Golden Light

Stopped by Lake Martin again yesterday on my
way home...just beautiful.  The birds were
gorgeous in the fading light...golden edges and
illumined feathers.  A spoonbill landed on the tree
not far from me.  And the sunset was stunning. 
A peaceful end to a worship day.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Sunday Egrets

 Wow! I have always wanted to see these egrets nesting down
at Lake Martin at the rookery there.  I had a chance to drive down
there today, and I was able to see them and take some photos.  They
are absolutely beautiful...their snow white plumage and lime green
eyes among all the grey branches and trunks.  There are hundreds of
them, scattered all through the swampy area around the lake.  They
can be seen from the nearby road that runs by the lake.

The wind was really blowing, and some of their feathers were flowing
in the wind.  They were busy making their nests.  The males were
breaking branches from the trees, and taking them to the females to add
to the nest.  There was a great deal of sqawkiing and chatter going on too.
They are quite vocal, and with so many so close together, it was very
noisy.

Just another great reminder of God's wonderful creation...
hope your Sunday was filled with worship and wonder.

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Osprey Encounter

"I never for a day gave up listening

to the songs of our birds, or watching

their peculiar habits, or delineating

them in the best way that I could."

John James Audubon

I have never really seen an osprey before

this trip, and I was able to experience one

up close. We came upon this one perched

on top of this dead tree out in the middle of

Lake Martin. He let us get really close, and I

had him in my telephoto lens the whole time.

He finally flew, and I captured the moment he

took flight.

Then later in the trip, I saw another osprey

dip into Lake Marepas directly in

front of the boat, and snatch a large

fish from the water, and fly off with it.

What a treat to get to see these magnificent

birds in their habitat, and watch them living

freely and fiercely. I was reminded of

Audubon, and added his quote above.

Happy bird-watching, wherever you may be!!

sheltongail@hotmail.com

Nesting Time

These are such "Louisiana" images...white egrets.

They are not my photos, but I will have a chance to

take some in a couple of weeks. Every spring, huge

numbers of these birds nest near Lake Martin in

south Louisiana. Just this week in the gallery, a couple

from New York came through on

their way to do some birdwatching.

I filled them in on Lake Martin, and they were going

to add it to their agenda. I have planned several times to

try and go photograph them, but it never has worked

out. I am going to try again. Hopefully the weather

will cooperate, and I can get some good shots. I

am also going to stay with a Cajun friend in his home

on a bayou where he feeds the alligators, raccoons,

and owls. He is a real character, and I am looking

forward to spending some time with him and hearing

his comical Cajun stories. Hopefully I can remember

a punchline or two, and share them with you.

sheltongail@hotmail.com