Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Ice Ice Baby

Okay, not the most original title, but it's all I can come up with.

As I'm creating this post, we are experiencing our second week of icy weather. Double D was scheduled to fly to Laguna Beach this morning (1/29), but his flight has been canceled. Thank God because he would not heed my pleas begging him to stay home, so I prayed. Minutes ago we watched a truck slide into our neighbor's mailbox, knocking it to the ground. These are the fancy Victorian-style iron ones on a concrete slab. It took the driver several attempts to back up and assess the damage. Craaaazzzy! We thought we left this behind in Dallas. What the heck? I guess by the time this goes live, we will all be thawed out.

Anyhow, due to unfavorable weather and a very sore back (unrelated, but going on 2 weeks), I have not been able to get out with my camera. I am about to run out of material to post, so I do hope I can get out soon. This weekend we should be back in the 70s, and hopefully then I can get to my favorite spots for more photos, God and back willing.

These are more images of the royal terns from Madisonville, LA, January 5th.








Well, hubby persisted until the travel agent found him an afternoon flight. For two days I received texts of photos from sunsets on the beach and numerous photos of a lesser-backed gull. He was huge and visited Double D many times on the balcony overlooking the ocean. That was pretty nervy, don't you think? Of Double D, not the gull. Ha! I wanted to be there so badly.

It's so cold outside I saw a teenage boy with his pants pulled up.
(seen on an e-card)

42 comments:

Stewart M said...

Splendid pictures! Hope the weather returns to normal soon!

I hope I won't need ice shoes in Arizona at the end of the month!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Hootin Anni said...

Feel better soon....
...it's been cold here also, but thankfully no ice.

What is it with this wintry weather this far south?!!! Odd.

Nancy's Notes said...

I know you can't wait for warmer weather! Those are great pictures and oh my, their feathers are even blowing! That fierce wind is something else! Take care and hope yuor back gets better soon.

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Well, he did get you some fabulous shots! I hope your back feels better soon!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

We had a lot of ice up here in KY during the past week. No fun. I love the snow but not the ice. I hope your back feels better soon. Wonderful pictures as always!!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh Gail I am sorry you are cold and have a sore back it has been a very weird weather year for sure. DD is very nice to send you warm sunny photos.
Love your pants joke :) and your photos always blow me a way in a good way. Hug B

Elizabeth Edwards said...

i really thought you were going to sing (rap) to me ... i am from the age that "ice ice baby" Vanilla Ice 1st started.

i love the top head feather all blowing in the breeze ... mini mowhawks ... too cute!! ( :

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

I love these terns, and your photos of them are outstanding. I know the second-to-the-last image is a pre-takeoff shot, but it looks for all the world as if the bird is dancing. I'm still smiling over your ending quote.

Amy Burzese said...

This is a great series of shots. Seeing their feathers mussed in the wind looks strange to me. Seems like it would hurt. But what do I know? I hope you get out there soon!

Pallavi said...

I love the title! Ice ice baby :) hope the weather becomes better soon. Glad double D didn't have to travel in this weather.. Looks like god heard ur prayers :)

Anvilcloud said...

Those are nicely taken and processed photos. We are having another snow storm today. It will go up to 70 in June. :)

Karen said...

It's such a cute series. I like the last four shots especially! Looks like the one is being coy, the other one is not responding, so she took off!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Sorry you weren't there. ANd that your back is sore. These are fun shots though!

don said...

It's a fine series of this beautiful bird. Wonderful details. The teenage boy comment made me laugh!

hootnonny said...

So glad these spectacular birds got their tern in your blog.

That &%*% groundhog!

TexWisGirl said...

love these terns! they make me laugh - they have as much character as a whistling duck. :)

hope your back gets better!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Great photos of the terns! It looks like they are having a bad hair day. I hope your back is better soon.

Anita Johnson said...

I haven't been able to get out much with my camera either...prayers for healing for both of us! Your pictures are so sharp, love the details!

Shug said...

I didn't realize that you all were iced in. It all went South of us, so we missed the ice and snow. Perhaps this will allow you time to rest your back...nothing worse than having back issues. If I were near by, I'd bring you over some good ol' comfort food and insist that do nothing but rest that back...
Feel better soon....and NO ICE adventures for you!!
hugs
shug

Ela said...

Wow ! Really wonderful pictures :)
Greetings

Ruth Hiebert said...

