bird

Mealtime

/ Rebecca / 28 Comments

The barred owl, with intent focus, glided over the flooded forest floor, stretching out its talons to swiftly snatch up its prey. Then it landed on a nearby tree branch to examine its prize. Carefully, it extricated its catch from collected debris. Aware of my presence, the owl took flight deeper into the woods to savor its snack in solitude.

“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”
– Luciano Pavarotti

Dickcissel

/ Rebecca / 9 Comments

A Dickcissel sitting in tall grass along the Mississippi levee.

His eyes, with elf-like air did peer,
Then cheekily, he flew down near;
I watched in awe as he posed with pride,
His tittering chest expanded wide!
~Amanda Tuohy

Drawing Attention

/ Rebecca / 12 Comments

This female Red-winged Blackbird was obviously drawing attention to herself. Sitting near the top of a cypress tree, swaying in the wind, her conspicuous behavior included raising her tail feathers and rapidly fluttering her wings, which she repeated over and over. In the distance, a male could be heard calling. My first thought was that she was trying to attract or communicate with a mate, but another thought might be a response to a predator within her nesting territory.

 “I’m not strange, weird, off, nor crazy, my reality is just different from yours.” ~Lewis Carroll

Finding Shelter

/ Rebecca / 23 Comments

It was a chilly, windy day out on the lake. This young Prothonotary Warbler found shelter among the water lilies, flittering from leaf to leaf and occasionally sitting peacefully and soaking up the warmth of the sun.

“We should all find a quiet place, a peaceful space, to bury the chaos and rest for a while.” ~Christy Ann Martine

Bird Watching

/ Rebecca / 7 Comments

Birds seen recently around the levee and lake.

“If you’re not a bird watcher you won’t be very excited, though gulls are graceful in flight and striking in appearance. If you’re a bird watcher this makes you weak in the knees.” ~Bryan Pfeiffer

Fond Memories

/ Rebecca / 16 Comments

The ruby-throated hummingbirds have packed up and headed south in search of warmer temperatures and more plentiful food.  Thankfully, fond memories of them linger as we count down the days until their return in the spring.

“Fond memory brings the light of other days around me.”  ~Thomas More

Annoyed

/ Rebecca / 16 Comments

As we drove through the refuge, I spotted a beautiful butterfly on a flower beside the road, and we stopped for photos.  As I stepped out of the car, a very startled and annoyed Great Egret, which had previously gone undetected, let out a loud squawk and abruptly propelled itself from its concealed spot in the tall grass to the safety of a nearby tree.  And there it sat waiting, all sullen and sulky, greatly annoyed that its peaceful afternoon had been disturbed.

“The unexpected may annoy us, but may also wake us up.”  ~Scott Sanders

Brown Thrasher

/ Rebecca / 11 Comments

A devoted brown thrasher standing guard over a nest of babies which was tucked between the rails and posts of a split-rail fence.

“The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.” ~Patrick Henry

Seeing Orange

/ Rebecca / 19 Comments

Enjoying some of the beautiful shades of orange that come along with the spring and summer seasons.

“Mere color … can speak to the soul in a thousand different ways.” ~Oscar Wilde

A Restful Place

/ Rebecca / 9 Comments

Dozing and soaking up the afternoon sun, this little Tufted Titmouse, which is usually a flurry of energy and activity, had found a restful place.

“Give me a blanket, a warm drink, a good book, and a weekend full of nothing-to-do, and you have found my happy place.”  ~Unknown