Audubon Rookery

As mentioned in an earlier post, we went to the Audubon Rookery with Jan. While Jan is not as enthused with birds as we have become, she certainly appreciates their beauty and mannerisms.

The rookery consists of a small island with surrounding land set aside to protect this amazing wild bird nesting area. The island might be close to an acre with no access except by birds. It is probably less than 100 feet from the shore and is simply an ongoing show of stunning birds, in full breeding colours and plumage.

This large, almost two feet high, Snowy Egret flew up beside us to pick up a gift for his lady. I'm pretty sure that a stick would not be suitable as a Valentine's day gift, but for these showy birds, it is an ongoing part of the couples bonding activities. This stick was kind of long and slippery, and was dropped.

Here he is, contemplating whether to chose another stick, or just go with the dropped one. He picked up the dropped one and flew off to present it to his mate. Together, they installed it their nest.

This Tricolore Heron also gives and receive sticks as gifts, but here the stick is just photobombing my picture... You can still see their puffy stance in their breeding attire.

As the old saying goes, the couple that preens together, stays together.

This Anhinga shows off in a weird way: some ladies like guys with bad hair I guess.

In the sunset light, this Anhiga is heading for shore with his supper. Note that Anhingas have a very pointed beak with which the literally spear their larger prey. This one is heading for shore where the fish will have to be taken off the 'spear' flipped so it can be swallowed head first, etc.

As mentioned in the last post, this can take quite a long time, and many tries.

We returned to the main viewing area where these Snowy Egrets were rubbing beaks under the watchful eye of an Anhinga.

Snowy Egrets have the most awesome breeding plumage. It was collected for ladies hat decoration to the point of nearly bringing these wonderful birds to extinction. The practice was banned, ladies hats lost their feathers, and the breed is now flourishing in these parts.

Here is another view of the display as the sunset is just about to begin.

What a great day to visit with Jan. We started off at the Celery Fields which really would have been a complete bust had we not been told about the Cinnamon Teal. We went on a bird walk for about a half hour or more, and saw scenery without birds. Then we crossed the road and learned about the Teal while we sat on a bench near the slough. Then we drove to the Rookery to amazing displays of couples in their party dress. The first restaurant we aimed for supper had a one hour waiting list, not for us. We returned to the Pinchers restaurant and enjoyed a good meal sprinkled heavily with laughter. What fun!

Our drive back home was done in darkness and we were welcomed by a nightcap and a good mattress.