▼

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Fat Tuesday

Happy Mardi Gras, y'all! Unfortunately, rain arrived on Sunday and won't be leaving until Thursday. Glad we didn't plan on going to any parades today.

Hubby went to a Mardi Gras party Friday night because the home was on a parade route. (Carnival time starts early around here). He came home with a big smile and lots of beads, amazed at the amount of food and drinks. Made his little Baptist heart blush. :) Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, which essentially means to eat all the fats and sweets today, because tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, and those observing Lent had better live it up while they can!

I was forced back into the archives since I haven't been able to get out with my camera. I don't know why I haven't posted some of these before.
This is Pierre, our resident Ruby-throat on 10/1/12

The trunks of the Virginia Live Oaks at Oak Alley Plantation. 12/8/12

Sunset on Christmas Day, 2012. I hadn't seen a good sunset since I left Texas.

Snowy Egret, LSU Lakes, 12/27/12

Another Snowy, LSU Lakes, 12/29/12

Toad, 8/5/12


Rooster, 7/28/12

I'm sorry. This sprang up next to my hibiscus tree on 11/15/12.



57 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:29 PM

    party heary, gail! :) i can imagine the mood will be dappened for some by the rain, but the die-hards will be out in full force, regardless. :)

    love your archive dive. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. HansHBFebruary 12, 2013 at 12:52 PM

    Lovely serie of photos!
    Perfect post for WBW!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Amy BurzeseFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:04 PM

    Great collection. And I needed a laugh at the end . . . :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. LynnFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:09 PM

    Happy Mardi Gras, Gail. Your forgotten photo’s are just right for this rainy Tuesday. The aroma of red beans and rice simmering on low also reminds me of just how much we have to be grateful for here in the south.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Rosie GreyFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:13 PM

    I'm so happy you went through your archives, Gail! It would have been a pity to have missed these gorgeous photos!
    Have a wonderful week and a happy Valentine's Day!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Chatty CroneFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:27 PM

    GORGEOUS! What kind of camera do you have? Love the oak tree and the birds. sandie

    ReplyDelete
  7. DeannaFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:29 PM

    Oh too bad about the rain, but I am glad it forced you to bring out some archived pics...these are all terrific.

    ReplyDelete
  8. hootnonnyFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:30 PM

    You should be sorry!
    Such beautiful scenery and birds in your neck of the woods!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Phil SladeFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:37 PM

    Good old hubby coming home with a big wide smile. I'll bet that made your day Gail. Well I didn't know what Mardi Gras meant at all until your explanation - simple really, Doh!
    Lovely Snowy shots Gail - no wonder the old timers wanted those feathers for their hats and boas. And hey those strange looking things spring up just when you least expect them to don't they? Enjoyed the fun today Gail.

    ReplyDelete
  10. DaveFebruary 12, 2013 at 1:53 PM

    Great colourful (in all ways) post, enjoy the festivities.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Charlotte WilsonFebruary 12, 2013 at 2:08 PM

    Another feast for the eyes! Especially love the rooster and the egrets.
    Do you have King Cake today?
    Have fun!

    charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  12. The CrankyFebruary 12, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    These photos were the perfect pick me up for a gloomy day!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anni February 12, 2013 at 2:41 PM

    Being in N O during Mardi Gras [ANY time of year] is an experience you never soon forget!! Enjoy it today, for tomorrow IS Ash Wednesday.

    Love your photos, as always...always so well composed. That oak tree is phenomenal. Well, shoot, everything here today is superior.

    Thanks for linking up at the Bird D'Pot.

    ReplyDelete
  14. JackieFebruary 12, 2013 at 2:49 PM

    Gail you are from Texas! I knew we really liked each other for some reason!

    I have to agree with everyone about your digging into your archives. These are all beautiful.

    I love them all. I can't pick favorites. But, I do love birds!

    Tell your hubby to get over the Baptist thing...we all do the next day!

    Happy day and take care!:-)

    ReplyDelete
  15. Rosemary AubutFebruary 12, 2013 at 2:51 PM

    Sorry???? Gorgeous photos, glad you had to go digging!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Ruth HiebertFebruary 12, 2013 at 2:58 PM

    Great set of pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  17. mickFebruary 12, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    The Snowy Egrets are especially beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  18. renae February 12, 2013 at 3:23 PM

    Oh Gail! Many of those photos were familiar, except the toad and the rooster. I mustn't have known you then. I DO REMEMBER those mammoth oak trees. OMyGosh!!!

