RSS Feed

Several weeks back, I focused this column on the approaching peak period for the neotropic songbird migration, hoping to encourage readers to get out and do a little nature viewing. Two weeks ago, I did a presentation at the Jeanerette Museum for the formal opening of the “Art of Nature Exhibit,” educating those in the audience on where to go throughout the gulf south to view wildlife on public land in their natural settings. Moreover, encouraging them to do so.
In the coming weeks, you can be sure this column will switch back to topics dear to all of our hearts like fishing, with a few specifics on where to find fish and what they’re biting on. Perhaps we’ll talk about shooting and maybe off season practice. And, hopefully, I’ll come across some really neat human interest story that touches us all.
However, for now I want to get back to the birds and share with you a real neat personal experience. Moreover, if I don’t see another songbird this spring, my cup is so full from the encounter, I’m pretty sure I’ll be good for the remainder of the year.
During a birding trip at that “peak” period I mentioned last month, Mrs. Flores and I ventured out with our camera gear planning to hit several of our favorite songbird locations. Nature photography is our thing just as golf, bowling, or perhaps kayaking is someone else’s.
We woke up with the birds and targeted Lake Martin, particularly Rookery Road, as our first destination to launch into our photography adventure. Our mental anticipation meters were tipped pretty high to the positive side, in our hopes of catching some great images of a few songbirds.
Lying between Lafayette and Breaux Bridge, Lake Martin happens to be a critical habitat for songbirds. As such, the region is a perfect place to view trans-gulf migrants that we chase each spring. What’s more, it’s also home to the Cypress Island Preserve; a great place to start.
It was on the preserve’s boardwalk where I experience my encounter. Prothontary warblers were singing like a glee-club high up in the tall cypress and tupelo trees of the nature preserve. Then, every few seconds we’d see them darting about chasing one another. Their movement was so fast they were more like streaks of yellow than songbirds. But, even songbirds have to rest a moment.
In the low branches, just above my head, a prothonotary warbler decided to quit the chase and search the tree’s bark for a breakfast of insects. Every few seconds it would sit, then go back to its twig by twig search. I depressed the shutter button of my camera and reeled off a few bursts. That’s when I saw a band on the bird’s left leg.
No longer interested in a quality image, I aimed at the bird’s butt, trying to catch as many shots of its legs as I could from as many angles as I could.
We’re not talking about a duck or goose band here. This band is tiny. I had my telephoto lens zoomed out to its maximum 400mm. I knew I’d also have to crop the image as well when I got home to examine the band more closely.
My hope was to decipher enough numbers to be able to report them to the Bird Banding Laboratory at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Maryland.
For the next several days I spent hours poring over the images. And, it wasn’t until I was confident with utmost assuredness, did I get online to report the numbers.
Unfortunately, the automated report came back via email stating my numbers were incorrect and the one I reported was from a tree swallow banded in 1973. I didn’t give up though. I contacted the bird banding laboratory’s person in charge of handling questions regarding Federal band encounters and recoveries.
Jo Ann Lutmerding, a biologist with the laboratory, handed me off to Jennifer Malpass, another biologist, who asked me to send her some photos. Two days later Malpass contacted me stating she found my bird and that I was off by one digit during my examination.
The Prothonatary Warbler was banded in 2015 as a hatch year female by Dr. Erik I. Johnson, Audubon Louisiana Director of Bird Conservation, near Breaux Bridge. With this information, it’s reasonable to assume that my bird, this spring, has made its fourth trans-gulf trip. What’s more, has returned to nest again this year near the location it was initially banded.
I know that I miss out on a lot of good fishing during April and May weekends each year. I figure I can always make up the lost fishing days. But, you’d be hard pressed to make up a day when you have a close encounter of the bird kind.
If you wish to make a comment, or have an anecdote, recipe, or story you wish to share you can contact John K. Flores by calling 985-395-5586 or reach him by email at gowiththeflo@cox.net or go to his FACEBOOK page Gowiththeflo Outdoors.

