God's Artistry

While my big lens was at Canon being repaired, I took advantage of playing with my macro lens. Louisiana is full of unusual, and sometimes beautiful, insects. At least I think so! I've thrown in some plants for those that aren't into bugs.

Microcrambus elegans (Elegant Grass-veneer moth)

Wild strawberry

Grasshopper?

Ladybug with a heart.

Carolina Mallow

Sweet love

Carolina Mallow

Tent Caterpillers meeting on the boardwalk.

Sweat bee on Daisy Fleabane

I've learned a life lesson by observing and photographing bugs: Once I realized how God poured so much artistry, detail, and thought into each creature, they've become difficult to despise or swat away. Carrying that same thought out to people, if we really and truly got to know them, wouldn't that knowledge make it harder to push them aside or ignore? Maybe I'm not articulating this right, but I feel I'm onto something! :) We don't take the time to SEE. Do y'all get what I'm saying? 

Wiped Out

Boy, oh boy, was it a whopper of a weekend! First, I volunteered with my friend to shoot the Active for Autism 5K Run/Walk. It rained the entire time we were there. But, I am so blessed to have B for my friend, because she set me up with rain gear from head to toe, including a custom-made wrap for my precious camera and lens!

We were each given a list of things the organization wanted photographed. I traded with B because she wasn't happy with her list which contained subjects like trash cans and porta-potties. Yeah, not a glamourous job, whatsoever! I hurriedly got everything marked off the list so I could wander around and practice photographing smiling faces. It was so much fun, y'all! I hope I have another opportunity to do it again.

That's me in the mirror. :)

One of the items on my list was "bananas." Yeah. I know.
So I asked this pretty girl to model for me. :)

I *think* this is a character from Frozen. Anybody know?
I'm so out of the loop.

The children were captivated by the Frozen character, and were singing all the words along with her.

A Fire Chief/Lion? Cute!

That same day we had the HOA social at our house. We served 130 lbs. of crawfish and hosted about 20 people. It was so fun! Double D prayed away the rain and God answered. True story. :)

Poor Double D. This was his 3rd boil and he has not quite mastered
the peeling. He has another opportunity next weekend though!

The next day was beautiful so we made a quick trip to Bluebonnet Swamp. The birds were all hanging out at the mulberry tree, so the shade and thick leaves made it a challenge to photograph. This is a first of season Catbird. The image is not as crisp as I like, but I loved his pose with the berry in his beak. Sometimes perfection just needs to take a hike!

Hope everyone has a great week! I will be by to visit your blogs throughout the day and tomorrow. I'm a bit behind, sorry.

February Highlights

Where did February go??? It seems like the days are whizzing past me before I can take stock of what has taken place. Yesterday I worked for my former boss, including two days last week. And, since my car had a costly repair, the work was timely.

Below are some highlights from February.

Close-up of Barbara the Barred Owl

Bluebonnet Swamp

Preening after spending hours in the nest.

You can hear her cooing to the eggs now. Its' very sweet!

The eggs are due to hatch next week. We are all super excited!!!

Snout nose Butterfly (American Snout)

Bluebonnet Swamp

Spreading its wings.

Rock pigeons on a hill
LSU Lakes

Canada Goose on a small strip of sandy beach at LSU Lakes.

I have no idea what this is. Looks like a cross between a swan and a goose.

A sweet little Chihuahua from the Mystic Krewe of Mutts Parade.

More to come...stay tuned!!!!

My prayers go to Anni at this time. Godspeed, dear girl.

Opie and the Gang

The first week of January I began visiting Bluebonnet Swamp, our local nature area that sits smack dab in the middle of Baton Rouge. For the next two weeks I observed a goofy-looking O'Possum who liked to amble over to the bird feeders to snack on seeds. I named him Opie. Each day I looked forward to seeing him; he came at the same time every day. The photos of him with his mouth open, appearing vicious, is really just him chewing on sunflower seeds. He was harmless. Unfortunately, Opie did not survive an attack by either an owl or hawk. I will spare you the grisly details. I was very sad.

During the time I was enjoying and studying Opie, I noticed a male and female House Finch missing the top half of their beaks. The photos were sent off by my birding friend to an expert in the field. Turns out they both had Pox which also affects their feet. Sad.

These images are just normal observations. Nothing odd or sad here.

GERONIMO!!!

Buff-bellied Hummingbird
A winter resident

Chickadee who got a little careless with his seed.

Holding tight to this one!

Red-bellied Woodpecker

Sharing with Anni at...

Itchy

Hello gang! I hope the weather is as beautiful where you are as it is here. After enduring the sweltering heat for four months, the cool, crisp mornings and evenings are a welcome change.

I spotted this Great Egret in a pond outside of Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center. I sat on the pond's edge and watched for an hour, clicking intermittently. My mind would occasionally (and rudely) interrupt and say, "Don't you think it's time to move on?" Each time I would respond with, "Why?" Why indeed! I'm tired of my life being ruled by the clock. It shouldn't be so difficult to just sit and be. Who is this tormentor robbing me of inner peace? I shouldn't feel like I'm missing something just because I am sitting still and enjoying that moment. It's a constant battle to just relax. Another one of my little rants...just ignore me!

I am leaving tomorrow for Mississippi to go fishing with my dad. We are staying at a beautiful hunting lodge; a grand home that sits on thousands of acres. I'm very excited to fish in such luxurious surroundings. Photos to come! Maybe this trip will reignite my love of blogging. I think I'm having a bit of blogging fatigue.

Linking to

Thankful

My aunt's surgery was a resounding success! The only pain she has is from the incision site which is temporary. We are so thankful to God for answering our prayers, and for the dedicated family and friends who offered prayers on her behalf. Thank you, my dear blogging friends, for your kind words and prayers. Now if we could just get my dad's wife out of the hospital! Oy vey. Always something going on. I am so thankful to be back home to take care of my family when they need me. Please be patient as I try to hobble along and visit your blogs.

Needless to say I have not had time to get out with my camera, so I went back to earlier in the year and found images that I hadn't yet edited or posted. Without further delay, here they are.

American Goldfinch, Jan 2014

White-throated Sparrow, March 2014

Red-bellied Woodpecker, April 2014

Indigo Bunting, April 2014

Blue Grosbeak, April 2014

Leucy the Leucistic Cardinal, April 2014

Sharing with Anni at

And also Stewart at

(Link)

Please visit the links to view other birds around the world!