Cooper's Hawk / Am Pipits / Painted Bunting

This juvenile Cooper's Hawk was focused (pun) on finding his next meal and oblivious to being photographed. One would think this juvenile Cooper's Hawk was a model with his different poses while on the lookout.

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A flock of approximately twenty American Pipits was foraging in an open field slowly working toward the road. As they drew closer, one landed on the fence in camera range.

Notice his white outer tail feathers.

The forest makes your heart gentle. You become one with it... No place for greed or anger there. Pha Pachak

Sandhill Cranes

I made a quick birding run before church this AM. Six tall, long-necked, heavy-bodied Sandhill Cranes were foraging in a field off of Lionel Derouen Road.

Once you hear their loud, rattling call you will certainly never forget it!

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Long-eared Owl / Tropical Parula

Hats off to Justin Bosler / Devin Bosler for two spectacular finds and to Cody Conway for relaying the message.

Robby Bacon and I headed south after receiving the message about the incredible Tropical Parula. We found out the Parula had not been relocated but surprise, surprise, surprise, a Long-eared Owl had been discovered! Upon arriving, Devin and Justin graciously pointed out the Long-eared Owl roosting in the middle of a dense acacia scrub only thirty feet away. We stood there admiring this super-rare, remarkable Owl fully realizing this was probably a once-in-a-lifetime Louisiana bird.

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Robby and I went hunting for the Tropical Parula that Devin and Justin found earlier in the day. We slowly made our way through the trees when much to our delight a  yellowish bird flew up and lit in a nearby tree. Sharp-eyed Robby exclaimed, "That's him!". The Tropical Parula hopped from limb to limb, tree to tree and flew away. The picture obtained was blurry but good enough for a positive ID for the bird.

It was a treat seeing these two, once-in-a-lifetime remarkable birds in Louisiana this afternoon. Great finds Devin and Justin and thanks for sharing!

Towhee Trifecta

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My day started at Sabine Woods hoping to find the Green-Tailed Towhee spotted and photographed the previous day by Kelley Sampeck and Cody Conway. After about an hour, I rounded the corner and couldn't believe my eyes. An Eastern Towhee and a Green-Tailed Towhee were sitting side by side in the same tree.

This is the boy I was hoping to find. A first for me. He was partially hidden in the tree but in the open enough to get a picture. He didn't hang around long and vanished as fast as he appeared. Thanks for the heads-up Kelley and Cody!

The Eastern Towhee ddn't hang around long and made a quick departure.

On my return trip home I stopped at Peveto Woods. Devin Bosler informed me a Spotted Towhee was in the woodlot. The Birding Gods were with me as the Spotted Towhee made his debut.

Another picture of the Review List Spotted Towhee. A second first for the day. Thanks Devin!

It was challenging to get a picture of a Nelson's Sparrow. They popped up, flew off and landed back low in the dense grass. Fortunately one peeked up long enough for a picture. A third first for the day.

Another Nelson's Sparrow that cooperated.

A Grasshopper Sparrow happened to be at the Wetland Walkway on my way home along with a couple of Juncos. Lo and behold a fourth first for the day. Perhaps I should go home and hit the casinos?

A Junco perched on a limb with its feathers fluffed out in the cold morning chewing on a piece of grass was quite stunning.

A Flicker flew up and posed for his portrait.

Swamp Sparrows were about during the day.

And Field Sparrows as well.

This whitish Red-Talied Hawk sitting atop a utility pole was cool looking.

This Red-Shouldered Hawk was equally worth the stop in order to get its photo.

All in all it was a great day to be out and one of the best birding days ever!