Hodge-podge Tuesday

I’ve had the last two days off, and have been taking care of mundane chores so tonight’s post will be a Hodge-podge of thoughts with a few bird pics thrown in for good measure.  :)  Also, I need some help with an insect identification.

                                                       NORTHERN MOCKINGBIRD

After my last post, several readers asked where I’m headed next.  Well, my destination will be Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge in (surprise) Mississippi.  I’ll be volunteering there for three months.  It’s located just north of I-10 near Biloxi.  I’ve never been to Mississippi before in my life, so figured it was about time.  So I won’t really be leaving the Gulf Coast behind, just moving east a few hundred miles.  I’d like to be leaving the mosquitoes behind, but I’m guessing not.  :(

                                                              EASTERN PHEOBE 

I’ll have two weeks to get there, so I’ve scheduled a stop in Louisiana to have some recalls taken care of and some other work on the rig.  I don’t know how long that will take.  After Boise, last fall, you can guess how excited I am to be camped out in a repair facility!  :)  Oh well, maybe I’ll get a chance to try a shrimp Po-boy while I’m in the area.

                                 JUVENILLE WHITE IBIS (click to see the blue eyes)

If the work gets done in a timely manner, I’ll be meeting fellow blogger and solo fulltimer LOREE in New Orleans for a few days of shared sightseeing.  Neither of us have been to New Orleans, and it’s always nice to have a companion to enjoy the experience with.  :)  If you have suggestions for things to see and do, let me know.

I’m still trying to get an excellent picture of a white-tailed kite, and here are my latest attempts.

I’m not there yet, but I’ll keep trying…

Jack, a  friend of mine, sent me this pic of a pair of insects doing their mating thing.  Does anyone know what they are?

The results are in!  The above photo (#3) of the periwinkle snail was your most popular choice.   I took the top four picks that you all made into Stephanie this morning, and she liked photo #3 the best as well.  The runners up were #s 5, 8, and 9.  Thanks for your input!

As the sun began to set yesterday afternoon, this great blue heron and great egret began to settle in for the night.  I guess that means it is time to pack it in for today.  (Can you believe that those buildings at the top of the photo are miles and miles away across Galveston Bay on the Bolivar peninsula ?  It must be the reflection/mirage from the bay!)

                                                           THAT’S ALL FOLKS! 

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy

Do your boobs hang low, do they wobble to and fro?

Can you tie them in a knot?
Can you tie them in a bow?
Can you throw them over your shoulder like a Continental soldier?
Do your boobs hang low?

Does anyone else remember that song from Girl Scouts?  Well, as time marches on, some things for women march south, and I was made abundantly aware of that today!  However, you’ll have to read on to near the end of the post to find out how.  :)

My mission for today was to take pictures of Periwinkle snails.  These snails were on my list of photos that Stephanie needs.  I didn’t think it would be too difficult since snails don’t have wings, and historically move at a snail’s pace.  :)  The biggest  challenge is just finding them.  After driving down to the East Bay boat ramp on Galveston Bay, I began my search amongst the reeds at the edge of the water.  The tide was coming in, so I had to be quick about it.
After about fifteen minutes, I was able to find several periwinkles.  These snails are smaller than 1/2”, so it’s a challenge to get a good shot.
I’m going to post nine of the photos and ask for your input.  Which ones are your favorites?
The picture(s) will be used in a display in the new Visitor’s Center when it is completed.
You can now click on individual photos for a larger view, if you like.
I’m not sure if Stephanie just wants a picture of one of these snails, or a shot that also includes it’s habitat.

So, what does photographing Periwinkle snails have to do with your boobs hanging low?  Well…
this gives you an idea of the position I had to be in to take these pics, and wouldn’t you know I leaned a little too far forward and down and ended up coming out of my bra!  Perhaps this is TMI for some folks, but I just had to chuckle because, of course, this was the exact moment that a car drove up and folks got out to ask what I was doing.  :(  Sure glad I had several layers of clothes on.  :)

After the snail caper, I drove some of the other roads of the refuge to see what I could see.  I think I’ll leave my encounter with the fisherman for tomorrow, but I will include…
this nice Neotropic cormorant.  If you click on the right hand picture, you’ll see that this fish eating bird has blue eyes.  Who would have guessed?
                              Emma, the super dog, leaves you with this smile tonight!

Thanks for stopping by…. talk to you later,  Judy