Bird Week VIII: Divers, Dive-Ins and Diners - Rare

I have tried often and rarely been able to photograph the frenetic Belted Kingfisher. It flits and darts and dives and rarely rests. This one had just scooped up a frog and was sitting in a tree, partially hidden, to eat his lunch. That I was able to get a semi-decent photo pleased me as much as the frog legs (and more) must have pleased him.

If you are going out tonight to celebrate Valentines Day at a fancy French restaurant with frog legs on the menu, my apology. But Happy Valentines Day anyway.

Bird Week VIII: Divers, Dive-Ins and Diners - Speared (two photos)

This bird, an Anhinga, is an accoplished swimmer and spears its prey. This fish was rather large and it was fascinating to watch the bird loose the fish from its beak without losing it back into the water. Then it swallows the fish whole, head first, while pointing its beak straight up. We watched the whole process that took at least 10 minutes.

Bird Week VIII: Divers, Dive-Ins and Diners - Silt Sifter

The Rosette Spoonbill is a gorgeous, bright-hued bird with a comical bill. The tip is round and perfect for its feeding technique of sliding the bill side to side in the silt while wading near the shores of lakes and streams. It is a breeding bird of coastal Florida and occasionally north to South Carolina. Another morning specimen found at Everglades National Park where he must have just arrived from a long overnight flight:)

Bird Week VIII: Divers, Dive-Ins and Diners - Morsel

This stunning American White Pelican summers in the north and central US along lakes and rivers, it winters along the Gulf, the Baja and Central America. It has a wing span of between 8 and 10 feet and eats about four pounds of food per day. Not sure what this one has snagged but clearly it is only a small portion of the days meal. But it did not disappear into the maw unnoticed like most of the food gathered. This pelican was photographed in the Everglades National Park near Flamingo.

Bird Week VIII: Divers, Dive-Ins and Diners - Pride

We start with a very proud immature Black-crowned Night Heron. He popped up with this black fish and stood on the log making sure all his friends saw the catch, like the fishermen’s photos at the docks. He preened a bit and then flew off to have it filleted and grilled with a lemon caper sauce.

Pathway

A path at the National Park Service site in Georgia, the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. This is an ancient site with occupation going back 10,000 years. There are a few traits around the property, this one was along a lake for a bit. Nice walk and interesting place.

“The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 NLT

A Little Bird Said....

…you don’t want to miss Bird Week VIII starting on Monday. It is the long awaited Divers, Dive-Ins and Diners edition. Sure to be nominated for many prestigious internet awards.

On the fabulous contest we began on Thursday, the correct answer is: “Things Go Better We Coke” slogan was introduced in 1963. And we have a winner, Pam got it right. Yay. Pam, your fabulous prize will be delivered this month. And the excitement mounts. The other potential tell - spotted by Dennis after hours of research (probably asked Kathy) - the mini blinds although invented in 1946 they were not perfected or popular until the 70’s.

Finally, oops. I have had a very big project due for my actual job and it has taken lots of time and energy so my photo editing and sorting have fallen way behind. That coupled with my own mistake - I know, who would think I make mistakes (shush, Rusty) have limited my work on Two Lane Touriing. What I did was connect my back up hard drive instead of my main photo drive. The difference is that the main drive has the catalog needed to run my program. It took me a week and occasional forays into the program to figure out what I had done. Finally back to normal or at least what passes for normal and just two weeks until the project is delivered. So, maybe, back to full posting. Soon.

A shy and elusive Blue-Grey Gnatcatcher

Whirligig

There is a unique park in Wilson, NC filled with the whimsical art of Vollis Simpson. Whirligig Park in the heart of town is full of these fantastic creations that turn and spin and dip full of color and life. I was there on a day dodging rain drops and shot a couple of photos but I really want to go back on a nice day and see the colors shine. Here is a site with lots of information, interviews and photos. - https://www.wilsonwhirligigpark.org

The Year Is?

This is a 1948/49 Cadillac parked on the street in Elizabeth City, NC. What detail is incongruent with the year 1950 for this photograph? Stayed tuned Saturday for the exciting conclusion to our quiz and the awarding of fabulous prizes. EDIT it is actually a 40/41 Cadillac. Got a brain freeze thinking this scene looked like 1950. Sorry and thanks to Dennis for pointing out the error.

Another Lion

This was my favorite of the afternoon.

A Long Way

to just about anywhere. This sign is near the airport in Utqiagvik, Alaska. Sited on the edge of the Arctic Ocean it is the 3rd most northernly city in the world.

The View of the World

This was Jimmy Carter’s view of the world growing up. He would board the train that stopped across the street and it would lead him to the White House.

Caution

These beautiful animals look so at peace and docile in the surroundings where they are well cared for at the Tiger Rescue. They are not tame and are treated here not like pets but as wild animals who have a great place to live out their lives. The stories of how they were rescued to live here are amazing to someone like myself who did not even begin to realize how many of these animals are kept as pets privately across the country.

“The wicked run away when no one is chasing them, but the godly are as bold as lions.” Proverbs 28:1 NLT

Experience

At a small museum in Telkeetna there was a model of Mount Denali. I was able to catch a talk by this gentleman who had climbed it five times and scores of others mountains in North America primarily. He was no longer doing “the big mountain” - I think he said his last climb was six years ago, but was still actively climbing. The stories were great. Love to hear from people who have expertise and are passionate about what they do.

Almost

It has been a mild winter here so far. February is often full of surprises but we are also getting closer to March and the start of spring.. Yay.

Do Stripes Make Me Look Fat?

DONT ANSWER YES!

Carolina Tiger Rescure near Pittsboro, NC. And, yes, he is behind a chain link fence.

Hot n' Cold

Sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains near Fishersville, Virginia. It snowed the day before and left a beautiful morning.

Having a Blast on their night out.

Cindy and I were walking along the coast in Washington at a WWI era fort where these ladies were being photographed. I think they were from the same office but not sure. Anyway, I like the photo.

Interruption

This Black Bear, spoted near Hyder, AK, stopped eating a freshly caught salmon long enough to stare at the photographer. Fortunately salmon dinner was the overwhelming favorite.

The Real Reason...

… you might want to stay in Stewart BC (see yesterday’s post) is the Toaster Museum. Sadly it was not open the day we were there so, of course, that is a reason to return. Full disclosure, I have a stop planned at the National Mustard Museum in Wisconsin this summer.

“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless!” What do people get for all their hard work under the sun?” Ecclesiastes 1: 2,3 NLT