As long as I've lived here, I should know better. I walked up to this stuffed creature at the National Wildlife Refuge in Bayou Lacombe the other weekend and said: "Oh look, it's a beaver!" WRONG...this guy is a nutria. We have them all over south Louisiana. I've even seen them taking a swim in Bayou St. John from time to time. Those orange teeth in the front should have given it away!
In addition to camellias last weekend, you had the opportunity to see a bounty of "stuffed" Louisiana Wildlife and experience what it might actually be like to take a helicopter ride over all of the National Wildlife Refuges located in Louisiana. I had no idea we had so many here.
And then the best news of the day (maybe even better than all those pretty camellias),our bald eagles and brown pelicans are no longer endangered. Our conservation people have worked hard and it has really paid off. A special thanks to them, and a loud and long HOORAY!
My "no destination day" angel can be found in St. Louis Cemetery #3 on Esplanade. I got there early enough to avoid the tourists who regularly unload by the busload every day. On my way to her, I noticed some beautiful patterns, colors and textures on certain tombs that I wanted to come back to once I'd finished with her.
On my way back I'd approached from the rear and was hugely surprised when I checked out the markings on the front.
This structure has been around since the turn of the last century, 1894. It seems that with so many French people in New Orleans, there was a need for a special society to help those who were here and may have passed on. This was the first time that I'd noticed tombs and crypts that had been built by sponsoring organizations or groups. Here's another I found nearby below:
It seemed appropos that it had it's very own bird's nest resting in the corner!
My 2014 summer in Cadrieu was floppy hats and overalls. All it took was the owner of Gabby's in St. Cirq Lapopie telling me how great the hat looked on me and Evelyn's urging, and it was a wrap. It reawakened my love of hats of all kinds, but especially those big floppy ones.
Now, there's another floppy hat in pink in Cadrieu that was a birthday present from Marina and a red one in New Orleans that I bought at the French Market when Michel was visiting.
I truly fell in love with that first floppy hat. Not only did I enjoy wearing it, but it became the perfect photo prop all around the property. I may have taken just as many pictures of that hat as I have of the Eiffel Tower!
When I think of the summer of 2014 and home, the hat has become a symbol of all that those times held for me last year. I didn't bring it back to the states, but left it resting in the Chatette. I know it's waiting there just for me.
Special thanks to Marina for the photos of me in my floppy hats!
...yesterday morning's cold weather didn't stop me from my morning bike ride. All it took was earmuffs, gloves and an extra layer or two and I was ready. It was a no destination day. I head out and just ride, letting the path find me and pull me along. I found this favorite girl on another such day. I'd promised myself that I'd come back at some point and try to get some shots of her. She's a beauty.
Some of you may know where she is located. You may find a clue or two in the photos, but I'm looking for the specific location. Any takers?
...Louie Boy kisses, and Camellias! It's been quite a strange winter here temperature-wise. One day it's 70 degrees F, and the next it's 25F. Yesterday we were in bathing suits and sandals...this morning you need a sweater.
Imagine that beautiful garden at Stew and Eric's over on Dupre Street. There's been a lot of in and out with the plants this winter, so what do you do? You build a shed to protect all those beautiful potted plants so you don't have to haul as far and you don't dirty up the house!
I dropped by on my bike yesterday afternoon for a visit. EVERYONE was out working, including Louie Boy. Eric and I got my bike into the house. We poured a new wine that he assured me I must try, and headed out to see what we could do to help Stew. They are a good team. Louie Boy and I stood to the side and observed.
But then, it was time for Camellias. The garden is full of them. They are stunningly beautiful and natural here.
After taking mine home from the show, and seeing how unhappy they were; I've come to believe...
...Camellias should stay on the trees. Happy Monday!
Having had a coffee and done some catching up with Ron the day after Mardi Gras, he mentioned that he and Wilson might be going to a camellia show over the weekend. It was a tentative invitation to join them pending weather and work, so I was really excited when Ron called yesterday and we were off to the Big Branch Marsh Wild Refuge Center at Bayou Lacombe.
We opted for a non-Causeway route across and around Lake Ponchartrain. Even though we were on the hunt for camellias, it was just as much fun learning about the Big Branch Wildlife Refuge.
I'd never been over before, so it was interesting to learn more about our vanishing wetlands and creatures that are on the endagered species list.
With over 400 varieties of camellias on their hundred acres, shame on you if you can't find at least one that you fall in love with. Me, I found way too many. There was a formal presentation on the tables and then you were able to wander through the grounds and pick as many camellias as you could carry.
We were told that you could choose one, and they would "wax" it for you and it would stay beautiful for about 3 weeks. We were a well-behaved trio. Ron, Wilson and I showed up for the "waxing", but then discovered that some others had as many as 3 or more camellias to be waxed. We were a little bummed, but we had so many in the car that it was hard to be too disappointed.
The shot on the left and directly below are of my choice "waxed", and then my Camellia Men's choices "pre-waxing". What a wonderful gift!
...abound during Mardi Gras Season. It's easy to get lost in the hoopla and beauty of the Clydesdales, but these guys have a magic and a purpose all their own.
I'd ridden further down Marconi on my bike than was necessary, but it meant that I pretty much had an escort all my own to the parade staging area. Our NOPD horses and these dark work horses cut royal and dashing figures.
Special thanks to our own NOPD Mounted Unit-it's a long Mardi Gras Season and everyone works so hard.