White Tailed kites / Juncos

While driving to Peveto this afternoon I noticed a couple of birds that appeared to be small gulls but they didn't fly like small gulls. They were dynamiic in flight and were some real flying machines. Then I understood. They were White-Tailed Kites. (LEFT CLICK TO ENLARGE ALL PICTURES)

These birds are fascinating to watch with their aerial acrobatics.

Taking pictures was much easier when they decided to take a break. These birds were a first for me and it was a privelege to watch them for a short time.

At Peveto, I ran into hard-working Dave Patton. He showed me where the Juncos were hanging out that Paul Conover spotted the day before.

These birds were a first for me as well and cool to observe. It was a great way to end a fun afternoon being out, watching birds and taking pictures.

Red Tailed Hawk's Lucky Day

This Red-Tailed Hawk was sitting by the fence alongside the road today and couldn't fly. I phoned my Son-in-Law, returned home, picked up our dog's kennel cage and returned approximately 20 minutes later. My Son-in-Law was in his car right behind me as we pulled up to the spot where the RTHA was discovered. The hawk was nowhere to be found and it was growing dark. We only had about 5 minutes of light remaining to locate the hawk and catch it. My Son-In-Law, Thomas, spotted it running across the road about 50 yards away. The race was on. It made it across the road, across the ditch and across the fence. We got to the spot where it crossed the fence. I jumped the fence and found it sitting in some tall grass with it looking up, daring me to get closer. I tossed a towel over its head, grabbed it by the legs, lifted it up and handed it across the fence to Thomas. We walked back to our vehicles and placed the young RTHA in the kennel cage.

I phoned Suzy at Heckhaven Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Lake Charles, LA ( http://www.heckhaven.com/ ) and brought the injured hawk immediately to her. She showed us where the hawk's wing was broken at the joint. The bone was protruding slightly through the skin. She felt the hawk had been shot and estimated that it had been down for approximately a week due to the calcification of the bone and due to its weight loss.

It is fortunate we have such caring people as Suzy at Heckhaven WRC in Lake Charles whose passion is to care for and to rehabilitate orphaned and injured animals/birds. This hawk was unlucky but is now lucky to have a chance to survive thanks to Suzy. (Left Click to Enlarge Picture)

Up periscope, down periscope

The small, recluse, secretive Least Bittern is entertaining to watch. It is well camouflaged and can be hard to spot as it slowly skulks through the reeds. It appears to have a short little neck but looks can be deceiving.

Can you believe how far his neck extends? It reminds me of a periscope on a submarine ... up periscope, down periscope.


It is remarkable the way it straddles reeds with its long toes and sharp claws allowing it to feed in water too deep for it to stand. This is a fascinating little heron and will surely put a smile on your face.

Barn Swallow

This image was captured earlier this year. It is not the best perch but we are blessed in Louisiana to have such a colorful bird. (Left Click to Enlarge)

Hooded Merganser + Osprey

Finally the ducks are returning to their wintering grounds. This striking adult male Hooded Merganser with its long, narrow serrated bill was cruising about looking for small fish. Its black head with its contrasting yellow eyes, large white crest patch and reddish-brown sides provided for a stunning sight among the rest. (Left Click to Enlarge)


This yellow-eyed Osprey, or Fish-Eagle, with its deep glossy brown upperparts and white breast streaked with brown watches keenly for fish. Its white head with a dark mask across its eyes makes it easy to identify. (Left-Click to Enlarge)

Kamikazee Sharp Shinned Hawk

Our grandson Andrew head two loud "thumps" at their back window. He ran to his Mom telling her, "Come see the Peregrine Falcon! Come see!". It wasn't a PEFA but it was in the Raptor Family. Our daughter investigated and took a picture. Unfortunately it was not a happy ending for the hawk. It's eyes eventually closed and it didn't make it. (Left - Click to enlarge the picture)

Wilson's Snipe

I found this small, stocky well-camouflaged Wilson's Snipe with its short neck, short legs and long straight beak probing the mud for food this morning. It is not that often that I see them in the open as they are usually close to the ground vegetation blending in with their surroundings. That is one cool bird. Left-click to enlarge.

Probing around

Common Ground Dove

We checked out the report for a possible Ruddy Ground Dove as reported on labird. What did we find? We found an uncommon Common Ground Dove. It surely is a small dove and nice looking one at that. Maybe next time.

Great Horned Owls, Northern Harrier, Harlan's Hawk

These two Great Horned Owls were sitting one above the other in the same tree. I've seen one owl in one tree but never two owls in the same tree.

It was pretty cool so I thought I would share it with you.


This long-tailed Northern Harrier was cruising low over a field with his wings held high when he either heard something or spotted something on the ground. He banked sharply, looked down for his quarry and struck quickly.

I like this picture with his wings out and his head looking down with his talons in the ready position.

This somewhat rare Harlan's Hawk was photographed Sunday morning at 7:30 AM in the top of a tree watching for prey.

Ferruginous Finally

Ninety percent chance of rain today. Who in their right mind would venture out birding in such weather conditions? How much longer will the Ferruginous Hawk that James Beck found be around? Why not? I placed my camera into my truck and headed south. I suppose this qualifies for a full-fledged 'bird nerd'. (Click on pictures to enlarge)


The Red-Tailed Hawks were out and about but that is not what was on the agenda.

I went to the Rec Center in Johnson Bayou and looked high and low for any sign of the Ferruginous Hawk. Lo and behold it flew from the ground up onto a distant pole. It landed too far away for a picture.

I decided to go to Peveto and return in hopes that it would be closer upon my return.

Another car at Peveto? What other crazy person would be at Peveto on such a day? Who else but Robby Bacon! He was easing through the woods glassing for birds. The bird movement was lackluster and we decided to try for the Hawk,


Much to our delight the Ferruginous Hawk was still there. What an AWESOME RAPTOR!! It was closer the second time and we were able to get some decent pictures.

Great find JAMES BECK and thanks for sharing this information for all to see!!!

On our way back home sharp-eyed Robby spotted a Franklin's Gull.


We stopped at the Blue Goose Trail on our way back home. We were shocked to see a Great Horned Owl in the trees overlooking the marsh. That was strange.