Fishing, American White Pelican

The late afternoon sun spotlighted this beautiful American White Pelican as he was fishing on Old Hickory Lake Sunday. He intently eyed the water under him and then his bill and head would disappear as he dove in to grab a fish. It's amazing how graceful these large birds are even when they are fishing. Back soon. ENJOY!

2017 Year In Review

As I look back at 2017, I found a harsh political climate, not to mention a climate that left us with hurricanes in the South and wildfires in the West. We saw more terrorism in many states, even in my own. Demonstrations plagued our cities, big and small. We are a divided nation it seems. Then came a giant leap in the women's, and even human rights movement. With the unearthing of sexual harassment, this brought to bear one's credibility. With it came destroyed careers, shattered lives and broken families. And we are left in shock and disbelief in this the supposed greatest nation in the world.

In my world, however small, I awoke each day with new hope of capturing Mother Nature in all her splendor and beauty. As best my mind's eye could focus through the lens in my Nikon, I snapped image after image at every twist and turn on the road I traveled. I long for more, but this year ends on this day and I am left wanting.

The year 2018 will bring more opportunities and more images, with different settings and beautiful scenery. I hope to bring you, my friends and followers, who so graciously compliment me as I post, more of what is beautiful in this world. Thank you for all of your well wishes. I will cherish them always. I leave you with my very best images I brought up from the depths of my archives of this year 2017. 

I pray all that is wrong in this world will be overshadowed by all that is right in this New Year. Whatever climate we find ourselves in, be it political, weather or controversial, I hope you will look to Mother Nature for the beauty and splendor in our world. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Linking to Foodie Friday and Everything Else and Metamorphosis Monday

Best of Birding 2017

It has been a slow year for me from a photography standpoint, but I have managed to get out and take some photographs especially of birds. Here are my top three picks for bird photography for 2017.

No. 1: In February, I captured this image of a Sandhill Crane migrating south for the Winter in Cecilia, Kentucky foraging for food next to a pond. The thing I like best about these birds are how large they are and, in spite of that, still seem so utterly delicate.

No. 2: This beauty was added to my Birding Life List. This Summer Tanager was up and down on the branches of the Crab Apple trees in Cheekwood Botanical Gardens in Nashville, Tennessee, grabbing seed after seed and swallowing each one whole. I managed to capture this image before this seed went down the hatch. The depths of red on this tiny little creative is just mesmerizing.

No. 3: I just added this image in the past two weeks as the American White Pelicans had made a stop over on their migration route south on Old Hickory Lake, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Virtually right out my front door. The Pelicans, to my delight, are still here on the lake. What I wouldn't give if they would stay and overwinter here allowing me photos ops aplenty.

I'll post my best landscape and flower image(s) in a few days. In the meantime, I hope you are getting your decorating on. My tree is up and lit and adorning my living room with wreaths and table decorations all around. I decorate in the classic red and green colors as it brings such a beautiful uplifting feeling in Winter, when there are numerous gloomy days. I hope you are having a fantastic week. We're heading into the weekend. ENJOY!

In Search of the American White Pelican

Several years ago I visited Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Refuge during the Winter in search of the American White Pelican. I had read they were Wintering there on a website I frequent, www.bird.aba.org. I spent several hours trekking up and down the gravel and paved roads in the many wetlands that make up the refuge in search of this bird.

I photographed Trumpeter Swans roosting on a nest in the largest wetland area of Goose Pond. I also captured images of male and female Northern Shovelers, as well as American Coots and Canadian Geese. I even photographed Sandhill Cranes, and two Whooping Cranes, that had made a stop over on their way South, yet no American White Pelicans. I had decided I had failed in locating the Pelican even though I had read they had stopped over at the refuge.

Just as I was about to leave, I turned onto one last gravel road I hadn't taken yet to make my way to the far northeast side of the refuge where a large wetland was situated. As I approached the water I began to see line after line of American White Pelicans out in the middle of the wetland huddled together in groups as they often do. Other Pelicans were landing, taking off and floating on the water.

I left my car and walked quite far out along the elevated bank of the wetland getting as close as I could to the birds. They were bigger than I thought they would be and really beautiful with black tipped wings you only see when they are in flight and a large knob on their beaks. I was so glad I hadn't given up in my search.

I had found the American White Pelicans and had it been a warmer day, I would have gotten tons more images that day, but instead I only took about thirty or so in various perspectives. Still it was a treat!! I hope you enjoyed my look back at the American White Pelicans as they Wintered in Goose Pond. And least you think I have forgotten, HAPPY NEW YEAR! ENJOY!

Duck River Unit, TN National Wildlife Refuge

There are several units of the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, and the Duck River Unit is one I have wanted to visit for some time. I knew from being a frequent visitor to Tennessee's page on the bird.aba.org website that the majority of waterfowl are located in far reaching areas of this refuge. That was quite accurate, as way off in the distance I could see a flock of American White Pelicans, not to mention quite a few Great White Egrets, wading in a huge wetland area. Choosing to stay on the gravel roads, I stopped in several spots to capture images of the wetlands and waterfowl as best I could. Bald Cypress Trees were plentiful in one swamp and had turned their customary burnt orange hue for Fall.

Not far from the Bald Cypress Trees in my first image there sat four Cormorants perched on a large tree branch in the middle of the wetland sunning themselves, accompanied by a lone Turtle. It was very difficult to get a decent shot as they were a good distance away so I had to crop significantly. My apologies. I snapped a few images in the car and then as I went to get out they flew off.

Just to the right a distance from the Cormorants stood a Great Blue Heron wading in the water as he fished for a meal. He too was not happy as I exited my car and hightailed it flying off making quite the ruckus as he went.

Down a side road I traveled quite a distance, got out of my car and walked a bit finding myself between two large wetlands. I scared something up as it lifted off and flew away in a hurry. I snapped a few images not even knowing what it was. Turns out it was an American White Pelican of all things. I didn't get to see it up close at the refuge, but my software helped hone in on it. It's Hunting Season in the refuge which could explain the waterfowl being so skittish. I didn't get to the west side of the refuge. Perhaps another day. ENJOY!