Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reflections. Show all posts

Monday, July 27, 2015

Peaceful Paddle

Late one evening at the end of June, my friend Theresa and I, drove to my favorite place to kayak: Lake Martin. She was taking a lesson from Pack and Paddle, so I hitched a ride with her.

Kayaking relatively late in the evening - 5:45 to 7:45 - was a most pleasant experience. Since I was alone (Theresa was with the P&P group), I stayed in the open areas instead of paddling through the abundant cypress. Alligators were croaking, but thankfully I never saw any. Being alone and mostly floating, I was able to get pretty close to the wildlife. A great experience!
Great Egret

Charming sign in the lake. Many people hate that the lake has become so touristy,
but it doesn't bother me.
American Lotus or Yellow Lotus
Male Anhinga drying his wings.


Male Anhinga vocalizing.

Female Anhinga

Tourists

Juvenile Little Blue Heron eating grub worms from the lily pads.

Female Red-winged Blackbird trying to scare me away or warn the others.

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Afton Villa Gardens is a historic site located in St. Francisville, LA. Its history began in 1820. You may read more on the web site if you wish. A fire destroyed the main home in 1963 and only the gardens remain. Although not my first time there, I had missed the azaleas and daffodils blooming. I have so many photos that I will have to create another post. I had loads of fun with the photo group on this outing.








Comments closed temporarily
until I can get caught up.

Friday, January 3, 2014

Reflect

Great egret images from December 1, 2013.



Reflect upon your present blessings of which every man has many—not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some.
Charles Dickens

Linking with Weekend Reflections. Check out other cool reflections!
Linking also with Saturday Critters. Thanks, Eileen!

Friday, November 8, 2013

Pre-Anniversary Date

Saturday, Oct 26, turned out to be a beautiful day. That week, the local news ran a story on a new hiking/nature preserve about 20 minutes outside of town, so we checked it out. It was just okay. It's still pretty rough as they are still developing it. We walked about 2 miles, fighting mosquitoes the entire way. If I was going to get malaria, this would be the day. Yep, I once again forgot the bug spray. And once again, Double D played caddy with my camera equipment. Carrying all that equipment around is getting really old. Well, maybe it's me getting old, but we won't go there.

Not much to see on this hike and the heat put the kibosh on my desire to take photos.
Black swallowtail

Abandoned train tracks bordering the new preserve

Unknown wildflower. Anyone know?

After the hike, we were pretty hungry, so we thought Bass Pro Shop's restaurant might be a good place to try. Do y'all have one of those? It's a huge hunting equipment store chain. We love eating outside and this location had a large pond with ducks. The mallards were quite bold, walking up to our table, demanding food with their eyes. We finally gave in with a few pieces of bread and some crackers. How did they repay us for our kindness? By pooping all around our table. Leaving took some careful maneuvering. Oh, and the food was AWFUL!

We managed to have a little fun before dinner with some of the decor.
Double D trying to ham it up

Oops, too late!



After dinner we looked around at the indoor pond and wildlife. It was too dark for photos which made me sad, because there were two very real, plump wood ducks, lounging on the fake cabin steps. Getting past that, I spotted a pink fishing pole and I finally had an idea what I wanted for our anniversary. Double D got one, too; a black and silver one. I'll tell you all about our anniversary day fishing in the rain in another post. :)

Y'all have a great weekend and be good!

Linking to Weekend Reflections.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Lake Martin, LA

I really have a good man with which to live out my days on earth. Nearly every weekend Double D drives me to various swamps, bayous, marshes, etc. to indulge my photography habit. And since I bought him a pair of binoculars, he is becoming quite a birding enthusiast himself. He even went to a hummingbird talk with me one evening last week. What a good sport!

These are from a couple of weeks ago. I've been knee deep in ibises, pelicans, and wrens so these photos haven't had a chance to make an appearance. I think they've waited long enough.
Anhinga - Lake Martin, LA
Lest you think I take only bird photos, here are a few landscapes of Lake Martin.

Marshy swamp filled with algae

A boardwalk at Cypress Island Preserve on the south end of Lake Martin

Gimme a C!

More algae

Notice the little snake peeking from behind the sign. Didn't see that until it was on my monitor.

Linking with




Sunday, January 6, 2013

Where my soul finds peace

American Kestrel
Spotted on River Road, Baton Rouge, 12/29/12
Not the best shot, but he was probably 150' away, so I was lucky to get this.
Great Egret
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 12/30/12
Great Egret after a drink
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 12/30/12
Snowy Egret
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 12/30/12
Snowy Egret
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 12/30/12
Great Egret
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 12/30/12
Great and Snowy Egrets
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 1/3/13
Snowy Egrets
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 12/30/12
Muscovy Duck
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 1/4/13
Snowy Egret (Gene Simmons impersonator)
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 1/4/13
Snowy Egrets
LSU Lakes, Baton Rouge, 1/4/13
House Finch
Backyard, Baton Rouge, 12/22/12
Chickadee
Backyard, Baton Rouge, 12/22/12
Chickadee
Backyard, Baton Rouge, 12/22/12

Sharing with