The marshy plot of land near our house is home to
quite a few species of wildlife. I've seen many a
mongoose dart into all that green growth at the
sight of people or the sound of voices. In the
rainy season it fills up with water and fish
abound. The croaking of frogs, the cries of the
water-rail are just some of the sounds that
remind me we're still lucky to be able to hear
and to be able to listen to such sounds.
(Please click on the pictures for a better view)
Yesterday, early in the morning, I noticed this egret
stalking prey. The water level has gone down so it was
walking about at a leisurely pace, intent on getting
its food. It paid no attention to me as I took several
shots. It kept on moving about, most of the time with its
gaze downwards.
I couldn't wait to see whether it was successful....
early in the morning, kids about to leave...chores
lined up...! But I'm glad I took these shots. Birds
usually take off as soon as they sense people nearby.
Maybe the egret's need for food was greater than the
urge to fly away from a curious human!
My most recent visitor is a coffee-coloured skipper.
I've attempted to get a clear picture several times
but it hates being photographed! I had to exercise a
lot of Stealth to get this shot. With the wings spread
out you can see a flash of the colour purple!
Ah, isn't someone getting used to the flashbulbs?!
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16 comments:
I just saw an egret on my trip to San Francisco, in a similarly marshy space. There always seems to be one in this particular pond in Golden Gate Park - if you visited, you would feel right at home! :) They do seem to be looking down, not afraid if we get a little close. They have to concentrate so hard to get their food, as you said, maybe that outweighs their fear. What is a skipper?
Wow, that really sounds great, Karen! And going by the plants, I'd feel at home in Texas and Florida too! Lovely thoughts!! If only...sigh!:)
I learnt about skippers only after joining Blotanical. If I remember right, Meems and Frances have fascinating shots. These are a family of butterflies named after their quick, darting flight habits. They have stockier bodies than other butterflies and they belong to the group--Hesperiidae. Most butterflies have club-like tips on their antennae but skippers have their clubs hooked backwards.
I really didn't think I'd see them in my yard but now I'm happy to see this lone (st)ranger darting about!
Rather astonishingly, we now have breeding pairs of little egrets along the Dorset coast.
The first time I saw one, I couldn't believe my eyes because I had only seen them before on wildlife programmes.
They are very beautiful and elegant. I've never had one near my house but, if I did, I'd be standing there with my breath held!
Lucy
Bother. That was me again.
I wish I were 'Collected'!
Lucy
Doesn't matter...hi Lucy! Good to know about the breeding pairs in faraway Dorset coast. This 'indifference' is a sure sign that they'll be here and will feed at their own pace. I'm really looking forward to such a day! Or if I'm very lucky, 'days' will be a better word!
Thanks for stopping by.
Wondeful wildlife photos today Kanak. It's nice to know the butterflies have somewhere warm to go for the winter.
I think those Egrets are such pretty birds. We see them at a lake that is close to our house.
Maybe your skipper was a little "show off"! Enjoyed the photos.
I certainly appreciate your persistence at getting such great photographs. These are lovely and the skipper's colors are so unusual. Are you like me, and sometimes you are standing in the most awkward positions, waist-high in weeds to get that one great shot?!
That egret is so pretty-and the foliage too. I enlarged it and it really shows a lot of lushness and texture. Very pretty! And good morning!
Racquel, sometimes everything turns out right...the light, the bird/insect! I think the butterflies will be around throughout our cold season. I'm keeping track of them.
Thanks Susie. Egrets really stand out, don't they? The shape and all that white look lovely.
Mildred, I haven't really gone waist-deep amidst weeds, mainly because of leeches. I have such an aversion to them that I'd rather take shots away from tall weeds. But whenever I can, I crouch/stand on ledges..go the whole hog! Awkward, yes! Some of my neighbours have given me strange looks..the kind usually reserved for lunatics!:)
Tina, thanks. I'm still thinking about my signature plant!
How lucky you are to live near a marsh and be able to see so much interesting wildlife!
Hey Kanak, your coffee colored visitor looks sweet. It looks as if its cheeks are puffed like a kid controlling laughter.
Hi Kanak, I agree, you are lucky to live so close to a lush marsh with so much activity going on. Skipper's cute!
Hi Blossom! Thank you for your visit! In the past so many years the marsh has indeed taught me much!
Chandramouli, thanks! Skippers do have a charm of their own, right?
Dawn, thank you and am so glad you stopped by!
Soon you will have them all 'trained';)
What great pictures!
I know your having fun stalking, I mean capturing them:)
The coffee-coloured skipper, is perfectly named-how pretty!
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