Monday, December 1, 2014

Nerdy Birdies

I really wanted to post my hawk pictures today, but I can't figure our what type of hawk it is. So in the meantime, you get these goober-heads.
Unknown hawk with both nictating membranes showing. Spooky!

Female mallard striking a pose.

Muscovy getting his bath on.

A different muscovy who spent the whole time I was there with his mouth open.

This is Grace.

Poor thing, she can't help it. One of her toes is bent backwards. I see how she struggles to fish and get food.
God bless her! We've gotten to know each other quite well.

Grace is looking like she's cutting a rug...er...rock. But she's trying to run from the
Great Egret who keeps chasing her off his favorite spot. Bless her heart.
I hope everyone had a bountiful and blessed Thanksgiving. Ours was great...a visit here...a visit there. My house is now decorated for my daughter and her fiancee's arrival on Saturday. Yes! This Saturday. I'm tickled pink. Cannot wait to see them. Four days will FLY. God, help me enjoy each moment and not worry how quickly it will all go by.

Happy birthday to Deanna Lynn, my sister. She would have been 51 today. May God grant her eternal rest and peace.

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51 comments:

Cranberry Morning said...

Good grief, those are amazing shots! And those eyes on the hawk are indeed spooky looking. They look like the eyes on my poor little blind Misty dog. :-(

TexWisGirl said...

some good movers and shakers! poor grace... :)

happy house cleaning, et al! yuck! :)

nookworm said...

I like it that you named the lovely lady "Grace." The hawk's eyes are eerie and you took an uncanny photo this time!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

Loved the visit.

You go, Grace.

Jeanne said...

Well... Grace looks healthy but I can understand why the poor thing gets bullied.
Wonderful photos!

Anonymous said...

Poor Grace! She's a beauty, though. I pray you able to savor this weekend without worrying about time, and I'll say another prayer for your sister. xoxo

Pantherka said...

Fantastic pictures, great job.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Goober-head shots!! Made me laugh, and some great captures here. The hawk shot is spooky looking!

Susan said...

Poor Grace, but she is quite a beauty!

Bethany Carson said...

Enjoy your time with family!
All the best to Grace; she's a beautiful bird. Loved the photo of the mallard!

Shug said...

These shots are so cute....the one with the mouth open is adorable, and the one with the crooked toes looks like it is making a pinky promise!! And...last but not least is the one that looks like it's trying to do some kind of dance!! love em'

Brian King said...

Excellent photos! I've never seen a shot when both membranes are closed. That's cool!

Ruth Hiebert said...

You caught some amazing and funny poses.

21 Wits said...

Oh my yes, spooky eyes! Poor Grace, that must be awkward at times, and wow, what an adorable shot with the last one. I'm laughing at the same time, imagining it dancing to some silly song!

Anonymous said...

Wow - wonderful shots!

you-wee because said...

Really beautiful nerdy birdies you captured, Gail! You must have hundreds of thousands of different birdies stored on your hard drive(s) - and I hope you've at least one backup in case of hard drive failure... ;-)
Though I'm not a native speaker in English and I'm always trying to improve my English, I've a question: is 'fiancee' used for male and female person or is there a difference between fiancé and fiancee?

Hannah said...

Your photos are amazing, I love the feathers on the spooky hawk, the posing duck is so funny, and I especially like the action pose of Grace on the wall, it's a very different look for an egret, her feathers all fluffed out behind. Perhaps Deanna watches with joy to see what her sister is doing.

Irma said...

Hi Gail,
Your photos are great, perfectly photographed.
The duck in picture 4 is super!!
Poor Grace, I hope she can still catch the fish.
Best regards, Irma

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Wow, gorgeous shots! Glad you had a great Thanksgiving.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love that hawk!! Is is perhaps a red-tailed hawk or maybe a Cooper's hawk?

Willow said...