    Yes spiffy is a word you like? Yay? I do too love the snow on the tree. I love hearing that my photos are good from your opinion; which is very nice to hear.

    Happy Mardi Gras!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. eileeninmdFebruary 12, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    Love the birds and that big tree is gorgeous. The toad is cute and the rooster is cool. They are all wonderful photos, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2013 at 4:27 PM

    OMG that egret and the rooster! Ooh-la-la!! And the mushroom, well, I won't share my thoughts!;-) I am SO looking forward to Pancake Night tonight....hubby's English ones are delish!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Linda at To Behold The BeautyFebruary 12, 2013 at 4:36 PM

    Love those majestic oaks and those crazily coifed egrets. But the rooster steals the show for me today. Great job on that rascal.

    ReplyDelete
  22. betty-NZFebruary 12, 2013 at 5:25 PM

    Yes, you have been holding out on us! What lovely photos. Pierre is adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  23. janjan0000February 12, 2013 at 5:48 PM

    I always LOVE your egret photos. Stunning.
    And I burst out laughing at your apology at the end. LOL ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Gone CountryFebruary 12, 2013 at 6:55 PM

    I'm so glad you had to dig into your archives... stunning photos!

    You had me chuckling about your hubby blushing and your apology at the end, heehee!

    Oh, and thanks for the little lesson on Mardi Gras... I never knew what all it meant.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Lisa GordonFebruary 12, 2013 at 6:58 PM

    I was in New Orleans for Mardi Gras just once, many years ago, and it was a time I'll never forget. Amazing food!

    This little hummingbird is pure perfection, Gail!

    ReplyDelete
  26. DaveFebruary 12, 2013 at 7:15 PM

    You take such wonderful wildlife shots! I just bought a Canon camera body from my daughter and need to buy lenses. How large of a telephoto do you use?

    ReplyDelete
  27. SandyCarlsonFebruary 12, 2013 at 7:33 PM

    These sure are amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  28. AnonymousFebruary 12, 2013 at 7:34 PM

    I love that snowy egret on the fence. Beautiful focus! Katie

    ReplyDelete
  29. carol l mckennaFebruary 12, 2013 at 7:56 PM

    Happy Fat Tuesday ~ Fantastic photography ~ Wonderful! ~

    Carol of: (A Creative Harbor) on Blogger ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  30. Evelyn S.February 12, 2013 at 9:16 PM

    I always intended to ask someone what Fat Tuesday meant....thanks for the explanation! As for your photos....LOVE the snowy egret and that fabulous rooster, especially!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Sallie (FullTime-Life)February 12, 2013 at 9:18 PM

    Let the good times roll! Hope your MG was happy! Your archives yielded some beauties....that sunset was quite a nice Christmas gift!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. JustineFebruary 12, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    These are so beautiful and I love that sunset one especially

    ReplyDelete
  33. KarenFebruary 12, 2013 at 10:03 PM

    A terrific series of shots. Pierre is gorgeous, beautiful plummage on the snowy's, and the last shot gave me a chuckle!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentFebruary 13, 2013 at 12:22 AM

    So that's what Margi Gras is all about. You have some lovely photos here Gail. All the birds and toad are wonderful but it's the Virginia Live Oaks which made me stop and keep looking. They are so ancient. Is it moss or ivy which covers them?

    ReplyDelete
  35. Brian KingFebruary 13, 2013 at 3:25 AM

    These are beautiful! I love that big tree and the egrets are gorgeous! You get some fantastic hummingbird photos! Wonderful colors in that sunset!

    ReplyDelete
  36. EG CameraGirlFebruary 13, 2013 at 9:25 AM

    These are great photos, Gail. Glad you found them in your archives!

    ReplyDelete
  37. JoriFebruary 13, 2013 at 10:45 AM

    LOVE humming birds! Happy Mardi Gra!

