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!

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My Beautiful Autumn

We had so much fun visiting with my daughter and her boyfriend. We picked them up at New Orleans International Airport, hit the French Quarter immediately after, and never stopped to take a breath. Loved every single minute! No, cherished. Okay, loved and cherished. Since they left, I've been hitting the stores trying to get ready for my trip to Dallas tomorrow. I really wanted see our other kids and grandkids before Christmas and hand deliver their goodies. Whew doggies, I am one tired mama.

At Pat O'Briens (iPhone shot)
I love this girl. She is so much like my mother: gracious, kind and loving.

On the river, New Orleans (iPhone)
Jason is a sweetheart and takes very good care of my girl.

My daughter and our precious little cousin, Brody (iPhone)

Jason & Autumn on top the levee, across the street from my grandparents' property.
She used to always tease me for buying wedge heels and look what she's wearing! Haha
Sunshine, Louisiana

My dad, Autumn & Jason
Magnolia, MS

Planning to make blog rounds tonight after dinner. I've missed everyone!

White Castle

Double D decided early in the week that he wanted to take the ferry from Sunshine, LA to White Castle, LA. Discovering that Nottoway Plantation is in White Castle we decided it'd be worth a trip.

The ferry let us off in a little town called Plaquemine (Plack-uh-men). There were signs for historic homes, so not being on a schedule, we explored.

Abandoned home

Front door to above home. What the heck is peeking out the side window?! Yikes!

Side window from same home. I was thinking if I touched those curtains they'd probably disintegrate in my hand.

We became bored of the historic home self-tour so off we went to find Nottoway.

Nottoway Plantation--side view. The home boasts 3 floors, 64 rooms, 6 staircases, 3 modern bathrooms, 22 massive square columns, 165 doors, 200 windows, and a bowling alley.

We ate lunch in the circular dining room. So charming! 

I wish I'd had what Double D ordered: fried catfish topped with crawfish etouffee over mashed potatoes and a side of grilled veggies. Instead, I let the waitress talk me into a boudin po-boy which was NOT good. To make matters worse, they left the casing on the boudin and when I pulled it off it looked like a...er...condom. Not appetizing AT ALL. Sorry if that was TMI.

Side view of Nottoway. See the lower level with the dining tables and chairs? That's where we had our leisurely lunch, gazing out onto the beautiful property.

Can't resist the fleur de lis! But why do these remind me of an obscene gesture? Sometimes my mind goes places I wish it wouldn't. :(

One of many huge live oaks on the property. This is one of my favorite trees. The branches dip down so invitingly. 

This is the main gate in front of the mansion. Notice the blue of the sky; that is not Photoshopped, but, confession time: There was a man walking behind the gates, interfering with the beautiful lattice work, so I cloned him out. Buh-bye annoying tourist!

We walked through the gates, crossed the road and climbed the levee for this photo. I was so happy I brought my 35mm lens on this trip. I forgot how much I love it!

And back on the ferry we went where Double D got fussed at by the parking attendant coming and going. The guy gave lousy hand gestures and got a little aggravated with us, but we just smiled. 

As we were leaving, I told Double D that Nottoway would be a perfect place to stay for our 25th wedding anniversary. He said, "Unless we decide to return to Italy." Oh, be still my heart! 

Avery Island & job update

Sorry for the overload of posts and photos lately, but I know if I don't get them out there I'll forget about them, just like so many others. I have tons of photos buried alive on my hard drive, poor things. Once it gets too hot to shoot, I'll probably unearth them. Until then, I'm trying to stay current!

To those of you wondering about the job situation, I have a 2nd interview this Friday! This is the one and only job I've applied for as I'm entering back into the job market very slowly. I really don't HAVE to go back to work right now, but I thought I should dip my toe into the waters to see what's what.

Now for the stragglers from Avery Island:

Tabasco sauce is aged in these white oak barrels
Taken with iPhone and processed in Lightroom and Photoshop

Petit Anse is French for "Little Cove"
Shot with iPhone

According to lore, a Chinese warlord sent this 900 year old Buddha to America as a gift in the 1920s. It sat in a warehouse unclaimed until 1936 when friends of E.A. McIlhenny purchased the statue as a gift and had it sent to Avery Island. Mr. McIlhenny loved it so much that he created a zen-like garden around the statue. It is a very peaceful place. I wish the camelias and azaleas had been in bloom. Must be spectacular!

Taken with my iPhone (I was too lazy to carry my camera up the steps!)

iPhone to the rescue again so I wouldn't have to change lenses (I wanted to get more of the scenery). Lugging the 400mm lens AND a tripod in 90% humidity and 90 degree temps is no easy feat!

View from the Buddha structure
another iPhone shot

Egret breeding platform

Couldn't resist putting up another roseate spoonbill

Spotted several alligators throughout the tour of Jungle Gardens. I'm actually kind of bored with them now. :/

Yesterday we went to Nottoway Plantation in White Castle, LA. Warning: photos coming soon! Today we are headed to the LSU Rural Life museum because Double D has never been. I will not be taking my camera since I've shot there several times. It'll be nice to take a break from photography today, but I'll probably feel naked without my camera. :)

Egrets of Avery Island

Avery Island is located 3 miles inland from Vermillion Bay which in turn opens onto the Gulf of Mexico. Owned by the Avery family since the 1830s, the island is a salt dome and where Tabasco Sauce is made. After Edmund McIlhenny wed Mary Eliza Avery, he founded the McIlhenny Company and began the manufacture of his famous Tabasco sauce. Edmund's son, Edward, a conservationist, saved the snowy egret from extinction after plume hunters slaughtered thousands of them to provide feathers for ladies' hats. Using eight pairs of young egrets, Edward raised them in captivity and then released them into the Gulf of Mexico in the fall to migrate. The following spring they returned with other birds of their species. Today, several platforms constructed in the marshy areas serve to encourage their numbers. What a legacy Edward McIlhenny left behind!

A few of the breeding platforms

Breeding cattle egret

Cattle egret in breeding plumage

Mama protecting her eggs

Mama inspecting her eggs

Another breeding cattle egret - you can tell by the deep purple around the eye, the deep red of his beak, and the feathers fluffed out. He is signaling to the females that he's ready for action.

Oh, get a room already! lol

I think this is a tricolored heron

We're taking the ferry to White Castle today. Trying to enjoy our freedom before I go back to work.


Edit 5/30/12: I'm going in for my 2nd interview this Friday, so I don't have the job yet, but I feel pretty good about it! :)

Linking up with Wild Bird Wednesday.