Rose colored glory

Roseate spoonbills are so fascinating to me. Maybe it's the beautiful shades of pink contrasted with that enormous bill and face only a mother could love. Perhaps it's because they're so animated! They posed, got frisky, sang, played billsies (equivalent to footsies), and even mooned us!

Double D and I pretty much overdosed on birds at Avery Island today. I have so much more, but I don't want to overload you! Some of these (not all) are better viewed large if you have time.

Hope everyone is enjoying the long holiday weekend! We're very grateful for the service of our military and the sacrifices they make every day.

Linking up with Your Sunday Best.

My Own Private Assassin

The other day I was admiring my agapanthus and spied an orange, creepy-crawly thing on the petals. Armed with my camera I snapped off several images. Once enlarged on my computer I was able to see in greater detail, and with the help of Google, bingo! I had an ID.

For those of you unaware, let me introduce you to the Milkweed Assassin Bug. It is a beneficial insect to have in the garden since they prey on pests that eat your plants, such as caterpillars and aphids. I have always been a fan of natural pest control, and this little army will keep my flowers looking pristine. Instead of getting creeped out, I now view them in a completely positive way.

 Without further adieu, meet my private army of assassins:

Peekaboo! I see you!!

Hopefully they'll keep reproducing! I now have a 2nd generation in place, ready to go. :)

They can deliver a painful sting to humans if handled in such a way that makes them feel threatened. Please handle at your own risk.

EDIT 10:00am: I got called back for a SECOND interview!!!

Sharing with A Rural Journal, Thursday Blog Hop.

The Quarter through my lens

New Orleans, how I love and loathe thee. Mostly love, though. This is how I spent Mother's Day. It was a weird and wonderful afternoon. 

Monument to the Immigrant
This beautiful carrera marble statue, unveiled in 1995, was created by local sculptor Franco Allesandrini. It is a testament to the courage of Italian men and women who left their homeland seeking freedom and a better life. On one side facing the Mississippi river is Miss Liberty; the other side depicts an immigrant family facing the French Quarter, where most of them first stepped on solid ground. 

Pope John Paul II visited St. Louis Cathedral in 1987. They must've erected this street sign to commemorate that visit. 

Interior of St. Louis Cathedral
(taken with iPhone)

Many street entertainers in the Quarter painted every inch of their bodies to mimic a statue. 

This one performed Michael Jackson dance moves, but most of them stood still for long periods of time, like the one below.

As the heat and humidity increases, you've got to admire their determination to eke out a living this way.

I'm fairly certain these were hitching posts back in the day.

We didn't go inside Jean Lafitte's Old Absinthe House, but now I wish that I had. Frank Sinatra, Oscar Wilde, PT Barnum, Mark Twain, Robert E. Lee, Liza Minelli and Franklin Roosevelt have passed through their doors. Interesting history if you have time to click the link.

Always Mardi Gras beads hanging everywhere, no matter what time of year it is. 

And, there's always one of these confused souls wandering about. I had another profile shot, but it showed a little too much...he might not be very happy if I outed him. Then again, he IS out there struttin' his stuff...:)

I hope you enjoyed your tour around the Quarter! My next post will be devoted to the Milkweed Assassin Bug. Yeah, there is no consistency on this blog. :/

Sunday in St. Martinville

St. Martinville, LA is a tiny historical city encompassing 3 square miles with .33% consisting of water. It is the third oldest town in Louisiana. In the 16th century it was occupied mostly by Indians, but Europeans began settling there around 1699. In its heyday it was known as Petit Paris (Little Paris) when it boasted fine hotels, a French theater, and opera house. Today it continues to thrive through agriculture, tourism, and hard working citizens. St. Martin Parish contributes over 8,000,000 pounds of wild crawfish from the Atchafalaya Basin and another 14,000,000 pounds annually through farming. 

Next weekend I hope to visit Avery Island. They apparently have an awesome bird sanctuary there. I'm trying to visit as many places as possible before I have to go back to work. :/

HURRY! GET YER TICKETS HERE!!
My dad tried his best to convince passersby to purchase tickets before the ferry left. Haha, dad, good one! 

This cute pair of laughing gulls remained side-by-side the entire time we were there.

A rogue gull came along and tried to break them up and failed. True love can withstand anything.

A tern of some sort. Any ID help is appreciated!

A sandpiper. Again, ID help needed.

Interview update and photos

The job interview with the CEO went...well...I'll let you decide. I might've talked too much, flubbed a couple of words, appeared tightly wound & overeager. All no-nos, no? Oh, and I left my purse in his office, not realizing it until I handed the receptionist my badge as I was leaving. That was a long walk back down that hall, lemme tell ya. DID I MENTION IT WAS THE CEO?! So, yeah, I just HAD to do something stupid. That's me, dork-extraordinaire! The purse-leaving may have put the kibosh on the deal. I mean, if it's between me and another girl who didn't do something stupid, and we're completely alike in every way, the only deciding factor has to be to axe the ditz who left her purse behind. Right?! On a more serious note he did tell me that 200 resumes came in for the position and he threw most of them out due to typos. I am one of eight he is considering, so I feel pretty good no matter what happens. Oh! And he disclosed that he changed the dress code banning pantyhose and ties. I wanted to high-five him right there on the pantyhose decision. I LOATHE those things. A no-pantyhose job 3 miles from my house? I could live with that!

Okay, enough of that nonsense. Here are some photos I've taken lately:

Izzy drooling as I drink my morning coffee. She may be expecting a teeny-tiny sip. Not sure why. ;-)

Linking up with A Rural Journal, Your Sunday Best #18.