Happiness Is An Unruffled Heron
In my years on the lake, I have noted with some amusement how the herons watch me approach only to inevitably fly off the moment I raise my camera. So it is with all the wildlife around here (probably because they have never really become accustomed to humans) so when I actually find something willing to pose, however briefly, it is a moment of simple and unexpected pleasure.
So it was with this young heron who I watched prowl the banks for some time, seemingly unperturbed, as I drifted near...of course, without my camera.
The next day, I returned to the spot, hoping against hope that I might find him again. I was sitting in the canoe scanning the shoreline when a significant fluttering occurred over my head and looking back I saw him perched on a dead tree not 10 feet away. He proceeded to glide down to the shore and began his hunt, me, this time camera at the ready, snapping away. One of the real joys of an event like this is the instant affinity and kinship one feels when another species deigns to share an otherwise private moment. Special indeed.
I liked his pose in this one and it's worth a click on the magnifier I think.
Happiness Is An Unruffled Heron
In my years on the lake, I have noted with some amusement how the herons watch me approach only to inevitably fly off the moment I raise my camera. So it is with all the wildlife around here (probably because they have never really become accustomed to humans) so when I actually find something willing to pose, however briefly, it is a moment of simple and unexpected pleasure.
So it was with this young heron who I watched prowl the banks for some time, seemingly unperturbed, as I drifted near...of course, without my camera.
The next day, I returned to the spot, hoping against hope that I might find him again. I was sitting in the canoe scanning the shoreline when a significant fluttering occurred over my head and looking back I saw him perched on a dead tree not 10 feet away. He proceeded to glide down to the shore and began his hunt, me, this time camera at the ready, snapping away. One of the real joys of an event like this is the instant affinity and kinship one feels when another species deigns to share an otherwise private moment. Special indeed.
I liked his pose in this one and it's worth a click on the magnifier I think.