Loving the pictures as always Gail. I also adore Muscovy Ducks ours were always so cheerful , although we only had females.
Glad you Thanksgiving was wonderful . Enjoy and be blessed with the visit from your daughter , how exciting for you .
Hugs and Happy Holidays ,
Willow

rainfield61 said...

Some action "pictures".

And they are good.

Stephanie said...

Awww... Grace is simply precious! I can see why the two of you have gotten to know each other :)

I greatly enjoyed your photos today. Blessings for a lovely week. Hugs!

Amy Burzese said...

Ah, I love Grace. Great photos, as always. Now, I have to go look up "nictating membrane". :)

hootnonny said...

Fascinating! Grace isn't very graceful in that last shot!

Hilary said...

You capture such impressive action shots, Gail! Beautiful but I feel bad for that poor mangled foot! Enjoy your family time. And when it does fly by, savour the memories.

Hootin Anni said...

I am literally rolling on the floor. That last one just cracks me up.

Unknown said...

Awesome shots all of them! I love the spooky hawk.

Anonymous said...

Poor Grace. She's a beauty, though.

DeniseinVA said...

Sweet little bird with her bent-backward toe, I wish her good fishing to stay healthy and strong. Your pictures are incredible! Happy Birthday to your dear sister. How exciting that your daughter and her fiance are visiting.

Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla said...

Beautiful pictures, and really like the one of the mallard. Grace is so pretty, too bad about her toe!

Suzan said...

That hawk looks blind Gail!!! I didn't know they have a membrane over their eyes!!!
And Poor Grace!!! Thank goodness she doesn't have to fit shoes over those toes!!! Bless her little soul!!!

NatureStop said...

WOW! Beautiful captures!!Greetings from Dubai!Enjoyed going through your blog and will be back soon.

Shantana

Su-sieee! Mac said...

A big smile is what I'm wearing now, thanks to you.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Ah! Poor Grace. I am glad you are friends. These are amazing good shots of all the birds.

eileeninmd said...

Love the hawk shot! And I feel sorry for Grace, she is a beauty! Great shots!

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I can imagine how tickled pink you are. Enjoy. Oh your photos always blow me away. Hug B

Anita Johnson said...

Great pictures, poor Grace, somehow they manage, a bit broken...like some of us I guess! Have fun with your family!

Debbie said...

these are all really awesome, hard to pick a favorite!!

I do adore grace, I always cheer for the underdog!!!!

sweet words for your sister, that must be so difficult!!!!

BumbleVee said...

Honestly, the last shot of Grace is pretty funny.... and, I didn't want to laugh at her, really I didn't ...but..... had to......sorry........

troutbirder said...

All good but I especially loved the egrets and the fish.

A Colorful World said...

Poor egret! Great photos of lots of goofiness...interesting shot of the eye membranes on the hawk. I bet your sister is looking down on you and smiling...

Kittie Howard said...

WOW! Those faces are amazing. Kinda felt sorry for Grace (cute name). Hope she continues to make it.

I agree with Marie: Your sister is looking down on you and smiling!

HUGS!

Melissa said...

Whoa! This is a great collection!

Anvilcloud said...

I hope grace has a good life.

EG CameraGirl said...

Your photos are fabulous, Gail!

Villrose said...

Very rare bird pictures makes me laugh, but this time...
Poor Grace, though!

Unknown said...

I'm always blown away by your bird photography ... just simple amazing.

Wally Jones said...

Wonderful post-Thanksgiving entry, Gail!

Splendid detail on your photographs. Grace is special!

Your hawk appears to be a Red-tailed Hawk, based on its light chest, chocolate belly streaks, head pattern and overall plumage coloration. Nice timing to capture both membranes closed!

Enjoy your family time this weekend!

Jen said...

I was thinking Red-tailed, too. Love the vogueing mallard.

Helma said...

Great photos of the ducks and other birds but for the egret is indeed very sad that his toe so raised. His nail is therefore up and he can grasp them more difficult.