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Sunday, January 9, 2011

i heart birds....who knew?!

 

If you've been reading here for awhile, you know i love to walk the LSU Lakes. And if you know i love to walk the lakes, you know i have fallen in love with the egrets there. What you may not realize, is that it seems to have escalated to me becoming a bit obsessed. I have even done a little research on these beautiful creatures! Everyday, i have more questions & now, i'm starting to wonder about the other birds that live just off East Lakeshore Drive.

It is kind of crazy. I mean, i have always loved animals, but never birds. Birds were like my LEAST favorite animal. Besides, you know, snakes & stuff like that. Most of my life i have been basically uninterested when it came to birds. Annoyed by some of them. And totally freaked out by others! And yet, i start walking the lakes & become just totally in awe of these beautiful birds! The Great White Egret, to be exact. =) 


I have done a little research, but everything says the same things & i want to know more. I want to know why some have straight feathers & some have crazy fluffy ones. I want to know why at a certain time of day they COVER 3 trees at the lakes & why all the white ones take up the bottom half of the tree & the black ones (i'm not sure what the black one is) take up the top half of the tree. I want to know why they stand absolutely perfectly still in the water (i found this answer - they are hunting).



I am now becoming curious about all the ducks, too. What kind is this one, what kind is that one? Why do the ones in the picture below charge at you as if they are going to attack?! Why do some of them have a straight orange beak & some have that knot looking thingie at the top of their beak?!




Yes, i am becoming some kind of bird freak. =) 

Saturday i went to the lakes just to play with my new camera. I just snapped away. I was thrilled to be able to get some close ups that i never have been able to get with my point & shoot. I actually squealed with excitement after seeing (through my extra zoom lens) this one grab a fish with its beak & swallow it in one gulp! 



God's creation is magnificent. Not just sunrises & autumn leaves...but the birds of the air as well.


Stay tuned for more pics! The lakes will be my backdrop for many camera practice sessions! =)

5 comments:

  1. Haha, that is too funny! Wonderful pictures though!

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  2. Wow! You got some great shots with your new camera!

    The "ducks" with the knot-looking things on their beaks are actually geese. :) And they are generally mean, which is why they charge after you. :) Either that or they are used to being fed so they are looking for more food from you.

    I'm glad you are having so much fun with your new camera! I can't wait to see more pics!

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  3. I can't wait to visit you someday so we can walk the lakes together with our fabulous cameras!

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  4. Love these! Birds are so fascinating.

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  5. GREAT photos, Melissa! And very interesting & fun reading, too!

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