Girls' Weekend, Days 2 & 3

Continuing on with our weekend/adventure at Percy Quin State Park in McComb, MS.

One thing I did not bring was my tripod. It seemed like the car was too full to bring one more item, so I chose to leave it home. Big mistake. Even though the 100-400mm lens has image stabilization, I don't feel I get sharp shots unless it's mounted on a tripod. Oh well! Live and learn.

I don't know these boys, but they were so cute as they walked past our cabin.

Teeniest chapel ever.

Lake by the golf course.

Great Blue Heron

Same as above, flying.

Gray Catbird. First time I've seen one away from a tree.

Around the corner from our cabin.

Wood ducks. My tripod would have really helped in this situation. :(

Eastern Kingbird in flight.

Michelle practicing with Mabel II, my old camera that's now hers. 

Thank you so much for indulging me with my mini-vacation photos, and for your sweet comments and visits.

Please visit Anni at

Girls' Weekend, Day 1

Goodness, y'all! I'm so far behind on posting and editing I don't know whether to scratch my watch or wind my butt. :)

In March, my high school BFF, Michelle, planned a wonderful mini vacay for us the first weekend of May. Neither of us had visited Percy Quin State Park before, so we treated it like a grand adventure. We hadn't had a sleepover since 1975! The weather couldn't have been more beautiful. The evening was cool, so we sat outside on the picnic bench in sweatshirts drinking wine. Oh, how I wish Michelle would let me post the video of her singing "Hello Darlin'" by Conway Twitty, using the mosquito repellant as a microphone. She's so fun and crazy! We now refer to ourselves as Lucy and Ethel. Guess who plays Ethel? And I'm okay with that! :)

Since there are so many photos, here is day 1:

We met my dad and stepmom here the first night for dinner.

A few glasses of these and I had a talent show on my hands. LOL

View from our screened porch.

In typical Michelle fashion she insisted on tidying up the place!

Can anyone help ID this cute little butterfly? I'm thinking some kind of Hairstreak.

First bird to see, an Eastern Kingbird.

Stay tuned to Part Deux!

Linking up with the lovely Anni!

Click the icon to see more birds around the world.

Fishing

Last week, my dad and I made spur-of-the-moment plans to fish at a private pond near his house. I drove up the day before and spent the night. We arose early the next morning and headed out. The day was PERFECT! Low humidity, mild temps (for the end of July), and a gorgeous setting. We were blessed. The sunburn I got wasn't a blessing, but a lesson learned for next time.

My dad setting up shop.

An Eastern Kingbird.

Daddy's first catch: a pretty bream (or perch...same thing).

Finally I caught one, too!

Side view of my prize. I was able to reuse the worm for another fish!

An Eastern Amberwing kept trying to perch on my line. I'm probably the only fisherwoman with
a huge camera and lens on her lap. The owner drove by in his four-wheeler and admired my gear.
He was so nice and I thanked him repeatedly for letting us come onto his property and fish.

My first bass!! Daddy said I was lucky to get it because the hook was meant for the smaller bream.
I told him I had just been standing there thanking God for the beautiful day when this fish tugged on my line.
He doesn't believe such things, but I felt compelled to share it with him anyway.

A pair of Eastern Amberwings hovering.

All totaled we caught twelve bream and one bass. Daddy caught most of the bream, but I had the grand prize and bragging rights of the bass. Next time we're going to fish with artificial lures. Worms and crickets are too messy and make me queasy. Daddy didn't seem to mind hooking them for me, but I felt bad that he did all the dirty work.

Before leaving we stopped at the pottery shop that the couple owns. We wanted to buy something to show our appreciation. I chose a beautiful round plate in green with a leaf embossed in the center. Daddy bought it for me which was very nice. He made me feel very loved on this visit, telling me how proud he was of my catches and my photography and how much he loves me. I'm very grateful to have these nice new memories to replace some of the old, unpleasant ones. My younger years were wrought with pain after my sister's death at age 3, and my dad didn't really enter my life until I was in my late teens. He paid child support, but I guess because he worked odd hours as a policeman, I didn't see him much. Anyway, it's never too late. One just needs an open mind and forgiving heart. God has graciously given me that.

Thanks, Anni!

Thanks Tex!

Eastern Kingbird

Below are more shots of the Eastern kingbird that we saw in Baker, LA on May 5, 2014. To see more, you can click the label on the right sidebar.

If he looks a little aggravated, it's because I was playing his call on my phone. He was high up in the tree and this was the only way I could get him to come out. There has been much debate about "playback" with many in the birding community saying you shouldn't do it at all, but others think 30-second clips for no more than 5 minutes total is okay. I'm on the fence about it; however, I obviously employ this method from time to time when I'm desperate for a photo.

Sharing with

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Eileen's Saturday's Critters

Thank you, hosts!!

Regal

On May 5th we paddled at Greenwood Community Park, then birded afterwards. I was blessed with two neat birds that afternoon: the Eastern Kingbird (below) and the Black and White Warbler (future post and lifer). They were both occupying the same tree. What alerted me was their calls. I had not heard those sounds before, which made me stop and wait. That birding class really paid off. These shots will not be as crisp as my bird blind shots; however, I am happy with them. The light was a bit harsh in some instances, too, but I am no longer striving for perfection. Just a decent shot will do! My goal is to photograph every bird on my life list.

Have a great week everyone! Thank you for stopping by.

Thank you, Anni, for the wonderful meme!

Scattered

My mind has been so scattered lately. The root of it all (I suspect) is something that starts with an M and ends with a PAUSE. I've been forgetting about my favorite memes, so I hope it's not too late to enter them. I read a book called Still Alice recently, recommended by Lisa at Two Bears Farm. It's a fictional account of a 52-year-old with early onset Alzheimer's. While I loved the book, every little instance of forgetfulness makes me paranoid that I have the disease.

What was I saying? SEE?! Oh yeah, the memes. Here are some bird shots taken in my yard and at a nearby park.

Red-bellied woodpecker

Downy woodpecker baby being fed

My first sighting of the Eastern kingbird. Not the best shot, but at least I have a new bird to add to my list.

Loggerhead shrike aka butcher bird

Eurasian collared dove
These birds inhabiting North America are the result of a pet store robbery in the
Bahamas in the 1970s where several escaped. The store owner then released
the rest of the flock—another 50 or so. More interesting facts here.

LINK

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As usual, I will be laying low for the weekend. My new computer policy, in addition to quitting Facebook, is to only blog during the week. While I don't post every day, I do still visit my favorite blogs each week day morning (and sometimes evenings). Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Edited to add two more memes I forgot about:

She Who Carries Camera: Garden Party!

Skywatch Friday
Eagle's nest in February