Funeral Services for Oscar John Stewart will be Saturday, May 20, 2017, 11 a.m. at MK DIXON Funeral Home, Baldwin, La. Rev. Samuel will officiate the service.
Visitation will be Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 9 a.m. until the commencement of the funeral service at MK DIXON Funeral Home.
He will be buried in St Helens Cemetery, Glencoe, La.
Oscar John Stewart Sr. affectionately known as “Shady” was a native of Glencoe and a resident of Baldwin, La. He was born to the late William and Virginia Stewart. He was born March 24,1941 and baptized at an early age. Oscar attended Jon of Arc Catholic School in Glencoe La.
Oscar entered external rest on Friday, May 05, 2017 at the New Iberia Manor South Rehab Facility in New Iberia, Louisiana.
Oscar leaves to cherish his memories five children, three daughters Katherine Leyanne Stewart-Ceasar (Adam); Monica Renee Stewart (Federal Jones); Stella Rae Stewart, two sons Oscar John Stewart, Jr and Leonard William Stewart all of Baldwin, La. Ten grandchildren Asheley, Oscar III, Andrew, Darrius, Khadijah, Tyler Keith, Damien Keith and Shalya Stewart, Tony Stanton, Michael Wilson, Linda and Daniel Trahan. Four great grandchildren, Isiah, Andrew Jr., My’Angel, My’Asia; three God children David Maxie, Josephine Teno and Angele Keil. Four Brother in laws Edward Washington Sr., Leonard Washington Sr., Joseph Yancy Sr., and Jack Poleder II. Four sister in laws Rosa Washington Poleder, Bernadette Stewart, Debra Dasin and Mary Jane Ceaser. Host of nieces, nephews, family members and friends.
Oscar was preceded in death by his parents William Stewart and Virginia Taylor Stewart, his wife Rose Washington Stewart, brother Henry Stewart, sisters Mary Louise Jack, Marion Yancy, Edna Mae Stewart, Janice Stewart and Cora Stewart. One Aunt Nancy Jack.
MK DIXON Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, La. 70514, www.mkdixonfh.com.

Submitted Photos
The Morgan City Fire Department donated 35 surplused air packs to LSU Fire & Emergency Training Institute in Baton Rouge. LSU FETI will use these retired tanks to train firefighters. Pictured are FETI Director Dave Casey, Mayor Frank "Boo" Grizzaffi, Assistant Chief Joe Marino, Capt.Chad Landry, Capt. Kristopher Price, Acting Operator Ashton Gibson, Acting Capt. Reed Stephens, Operator Jody Acosta, Operator Davin Felton, Assistant Chief John Price and Chief Alvin Cockerham.

Funeral Services for Earl McKinley Baptiste will be Saturday, May 20, 2017, 1 p.m. at Greater New Hope Baptist Church, 104 Tenth Street, Baldwin, La.
Visitation will be Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 10 a.m. until the commencement of the funeral service at Greater New Hope Baptist Church.
He will be buried in the Greater New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery.
Earl McKinley Baptiste, 87, departed this life suddenly on Tuesday, May 16, 2017.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Laura Monette Baptiste; seven daughters, Catherline
Shepherd, Wanda Baptiste Smith, Janice Baptiste (Luther Joseph), Paula (Herbert) Bell, Yolanda Linton, Earline Baptiste, and Charla (Charles) Rivers; four sisters, Benedict Fleming, Viola Thomas (Allen Brooks), Carrie (Maxie) Jackson, and Betty Guy; two brother in-laws, Morgan Thomas and Charles Bourgeois; Thirteen grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Curly and Regina Baptiste; one son, Erwin Tron McDaniel; five sisters, Shirley Baptiste, Beverly Williams, Phoebie LeBlanc, Genevia Pradia, and Lillie Mae Bourgeois.
MK DIXON Funeral Home is in charge of final arrangements, 337-940-9253, 211 Main Street, Baldwin, La. 70514. www.mkdixonfh.com.