Birding, Boating and More

Lake Martin, Louisiana, April 12, 2013.

Little Blue Heron

The task of the day was gathering sticks.

Great Egret with babies

Fishing

Sailing

Romancing

Probably my favorite shot of the day. :)

Canoeing

Double breasted cormorants kissing

Carolina Chickadee

Prayers for our country and the senseless bombing in Boston. Words fail me, truly.

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Rogue Gator and Common Grackle

Thank you all so much for your wonderful words on my last post about panic attacks! The suggestions and empathy really helped. :)

Our day at Lake Martin on Friday was awesome, starting with a little drama. When we arrived, Double D pulled over on the gravel road that borders the lake―a little too close to the water in my opinion. As soon as I stepped out of the car (on the water side) and ventured a few steps, an alligator zoomed towards us at an alarming rate, much faster than normal, with us as its target. As it twisted its body I suddenly sensed danger. All those hours devoted to watching Swamp People finally came in handy! I quickly snapped off two shots then ran to the drivers side yelling at Double D to make his own break, and climbed up on the roof of the car with my camera. Whew. I took one last parting shot, making our way further down to the nesting herons, shaken and grateful to still have all our limbs intact. Our eyes were constantly searching and ears listening, for any other rogue gators the remainder of the day. It took a while for our hearts to return to a normal rate. Exhilarating!

I apologize for the glare, but as you can see from the ripple she's leaving behind, I had little time to react.
This shot was taken right as she was about to roll. That's when I made a mad dash back to the car.

Shot from the roof of the car. No cropping. Her face is resting on the bank.
Message received!

Below are shots I took of a Common Grackle. There is nothing common about them in my opinion. I think they are beautiful when the sun hits them just right.

I caught a couple of images like this with the eye acting weird.

The dragonfly appears to be leaving a contrail behind, but it's actually vegetation.

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!

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Cecropia Moth

This Cecropia Moth (hyalophora cecropia) hatched at Bluebonnet Swamp recently. According to Wikipedia, this is North America's largest native moth, from the Giant Silk Moth family. These nocturnal moths are designed merely to reproduce, lacking working mouth parts and digestive systems. Their lifespan is about 2 weeks. The female emits powerful pheromones to attract a mate which the male can detect up to a mile away. Mating lasts all day, starting in the early morning hours and ending in the evening. Afterward, the female lays up to one hundred eggs which hatch into tiny black caterpillars. Isn't our world fascinating?

Cocoon and moth on Cypress branch 

Many thanks to the hosts of

Our World Tuesday!