A Visiting Anhinga...

Anhinga:Common in fresh-water, swamps, ponds, and lakes where it spears fish.  Often swims with only head and neck exposed.  Long straight bill, long tail and white wing and back plumes differentiate it from cormorants.  usually seen singly but may soar very high in flocks. 28" long wing span 47".

I never cease to be amazed at the diverse abundance of wildlife in our backyard!  We are blessed with our own wild managerie with everything from Coyote's to Otters!  And everything in between-ha!

Yesterday, we had an Anhinga settle in on the bank to dry his wings.  He had been diving, spearing fish and eating them.  Anhinga do not have oil on their wings as other diving duck and waterfowl have so they must take breaks to dry their enormous wings so they do not get waterlogged.

The Arrival.

The move to the table.

The next move was to the back of the Adirondack chair.

A little preening here and there never hurts while you are drying out and looking at the water.

He appeared sleepy at times and even tucked his head in his wing...

I was amazed at how he curled his webbed feet around the top of the chair to grip and balance.

 

Spreading his wings to dry! and those amazing gripping feet!

The sun set and still he stayed on--altogether he must have been there for 3 or more hours.  I finally went outside and walked right up to him, what did I have to lose?  I used the flash and he stayed right there until he was ready to leave.  What an adventure!

Master of his world...

Still drying his wings.  I have seen them in groups at dark on the larger lake in our community huddled on the banks for the night.

    He was not the least bothered by my presence, no fear.  I thought when I used the flash he would be gone in a flash-ha!  But no, he posed!

   I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I did!  I never know until I download them to the computer if I have a good one or not.  I just snap away and hope!

Thanks for coming, have a wonderful day!

♥KERRIE♥

My heart to yours...

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

GOOD MORNING!   Dream thoughts:
   You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.
           Mary Manin Morrissey
Nothing happens unless first we dream ~ Carl Sandburg
   You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. ~CS Lewis
The only thing that will stop you from fulfilling your dreams is you. ~ Tom Bradley

If it were not for dreams, we would have no hope and with no hope, we lose faith.  Never give up your dreams, your aspirations, your goals.  Continue to grow in all areas for all of your life.  It enriches your life, makes you interesting and easy to be around.  It is hard to dream sometimes when all we see on the news is negativity.  But remember all the wonderful things that are happening that is never reported to the world!  There are little miracles in our lives every day that brighten our lives and let us dream.  When you are down, just look around you, go outside and check out everything, bending to see the grass and little inhabitants there, tiny flowers, minute creations of God that he bedazzles us with every day!  Look at the birds and how they are so busy and cheerful.  Take a walk and pick up leaves, pinecones, whatever you find. (also pick up after your pooch! - ha!)  I never walk the 4 or 5 houses to the mailbox without picking up a pretty leaf, I just can't help it.  I press them and sometimes I scan them for writing paper.  I have even saved the rugged rich textured leaves from the Bradford pear tree to paint on!  They contain a lot of oil in the leaf and do not dry out completely.  I love them!  If you concentrate less on self and troubles, you are freed to think of others and happiness.  Keep a diary.  Write whatever, good or bad and ask God to take the burdens from you.  None of us can do it alone.  I love the saying, "Let Go, Let God".  It works.  Last but not least, here is a picture of my morning visitor, a wonderful Great Blue Heron who was fishing along the bank.  Don't forget to visit my Etsy Shop, there is a hand made collector doll and scrollsaw fan wall hanging there.  Thanks!  God Bless, we are half way through the week already!

He is creeping along catchin fish in the shallow water.  He is unbothered by my ceramic boy fisherman and his dog-ha!

Have a wonderul day!