The posts the Terns are resting on look fairly well decorated. They must be used a lot. I like the quote at the end.

renae said...

Hahahahahahaha. This little gull is happy. It's beak seems to be smiling. I love it!!!! I'm going to make sure my friend, Sue sees this post. I love it.

Yes, girlfriend, get your mammo! I hadn't for five years {cuz was lazy and was taking care of my brother} so the time just flew by and it was probably growing then. They figure it is about 5 yrs old. dang! Get your mammo! Do it.

Thank you for your consistent prayers and friendship, Gail. Thank you!!! ♥

Evelyn S. said...

These look like paintings! Even the droppings fit the black and white theme perfectly. :-) Sorry that you aren't able to get out and about, not that you'd want to in the ice anyway. (Totally freaky weather this year!)

Hilary said...

I'm glad your hubby is safe and sound and enjoying his avian friend. I hope your back is on the mend very soon.. that has to be so uncomfy. The warm weather will be welcomed, I'm sure. Keep in mind that if you have to resort to a couple of repeat posts.. or reworked posts, we'd still enjoy it every bit as much. Don't put pressure on yourself.. just heal.

The Cranky said...

Love the tern photos, the guy on the right looks like he's having a hissy fit!
Glad you're both safe; now take care of your back...hope it warms up soon!

EG CameraGirl said...

I cannot imagine not being able to get out with my camera for two weeks! YIKES! I hope you can get out soon.

Debbie said...

hehe, that last sentence made me laugh, very clever!!

i hate when i run out of blog material but it does push me to get out and explore!!

your images are wonderful, i don't think i have ever seen this gull!!

barbara l. hale said...

Glad you had these guys stashed away. They are cool! I love that they almost look like a selective color photo with those outstanding orange beaks.

Anonymous said...

Yes, it's good to not be out on icy days. Great photos to make us laugh at the bird antics! Dianne

Anonymous said...

the terns are cute and always make me laugh. I hope you feel better and the weather gets better soon. But I can't believe you could ever run out of pictures -- I have seem some of your wonderful archive shots.

That quote is hilarious.

Brian King said...

Love these photos! Terns are pretty cool! I hope your back starts feeling better.

Melissa said...

Great icy colors on your gulls. Was it windy or do they always have that spiky hairdo going? Hope it warms up there. We've got freezing weather here today and through the weekend it looks like.

Carletta said...

I love those little "dos" on their heads and the one doing the little jig in the first shot!
Hope you and I both get warmer weather, I won't get 70 but will take anything above freezing.

Breathtaking said...

So sorry you have a bad back Gail.
I hope it improves soon, and also the weather, so you can get outside and take some more fabulous photos like these.The Terns are cute,..they look like they are smiling!

Loved the Teenager quote!:=)))

eileeninmd said...

I love the Terns, great shots! It was icy here yesterday, tree branches falling everywhere. I hope you warm up soon, I am wishing for Spring. Have a happy day!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful photos. Perfect for this time of year. SO glad you guys were able to stay inside and away from the ice/cold. What is with the weather this year? I almost hate to say it, but I'm just about ready for Spring!

Wally Jones said...

Looks like your photography has --

"Terned" a corner! :)

Sure hope your feeling better!

Great shots of the Royals!

Suzan said...

Appears to be VERY windy!! Tremendous pictures of the terns.
Had to chuckle at your last sentence about the teen being so cold - had his pants pulled up.
My office is in the basement of a high school and across the street is the middle school. Always - when driving in and out of this area, there are teenage boys walking to and from school -- with their jeans ALMOST UNDER THEIR BUTTS!! I'm soooooooo tired of seeing teenage boy underwear!!
It makes them look like they're walking around with a diaper "full!" How long does it take for a style to pass????

Barbara said...

Ha! Loved that last line! But yes, that was pretty nervy of Double D!! Hope your back is better. We've had a lot of ice and delays here, too. I'm secretly wishing we are totally iced in tomorrow. I need a forced day at home to catch up!!

LC said...

Goodness, your photos make even bird poop look beautiful. I am in awe. I love birds. They are miracles with feathers. They are also too fast for my eyes to see clearly these days. Thanks for capturing their beauty, movement and character so that I can see them clearly.

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail, you are an absolute master of bird photography! i especially love the last one.

I am getting closer to returning to the world of blogging.

All the best,

charlotte

Anonymous said...

I hate ice. I'm so glad that so far we've mostly stuck with snow, at least there's a bit of traction with snow.