Pelican Mafia

Minutes after the R-rated incident (see previous post), a gang of white pelicans came to show the cormorants who was boss.

The shamed couple. They apparently called in friends from high places.
Immediately after they swam away from the "holier than thou" cormorants, pelicans soon filled the sky.

You mess with the pelicans and you get the beaks.

Viewing platform. It was a beautiful and pleasant 72 degrees.

My set up

The pelican migration is happening earlier this year; as many as 300 were counted around the LSU Lakes. One poor pelican got caught in a fishing line, tearing up a wing pretty badly. After flailing around for a couple of hours, it was cut free from the line by Animal Control and brought to LSU Vet School for treatment and antibiotics. Thankfully, he will be fine and will find his flock eventually. It is imperative to take care of your fishing lines properly, where wildlife cannot be harmed.

Here is an article about our early Pelican migration if you have time, or are interested in reading more about it.

Sharing with Skywatch Friday.
Sharing with Weekly Top Shot
Thanks, hosts!

Love on the Water

It was an enjoyable afternoon watching this motley crew co-exist on a log in the water. What can I say? I'm easily amused.

The cormorants are not happy.
Okay now, you two! None of that funny stuff!

Hey! This is a family lake. There are youngsters on this log.

You two should be ashamed! Kids, look the other way. Turtles, go back in your shells!

We're sorry...

Shameful!! We don't need your kind around here. Scat!

Oh, all right. Don't get your feathers in a bunch. We're leaving. Hmph!

We're outta here. Buh-bye!

And stay out! Good riddance!

Linking to Wild Bird Wednesday and I'd Rather B Birdin'. Many thanks, Stewart and Anni!

Impatiently Waiting for Fall

Many of you have had your glorious fall and are bracing for winter. Here in the south time moves a little slower and I guess that includes autumn. Here are more drive-bys and a quick stop on Hoo Shoo Too Road in rural Baton Rouge. All photos taken Oct 23, 2013.

Along Jones Creek Rd. in Baton Rouge

Another look at the common buckeye - Jones Creek Rd.
I desaturated the green because it seemed distracting and I rather liked how it turned out.

Hoping to see some fall color was a disappointment. By this time last year the trees on Hoo Shoo Too Road were bursting with deep oranges and vibrant yellows. I'm starting to wonder if we're going to see any color at all this year. :/

Anhinga stationed on his regular perch. It does appear there is color here, but the photo
has been cropped and just this small area had some hints of fall; all else is green.

Still green as ever.

Pretty, but I want the beautiful orange colors I know these bald cedars are capable of producing.

A tiny bit of red. Taken from across the lake several hundred yards away, so I had to crop.

Sharing with Our World Tuesday.

A few ruffled feathers

Can we at least try to get along?

I guess we're at an impasse.

Look Charles, I caught a feather!

Do I look sexy?

You look ridiculous and you need to lose a few feathers. The one in your mouth isn't helping. :/

How about this?

Sorry you lost the feather, Gertrude. Let me sing you a song.

Eh, you're a little pitchy.

I'm too sexy for my feathers...too sex-y!

Charles, shut UP! You're embarrassing both of us! The entire flock is laughing!
Oh, how will I hold my head up during migration?!

I don't care what you say. I don't play the same games you play! La la la la la.

You WILL care when you are laughed out of this lake!

La la la la la....I can't hear you, Gertrude!

Excuse me while I kiss the sky!

My ears are bleeding! Please, for the love of all that is pure and holy, STOP!

Where're you goin'?

That's it! I've had enough of your nonsense! Goodbye, Charles.
Forever!

Good riddance!

I'M THE KING OF THE WORLD!

Gertrude! I'm sorry! I'm lost without you...ooohh...ooohh!