Friday, July 25, 2008

Feathery picnic in the park

Lafreniere Park -- the old Jefferson Downs race track reconverted to a outdoor wonderland -- is the scene for these two American white ibises (ibi?). The hot weather was no problem for them. They were shore-line fishing for bugs and minnows and the like. The 155-acre park features soccer fields, Frisbee golf, and of course, the man-made swampy nature habitat for birds, nutria, alligators, rabbits and more.

By the way, Jefferson Downs met its end in the last major storm to hit New Orleans before Katrina -- Betsy in 1965. Now this is the largest park in Metairie, the next door neighbor to New Orleans.

You'll probably have to double click on the image to enlarge it to be able to see this -- the ibis has its nostrils up by the foot of its beak. That is so it can breath even when it's feeling around underwater or poking holes in the ground for food.

--steve buser

6 comments:

Halcyon said...

Ahhh... such pretty birds.

Happy Weekend!

Laurie Allee said...

Clever birds!

Wanda said...

They are beautiful birds, but the picture stuck a sad note in me as I have visited the elderly for years, and that is the way some of those dear old women have to walk, all bent over with a hump....

Funny how a picture can make you think of something totally different that the photographer planned.

Good work Steve/

Jill said...

Sounds like a wonderful park with so much wildlife to see. I love seeing all your photos.

Jane Hards Photography said...

So, when's the bird book coming out?
Superb again, from one you has a rapport wth bird photography, it's a real pleasure to visit yours.

sandy said...

That's a great photo STeve...love the colors..