UFOs AND A PAIL

This UFO was in our daughter's back yard yesterday evening. See if you can figure out what it really is before looking ahead. :)

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All of a sudden others joined the first. Was this an alien invasion in progress? YIKES !

If you guessed the first picture was a close up of a fire fly you are correct. Cool, huh?  :)

The second picture is several fireflies lighting up the night sky with a crescent moon in the top right hand corner. Fireflies don't seem to be as plentiful as when I was a kid chasing them but it was certainly a pleasure to see them.


A PAIL

Check out this ordinary looking pail sitting on a shelf. What do you suppose is inside?

If you guessed a nest containing three baby Carolina Wrens you are correct! These guys build nests in the strangest places. :)

CAVE SWALLOWS

Cave Swallows continue their march eastward through Louisiana. No chicks were visible in their nest however I suppose either eggs or small chicks may have been present.

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'EGGS'PERT OPINION NEEDED

It was 'eggs'citing to see this 'eggs'traordinary uncommon Common Nighthawk's egg which is something one doesn't happen upon everyday. :)

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What is the significance of the white spot on the end of the egg, if any? Surely there is an 'eggs'planation. It makes me wonder if the chick is nearing hatch time.

Here is something else you don't see every day.

Our daughter witnessed this King Snake coiled around the head of another snake on the doorstep of her next door neighbor.

Later, as you can see, the King Snake began swallowing the other snake. YIKES, what a way to go !!!!

DICKCISSEL

The Dickcissel looks like a miniature Meadowlark with a thicker bill. This guy apparently sings all day long looking for love trying to attract a mate with his incessant "dick-dick-cissel" call.

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Black Skimmer and Reflection

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, who's the fairest of them all?

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BARN SWALLOW CHICKS

Have you ever wondered what the chicks in the little mud nests underneath the overpasses / bridges look like?

An attentive parent looking after the little ones.

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Quadruplets ! Lots of bugs will regret this brood with their insatiable need for protein.

Eternally hungry! How do the parents keep up?  :)

SORA

I haven't seen many Soras and are short on their pictures.

This well-camouflaged, cooperative, skulking Sora stepped from the shadows to the edge of the high grass. Would he step into the open?

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Cautiously easing into the open.

Tiptoeing through the wet morning grass.

Looking around and checking things out

Heading back to the high grass to hit the cover.

SWALLOW-TAILED KITES

The effortless flight of these American Swallow-tailed Kites is impressive as they engage in their aerial ballet.

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These agile Raptors are a picture of sheer grace and beauty as they float in the air with outstretched wings.

The buoyancy of this striking bird comes from weighing  approximately 15 ounces with a wingspan of about 51 inches

This remarkable Raptor is showcased by turning to its side and flaring its scissor-like tail. That is the BEST!  :)

Yeah, yeah, yeah they have itches that must be scratched as well.

Hopefully these extraordinary Raptors will have a successful year breeding and add their offspring to the existing population.

These are my best photos thus far of these magnificent birds. I hope you enjoyed seeing the pictures and I hope you see some if you have not.

NORTHERN BOBWHITE

The crisp, whistling, unmistakable call of a Northern Bobwhite is thrilling to hear. To witness one running next to a fence line is nothing but luck.

This plump, short-tailed, well-camouflaged ground dweller stopped momentarily and was never seen again after he took a few steps in cover.

A "Greenie" (Green Heron) was hanging around.

This Painted Bunting was checking things out. I'm not certain if this is an immature male or female but regardless it was neat to see one.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak + 3

I hope anyone who just started birding (or any time for that matter) ran across these colorful birds during spring migration. These guys are out there and are special to see. If you happened not to see them hopefully these pictures will help you appreciate them and will help you ID them for fall migration or for next spring.

Rose-breasted Grosbeak

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Kentucky Warbler

Prothonotary Warbler

Mississippi Kite