Light-Colored Rail

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Have you ever seen such a light-colored Rail? This is the lightest one I have encountered and wanted to share with you in case you haven't experienced one as such. I have seen and photographed many Rail but the ones I see traditionally have a grayish face and are not this light in color. Perhaps the only Rail I've seen are Clapper Rail and this one is a King Rail. I'm not sure what is up with the light coloration but I wanted you to see this guy for yourself.

Forsters Terns / Cave Swallow

How do you like the graceful Forster's Terns? Watching them hover over the water and dive for prey makes it a delight to watch.

It's maneuverability is spectacular as it twists and turns, setting itself into position for the plunge.

The rocketing, twisting, turning Cave Swallows are challenging birds to photograph. Due to its increased numbers it has been removed from the rare, Review List Birds.

The Gaudy Painted Buntings. They're Back!

What do you think of this brillant-colored neotropical, migratory songbird found in Louisiana? For me, the vibrant-colored Painted Bunting appears as if it should be found in a Rain Forest along with Parrots / Parakeets and not in brushy fields with areas of dense undergrowith.

What do you think of its multi-colored eye ring? Is this fascinating or what? If you look closely at its eye ring you see red, yellow, blue and green colors.

It is a special day whenever this small, colorful songbird appears with its sweet warble makes his debut.

Flamingo

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My wife and I drove to Grand Chenier after work Thursday afternoon to see the Flamingo. It was a pleasure visiting with Mrs. Bonsall. She was just as excited as we were about their Flamingo and eager to show us their Flamingo and to tell us its story.

We were awestruck when we spotted this long-legged, long-necked slender bird decorated in its brilliant pink plumage contrasted against the dark green marsh grass. It was weird observing this tall, pink, misfit bird that should be in Africa or South America and not in the wild feeding in the marshes of SW Louisiana

We watched the Flamingo as it fed with its head in the water going back and forth across a small pond in the back of the marsh.

At times it would spread it wings as if it was going to fly.

Two Great Horned Owlets

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Our Granddaughter's teacher invited us back to see and photograph the young Great Horned Owlets in her yard. Their soft, downy, white feathers are slowly disappearing as they transition into their adult plumage.

The two Owlets were inseparable. They stood side by side on the limb the entire time. They no longer remain in their nest as it had blown down from the tree due to the continuous howling south winds. They are a 'hoot' to watch. They keep their eyes trained on you the entire time and follow your every move..

A couple of days after this picture the two GH Owlets flew away, never to be seen again. It was a pleasure to see them and I wish them the best.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I lost the blinking contest and blinked first. :)