The Fisher Kings

Greetings from Baton Rouge, Louisiana!

This past weekend was amazing! If you're friends with me on Facebook you saw the giant alligator that scared me and my friend to death last Friday. He was a good 15 feet, if not longer. The wind was pushing our kayaks closer and closer. Finally, I anchored myself against a tree that was probably 25 feet away to get pics with my phone. When the gator lifted his head, my heart leapt out of my chest and splashed into the water. Haha, I exaggerate, but I was pretty scared. Then he slithered into the water while we paddled as fast as our arms could manage. My friend Cathy kept looking backwards. I kept yelling at her to keep paddling! Later, while putting her kayak onto the roof of the SUV we were attacked by a swarm of ladybugs! Let me tell you those things sting!

Sorry for the poor quality, but you at least get the idea of size.

After my cousin's delightful lunch on Sunday, we drove to LSU Lakes. Double D helped me corral a Great and Snowy Egret onto a small dam that separates the lakes. He is such a good husband. The egrets love to stand there and catch fish that swim unknowingly into the trap.

Even the ducks were in on the action.

They always took their catch to the banks and ate there.

This snowy egret was the most successful fishing. After a while he stood there for a long time
with his mouth open like this. I don't know if he got stuck by a fin, bone, or what.

Double D took this one of me shooting the snowy egret.
My legs are wrapped around my tripod for extra stability.

Wishing each of you a very Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving!! See you next week.

Sharing with the generous Anni at

Good Day, Sunshine!

It's hard to believe that on November 2nd I was sweating while photographing winged things at the arboretum, since most of us are experiencing record-setting cold temperatures this week. As I age, it gets harder and harder for my body to retain heat. Thyroid disease doesn't help matters. It took much effort to get off the couch where I was so comfy with my blankets and heating pad to prepare this post. I'm not complaining, mind you. I much prefer the cold to the sweltering heat. But that's just me.

Before we really get into winter and holiday mode, I thought I should share these images.

Gulf Fritillary

Gulf Fritillary

Checkered Skipper

Unknown bee

Unknown insect

If all goes as planned, Bridget and I are set to photograph horses at a ranch not far from town this morning. I'm so glad the frigid temps are starting to abate. I hope it is for you also. Take care and have a great weekend!

Pelican Brief and a Warning

These beautiful birds have returned to LSU and Capitol Lakes in Baton Rouge to entertain us for another winter. As of last week the count was around 300. Last year we had 1,000, so I hope more are on the way.

Interesting facts about the American White Pelican:

• The collective nouns for pelicans are "brief" "pod" "pouch" "scoop" and "squadron."
• They consume 4 pounds of food per day.
• AWPs scoop their food unlike the brown pelicans who plunge-dive.
• They sometimes work together to herd fish into shallow water.
• During breeding season adults grow a protrusion near the bill tip.
• One of the largest North American birds.
• Parents must provide approx. 150 pounds of food for their chicks from birth until they're ready to forage for themselves.
• The oldest known AWP was 23-1/2 years old and was banded in North Dakota in 1983.

I told you to stop tailgating, Junior!

**The Warning**

Had a very upsetting morning on Saturday. Someone impersonating my son called my dad saying he was hurt and needed money--$1500 to be exact--said his lawyer would call later. The "lawyer" indeed called and asked for three $500 prepaid cards to be sent. Red flag! I was able to get in touch with my son and found he is okay. This ruse is called the Grandparents Scam, and there are many articles on the internet about it. It almost caused me to have a heart attack. My dad and stepmom were obviously upset by it also. Please be careful, y'all!

Linking with the lovely Anni at

Bees and Blooms

Remember the pregnant girl who picked stole flowers from our local arboretum? To answer those that asked, yes there was a sign. More than one.

Anywho...enough of the flower thief. Onto prettier things.

Out of focus, but I love the way he pulled the petals around his head.

Enjoy the weekend, y'all! See you on Monday. I'll leave you with this:

"If you love a flower, don't pick it up.

Because if you pick it up it dies and it ceases to be what you love.

So if you love a flower, let it be.

Love is not about possession.

Love is about appreciation."

Osho

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.

Linking with

Thanks, Anni!

The Lodge and an Oopsie!

Our time at Hickory Hills Hunting Preserve was absolutely glorious. Our stay was very pleasant. The lodge owners prepared three meals a day and their son took us around to three different ponds on their 12,000 acre estate. I did learn something that made me feel better about this type of hunting: each hunter is accompanied by one of the family members. Deer under a certain age or size are not allowed to be killed, so they all live longer lives at Hickory Hills than they would in the wild. They are well taken care of with plenty of acreage to make the hunt a challenge.

This was my favorite photo. This is Chief. He's an 11-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback.
He insisted on accompanying me while I ate and got a big slurp of my soup!

The lodge was decked out like Cabella's. All of the animals had been hunted by the owners
at different places around the world.

This was the view off the large, covered patio.

Dining area where Chief licked my soup, that corner table to the left.

An entrance gate to one of the properties named after a daughter, Linden.

Our fishing hole. I caught five bass and Daddy caught two. We threw them back because they were too small.

The lodge.

The biggest excitement took place after we left Hickory Hills. My dad was poking along I-55 in the left lane when suddenly a gigantic SUV came out of nowhere, right on our bumper. My dad moved over as soon as he could, but then he became really angry about it. So he flipped off the SUV making a mean face and shaking that middle finger violently at the driver. I swear; I do not lie. This is what my dad does. Next thing we know, blue lights and sirens come on. It was a Mississippi STATE TROOPER! Daddy pulled over and after rolling his window down, got the dressing down of his life. The only thing I could say in our defense was that the sudden appearance of the SUV scared me. The trooper was shouting at my dad like a drill sergeant, telling him to keep his butt out of the left lane, how dare he treat a fellow officer that way, blah blah blah. Mr. Trooper Man said he had a call to go to and had bigger fish to fry. Before that he threatened to throw my dad in jail. I had visions of how in Hades I would negotiate with these backwoods cops. Oh, Lawdy, my heart was beating 90-to-nothing. It's always an adventure with my dad. I have so many stories to share. But I'd have to have an R-rated blog to tell the whole truth.

Well, y'all have a great week! I'm doing laundry today and catching up on my blog reading.

Itchy

Hello gang! I hope the weather is as beautiful where you are as it is here. After enduring the sweltering heat for four months, the cool, crisp mornings and evenings are a welcome change.

I spotted this Great Egret in a pond outside of Bluebonnet Swamp Nature Center. I sat on the pond's edge and watched for an hour, clicking intermittently. My mind would occasionally (and rudely) interrupt and say, "Don't you think it's time to move on?" Each time I would respond with, "Why?" Why indeed! I'm tired of my life being ruled by the clock. It shouldn't be so difficult to just sit and be. Who is this tormentor robbing me of inner peace? I shouldn't feel like I'm missing something just because I am sitting still and enjoying that moment. It's a constant battle to just relax. Another one of my little rants...just ignore me!

I am leaving tomorrow for Mississippi to go fishing with my dad. We are staying at a beautiful hunting lodge; a grand home that sits on thousands of acres. I'm very excited to fish in such luxurious surroundings. Photos to come! Maybe this trip will reignite my love of blogging. I think I'm having a bit of blogging fatigue.

Linking to