Ordinary Pickings

Please don't ask me why I went with that title because I honestly don't know!

Anyway this is a break from the lizard pictures...but not for long :P
I had to be really quiet and still while taking these pictures because this bird was really sensitive. I don't think I've seen one like this before. I mean I have seen egrets but never a bird with a ponytail! Plus this one also happens to have yellow feet. Isn't that cool?

It had a good feast before it flew off. Unfortunately the water wasn't still so I couldn't get a good reflection. i would have loved to convert this to black and white but as you know my laptop is down so I couldn't do that  but I like it as it is.

Here is another "bonus" picture. This was taken when it was shaking itself. Probably because it go wet...I don't know.

That's it for today. I now have to go and prepare for tomorrow's exam.

Take care :)

Simple Elegance

Today's picture was taken on one of my bicycle rides. I love reflections and I just couldn't help myself.

The egret looked so elegant and beautiful. I think it was after fish but I'm not sure it was able to catch any as it soon flew off.

I read a quote somewhere, don't really remember where, which said "Simple elegance is something to strive for."
I think that is a really good quote and really relevant for today's world. A world where people go to extremes to look good or to impress someone else. All of which is really unnecessary which is why I think we have a lot to learn for God's creation. We have so much to learn from nature. You never see these birds doing something to look better yet they always look really beautiful and are really elegant.

A Mouthfull

When you live in a place where there are tons of cows you are bound to see egrets among them. These bird follow the cows and eat insects off of the cow's. Its a symbiotic relationship where both (the cows and the birds) benefit - the birds get to eat while the cows get rid of irritating parasites.

I've only ever seen these birds eating insects or worms from the fields or the cows so I was quite surprised when I noticed this particular egret with a frog in its mouth.

These birds are really shy and fly off as soon as they notice a human coming towards them. Thankfully this little birdie was too busy with the frog that it didn't bother when I stopped to take a few pictures.

It kept shaking the frog and I began to wonder how it would fit such a large amphibian down its throat. After about 2 minutes of shaking its head it promptly went on to swallow it with ease.

After that it noticed me and flew off. Always the shy one :D

Btw if you have any suggestions whereby I can make my blog better and my posts more fun to read and follow do let me know and I'll do my best :)

Until tomorrow!