Out on a limb

The American Black Vulture is a little more dapper than his fellow scavenger, the Turkey Vulture, sporting glossy black feathers and a gray neck and head.  The Black Vulture is also said to be more social and prone to maintaining family ties.  We spotted these as they were taking in the view from the top of a tree at the Reelfoot National Wildlife Refuge.

“When you are out on a limb, the whole world is at your feet.”  ~Unknown

Stirring up the Snow Geese

The Snow Geese are back at Reelfoot Lake, and the Bald eagles are keeping an eye on them in hopes of acquiring an easy meal.  Whenever a lookout detects a threat from an eagle, a call goes out to the rest of the flock, and the Snow Geese take flight.

“If you feel the urge, don’t be afraid to go on a wild goose chase.  What do you think wild geese are for anyway?”  ~Will Rogers

 

Watching the pelicans

Despite the overcast skies, we recently headed to Reelfoot Lake in hopes of seeing the white pelicans.  After looking for them in all the usual places, we finally found them at our last stop of the day.  It quickly became obvious that we weren’t the only ones watching them.  We spotted five eagles sitting high atop the trees — perhaps hoping to pick off a wounded pelican as easy prey.  Unfortunately, the grey day changed to a light drizzle, and then to rain, and our time of watching the pelicans came to an end.

“We could all take a lesson from the weather, it pays no attention to criticism.”  ~Unknown

Fishing

“Fishing is not an escape from life, but often a deeper immersion into it.”  ~Henry Middleton

Dragonflies

Dragonflies spotted around the area of Reelfoot Lake, Lake County, Tennessee.

The dragon-fly is dancing,—
      Is on the water glancing,
      She flits about with nimble wing,
      The flickering, fluttering, restless thing.
Besotted chafers all admire
      Her light-blue, gauze-like, neat attire;
      They laud her blue complexion,
      And think her shape perfection…
~Heinrich Heine, “Die Libelle” (The Dragonfly)

Great Egret

“Calmness is the graceful form of confidence.”  ~Marie Von Ebner-Eschenbach

Afternoon snack

Recently, we came upon this rabbit that was leisurely nibbling away on lush, green grass along the roadside.  He seemed to have a preference for the tenderest and tastiest blades, and was carefully using his nose to graze along the ground in search of a delectable afternoon snack.

“To know what you prefer instead of humbly saying Amen to what the world tells you you ought to prefer is to have kept your soul alive.”  ~Robert Louis Stevenson