Birds, Blooms and Bees

These photos were captured on the same day in January. The pansy with hover fly was taken at the botanical garden and was the only image I deemed worthy to keep out of the bunch. Feeling disappointed, I returned home and set up my chair blind, first spreading seeds all around and filling the feeder. The male and female cardinals were drawn to seeds on the driftwood; however, I could NOT get ONE bird to land on the angel statue. Too much to ask for in one day, I guess.

Double D talked me into joining the athletic club with him. So! At 8:30 a.m. I will be doing my first spinning class. Yikes! As soon as the rain skedaddles out of town, I will be dusting off the old tennis racket. Life is good! Hope y'all have a great week. 

Visit Anni at

for more birds around the world.

Blooms, Birds and More!

I've been meaning to post these since the end of April. So, without further delay, here we go!

Can anyone help ID this flower?

I think this is a Cosmos.

Walking trail at Bluebonnet Swamp.

Indigo Bunting

Juvenile or female Indigo Bunting.
Spring is such a confusing time for identification.

Leucy the leucistic Cardinal.

On a completely different note, do any of you like jigsaw puzzles? If so, there's an app for that! It's called...can you guess? Jigsaw Puzzle! They offer a free puzzle of the day and several other free ones to choose from. You can select the number of pieces from 4 to 400, background color, the ability to scatter pieces, show only the edges, etc. Oh, you can even choose one of your own photos. I have lost countless hours and a few bucks buying new collections. It's totally addictive! Don't hate me. You have been warned. :)

IOS Version

Android Version

Enjoy your weekend!! See y'all on Monday.

Sharing with

Saturday's Critters

Thanks, Eileen!

Leucy

Meet Leucy, the Leucistic Cardinal. Leucism is a genetic condition characterized by reduced pigmentation. This particular female cardinal was netted and banded at the local nature preserve last year. There were sightings of her again this year, but I certainly didn't expect to see her. Suddenly, she appeared at the feeder while I was sitting in the bird blind. She first landed at the feeder which wasn't ideal for light, but later she returned and began feeding on the ground. This allowed me to see her back feathers. She seems to get along well with the other cardinals, indigos and grosbeaks. However, she did peck at a mourning dove that was being rather obnoxious while she was feeding at a platform feeder.

Harsh light and dark shadows here, but luckily she moved to the ground for better light.

Cracking those seeds is a messy business.

Please visit other bloggers and the birds they've captured. Thanks, Anni for hosting!

Also linking to Eileen's meme, Saturday's Critters. Thank you!!

5/16/14
Thank you to Hilary of The Smitten Image for choosing this for a Post of the Week in her Phine Photography category. I am truly honored. Please visit Hilary's blog. She has some really "Phine Photography" herself. :)

SX50 Round 2

I'm still trying to work with the Canon SX50. Most of the usable shots have been with the tripod attached. Some shots have come out okay hand-held, but image quality is obviously better with the tripod. The reason I bought the camera was to take it on the kayak, so it remains to be seen whether the image stabilization is as good as they say as I float on water. That'll be the final test. On Good Friday we are taking three of my cousins for their first time kayaking. I plan to have fun whether the camera is cooperating or not.

I'm in a Picture of the Day (POD) Group on Facebook and it amazes me to see how many people are using this camera in place of their DSLR! I don't think I could go that far. Only if I get really lazy and don't want to carry my gear, or develop arthritis in my hands or something. Nope, I don't see the SX50 as a DSLR replacement, but it'll sure do in a pinch.

Shots from yesterday and today. Still not sold; however, it's getting better and I can see potential.

I added dead limbs and spanish moss to the feeding station. The birds love to sit on the extra limbs
and I think the moss adds a bit of security for them.

Hope our CPA comes through today! Double D delivered the tax paperwork to him in Dallas on the 9th. I'm dreading the dollars that are sure to leave us for Uncle Sam. Ugh, I hate April 15th! Unless it's your birthday, then I love it! :) All will be well!!!

The Reds

Years and years ago when someone in my family was irate about something or someone, my grandmother would say, "He's got the reds." Is that a Louisiana thing? I've never heard it anywhere else, but I've only lived in two states, so I'm not an authority. Also, when I was a youngster, a 'sore throat' was called a 'red throat.' Anyone hear that one?

This post has nothing to do with me having the reds or a red throat; just wanted to display my pretty little back yard birds and I'm running out of ways to title my posts. :)

I guess this is more of a rosy-red. And I only WISH he was a back yard visitor. :)
Roseate spoonbill, Lake Martin, LA

Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday and I'd Rather B Birdin'. Thanks hosts!!

The Usual Suspects

Sorry for the same cast of characters. I will try to do better as the weather allows. Thank you for your patience. All images photographed on Jan 9th.

Tufted titmouse

White-throated sparrow

Northern cardinal - female

Carolina chickadee

Ruby-throated hummingbird

A Sleety Day

How is it we are in the first week of March and still seeing nasty, sleety days? The poor birds. I photographed these from our boat port window, but even being inside there it was too cold to last long! Once my lens iced over, I waved the white flag. That scared me.

Dark-eyed junco

Brown thrasher keeping one foot warm.

The sleet has beaten Mrs. Cardinal's crest into submission.

You talkin' 'bout my woman?

Mrs. Red-bellied is having a bad hair day, too.
Don't you just want to run a comb through it?

Her retort: Hey lady, try to eat a meal in the sleet and see how your hair looks!

Red-winged blackbird hunkered down

Grackle (probably common). Looks like he's in a bad mood and I don't blame him.

Hope everyone is staying warm!

Linking with the generous hosts of

I'd Rather B' Birdin' and

Wild Bird Wednesday

Sitting Pretty

I wanted some nice portraits of my favorite feathered friends and these beauties were gracious enough to indulge me.

My bed is a magical place where I suddenly remember everything I am supposed to do. 
(Pinterest)

Linking to I'd Rather B Birdin'
Thank you, Anni!

Horses and miscellany

It's been so hot and windy here lately that I haven't photographed anything worthy to share. I've been wanting to show you my agapanthus, but the wind is wreaking havoc with their portraits. The heat really zaps me. I wilt like a piece of lettuce over a pot of hot water. Perhaps my trip to Portland will inspire me. I'm leaving Thursday, so this will likely be my only post this week. I have a lot left to do to get ready, plus dealing with some family drama, so I'll try to catch up with y'all next week. Be good and stay safe. My heart is heavy for those affected by the recent tornadoes in Oklahoma and the Midwest. :(

Below are some shots from the archives.

Look at those crazy eyes. I felt sorry for this horse as I hate to see animals cooped up in stalls or cages.
You can see where he's chewed the front of his stall. 

Different horse, same stables, April

South Baton Rouge along River Road, April (iPhone)

Wild berries, Bluebonnet Swamp, April

Baby starling, early May

Baby downy woodpecker having trouble negotiating the fence.
Mama Cardinal seemed to be saying "Where's your mama?"

American robin, Baton Rouge State Capitol, April