blue heron – SilverLining

As I approached the pond today, two blue herons startled into flight. One left the pond, the other alighted on a shore. As I walked the path and came closer, the remaining bird flew across the pond to the island. (As always, I encourage you to enlarge these photos by clicking on them.)

In a matter of seconds, it had landed on the island shore, at precisely the place a heron frequented last year. This makes me wonder if it’s the same bird.

Later, as I rounded to the other side of the pond, and the heron had walked to another side of the island, again I startled it.

As you view the pictures, try to imagine the bird’s respective size to its environment. As it alights on the island,above, I think you can see its relational size to the trees along the shore. Also, as it takes its final flight from the pond, you will see a person on the other shore. Try to imagine the amount of air space this bird occupies at it passes midway between that person and me. It is a beautiful sight, seeing this bird’s commanding presence.

After leaving the pond, it made two ‘fly-overs’ – reminding me of the showmanship of jet fighter pilots in air shows. The photo below may take a bit of time to load if you click it, but, the shape of this bird in flight makes me think how nature must influence aircraft design.

It has snowed today, discouraging my enthusiasm for spring’s arrival, and dampening my interest in schlepping through slush to the pond for not spring-like photos. So, I’ll use this lull in the action as an opportunity to share a progression of photos taken last October. Photo subject: The Blue Heron

The photo above was taken in the summer, at the height of her marauding. If you click on it, the enlargement will show you a fish in her beak.

A past post (see September ’07 in the archives to the right) describes my thoughts of this bird. By fall, she and I had moved closer to…some sort of curious respect. She would let me approach her, to within ten to fifteen feet. She wouldn’t startle at the sound of the shutter, but she kept at least one wary eye upon me always.

I think she began to enjoy posing for me. And, the day of the photos below, without a doubt, she was showing off, much to my delight. When she reached the far shore, she turned back to me, as if to ask if I’d caught it on film. I had. Enjoy her beauty!

Incidentally, about ten days ago, I saw in the distant sky, a bird in flight that took an extra long time to diminish from my eyes – indicating it was large. And, by the stroke of the wings, I had to wonder if it was the heron. Her flight is like the effort to row a boat. There’s great exertion for little gain – till your own momentum aids the endeavor. I expect she’ll make her debut at the pond any day now.

(Click on the photos to fully appreciate them. Use the back arrow to return to the post.)