Mossy

Noticed this "fence" as we were leaving Jefferson Island. I'm calling it a fence because it has posts and a wire strung between them. Not sure if the moss ended up there naturally or someone thought to put it there. Both images were snapped with the iPhone.

Here are some other shots with moss in them.

Breeding great egret, Lake Martin, 3/22/14

Rose-breasted grosbeak, my backyard, 4/26/14 (moss on far right)

Barbara the barred owl, Bluebonnet Swamp, 3/16/14 (moss also on right side)

Back in February I told you about the barred owl pair, Barbara & Barry, who made a nest close to the boardwalk at Bluebonnet Swamp. The chicks were scheduled to appear the second week in April. Weeks went by without any sightings of the parents, much less the owlets. Finally, Barbara appeared a couple weeks ago preening on a boardwalk railing; another day she was spotted bathing in dirt. Some days later, Barry made his presence known. The chicks were never seen, so we don't know if the harsh winter did them in, or if a predator got them. We were so disappointed. But at least the parents are okay and we know they will try again next year.

Sharing this post with TexWisGirl's

Thank you for hosting! Please visit other fences from around the world.

Hungry Passerby

On April 26th a male, rose-breasted grosbeak came to my feeder. I couldn't believe my eyes when I looked out the back door. Instinctively, I grabbed my camera, nervously shoving the memory card in its slot and checking my settings. These were shot hand-held from a pretty good distance because I was afraid of spooking him. I was hoping for another opportunity to get shots, but he never came back. Oh well, sometimes you just have to take what you can get!

The only shot I got of his backside.

The feeder he is perched on has been an effective one for keeping squirrels out. Too much weight on the perches brings down a door that closes off access to the seeds. I've had it for several months now and it really works. It was on sale at our local garden center.

Nature Keeps The Peace

This is my first year to pay attention to birds migrating through my area. By actively doing this I've added several birds to my life list. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get viable photos of them all. I've seen the Mississippi kite, male orchard oriole, and Eastern towhee, but can't prove it. Remaining elusive are the male scarlet tanager, summer tanager and painted bunting—my birding buddies at Bluebonnet Swamp have all seen these, with photos to boot. When I voice my frustration at not seeing these birds, they say, "But you got the gray fox! That trumps everything." They are too nice. Nothing too exciting has been seen of late. Below is a new one and a repeat:

Brown-crested flycatcher, Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/18/13.
Not the sharpest shots by any means, sorry. These were taken hand held on a cloudy day.

Stretch....
They have a pale yellow underside. I wish he had turned around to face me. 

The birds are very attracted to all the wild berries. Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/18/13

The Indian pink are blooming profusely.
Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/23/13

Sorry for another pic of the rose-breasted grosbeak. This is his back side.

Both photos taken 4/25/13, Bluebonnet Swamp. Where else?

Broad-headed skink. I can't say he's a handsome fella, but his markings and head color are interesting.
Look at the intricate pattern on his arm.
Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/25/13

Now you see where I got my post title. :)
A sign from Capitol Lakes, 4/27/13

Thanks, Stewart!

Thanks, Anni!

Thanks, Michelle!

EDIT: Thanks so much to Hilary, of The Smitten Image for selecting my post, Choose Mother Nature in her Phine Photography category! It's always an honor to be chosen. Please visit Hilary's blog and the other POTW recipients.

Bridles, Blooms, Bayous and Birds

Happy Monday! Our weekend was jam packed and fun for a change. It began Friday when I was finally able to see my high school friend for a much-needed girls day. I watched her take a riding lesson on Carson, an American Saddlebred once owned by Carson Kressley (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy). Afterwards we went to lunch, then drove down River Road, stopping along the way for photographs. Saturday was spent at my aunt and uncle's new camp on Bayou Manchac, then later that night we joined my cousin and his wife to listen to their friends' band play at a local establishment. Sunday was spent birding at Bluebonnet swamp where I saw THREE rose-breasted grosbeaks, numerous indigo buntings, and Mississippi kites flying overhead. A wonderful, fabulous three days. Now back to reality and on with the show!

