ReplyDeleteoh lovely color and cute cute owl..thank you Gail...hugs..Michelle
ReplyDeleteStopping back to say congrats on your POTW!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your POTW. I have owls in my yard...but can never find the nests. I envy you very much.
ReplyDeleteyay on another POTW!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous flowers, color and light, just what one dreams about on dreary winter days! Adorable little baby owl.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on Hillary's Post of the Week Award,
cheers,
Merisi
That iris is stunning - it could/should be made into a postcard!
ReplyDeleteAaaaww! Welcome April!! This is so wonderful, Gail, such a lovely surprise to put at the end of your photos! And the irises are stunning - I love that vibrant color! Thanks so much for bringing this beautiful world on my screen!
ReplyDelete