Female Snail KiteMale Snail KiteVic got this red shoulder hawk just as we were leaving the LandingBlack Neck StiltBlack Neck StiltFemale CardinalTricolor Heron in breeding plumage – see the blue on his beak and pink legsRed wing blackbirdSnail kite
We all noticed how small the snail was. I said it’s an amuse bouche, a cooking term meaning a small bite. It is presented to the judge on a small white porcelain spoon in a cooking competition, an example of the person’s best work. We all had a good laugh over it.
Grackle with a minnow Grackle with a minnowWhite Pelican landingCatbirdJohn, Vic, me, Leslie
Before I show you that, I want to share two photographs by our friend Paul.
Pelican Brown Pelican
I’ve never seen a pelican in this pose. Paul says it’s Pelican yoga. The pelican is stretching its pouch to exercise it and clean it out of any debris. Very interesting.
Now for the dive
Coming in for a landingComing back up but you can’t see the fish yet
The next two shots are pretty weird.
Fish in talons. Eagle head in center of frameEagle head easier to see, fish still in talons Away he goes
It was another gorgeous morning at the Landing. That’s what we call the area where we sit. It’s a big area, room for all of us to sit comfortably and see all the action. Blue skies, puffy clouds, a nice breeze, boats going past occasionally, it’s just perfect. Someone always comments on what a perfect place this is and the rest of us express our happiness at being here.
This is Vic’s Osprey dive.
The landingThe captureThis is my favorite because of how cool his tail feathers lookShowing off the catch (he’s looking right at you)
We were at the boat launch this morning, of course. This is a male eagle.
I hope you can get a sense of how exciting this was.
Coming inLook how he uses his wingsSee the fish behind him?!! He grabbed it with one talonAdjusting how the fish is heldIt’s a huge bluegillHome to Eat!
Yesterday Paul and I went to the Kenansville Swamp Cabbage parade. This is a small town remember so the parade consisted of cowboys and girls and teenagers on horseback, the town fire truck, the kids in 4H, like that. There were several vehicles carrying kids throwing candy into the crowd. There were vendors with the usual crafts, raffles and you could get a BBQ meal. By the way one of the raffle items was a pistol. It was very warm. I got overheated and had to take my bbq meal home to eat later. Part of the meal was a container of swamp cabbage. I don’t know what is in exactly in it but it’s vile. omg. The event was fun though, Paul seems to know everyone and introduced me around.
We toured the old schoolhouse which now houses exhibits and artifacts from days long gone. One room remembers local veterans from WWII.
Another room is mostly to do with old farm stuff.
Local farmers’ brands
Meanwhile Vic went birding with Zoe and got some very fun stuff.
Red bellied WoodpeckerRed bellied Woodpecker
There’s barely any red on their bellies, don’t understand the name. But hey that’s just me. Aside from that what a great flying shot!!
Red wing blackbirdPurple MartinBlack neck stiltBlack neck stiltSnail Kite giving a pose
Now today …
Zoe luxuriating in her new bed
We keep one in the truck and bring it out when we are birding.