Michelle and Carson, 4/19/13
She is doing so well riding him and looks so sophisticated.

First ever sighting of an Orchard Oriole, female.
The male is deep orange and black, but my pics of him were blurry.
Near State Capitol, 4/19/13

A walking iris (neomarica gracilis) in Michelle's garden, 4/19/13

Gator sculpture that came with my aunt's camp, Bayou Manchac, 4/20/13

To get to the camp we were ferried across on a pontoon boat.
Uncle Bubba was our capable captain. :)

Indigo bunting at Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/21/13

Rose-breasted grosbeak posing nicely on a limb, Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/21/13

Male rose-breasted grosbeaks, Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/21/13 

PARAKEET UPDATE: Thank you ALL for the wonderful advice on the parakeet that found its way into my yard. Before receiving your advice I kept thinking of the line by Shelby in the movie Steel Magnolias: "I would rather have thirty minutes of wonderful, than a lifetime of nothing special." However, many of you swayed me with the argument that since "Charlie" was domesticated he was ill-equipped to truly fend for himself. Despite my initial misgivings, I posted his photo on our HOA Facebook page and scoured the internet for "lost parakeet Baton Rouge" and came up empty handed. The parakeet's fate is unknown at this time since he has not returned to my yard. :( I wanted to respond to you all individually since many of you had taken the time to articulate such detailed (and respectful) arguments, but time got away from me and now I feel overwhelmed. So please know how much your comments meant to me.

I will catch up on blogs later today! Wishing you all a wonderful week, praying it's better than last week.

LINK

A Doozy of a Day

Today I planned to drive to Magnolia, MS to take my dad to the doctor. Due to a ferocious thunderstorm that raged right over my route, the hour and fifteen minute drive turned into a two-and-a-half hour terrifying ordeal. It was the second time this year that I experienced a panic attack behind the wheel of my car. Rain, 18-wheelers, and interstates put me in terror mode. I had to pull over on five different occasions, my heart palpitating wildly and hands so sweaty they were slipping off the steering wheel. My entire body was trembling, rigid, and frozen with fear. I was praying for valium to fall into my lap or for the rain to cease. This is becoming a real problem, especially since it rains so much here. Thank God I made it through.

Tomorrow is supposed to be a gorgeous day so Double D is driving me to Lake Martin to see the Roseate Spoonbills. I don't really have anything new to post, but I wanted to share another shot of the grosbeak and new poses from our usual cast of characters. Will catch up with y'all tonight. Wish me luck at Lake Martin! :)

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

American Goldfinch in crape myrtle

American Goldfinch in Indian Hawthorns

American Goldfinch in crape myrtle

American Goldfinch in angel statue

Cardinal in angel statue

European Starling causing a ruckus

Downy or hairy woodpecker. Does anyone know how to tell them apart?

Wild Bird Wednesday

Today I found myself at Bluebonnet Swamp. Again. I left the house with my camera in tow, not sure where I was going, and my car just sort of took me there as though on autopilot. Was I ever glad that I went! Except I could have done without the oppressive humidity. Ai yi yi! Wasn't I just complaining about having cold, stiff hands a few days ago? I think I'd rather be stiff and cold than wet, sticky and miserable. There's just no pleasing me when it comes to weather conditions in the south. Enough yammering...here is what I saw today!

My first ever sighting of the rose-breasted grosbeak!

What are you looking at, lady?

First of season indigo bunting. Not my best shot, but the blue is really something.

This one is either a female or juvenile

Brown thrasher eating "bark butter" that my birding friend had just smeared on the limb.

A very large rabbit

The skinks were out in large numbers today.

This one was at least 6" in length.

Bloom from a tulip poplar that someone placed on the boardwalk ledge

Finally, a huge thank you to Hilary for choosing Iris and April for Post of the Week! It is truly an honor. Please visit The Smitten Image for beautiful photography and other Posts of the Week! Thank you times a million!

Please check out Stewart's

Wild Bird Wednesday meme also!

AND

LINK

AND