Racket-tailed roller Coracias spatulatus

I've posted images of birds before on OS, with a short explanation of how difficult it is along with some other thoughts. You can find that post here. It received a lot of attention from around the world, to the point where I've found some of the images purloined, without regard to copyright or fair use as some were without attribution. But that's a post for another day.

I've been feeling kind of puny for more than a week, no need to go into the details, but I was to the point of being sick of being the self imposed house bound invalid. Nothing major, just a symptom that indicated that something else was going on. So, last Friday, I ventured out after taking care of some other neglected chores. And I went to the zoo. I've posted before on my mixed feelings about the zoo, and there is another blog in the works about a particular issue that has garnered some national attention, but that will come anon. However, even with those mixed feelings, I can't get past being delighted to see up-close some remarkably beautiful creatures. 

And feathered dinosaurs are just amazing animals. There is a spot in the zoo, over in the children's area where you can go inside a small aviary and get some close ups without having to deal with fence in the photograph issues.

And now without further ado, this post is dedicated to our own Susan Mitchell. She's recently had a loss in her family, and I hope this brightens her day a bit. I know there are many bird lovers here on OS, and you're invited too to enjoy with us these extraordinary little holdovers from the Jurassic. 

These Racket-tailed rollers, denizens of eastern Africa, are dedicated to Susan.

Some other images now follow, mostly taken last Friday.

Golden-breasted starling Cosmopsaurus regius

Brown pelican Pelecanus occidentalis 

Probably a California brown, but could be an Eastern brown. The bright spot next to his eye is sunlight coming obliquely through his cornea. If you click on the image, you should be able to see a larger size—as with some, but not all, of the other images. Susan calls these the official Louisiana State Dinosaur.

Green wood hoopoe Phoeniculus purpureus 

I love his name. He's a sub-Saharan near-passarine tropical. 

He lowers his head when he's about to pounce on his prey.

Green-cheeked conure Pyrrhura molinae

Sun conure Aratinga solstitialis solstitialis

You can see the screen in this pic that becomes nicely bokeh in the first pic. The screen is about 18" behind the perch in the first one.

"No. 19" American flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber

Guira cuckoo Guira guira 

A non-parasitical cukoo, and one you've seen before in my post to all the birds I've loved…" I referenced above.

This is a favorite of one of my favorites—Tequilaanddonuts—because she loves this guy's punk hair-do.

and finally, a drive-by shooting:

mockingbird Mimus polyglottos

because I was stuck at a traffic light

My son was sitting next to me, I had to pick him up late from school. He said "What a geek, Dad!" I didn't disagree, and thanked him.

Thanks for visiting, and again, my best to Susan and her family.

Au revoir.

all images copyright © 2009 by barry b. doyle • all rights reserved