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

Duck, Duck, Goose...Ibis

These are most of the waterfowl Double D and I saw on December 29th at the lake surrounding our State Capitol and Arsenal Park in downtown Baton Rouge. Some are in better focus than others because they were constantly in motion. Plus, they were pretty far from land, so major cropping!

Canvasback - male (a new lifer for me!)

Hooded Merganser - male (yeah, I know you've seen it already). I just have so many!

Canadian Goose portrait. What I wouldn't give to have blue eyes like this!
If anyone can help ID this one, I'd appreciate it. Thanks, anvilcloud for the correction.

Ring-necked Duck - female

Ring-necked duck - male

Two pairs of male and female Wood Ducks

Lesser Scaup - female

Lesser Scaup - male

A "raft" of redheads (another lifer!)

An injured immature white ibis trying to hide on a low cypress limb.
He appeared to have a broken wing and looked very distressed.
I called animal control and within 15 minutes a deputy came out and tried to rescue him/her.
As it was nearing dark we all had to leave, but the deputy promised to come back the next day and check on him.
I love living in a state that truly cares for its wildlife. Later, I prayed that God would look after it.

Today would have been my mom's 75th birthday. I can't believe it's been almost two years since her death. I miss her more than I can put into words. I'd love to have one more chat with her and get her perspective on all the family drama happening right now. Mama, you were a doodle and we miss you so much.

God's tender mercies are over all his creatures.
Psalms 145:9

Participating in Weekend Reflections and Saturday Critters.

Autumn on the Lakes

On December 1st, Double D and I found ourselves with a too-quiet house and a little leisure time on our hands. He asked where I'd like to go, and after a brief discussion, decided on LSU Lakes to see the pelicans. We only saw one lone pelican lounging with the cormorants, but that was okay because I chased a tri-colored heron all over the place and photographed some fall foliage. The heron will have its own post. Or two, or three. :) Stay tuned!

A golf ball landed in the water right as I took this shot.
I hope it takes your eye off the big white light post; I was too lazy to clone it out.

More of the golf course

I'd love to have one of these homes on the water. Actually, a shack would do just fine if I had this view.

Right at dusk I spied a wood duck floating peacefully on the water.

Thank you all very much for your kind and generous comments. I so appreciate the time you take to share your thoughts with me!

Crystal Springs

Moving along with my vacation adventures, I now present to you Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden. Another favorite destination in Portland, I visit this magical place each time I visit. This is the only place that I can hope to get close to the wood ducks, since they are so accustomed to human activity. And of course the flowers are something else. Hope you enjoy!

Wood duck, male and female

Stellar's jay

Red-winged blackbird, female (if not, please correct me)

Ruby and friends

Happy Wednesday, y'all! Before we begin I have a little update on the bird that I saw in the cemetery on my mother's birthday. (I almost typed birdday...obsessed much?) The bird I saw that day was the Ruby-crowned Kinglet. What's so amazing about this discovery is that my mother's favorite color was red―specifically ruby-red. That I saw this particular bird when I asked my mother for a sign brought me to tears when I finally made the connection (I first thought it was the Acadian Flycatcher, but a bird friend corrected me). Now I envision my mother up in heaven with rubies in her crown. :)

I tried so hard to get the perfect shot of this Ruby-crowned Kinglet, but these guys flit around faster than gnats.
My goal was to get the red crown on the head. This was the best I could do. Sigh.

Brown Thrasher

He was gorging greedily on suet.

I think this Rufous is giving me a little lip.

I rounded a corner and heard high pitched shrieking. I barely got this shot of the wood ducks
fleeing for their lives. Seriously, they made terrifying sounds as though in a horror film.

Another Eastern Phoebe

Red-tailed hawk (?)

Cedar Waxwing

Downy Woodpecker

Thanks to Stewart for hosting!

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