Eagle Update

The brain fog persists, but I'm persevering. Some good news: my daughter signed closing papers yesterday on her first home in Portland, OR! When I visit in May I will have a place to stay, but most importantly, I am extremely proud of my girl. She's waited a very long time for this, so we are all rejoicing with her. Love you, sweet girl!

Yesterday was also my session with Sister Cynthia. As I pulled into the parking space it was announced that the new pope had been selected. When I entered the building, everyone was filled with excitement. Too bad I felt left out, but I was happy for those celebrating.

Afterwards, I went to the levee to check on the eaglets. They are growing so fast! One of the eaglets took a test flight with a parent which I photographed, not realizing it at the time. The other eaglet pointed his booty at me and squirted a big poop in my direction! Thank goodness they are several hundred feet away. Looks like they will be leaving the nest soon.

I'm fairly certain this is the parent in the back and baby in the front.

How am I doin' mama?

You're going great, Junior! Now look ahead so you don't run into a tree!

The little song sparrow paid me a visit while I was watching the eagles. He's quite a ham.

A few backyard shots:

Female brown-headed cowbird. 

Male brown-headed cowbird

Male house finch

Sister Cynthia picked my blessing from her special book:

May God, the PHYSICIAN bless you, bringing you to wholeness and health. When you become aware of rupture or fracture in your life, may you experience the healing hand of God laid upon you and the curative power of God's love and forgiveness coursing through your veins. With and through the same touch, may you become healer for the brokenness of our world. May God the PHYSICIAN bless you.

Today and tomorrow I am working for my old boss from home, so I'll catch up when possible. Y'all have a great day and weekend!

I am linking up for the first time to Skywatch Friday! Thank you to the hosts!!!

Miscellany

Miscellaneous photos taken over the last two weeks. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Mama Eagle keeping watch over her eaglets, 2/17/13

Chickadees are the boldest birds. I was probably 6-8 feet away from this little dude at Bluebonnet Swamp. Where else? :) 2/8/13

Another bold bird. This vociferous mockingbird was creating quite a scene at Capitol Lakes, 2/13/13.

My birding friends were generous enough to point out this tiny tree frog holding on to a red buckeye tree. 2/8/13

I was quite enamored with him.

Great Egret marching at Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/14/13.

American Kestrel, River Road, 2/15/13.

Brown Thrasher, Bluebonnet Swamp, 2/15/13.

I've got an abundance of photos of the Eastern Phoebe,
so you're going to be seeing it for quite some time. 2/18/13, Capitol Lakes.

Something a little different for me. Family flying a kite on top of the levee 2/3/13.

The Eagles Have Landed

These are the shots I came up with after 3 days, 8-1/2 hours, 498 mosquito bites, and 1 tick bite. Removing a tick out of my belly button was a new experience and one I hope to avoid in the future. Those suckers are hard to pull off! Please pray I don't get lyme disease or yellow fever. Thank you. :)

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Bird alert!

The sun came out on my mother's birthday after being absent for two weeks. What a glorious day it was! I first drove out to LSU Lakes and saw the usual pelicans, cormorants, warblers and ducks. Feeling a little disappointed I decided to go visit my mother's grave and wish her a happy birthday. As I stood over her grave I asked her for a sign to let me know she was there. I said, "I know it's your birthday and I can't give you anymore gifts, but it would be a wonderful gift to me if I had a new bird to photograph. Then I would know that you are here." After all, I had the 100-400mm lens that she bought for my 50th birthday, and I always think of her when I use it.

Something pulled me toward a grove of nearby trees and I just stood there meditating for quite some time, being very still, not really thinking about anything, but hoping I'd see something. And I did! I have a new bird that I can add to my bird list. Thanks, Mama!

Meet the Acadian Flycatcher Ruby-crowned Kinglet! (corrected 2/2/13) He appeared for maybe five seconds and I got two shots before he was gone, spooked by the camera clicks I'm sure. Since I am still shooting on manual I was happy that the exposure and shutter speed were correct. I was also pleased that even though they weren't the best poses, at least they were in focus.

UPDATE 2/2/13: On a bird expedition today with a group of birders, I learned that I may have misidentified this bird originally. Once I was able to check my bird book I realized this was not the Acadian Flycatcher but was indeed a Ruby-crowned Kinglet. This sighting is significant because my mother loved the color red, specifically ruby red. Although this bird does not have the red patch on its head, it's because this is likely a female. I sincerely believe my mother was trying to tell me she now has a ruby crown in heaven. I'm literally in tears as I type this because I had wondered since I saw this bird what the connection was to my mother. Now I know! Thank you, God!

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P.S. Sallie at A Full-time Life shared a live web cam for a pair of eagles and their recently hatched eaglets. Go have a look!