The Bather

Finally...to my favorite bird. How can something that is so goofy looking and wacky waddling be such an amazing animal?

The pelican is beyond words. I can watch them all day (and have.) The diving, the swallowing, the waddle, the eyes. the beak, the neck, and the wingspan all intrigue me.

I don't know what this particular exercise does for them. They do a head dip, and then they lift both wings in the air, and beat the water 5-6 times. I got 105 shots before she flew off. I thought my grandson was a little crazy in the bathtub, but this bathing beauty is beyond him.

I started the morning thinking I saw an oversized seagull. I pulled the car over, and quickly walked back. IT WAS AN OSPREY! She was on top of a telephone pole eating her fish breakfast. She let me get 8 shots before she felt guilty about her table manners and left.

In the same area that I have found 2 heron nests...I heard a terrible racket. It was a 3rd nest with tiny little herons in it. Mom or Dad came back with a treat, and the chicks went nuts. The parent got so upset that he/she tried pecking the babies into better behavior, got exasperated, and left. As near as I can tell...that nest has new babies, the other one has toddlers that are already flying, and the 3rd couple are waiting for the stork to arrive. Fun to watch. Wish the nests were lower and not so well hidden.

Have to run. Going to Tampa to pick up my brother-in-law at 10:00 p.m.