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.

Dave's Pond Today

My Son-in-Law (Tom Maddox) and I headed south today hoping to find the Ferruginous Hawk, the Western-Wood Pewee and the Black-Headed Grosbeak. The bird of the day on the menu at Peveto was the Pine Warblers in their bright yellow decor. (Left Click on Pictures to Enlarge)

We met up with Devin Bosler at Dave's Pond. He pointed out a Song Sparrow eating seeds in the dense foilage adjacent to the pond.

After Devin left we hung out with Jeff Harris and Dave Patton at Dave's Pond watching for birds. A Palm Warbler and Indigo Bunting fared their feathers, bathed and shook their feathers briskly to dry.

A Tennesse Warbler and Sparrow couldn't stand it and joined in the fun.

The highlight of the day was when the elusive Review List Black Headed Grosbeak came to join the party at Dave's Pond. He flew into the top of the Live Oak Tree behind Dave's Pond and began his descent hopping down. He bounced onto an open limb, stopped briefly for his picture then flew back into the woods.

What a great way to end the day! We met some super nice, knowledgeable birders at Peveto and had fun watching the birds.

Sage Thrasher

ROBBY BACON had an AMAZING FIND today at Sabine National Wildlife Refuge on the Blue Goose Trail ... a SAGE THRASHER !!!.

After work I grabbed my camera and my wife and took off. Robby was spot on as usual. It didn't take long to locate the Sage Thrasher hopping along the trail catching grasshoppers, bugs, etc. We were enchanted with this rare bird and watched it until sunset. It should still be there this weekend for all to view.

WAY TO GO, ROBBY. WHAT AN OUTSTANDING FIND !!!! (click to enlarge)


At times the Sage Thrasher enjoyed playing in the sand piles close to the parking lot. (Click to Enlarge)


What was the Sage Thrasher doing? He was strolling along the path keeping a sharp lookout for insect, bugs, etc. When he spotted one, he would dart in the grass, catch it and down the hatch it would go. It was a pleasure seeing and watching such a rare bird in Louisiana thanks to Robby. (Left Click to Enlarge)