2014 Photo Overload

Happy Monday, y'all! Here are (hopefully) the last of my 2014 photos. Hope everyone has a great week! Will be checking in during the next few days.

The Leaning Gazebo at City Park Lakes

Male Ruby-throated hummingbird
Magnolia, MS, Sept 2014

Jumping spider - my back yard
Oct 2014

Anhinga readying for take-off - Lake Martin
Oct 2014

White Pelicans - City Park Lakes
Nov 2014

Snowy egret - City Park Lakes
Nov 2014

Lord, give us this day our daily fish. Amen.

Happy birthday to my dear daddy!

In and Around the Lake

One of these days I will get caught up. I hope you have all been well. Recently, I decided that this will be a year for me to get out and meet more people, which means disengaging from the computer more often. I hate that, but after three years of mourning my mother's death, it's time. Past time.

These are some of the things I've been doing:

 - joined a local photography club;

 - took a photography class on advanced focusing techniques;

 - attended an art exhibit;

 - participated in a night photography workshop;

 - volunteered for the "Paddle Patrol"...kayaking around Lake Martin to protect nesting birds;

 - attended an astrophotography lecture and saw Comet Lovejoy through a massive telescope;

 - this week there is a hummingbird lecture and tour + a field trip with my photography instructor;

 - joined a Photography Meetup hosted by a local photography instructor.

In between all of that I have been taking photos. Before I can post though, I need to get caught up on 2014. Below are some November images I have not yet shared. All of these were taken at LSU Lakes.

Linking to

 

Pelican Brief and a Warning

These beautiful birds have returned to LSU and Capitol Lakes in Baton Rouge to entertain us for another winter. As of last week the count was around 300. Last year we had 1,000, so I hope more are on the way.

Interesting facts about the American White Pelican:

• The collective nouns for pelicans are "brief" "pod" "pouch" "scoop" and "squadron."
• They consume 4 pounds of food per day.
• AWPs scoop their food unlike the brown pelicans who plunge-dive.
• They sometimes work together to herd fish into shallow water.
• During breeding season adults grow a protrusion near the bill tip.
• One of the largest North American birds.
• Parents must provide approx. 150 pounds of food for their chicks from birth until they're ready to forage for themselves.
• The oldest known AWP was 23-1/2 years old and was banded in North Dakota in 1983.

I told you to stop tailgating, Junior!

**The Warning**

Had a very upsetting morning on Saturday. Someone impersonating my son called my dad saying he was hurt and needed money--$1500 to be exact--said his lawyer would call later. The "lawyer" indeed called and asked for three $500 prepaid cards to be sent. Red flag! I was able to get in touch with my son and found he is okay. This ruse is called the Grandparents Scam, and there are many articles on the internet about it. It almost caused me to have a heart attack. My dad and stepmom were obviously upset by it also. Please be careful, y'all!

Linking with the lovely Anni at

Tricolored Tuesday #6

Rolling right along with my December 1st tricolored heron expedition. Fun times!

I got several shots of him like this, wings spread. This is probably the last one like this that I will post.

Wait! How'd he end up in here? I think this white pelican was copying the heron's fishing moves.

Billy Graham's Life Wisdom quote:
The one BADGE of Christianity is not orthodoxy but LOVE.

Sharing with Our World Tuesday and Wild Bird Wednesday.

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!