Hello, my name is Eugene. That is me in the photo above. In case you don’t recognize me I am a Great Egret. I am currently staying at the Smith Oaks Rookery in High Island, Texas.
Handsome, aren’t I
My mate, Louise, is in the photo below. Some people believe her name is Jeez Louise, because that is what I yell at her all the time.
Louise? You’re not Louise!
Louise, is always complaining about how I do things and when she starts nagging, I yell Jeez Louise, give me a break!
Louise, there you are, Jeez!
You see, Louise, complains about the sticks I find and bring her to build our nest; she complains about how I take off; how I land on the nest; what foods I bring her and the list goes on and on.
“I found one”I’am working hard LouiseHere Honey, I brought you another stickA beautiful landing if I say so myself“I’ll be back, going to find another stick”Whoa, lookout below!“I’am coming in backwards”
I am hoping it won’t be long, the chicks will be born and out of the nest and Louise will once again be a happy bird.
Aren’t we a lovely coupleThanks Eugene, for everything
While you are here, I would like you to meet some of my friends here at The Rookery.
This is Captain, a Neotropical Cormorant. We should call him Shorty, because he has a very short tail, but that would be rude.
Meet The CaptainDon’t say anything about his short tail
Meet Showoff, a very handsome Snowy Egret who is always showing off his Yellow Slippers! The female Snowies are always after him. I’am jealous.
Meet ShowoffA Common Moorhen; get a load of the red shield!
Our next door neighbors, here at the Rookery, are Samuel and Rose! They are called Roseate Spoonbills. Can you guess why? They are a lovely couple and they never yell at each other.
Meet Samuel and Rose
More, gossip, on them later.
“Some days, I just can’t get a grip on things”
Sheila here: Aren’t my friends lovely?
It was a thrill to visit the Smith Oaks Rookery in High Island, Texas. To see the number of nesting birds was incredible; I will never forget this day.
For information of this area please visit this web-site:
Hi Judy, it was indeed a grand day! I took so many photos of these magnificent birds.
I hope you are enjoying your travels; I tried to post a comment on your blog about your Shrimp Po-Boy; I don’t know what happened! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it very much!
Gay, I hope you do get to see them in person. Plan a stop back in Winnie/High Island, Texas. It was pretty awesome! It would have been fun to see the chicks!
Thanks!
I know you are enjoying your time in AZ!! Happy hiking!
Well, I don’t know about your calling…between this lovely show and the “Christmas Singing Gull” from Lake Sumptner Villages, I think you missed your calling; or perhaps you have FOUND your calling. Very enjoyable Blog, my dear! 🙂 K p.s. the Osprey nests are “a bloomin” with activity down this-a-way!
Just beautiful! I love the Great Blue Herons and the Egrets the best. This is such a wonderful time to be there and see all the preparation for the new families. 🙂
When we had our S&B we had a Great Blue Heron that would come to our pond and our son named it Charlie. They are so much fun to watch. Did you get to see them in the water hunting?
Hi Marshall! Glad to hear from you. Yep, the Great Blue is a fav of mine as well. We have one that visits my BIL in Hobe Sound and I call him Bob (after my FIL), because he squawks up a storm! LOL
There were a few Egrets fishing, but they were too busy building nests!
Hi Sheila:
You could just package that little story and make a children’s book. It’s a lovely ditty. Hopefully, I’ll be able to start ‘birding’ soon – sadly, I’ll be starting from the bottom of the knowledge base. I love following your blog. Thanks for sharing.
Fabulous post, Sheila. Your pics are great, and you did make me smile with your commentary. 🙂 My favourites are the Great Blue heron and the Great Egret.
Hi Sylvia! Glad I made you smile!! Smiling is good for the soul! I know you do a lot of it with your own funny posts! Hope you are enjoying your travels! Be safe and have fun.
HI Sheila That was a great post. I loved the way you wrote the ‘bird speak’ and your photographs were marvelous. Wonderuul to be able to see these birds at such close quarters.
Wolf Song Blog 
A grand day at the rookery!
Hi Judy, it was indeed a grand day! I took so many photos of these magnificent birds.
I hope you are enjoying your travels; I tried to post a comment on your blog about your Shrimp Po-Boy; I don’t know what happened! Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it very much!
Safe and fun travels!
What a grand story…the pictures of Eugene in flight with the stick are awesome Sheila!
Also, one day I hope I see the spoonbills in person!
Gay, I hope you do get to see them in person. Plan a stop back in Winnie/High Island, Texas. It was pretty awesome! It would have been fun to see the chicks!
Thanks!
I know you are enjoying your time in AZ!! Happy hiking!
Well, I don’t know about your calling…between this lovely show and the “Christmas Singing Gull” from Lake Sumptner Villages, I think you missed your calling; or perhaps you have FOUND your calling. Very enjoyable Blog, my dear! 🙂 K p.s. the Osprey nests are “a bloomin” with activity down this-a-way!
Hey Karla! Thanks for stopping by. It was great fun seeing these birds! I know you and L would have enjoyed seeing them at the Rookery!
Great news on all the birds in your yard and in the area! I enjoy reading your news about them.
We are looking forward to seeing you guys on our western adventure!
It is cold and windy here today! Brrrrr! Hugs!
Just beautiful! I love the Great Blue Herons and the Egrets the best. This is such a wonderful time to be there and see all the preparation for the new families. 🙂
Hey Barbara! Thanks for stopping by. It is always good to hear from you. Thank you so much.
The nest building and laying activity was in full swing and it would have been great to see the babies!
Love your blog, your travels and photos. So sorry about the unwanted critters; however, keep your sense of humor about it all!
Safe and happy travels!
When we had our S&B we had a Great Blue Heron that would come to our pond and our son named it Charlie. They are so much fun to watch. Did you get to see them in the water hunting?
Hi Marshall! Glad to hear from you. Yep, the Great Blue is a fav of mine as well. We have one that visits my BIL in Hobe Sound and I call him Bob (after my FIL), because he squawks up a storm! LOL
There were a few Egrets fishing, but they were too busy building nests!
Take care and happy travels!
Hi Sheila:
You could just package that little story and make a children’s book. It’s a lovely ditty. Hopefully, I’ll be able to start ‘birding’ soon – sadly, I’ll be starting from the bottom of the knowledge base. I love following your blog. Thanks for sharing.
Ahh Mary-Pat, thanks so much! I enjoy your blog as well. I am very glad you like to stop by!
I hope you are doing well and will soon be back on the road or doing whatever makes you happy!
Fabulous post, Sheila. Your pics are great, and you did make me smile with your commentary. 🙂 My favourites are the Great Blue heron and the Great Egret.
Hi Sylvia! Glad I made you smile!! Smiling is good for the soul! I know you do a lot of it with your own funny posts! Hope you are enjoying your travels! Be safe and have fun.
Thanks for your wonderful comments!
I do love to make people smile. 🙂
Superb—divine—with a touch of elegance.
Well done, Sheila.
Box Canyon Mark, from Lovely Ouray, Colorado…
Yes indeed Ouray is beautiful and your photos show it off stunningly. We need to get back there for a visit; it has been too long.
Thanks for your lovely comments!
I hope you are mending well and enjoying your art; it is beautiful!
HI Sheila That was a great post. I loved the way you wrote the ‘bird speak’ and your photographs were marvelous. Wonderuul to be able to see these birds at such close quarters.
Excellent capture.
Thank you so much and thanks for stopping by!