Ruddy shore bird turns into escape artist

We were down on Bolivar Peninsula checking out the pre-storm conditions (with Hurricane Harvey moving up through the Gulf of Mexico) when I shot this photo of a Rudy Turnstone.  Because of the bright conditions, I didn't notice at the time that this guy had gotten snagged in what looks like a remnant from a net.  I checked the photos I took after this and notice that he did finally get free from his bondage.

Night for herons

The sky is rusting and its brilliance is tarnishing fast as these herons feather in for a night together in their secure tree-top motel.

Egrets fight for landing rights

This shot from Lacassine, Louisiana, reminds me that crowded skies are not just a human problem. The herons (Cattle Egrets, Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets, Blue Herons and more) come to this spot each night for some camaraderie. They start showing up about an hour and a half before sunset and quickly the supply of available branches approaches zero. This incoming feather ball seems to be saying, "clear the way for landing or we all end up on the ground!" 

Featherly evening festival amazes

The birds come flying in for the nightly confab at Lacassine, La, on Interstate 10. Hundreds of birds fill the trees near the I-10 exit.  The birds send up a cacophony of squeaks and squawks until each has settled into its short space of limb span for the night.  I was able to see Ibis, Blue Herons,  Snowy Egrets, Cattle Egret, Cormorants, Roseate Spoonbills and even some shore gulls.  It is an amazing site to watch the feathery festival.