My first real outing

since May 2005 back surgery and then Hurricane Katrina wiping us all out. Was getting cabin fever with the gray gloom and drizzle so decided I would go to the sewage treatment plant where there are all kinds of shorebirds and ducks. Grrrrrrrr the gates were locked so I headed down to town and the beaches. Wow it is still so lifeless out there. It is so hard not to see 1000's of gulls everywhere. Didn't see any Black Skimmers at all. I did make a few good finds then headed to the harbor my most favorite place to get pics. I am pleased over all at my outing but is still so sad to have lost so much wildlife that has yet to show signs of a good recovery
American Oystercatchers was very please to see 5 on Front Beach in Ocean Springs

Spotted Sandpiper was being a pain and wouldn't be still for 2 seconds to get a good shot

a group of Cormorants and a Pelican

Willets are always around

on to the Outer harbor. Nothing in the outer Harbor but this Pelican. Did see a few flying around but not the huge amounts usually found here in winter lining the shores

on to the Inner Harbor my favorite place
Saw a few Common Loons a winter Migrant

only one Red-breasted Merganser a male no females to be seen anywhere and only saw 2 male for the entire outing. not good but they are also a winter Migrant

Horned Grebes were seen in better numbers than I have seen before

Pied-billed Grebes were also in good numbers

the ever present Belted Kingfishers along all our waterways

Double-crested Cormorant were in good numbers

a Loon and the Merganser out in the Harbor

was able to pish up this Yellow-rumped Warbler for a nice shot

this pesky Mockingbird chased off my warbler

on to Gulf Islands National Seashore park. Was pretty dead. I sat and waited a few minutes and saw a few Herons and then my dream happened. I saw 5 pair of Hooded Mergansers. they were to far off to get a good pic but it made my day.

On to Gulf park Estates pier and 1/4 mile from my old home. Got this lovely Eastern Phoebe that posed and posed for me very close

a good number of all the Herons/Egrets. Had Great Whites, Great Blues, Tricolor, and Snowys

ending my day in the most perfect way. these hooded mergansers came out from somewhere in the bayou ditch on the edge of the road. Ever tried to drive chasing a fast swimming duck and not run off in the bayou lol

another shot. Wish I had been parked and they came by. Could have gotten great shots being that close to them.
A perfect ending to a dreary day

Looks like you did have a good day of birding. Sounds like you've been through some really rough times and I hope things are looking up for you. Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures.

Great pics Donna!! I just love the Belted Kingfishers!! Their all lovely. Thanks so much for sharing this great variety with us.

Donna,

Great photos! Esp. loved the Brown Pelican shot! Sounds like a good day birding.

Thanks for sharing your day and pics.

Marilyn

Ditto on the Pelican pic! :) What fun~

I loved them all too but the Pelican shot was just grand! Thanks for sharing your great day though I had my doubts when you said your were going to the sewage treatment plant . LOL Donna! Glad you are feeling better No doubt about it, you are a survivor.

I can't relate to many of the water fowl, but they are definately great pictures!

Great pics Donna!

Donna, I am so glad that you had a nice outing. The pictures are great but naturally, I am drawn to the waterfowl...especially, the Hoodies ;o)

Thanks for sharing,
ducky

I have to say the Hoodies or Bufflehead are very pretty, but then so are the Northern Shovelers that are at the Sewage Treatment plant. Going to have to get out there again to see if they are open.
Thanks everyone for the nice comments. It was a very nice outing for me

DonnaB, Thanks so much for sharing your outing with us. And for taking the time to post and tell where you were and what you saw. Glad you are feeling better. There is no way I can post any pictures of water birds now, all is frozen over and covered with snow, so am glad to share your photos.

I too am feeling much better after it seemed like I spent most of the summer after May 1, either in hosp. or recovering at home, so didn't get to take many wildlife photos. Today I did go to Omak and remembered to take my camera, and wonder of wonders it was our warmest day in two weeks, 33 degrees and the sun was shining. There is a spot about half way, 10 or 12 miles where the DOT puts the road kill remains over the bank for the birds. There were 6 bald eagles when I drove up, all but two, 1 mature and one juvenile flew away. I took a few pictures and then of course my camera battery died. I will see if any of the pictures are worth posting.

Donna S

There are two eagle photos, both taken through very dirty car window. the first is of a mature eagle sitting on the edge of the bank where the road kill is tossed. I didn't dare try to get any closer and was afraid they would fly if I got out of the car.

Donnas

This is the juvenile, no white head feathers. It is just as large as the mature one so probably 3 to 4 years old. Sorry they aren't any sharper.

DonnaS

Donna B, I can't even imagine what you have been through and what is would be like to have the bird population down so far. But it sounds like things are beginning to look up - thank you so very much for sharing with us all. Your variety is incredible and you took some marvelous photos!

Donna S, grand eagle photos!!! How far away were you?

Both Donnas - glad you are both feeling better!!!!!!!!!!! Hope this year brings you better health and great picture taking opportunities.

Wow, cool eagle pics DonnaS!!

I was probably 150 feet away, maybe further. They perch on the tele. poles to watch. There are also lots of crows and magpies. Wanted to get a photo of one while fly over but couldn't get it in focus.

DonnaS

as usual.. stunning photos Donna.. glad you got out..

Donna great pictures , bet Ya was a good day for You there. Rutholive to be able to make such close snap shots of the Bold Eagle was exiting , ha?

I can`t get them from so close ever yet...thou I see them fly by, from time to time over my neighborhood. A year ago my husband and I , we went to the ZOO , here in Portland , and they do have wild bird show there, so the only close up of the Bold Eagle I have is from That day. The Zoo stuff release `s the Eagle from the post far behind and he /she fly`s over people `s heads, while they sitting on the grass between the post and the women on the podium there. The Eagle was flying so close and love above my head I could feel the air breeze. They told us to duck , when Eagle flays. Was amazing to be there, such a magnificent bird. I will try to post some pics from that show.

this one is from father away , when Eagle is just starting its flight

and the pics lack some quality to it , but Gosh.......Bold Eagle from up close and personal...lol

and one more

We could actually see women loosing her balance , when Eagle was sitting on her arm and trying change his/her position

Awesome pics Donna and Birdcrazy