Mississippi marsh birds

We get to the marsh before sun up. Get the boat launched and travel to where we like to get our pics. Then wait for enough light to get pics.

Some times it is hard to wait for enough light. Like with this Great Blue Heron.

A little later with more light the sight of a Great Blue can take your breath away.

But it is even more breath taking when they give their call and take to the air.

Later in the morning the light can be a little harsh.

Great Egrets are common here also. Both on the ground...

and in the air.

There seem to be a lot of Green Herons lately. This one has raised it's crown feathers to let us know we are anoying him.

This one must have already gotten full and decided to do some preening.

Preening must be contagious because this Common Grackle in the same tree was doing the same.

This is a first for me. Juvenile Yellow-crowned Night-heron. My first and only of any Night Heron. But he posed long enough for me to get a number of pics.

The Least Bitterns were present though I did not see near as many as last week.

This message was edited Jul 3, 2008 4:12 PM

My favorite marsh bird is the Purple Gallinule. They look so unusual with their big knees and big feet.

This adult is showing a youngster how to flip lily pads to find food. Two of her other younsters were watching from the safety of thicker and firmer vegatation.

Here is a young Gallinule that is a little older.

One of the main dangers for pad walkers is gators.

But this time the alarm was given in time and everyone headed for safety.

Mr. Red-wing was also out on the pads today.

He was searching under the pads but not nearly as efficiently as the gallinules.

The missus kept an eye on him.

The marsh is the only place I see Eastern Kingbirds.

The young Wood Ducks are growing up fast now.

Roads cross the marsh in places and under the bridges the Cliff Swallows nest. Many nest were unfinished last week but all I saw today looked finished.

The Little Blue Herons were busy looking for food as well. This one has a crawfish I would have liked to have had.

Both adults and juveniles were there.

And last here is a one year old molting immature Little Blue Heron.

Oh that just looks so peaceful and inviting...

wow, nice series. Makes me long for a leisurely wetland paddle! There are so many great wading birds.

Great shots Frank!

Looks like a wonderful time! Thanks for sharing them with us.

Nanny it is peaceful and inviting. Moving at the slowest speed of a trowling motor gives one time to enjoy it. The oddest thing is that I have not even seen a snake all year. There are coves where there are no waves. Everything is reflected in the water. It is all so full of life. There are always good surprises.

ihug98trees...grab a paddle and your camera and come on down.

Thank you pelle. It is always a wonderful time there.

Sensational, f_chisholm. The Least Bittern and Yellow-crowned Night Heron shots are marvellous. Why does the Gallinule have such an elongated toe? What beautiful birds.

Awesome series Frank...it would be hard to pick a favorite! What a wonderful way to spend your day...thanks for sharing it!

MargaretK....most of the marsh is covered with shallow water with channels in between. There are only scattered small islands. Most of the vegatation comes from submerged roots. Some of the vegatation is even free floating opening and closing channels as the winds blow and change. The gallinules live their lifes on these types of vegatation. The lotus leaves that are pictured in one of the pics can grow from roots many feet deep. They search the undersides of these pads to find some of their food. By having large feet they can walk on top thereby being safer from predators than they would if they were in the water like ducks. Being on top of the pads also makes it easy for them to flip the edges up to look for food. I would imagine that some of the early ones may not have had large feet. They are gone now leaving only the ones with large feet. Yep; the gators got them.

Dellrose...if everyone could or would spend some quite time in the marsh they would see the beauty and the abundance of life there. Maybe then more people could see the importance of preserving our marshes. Everytime I go I see something new or different. It is ever changing yet stays the same.

Thanks, f_chisolm. I couldn't agree more. Wetlands are so precious and yet they are viewed as so expendable by those in positions of power, as fleeting as the power may be. It's up to each and every one of us to advocate for wetland preservation.

Enjoyed your pictures Frank, I agree there is so much serenity in nature. I love being near water and wildlife.

Thank you for the tirp (vicariously) thru the marshland. I have missed it and didn't realize until I saw your pics. Great shots btw.

Great pictures Frank, although I shuddered at the one of the Little Blue with the Crayfish. Meet Melville, my pet Crayfish. (5 years old, he was my niece's 3rd grade science project).

The Wildlife sanctuary that I go to has marshlands and it is my favorite smell in the whole world. I love the sounds, too!

I have never seen a Gallinule. They are cool looking. Thanks for the lesson on them (you too, Resin)

Love the commentary, too.

oh what a cutie Shan. Neat pet.