Behind The Levee

Some time ago I googled "birding Baton Rouge" and found a place about 20 minutes from my house behind the levee. The write-up said this was private property, a working sand and silt pit, but that the owners were fine with birders as long as permission was obtained. So I emailed the Baton Rouge Audubon Society for the contact information of the property owner and finally called him on Sunday. Turns out he is my 3rd or 4th cousin on my mother's side! He was very nice (of course!) and said to explore to my heart's content. So I did!

One of my first shots was a yellow-billed cuckoo! According to allaboutbirds.org, this is a very secretive bird.
Most people only hear them, so I was elated to get this one and only image.
They eat large insects and some berries and seeds.
They work a caterpillar back and forth between the bill, possibly to remove hairs, before swallowing.
They develop very quickly—17 days from egg laying until fledging.
Both parents build the nest, incubate the eggs, and brood equally during the day. The male takes the night shift.
These birds like open woodlands with clearings, and dense, scrubby vegetation near water.
Listed as endangered in California where development is disrupting the areas in which it likes to live.

A pair of eastern bluebirds

Crimson clover

Red-winged blackbird, female

Great egret

Top of levee

Behind the levee

Peek-a-boo view

Bursting

As you can see, my agapanthus are beginning to bloom. Last year, for one of my first posts back after my brief hiatus, I dedicated these to the sweet and lovely Leontien, God rest her soul. Right now we have 20 blooms. TWENTY! That's twice as many as last year.

In other news, my IRS issues with the state of Louisiana were resolved by email, miraculously. They corrected their mistake and we do not owe any more money. Hallelujah! I have a trip planned to see my daughter in Portland at the end of the month and I'm very excited about that for obvious reasons. Finally, happy birthday to Double D, the love of my life! Today he wants to traipse around New Orleans and eat at The Court of Two Sisters. Y'all have a great week ahead!

STARling WARS

I hated to depart from my peace-loving, hippie-titled posts of this week, but these shots were just begging for it. The peanut bar is a coveted hangout for the starlings, so when I fill it, there's always a big brouhaha. I love that word. It's so fun to write and say.

Somehow the baby downy found the bar before the starlings.

OH NO YOU DON'T!

If I have to lose a toe to stand my ground, so be it!

Air battles are the best, but very difficult to photograph.

AND STAY OFF!

Peace at last because the peanut station is empty.

Nature Keeps The Peace

This is my first year to pay attention to birds migrating through my area. By actively doing this I've added several birds to my life list. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to get viable photos of them all. I've seen the Mississippi kite, male orchard oriole, and Eastern towhee, but can't prove it. Remaining elusive are the male scarlet tanager, summer tanager and painted bunting—my birding buddies at Bluebonnet Swamp have all seen these, with photos to boot. When I voice my frustration at not seeing these birds, they say, "But you got the gray fox! That trumps everything." They are too nice. Nothing too exciting has been seen of late. Below is a new one and a repeat:

Brown-crested flycatcher, Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/18/13.
Not the sharpest shots by any means, sorry. These were taken hand held on a cloudy day.

Stretch....
They have a pale yellow underside. I wish he had turned around to face me. 

The birds are very attracted to all the wild berries. Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/18/13

The Indian pink are blooming profusely.
Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/23/13

Sorry for another pic of the rose-breasted grosbeak. This is his back side.

Both photos taken 4/25/13, Bluebonnet Swamp. Where else?

Broad-headed skink. I can't say he's a handsome fella, but his markings and head color are interesting.
Look at the intricate pattern on his arm.
Bluebonnet Swamp, 4/25/13

Now you see where I got my post title. :)
A sign from Capitol Lakes, 4/27/13

Thanks, Stewart!

Thanks, Anni!

Thanks, Michelle!

EDIT: Thanks so much to Hilary, of The Smitten Image for selecting my post, Choose Mother Nature in her Phine Photography category! It's always an honor to be chosen. Please visit Hilary's blog and the other POTW recipients.

Choose Mother Nature

On Saturday Double D and I took an afternoon stroll around the State Capitol and its surrounding lakes and grounds. Rain is predicted for the rest of the week, so it was imperative to take advantage of the pleasant weather. I'm so glad Double D is down with all this nature stuff because it would make me sad if I could not share my passion for flora and fauna with him. We saw so many groovy things on our walk. Come see!

Robins were in abundance.

The scent from the rose garden was heavenly.

This cedar tree reminded me of something from Van Gogh's paint brush.

Squirrel nibbling on a late afternoon snack.

I came across this sign and thought it would make a good title for my post.

Nutria swimming. I love the psychedelic blue and silver swirls in the water. Groovy, right?

A young hawk perched in the shade of an oak tree about 10 feet from where I sat. Stunned, I watched
as he clumsily went after a blue jay. A big brouhaha ensued. Naturally, the blue jay went ballistic, warning
all the birds within a mile radius. As quickly as it started it also ended, with everyone settled down and back
into their normal routines, going about their business as though nothing ever happened.

A type of magnolia. If anyone knows the type, please share.

Nutria and her baby. There were three babies total, but they would not come together for a family portrait. :)

On a more serious note, the nutria population is damaging the Louisiana coastline (and other coasts) to a significant degree.
If you're interested, more information can be read here.

Thank you for blessing me with your visits and comments; they truly brighten my day!

Sharing with Our World Tuesday.

UPDATE: Thanks so much to Hilary, of The Smitten Image for selecting this post in her Phine Photography category! It's always an honor to be chosen. Please visit Hilary's blog and the other POTW recipients.