Friday, June 13, 2014

Frazzled

Our trip to Lake Martin last Saturday was so much fun. Although the nesting bird population has decreased there's still an abundance of little blue herons, some great egrets, a few nesting spoonbills, and a lone green heron.

Below was the interaction I caught between a little blue heron mother (blue/purple) and her demanding offspring (white). Poor mom.
MahMaaaaahhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! Where ARE you????

Maybe he won't find me in this tree.
Uh oh. I hear him. Crikey, he spotted me.

(Mama flies to an adjacent tree with Junior in hot pursuit)

Mama!! Stop flying away from me. How dare you! I'm hungry!!!!!!!!

Junior, it's time to fend for yourself. I can't do it for you forever.

Feed me!!

Don't make me get violent with you, mama!

Whoa, Junior. Overreaction much?

But mama, I'm so hungry.

Nope. Not feeding you.

Mama, don't be like that.

Junior, I love you, but it's time. Past time.

Hey! Anybody down there have some extra grub to spare?
Bird parenting is fascinating to observe. It exhausts me just watching them. They are devoted to their young, yet firm when it's time for the babes to leave the nest. 

I have so many photos to post! Hope you enjoyed this series. Have a great weekend and see y'all on Monday.

35 comments:

The Cranky said...

Oh my, that poor mother! What an eloquent series of photos Gail, beautiful. =)

Hootin Anni said...

Wow....such exquisite images Gail!! Yes, demanding offspring, but the photos just put me in awe.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

What an amazing set of photos. Just goes to show that a mother's work is never done LOL!

Roan said...

Fun narrative and beautiful pictures!

orchid0324 said...

What great series of parenting with magnificent pictures,Gail♡♡♡
When I first just glanced these pictures, I thought these birds might be fighting p;) Oh, I can see that he looks big enough to try catch his food by himself!

Sending you lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

Irma said...

Beautiful series of photos of the heron with her ​​child.
Once the cubs are big enough, they must itself find their prey.
Mother can not go on forever, otherwise they are working never finished, hahaha.
Greetings Irma

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I don't know if I enjoyed the great photos better, or your running commentary. :)

Have a great weekend!

Anita Johnson said...

Wow! I can't imagine seeing this. During my recovery I have watched the birds more than ever...they are such a joy to observe!

TexWisGirl said...

so darn cute! but those spike beaks just worry me when they feed! eek!

Linda said...

Gail, what glorious photos!!! I love herons. Thank you so much for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Wonderful photos Gail. Babies and mamas all over our neighborhood. Plus a couple of barbarians cutting down trees.

Bas. said...

prachtig om dit te zien.

Inspired By June said...

Gail, your commentary is priceless! Have a fun weekend! We're going to the Lavender Festival in Blanco, TX - it will be hot, but we're going early to try and beat the heat. Hoping to get some good shots to share :)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful shots and awesomely funny commentary!

Pantherka said...

Your images are absolutely fantastic.
Greetings and nice weekend.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Learn something new everyday! Next time my boys are all whining about how hungry they are, I'm going to go climb the pine tree in the front yard. They'll never find me there!!

Great shots :-)

renae said...

Oh Gail - I am so far away from you in blog land. chemo #3 is kickin' my trash, bad. I can't get my energy back. I am certainly hoping it returns in the next fews days as it has in the previous cycles but heck, if it don't, it don't. Just know that I am so lonely for blog life connections, I can't see straight. Cancer is icky, chemo is icky, living in cancer treatment is icky. I just have to tell myself when the temps dip in September I will be all done! It will take my whole summer, dammit! Each sweet prayer is soooooooo appreciated. I can not emphasize that enough. I am so grateful that God and Christ has been there for me and that I feel prayers in my behalf. Best to you, dear friend. See you again, hopefully soon. Now I'll take a little break and drink some gaggy water and some fresh strawberries, from our own little strawberry patch ( another blessing ) ♥, Renae

Debbie said...

omgoodness gail, these are just amazing!!

remind me again, why did we have them??? hehehe

Anonymous said...

What drama!

Michelle said...

These are so very good and Junior looks a bit crazy :O

Ruth Hiebert said...

These are wonderful action shots.

Barbara said...

I would be fascinated, too! These are amazing shots, Gail. I think I hear National Geographic calling you!

you-wee because said...

Great, great photo spread, Gail.
And great photographs - the strong contrast of light and shadow including backlight is not the very best basis for great pictures - but as a pro you did it!
Enjoy a great weekend,
Uwe.

EG CameraGirl said...

Birds and their kids sure are fun to watch. Young birds can be so insistent!

Brian King said...

Young birds are SO demanding! Fantastic shots!

Jenn Jilks said...

That is so funny! Our robins are like this, too.
(ツ) from Cottage Country Ontario , ON, Canada!

Helma said...

Ohhhh ... great!
You have really a lot nicer than we herons in the Netherlands.
This purple / blue heron I find really beautiful to see.
Was thrilled to see these beautiful birds themselves :-)

Betty Manousos said...

gail, these are absolutely GORGEOUS!!
a great feast for the eyes!

xoxo

nookworm said...

Your pictures and comments are almost overwhelming for me, they are soooooo wonderful! How great a photographer you are with this series!

rainfield61 said...

She needs a cane.

Wally Jones said...

I've been fortunate to visit a few heron/egret rookeries this year and your scene multiplied by a couple hundred made if hard to hear anything for days!

Terrific series, Gail! Stunning quality photography.

JRandSue said...

Superb post Gail.

A Colorful World said...

Such a cute post! :-) Great photos!

LC said...

Mom and kid photo saga is great. We are back home from 17 days on the road, and I am glad to be back where I can check my favorite blogs more regularly. And, really, looking at Louisiana birds is a lot more tempting than dealing with the mountain of laundry!

Stephanie said...

Hello dear Gail! I can't tell you how nice it is to stop by for a visit and scroll through your posts - your photos always put a smile on my face.

The birds you are able to capture amaze me. I love birds and I am doing well if I can capture a Robin with my camera :)

May the Lord bless you, dear friend, for you always bless me. Hugs!