Swamp Thangs! Part 1
Boating into the Mandalay Wildlife Refuge and cypress areas around Lake Palourde never, ever gets old to me. I’m like a child with a shiny new bicycle on my birthday each time I ride into these magical, mystical waters. Always amazed, enthralled, intrigued, and mystified by what I see.
Since I’m also “working” the PROW project while on these trips, with my camera under the boat console, most of the photos are just a quick grab-and-shoot ordeal, since the female prothonotary warblers we attempt to capture as they fly out of the nest boxes wait for no man, or woman, or photographer!
These are photos I thought you might enjoy. I certainly tremendously enjoyed viewing these critters in their natural settings.
Enjoy! (and please click to see larger image!)
First, birds of Lake Palourde*
Next, Prothonotary Warblers of Lake Palourde
Reptiles of Lake Palourde
Cypress scapes of Lake Palourde
And the winners of the Creativity of Nature Award . . .
You MUST click on the above two photos to get a closer look at how nature made these creatures! Can you see a puppy with its tongue hanging out? Can you see the face of an owl, beak included?
*All photos in this Lake Palourde Series were taken yesterday, April 16, 2017, on the go, on the run, while manning the boat or handling the anchor or assisting Nat, the bird scientist! I just love on-the-go photos when they turn out like these!
Swamp Thangs Part 2 coming soon!
BW
The photos are beautiful and a reminder of God’s creation and splendor! I know it must be refreshing to feel his presence as you work in “His handiwork.” It was a joy viewing these photos today and pausing to reflect on God’s goodness.
Blessings to you.
Thank you, Bonita. I am energized through Nature, and this day was certainly jam packed with energy!
Great photos! Do you know all these bird species, or do you have to refer to books. I would have to go to a book to make most of the identifications.
I’ve been doing my boat tours for so long that I know most all of them by sight, and many of them by their call, even when I can’t see them. I’m learning something new every week, as far as the calls of migratory birds go . . . Nat is a pro birder, and she knows all their calls. For example, I’ve learned the call of red-eyed vireo, even though I’ve never seen one. I know the Northern parula, and I never see those, they are so high in the trees. All it takes is being out there a lot!!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this post. Beautiful pictures and creatures. Soooo serene. I too love nature.
Thanks,
Thank you for visiting, Jackie! So glad you enjoyed the photos!