Great Blue Heron in Southern Cove, Nearly Sunset

                                                      Mallard Profile, Silhouetted

                                                   Sunset at Last, Today Draws to an End

2015 hrs./92 degrees/light and variable winds

The cicadas reach a crescendo the closer it gets to sunset, and the symphony rages.  In a cappella, the Eastern Kingbirds penetrate the forefront, as their part draws insects nearer to them.  They feast while they sing.  In the distance, the rays of the heat rise over the water, as Great Egret glides by, then changes its mind, coming from whence it once was.  The shadows over the water have an ethereal quality, and as I inhale, I see the generous beauty of what was given to me to view this mid evening.  Life is a precious commodity, for if we take it for granted, it will be swept away from us without a moment's notice.  Drink deeply of the summer's enchanting call, for it will soon be gone, to be greeted by the quiet stance of autumn. . .

                                                   Female Red-winged Blackbird Backlit

                                                                   Mallard

                                                                 Mallard Pair

                                                                      Great Egret

                                                                      Ditto

                                                                    Ditto

These are from last night and this morning, and this morning was considerably cooler than yesterday evening.  Great Egret's antics provided the icing on the cake this morning, and I hope you enjoy looking at these as much as I enjoyed taking them.

                                                                  Dragonfly

                                                                 Sleepy Orange

                                                                 Mississippi Kite

                                                       Eastern Kingbird in Flight

                                                 Evening Returning from Whence it Came

92-90 degrees/15 mph winds/Evening

Inner peace comes to all of us when everything is aligned correctly.  Full clarity comes into view, and a smile of satisfaction comes to our lips when things are perfect.  Remember that the simplest things are the best, take nothing for granted, and treasure every day that you are living.  Life is too short, but live it well.

Mississippi Kite

1830-1900 hrs/clear skies/92 degrees

I didn't get very far this evening when I spotted this beauty.  I had only heard about this bird, but had never seen it until NOW.  What a fabulous treat, which allows encouragement for others.  This bird was very hungry, devouring two Mourning Doves in the time that I was in the area.  They do reside in the general vicinity, so I was pleased that I happened to be here when this gorgeous kite was, too.

Sunday Morning's Adventures, August 25, 2013

                                                    Great Blue Heron in Southern Cove

                                  Great Egret Stretches Between Goose Island and Northern Jetty

 
                                                      Great Egret Smiles for YOU!

                                                           Great Egret Backlit

Between 0730-0830 hrs/partly cloudy/80-85 degrees

Summer is drawing to a close as far as birding is concerned.  Migration has been going on for a couple of weeks now, and some birds are heading south, while others are vying for northern regions.  Here is e-Birds regional migration map for you to keep a watch on things as they progress:

http://birdcast.info/forecast/regional-migration-forecast-24-30-august-2013/

                                                                  Great Egret

                                                     Mallard Trailing Water After a Drink

                                                                     Wasp

                                                              Eastern Comma

                                                             Backlit Spider Web

92-90 degrees/Evening/15 mph Wind

Hot and Humid, but very rewarding with today's shots.  I'm very pleased with today's fare, which was a very calm and quiet evening, very little foot traffic.  The sounds and smells of summer are abating, and soon we will be ushering in another fall.  I look forward to the new peace and upcoming containment.

                                                         Marsh Rabbit Sees Me!

                                                           Mallard Stretching

                                                            Exploded Thistle Flowers

                                                          Blue-gray Gnatcatcher

light and variable winds/90 degrees/partly cloudy/evening

Very little bird life, but look, a definite new bird.  This appears to be an Immature Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, and are they ever fast.  I was finally able to get a few shots of this beauty.  What a pose, eh?

Common Buckeye, Underside

                                                      A Ragged Looking Dotted Skipper

                                                      Immature European Starling

                                                              American Coot

             
                                                    Bad Example of Phaon Crescent

These were from last evening, which was cloudy, 87 degrees, with 15 mph winds.  It isn't much, but many changes are happening with life on Boomer Lake.

                                                    Northern Mockingbird in Flight

                                                          Northern Mockingbird

                                                       Northern Cardinal in Woods

                                                     Not sure what bird had this nest

                                                         This bug stymies me

                                                       Mourning Dove

low 70's/0730-1000 hrs/partly cloudy/light and variable winds

Another rare and quiet morning on the lake.  Many inhabitants were out of view, yet the daily movement and sounds could be heard.  There are still a few babies here and there, but it looks like that spring prerequisite has come to an end for the season.  Times and birds will change, as will the clock, by subtracting an hour.  Time is one of those relative things, yet it passes so quickly.

                                                        Great Blue Heron at Sunset

                                                   Portrait, Female Red-winged Blackbird

                                                   Immature Northern Mockingbird

                                                                      Great Egret

                                         Female Red-winged Blackbird Straddles Sunflowers

                                               

                                                      Marsh Rat Seeking Food

                                                          Immature Mallard Duckling

   
                                                                      Viceroy

                                                              Tawny Emperor


The first three of these were from last evening, and the remainder were from this morning.  This morning was 67 degrees, partly cloudy, with light and variable winds.  There was a hint of a sweet aroma in the air and the birds were actively feeding.  It must have rained overnight, for the grass was heavily wet, yet hosted numerous butterflies, also feeding.  It was a rare morning to greet the light of day, as well as my priceless denizens of the lake. Oh, happy morning, and I do hope that you were able to share the same kind of treasures...