The Blue Heron is one of those birds I have tried to photograph before, quite a few times and quite unsuccessfully. This time wasn’t too much better for what I did capture but the experience was one of those at-the-right-time moments, which is always wonderful. It was August 1st and I had restarted a ‘go for a walk every day’ thing. On the way out I heard myself ask, where’s your camera (silly!)? At the top of the hill facing the pond I could see the familiar shape of a large bird and immediately turned around and went back to the house. Then back at the top of the hill again, zoomed out as far as I could, I started taking photos, took a few steps, a few more photos, more steps… half way down I paused and one of the dogs barked from the back porch. The Heron’s head popped up alert from behind the reeds, its body did not move. I took a few more photos and quietly apologized out loud for disturbing its morning hunt. “I only want to take your picture, you’re so beautiful, …do you mind?” It stayed completely still for some time watching me watching it through the tall pond grasses. I don’t know how long we stood staring but then it hunched down and popped up into the air and flew straight over the pond. As it did it made two deep guttural squawks and then swooped over the field to the east. I was clicking away hoping for the best, as I always do, and couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome, especially the one in flight. Thank you beautiful!
Riverbank Treasures 