Thursday, February 13, 2014

Cypress Island

Last Sunday Double D asked where I'd like to go since the temperature was supposed to be mostly sunny and 70°F. I decided on Cypress Island, about 50 miles west, hoping to see the nesting herons and egrets; unfortunately, it's still a bit early, and it ended up being chilly with mostly cloudy skies. Very disappointing, BUT, I did spot a new lifer which is always exciting. Go me!

Hiking on the island - there is water on both sides of this strip of land.



My new lifer: the common yellowthroat. I fail to see anything common about him!
This was a shy guy and I was lucky to get this shot.
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished."
Lao Tzu

38 comments:

eileeninmd said...

What a pretty place, I love the Cypress trees and the egret shot. And congrats on your Common Yellowthroat, it is a beauty! Have a happy day!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Gail I can see why you would want to go there it is incredible. A new lifer I love it. Hug B

Anvilcloud said...

It looks like a fine place and 70° sounds pretty grand to me. I like the path (photo 2) and how the egret stands out.

Nancy said...

Regardless of the gray skies, this is a magical place!

Gordon said...

Congratulations on your lifer, and what a smart little bird it is, and the swamps look amazing. Thanks for dropping by my blog by the way, and as regards the Buzzard name thingy, we also have Hawks.
Take care, Gordon.

Hootin Anni said...

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL scenes Gail!!! I so love the LA swamps and huge cypress trees...there is something about it all that makes me feel warm, comfortable - and a bit of tranquility sets in my soul.

The Common Yellowthroat is a gorgeous bird isn't it? Bud and I spotted two of them yesterday, but I have so many photos of them, I didn't use the camera. Besides they were in the reed grasses and hard to spot all that well with the lens.

Gorgeous image you've captured of the cute one.

The Cranky said...

Oh he's so pretty, great shot Gail!

Anonymous said...

That was worth the trip for sure! He's beautiful!

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i have kayaked in green goop like that - it is a wild times & leaves the bottom of your kayak very messy.

that lane needs a few hikers - makes me want to explore for sure.

oh one of the reason why i love that part of the country... those trees are too awesome!! i think they call them knees or is it fingers?? any who.

what a gorgeous bird. enjoy that yellow & black coloring on the face. ( :

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

On my wish list: DSLR with a 200 zoom lens, so I can catch shots like that last beauty. No way I can walk close enough to the nervous little guys with my simple 22mm zoom.

[gotta pay off the roof first]

Shug said...

It's the scenes like these that I love about Louisiana. It's truly a beautiful state. Stunning photos with perfect coloring and great reflections. I know there was excitement beaming from you when you spotted the yellowthroat. Happy you were able to capture this fabulous photo....
big hugs to you...
shug

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Great shots- I love the scenery as much as the pretty little bird!

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I love how Double D always seems ready to take you on a photography trip somewhere. All I can think of, though, when you show a path and say there's water on both sides, is alligators! I'm glad they weren't a problem on this outing. I love the shot of the great egret among those trees. Really gives perspective. And your new lifer is an impressive find. Great shot of him.

Anonymous said...

Sounds wonderfully warm! And such lovely shots too.

Nancy's Notes said...

Oh my, your photographs are just incredibly beautiful! Your new lifer is just gorgeous, great shot, indeed!

Bill said...

That looks like a beautiful place to explore. I'll be glad when the warblers are back in these parts. Wonderful photos!

TexWisGirl said...

awesome bird! love the egret among the dark cypress trees!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

The yellow-throat is beautiful!!!

don said...

A fine trip regardless of the mostly cloudy day. Your shot of the common yellowthroat shows his feathers very well with excellent color and detail.

Karen said...

What an amazing place Gail! I love the cypress shots. The egret is splendid! Congrats on the lifer, he's handsome!

renae said...

Oh I love that thought. wow.

Yes, most birds are not as cute as this 'common' fella.

Thanks for the compliment and yes, I wish you did have a Savers there. But them at savers.com and perhaps you'll get one. There is one in Atlanta now.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY! ♥ {anxious and eager about your post tomorrow}

EG CameraGirl said...

Cool, Gail! YAY! I bet you get just as excited as I do when I get a lifer. :)

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

What a great place to do some hiking!

Wally Jones said...

What a great looking (and birdy looking) place!
Fantastic photographs.

The back of the Common Yellowthroat is so beautiful with those subtle colors! You captured the plumage details perfectly!

hootnonny said...

Just love his colors, the way they blend so harmoniously!

Debbie said...

i never could understand why they put the word "common" in front of some of these bird names. i agree, nothing common about this one.

such a beauty, new to me!! and a great capture of the egret!!

any walk in the woods is always worth it!!

Ruth Hiebert said...

The Common Yellowthroat is a lovely bird. I find too that they are quite shy,but sing beautifully.

DeniseinVA said...

That's a lovely ending to an outing. Your pictures are fantastic. Love the scenery, the egret and that sweet little bird.

Anonymous said...

You are right, he,s a beauty. Mom loved those knobby cypress knees.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the yellowthroat. He's a beauty.

Jen said...

Congrats on the lifer! He is a beauty.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

I'm in the process of writing a post about "our" swamp and my pictures are so bad compared to yours ... maybe I'll just put a link to your post instead of my pictures ;>))))). it really looks quite a bit like here.

I never understand that 'common' thing about birds names. Common starling maybe or grackle would be OK. But nothing else.

Unknown said...

That looks like such a cool place to hike. And that photo of the common Yellowthroat is awesome.

Hugs~

Brian King said...

Congratulations on the new bird! It may have been a dreary day, but the scenery is beautiful!

Donna said...

What a fab spot to visit and yes that guy is not common at all...great picture.

Anonymous said...

I'm in love with that second picture.

Helma said...

Beautiful pictures again and the bird in the last photo, with the yellow throat that I knew all Neit. Very nice blog again.

Suzan said...

When driving from Atlanta to NO last Tues., I thought about you once we got on I-10 and I looked out into the swamps and saw various birds. Beautiful cypress trees and with the contrast of the egret - the picture is splendid!!
I was doing the driving coming home this past Tues. - so didn't get to look out into the swamps!!