Feathers On Friday: The Pelicans Return

We have been anxiously watching the trees on the left of our property for signs of our snowbird pelicans who usually arrive in November. Just when we’d almost given up hope, Perri and Penny suddenly appeared last weekend.

To our surprise and delight, a couple of days ago we looked across from our kitchen window and spied not two, but six of these wonderful birds.

The one on his own was obviously not a ‘morning person’, but the group of five were really making sure they looked their very best before going off in search of breakfast.

I hope that, having arrived late, they will stick around so that we can enjoy them for a bit longer.

Wishing you all a perfect weekend.

Feathers On Friday: Woody On Lookout Duty

Woody wood stork is a large and heavy bird, over 40 inches tall and weighing approximately 7 lbs. Nevertheless, he manages to balance elegantly and effortlessly on a tree branch. I love to watch him in flight with his impressive wingspan and then see how he gracefully lands on exactly the branch of his choosing. His straight, pointed beak can be 9 inches long and is used for building a nest, procuring food and is also an Impressive combat weapon. He’s always a very welcome visitor to our backyard here in Florida.

Wishing you all a relaxing weekend and a very happy Mothers’ Day to all of you who are fortunate enough to be mothers.

Feathers On Friday: A Congregation Of Ibises

Yesterday our local gang of ibises descended in our backyard. These gorgeous pure white birds vary their feeding ground and move around in great numbers. Obviously yesterday wasn’t a good day for any worms or grubs which were hitherto happily ensconced in our grass.

Those long beaks are merciless in their search for food, and the diners were oblivious to me as I took a couple of photos from my bathroom window.

I hope you’re having a happy Friday and that your weekend will be relaxing and carefree. My hip is totally healed and feels better than normal. Yay for good surgeons! Whatever would we do without them?

Feathers On Friday: The Pelis Are Back

Perri and Penny pelican have also arrived back from their summer vacation and will as usual be wintering here in sunny West Palm Beach.

I’m recovering nicely from my hip surgery and so enjoying being back home again after a very eventful trip to South Africa to see family and friends.

Wishing you all a splendid weekend.

Feathers On Friday: What A Poser!

Mr. GBH has now taken over the perch vacated by Perry pelican who has, now that Florida’s weather has really started to heat up in readiness for what will undoubtedly be another searing summer, flown off on his journey back to cooler climes

My first shot today, caught him unawares and he therefore looks quite boringly stream-lined,

but when he became aware that he was being photographed for my blog, he decided to pull out all the stops and do his full frontal yoga pose, together with a slight left turn of his head to show his best side. You have to admire his special brand of pizazz. He’s a real natural.

Wishing you all a most relaxing weekend.

Feathers On Friday: An Unusual Visitor

I was really surprised to look out of my bathroom window and see this new visitor to my backyard. The Black-crowned Night Heron is usually nocturnal, so its appearance at around midday was most unexpected. It’s the first time I’ve seen one of these and I had to consult my ‘Birds Of South East Florida Guide’ to identify it.

We have our family visiting from New Jersey at the moment and are having a great time together. It’s been well over a year since we saw them, so it’s very special to spend precious time together. Wishing you all a great weekend.

Feathers On Friday: Snowy Egret Struts On By

Snowy Egret is a regular visitor to our backyard. He’s usually on a food-finding mission and woe betide any unsuspecting frogs or lizards who happen to catch his observant eyes. He makes short shrift of them, grabbing them mercilessly in his beak and swallowing them whole, never to be seen again. He is distinguishable from the Great Egret by his bright yellow feet, plus he’s somewhat smaller.

In the late nineteenth century, this majestic bird was hunted for its soft, pure-white breeding feathers which were used to adorn women’s hats. These much sought after plumes sold for thirty two dollars per ounce, twice the price of gold at that time. This practice almost led to their extinction. Thankfully, they and many other birds are now protected by the ‘Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918’ which makes it unlawful to hunt, capture or sell nearly 1,100 birds listed in the treaty.

Wishing you all a splendid weekend. We are expecting 30 C today, so I think I’ll stay indoors and play my piano.

Feathers On Friday: RIP Little Dassie

My sister Yvonne in South Africa, sent me this photo of a juvenile crowned eagle in her back garden.

In its unusually large talons is one of the baby dassies whose family lives under the garden shed, so no happy new year for him. When my sister first saw a couple of these furry little rodents in her garden, she thought how sweet they were, so started feeding them. After a very short while they sent word to their family and friends that there was a kind human who was giving out free food and that they were all invited. It didn’t take long before the whole tribe arrived in her garden and they very quickly discovered a thriving vegetable patch with lots of juicy morsels just there for the taking and started to strip it bare. Then the eagle arrived and provided a solution to the problem.

Wishing you all a safe, healthy and happy new year. Thank you so much for your visits and comments. I appreciate each one of you.

Feathers On Friday: Ever Feel Like You’re Being Watched?

What could be better than one great-horned owl in your backyard? The answer is “A pair of great-horned owls.”

Be aware that you are under surveillance .

Wishing you all an ‘owlsome’ weekend.

Feathers On Friday: Is Bubo Back Again?

Back in 2016, I posted photos of a great-horned owl looking at me from a palm tree outside my bathroom window. I named him Bubo, short for his fancy name which is ”Bubo Virginianus’. Apart from the two sightings four years ago, i haven’t seen him since, but this week I heard an unmistakable hooting coming from a palm tree in my backyard, “Hoo Hoo Hoooooo” he called, as distinct from Santa who says, “Ho Ho Hoooo”.

I’m sure it must be the same owl and he looks much more mature now. The oldest great-horned owls are known to have lived to twenty-six years. I love that wise, unflinching stare of his. I think he was telling me to hurry up and get the photo before his patience ran out. Ah yes, wisdom and patience is something we have all needed this year for sure.

Wishing you all a safe and enjoyable weekend.