Weekend in Review

Howdy y'all! This post should have gone up on Monday, but I'm having quite the time getting my rear in gear. These are some things I saw last weekend. Hope you enjoy!

Port Allen, LA⎯Friday, Nov 7th

"Friday Night Lights" with my friend, Bridget. We (she) drove across the river to Port Allen where we watched tugboats
and ships go by. B taught me a few tricks I didn't know and I think it has reignited my love for photography.
The State Capitol is on the left. I kept seven photos out of 103, so I might post a few more at a later date.

 Capitol Lakes⎯Saturday, Nov 8th

American Coot.
Out of 200+ shots, I kept this one and the one below. I have gotten very cut-throat on what I toss and what I keep.

A little fall color, finally.

 Madisonville, LA⎯Sunday, Nov 9th

Brown Pelican, Louisiana State Bird

I first shot this couple surreptitiously from the back. Ha! Then I got the nerve to ask permission.

They were so cool about me shooting them. The girl reminded me of my good friend, Jo, from high school.
The vocals and guitar work were really good.

 Mandeville, LA⎯Sunday, Nov 9th

Small beach on Lake Pontchartrain at Fountainebleau State Park.
Debbie from It's All About Purple inspired me to take some timed couple shots!

I hope to post again on Friday to get back into my Monday, Wednesday, Friday routine.

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Thanks, Anni!

Alien Feet

A log barely jutting out of the water was a popular perch for a flock of American coots. Politely they took turns, clumsily climbing on and off in constant rotation. After I got the images loaded onto the computer, I noticed their feet. I was like 'huh?' Somehow they just don't go with the rest of the duck.

The American Coot is more closely related to Sandhill Cranes and Rails than mallards or teals. Although it swims with the ducks, it does not have webbed feet. Each of the coot's long toes has broad lobes of skin that help it kick through water. The lobes pull back each time the foot is lifted so it can walk on dry land and support its weight on muddy ground.

Everything has beauty,
but not everyone sees it.
Confucuis

Great Backyard Bird Count

Time to lighten this place up! Thanks to everyone who offered advice and words of comfort on my last post. I have the wisest, kindest blog followers in existence. Love y'all!

Today was the last day of the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), so I decided to visit Arsenal Park and Capitol Lake, which are side by side in downtown Baton Rouge. Somewhere between the two areas I dropped my iphone and after a frantic 20 minute search found it lying in the grass. Whew, that was close! I was having severe anxiety, lemme tell ya!

I counted 16 different species of birds and got a bonus animal that I was not expecting. A windy, cold, but totally fun couple of hours. As I was about to leave there were two trees that suddenly became populated with birds. Thinking they were the annoying red-wing blackbirds or grackles, I pointed my lens up to the tree and saw that they were Cedar Waxwings! There must've been a hundred of them. Unfortunately, they were very high up so I could not get a decent shot. But I am posting some photos of them anyway because it's the first time I've ever laid eyes on one. What a great way to end the event.

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing line-up

Cedar Waxwing

Cedar Waxwing

Eastern Phoebe

Ring-billed gull

Downy Woodpecker

Another sweet pose by Phoebe

Ring-billed gull

Ring-necked duck, male

Ring-necked duck, female

American Coot and Ring-necked ducks feeding frenzy

Nutria, my surprise visitor

Yellow wildflowers growing through the rocks

Motley Crew

Greetings everyone! It's been a mushy, wet week here in Baton Rouge. The incessant rain coupled with a very bad cold has got me feeling pretty run down. I was so thankful to have my ipad (thanks, Dad & Darleen!) so I could keep up with your blogs on the couch or bed. The dogs sure have enjoyed all the snuggle time. Since I can't get out with my camera I went through some photos that I had not yet developed. Hope you enjoy and that you all are untouched by this terrible flu season.

Look who's back! It was so nice to see Pierre on Christmas Eve.

Should I bring the hummingbird feeders in for the winter? There seems to be a disagreement on the web.

American Coot - LSU Lakes - 12/2/12

Wild-eyed Pigeon - LSU Lakes - 12/2/12
I love the beige and gray colors on him.

White Pelican - LSU Lakes - 12/2/12

LSU Lakes - 12/6/12

Red-eared slider - Hoo Shoo Too Rd. - 12/18/12

Anhinga - Hoo Shoo Too Rd. - 12/18/12

House Finch - Backyard - 12/23/12

Snowy Egret - LSU Lakes - 12/29/12

Snowy Egret with fish - LSU Lakes - 12/29/12

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