    ReplyDelete
  38. AnonymousFebruary 13, 2013 at 11:29 AM

    oooooooooooooh.....aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh....love them! That sunset is incredible! Great photos as always girlie! We are going to have to go on a photo taking play date sometime soon...(well as soon as things calm down for me anyways) I could use some photography/friend R&R! Big hugs, xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  39. NancyFebruary 13, 2013 at 11:31 AM

    This must be your favorite time of year. Gorgeous nature images!

    ReplyDelete
  40. UnknownFebruary 13, 2013 at 11:43 AM

    Thanks for my laugh of the day ;)

    ReplyDelete
  41. DanaFebruary 13, 2013 at 11:55 AM

    Gorgeous photos! That sunset is fantastic!

    ReplyDelete
  42. Stephani CochranFebruary 13, 2013 at 11:56 AM

    You make me miss my camera. Photography motivation has been non-existent for months now. I must make myself get out there and just start taking more picture whether I feel like it or not! I started following you on Flickr by the way. I've been uploading photos there slowly.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmFebruary 13, 2013 at 12:28 PM

    It's been rainy and cold here too. Not exactly party weather.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Lisa @ Two Bears FarmFebruary 13, 2013 at 12:29 PM

    Oh also, I think the chicken would be fine without the skin on. I ate a breast w/ no skin and it was delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  45. PatriceFebruary 13, 2013 at 4:06 PM

    Happy Ash Wednesday, Gail - great shots!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Thistle Cove FarmFebruary 13, 2013 at 5:07 PM

    the live oaks are FABULOUS! great photography, all.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Buttons ThoughtsFebruary 13, 2013 at 6:08 PM

    Oh Gail sorry about the rain and Mardi Gras but I must say your archives are amazing. Thanks for sharing. B

    ReplyDelete
  48. KathyFebruary 13, 2013 at 9:56 PM

    I love seeing pictures of egrets with their feathers all afluff! I hope your blog doesn't get censored.

    ReplyDelete
  49. AmitAagFebruary 13, 2013 at 11:17 PM

    Awesome captures!
    Breathtakingly beautiful they are!!
    http://amitaag.blogspot.in/2013/02/call-beach-by-any-other-name.html
    -your latest follower

    ReplyDelete
  50. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2013 at 2:27 AM

    Mardi Gras sounds fun to bad it rained on parade day.
    Love your shots of the hummer and egrets.
    The old oak trees covered with resurrection ferns is a stunner!
    LOL ;)

    ReplyDelete
  51. Donna HeberFebruary 14, 2013 at 5:08 AM

    Hi Gail,

    I want to thank you for stopping to visit me. Your photos are amazing ... no breathtaking. I am in awe of how you captured that ruby throat hummingbird. Happy Valentine's Day to you!

    ReplyDelete
  52. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2013 at 6:18 AM

    Ooo - a fabulous series of shots. Love the live oaks!

    ReplyDelete
  53. UnknownFebruary 14, 2013 at 4:13 PM

    Lots of amazing photos my friend. That Roster photo has me smiling.

    Hugs~

    ReplyDelete
  54. Wally JonesFebruary 14, 2013 at 4:43 PM

    What a really nice series! Birds, trees, sunset - what's not to like!
    Hope you have a fun time at Mardi Gras!

    ReplyDelete
  55. renae February 14, 2013 at 9:34 PM

    Gail! You are so nice to me. Wow. Thank you! I needed red lipstick. I looked all over early in the week for a new L'Oreal Lip-stain that is shiny. I finally found it at [where else] Target and it doesn't even show up in my pics. Urgh. So now I am needing a deeper shade I guess. Urgh, again. Oh well, thanks for listening to my gripe and thanks for your nice attention to me everyday/time!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
  56. Rambling WoodsFebruary 14, 2013 at 10:08 PM

    Oh I am sorry about the rain, but I am sure people still had a good time. These are amazing photos. I am partial to the frog photo but all of them are so well done. Thank you for linking in this week Gail... Michelle

    ReplyDelete
  57. AnonymousFebruary 16, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    What a great group of pictures! I love the rooster!

    ReplyDelete

I ♥ my wonderful readers!! Comments are a huge ray of sunshine in my day. I make it a point to visit all those who take time to share their thoughts. If you ask a question, please make sure your email address is enabled in your profile; otherwise, I cannot answer. Thanks!