Swamp Song

Black Lake, near Campti, Louisiana on a quiet Sunday morning
(as always, click on each picture to see a larger version)

Northern Parula
This beautiful warbler nests in Spanish Moss

Some kind of huge swamp spider. I couldn't tell until I saw this picture on the computer that it was eating a dragonfly or damselfly. The beast was at least 3 inches from stem to stern. Arachnophobic's nightmare.

It was so creepy and intriguing that I had to enlarge it so you could see more detail. Note the bristles on its legs and the multiple eyes. I wish I'd had the nerve to get even closer but I was afraid it'd jump on me.

Beautiful and serene

Yellow-pop sings its little heart out!

The cold winter killed many of the invasives in Black Lake. In years past, this area was thick with water hyacinth and others.

Little Blue Heron stakes out breakfast

A bromeliad? Well...kinda...this is the miniscule flower (less than half inch across) of the Spanish Moss!

Dragonfly pauses and reflects

Under the boat shed

Interesting perspective...from the dock to the house

This fox squirrel dropped in about 6 feet from where I was sitting quietly to investigate. He was none to happy with the intrusion.

Bird Observation at Sherburne South Farm

Recently attended a meeting with folks from the Army Corps of Engineers and the LA Wildlife and Fisheries department to discuss a project they're considering for Sherburne South Farm Wildlife Management Area. They want to build an observation platform and asked for input from the birding community. They also want our help -- the plans call for them to get it started and then recruit volunteers to help with the final construction. Stay tuned!

The selected location be ideal for a 360 degree view of the water compounds. Perfect for the Wood Stork and Wading Bird event in summer, for shorebird viewing in fall, and for waterfowl viewing in winter.

Sherburne South Farm is located a couple miles north of the Ramah-Maringuoin exit off Interstate-10 in Iberville parish Louisiana.