In order to see birds it is necessary to become a part of the silence.
~ Robert Lynd
Before the snows came, the sky was bright and fluffy with clouds, and a few visitors stopped by to do some fishing in the pond.
It’s a very rare thing, but every now and then a Great Egret comes to visit the pond. They don’t live in our area, but pass through on their migration to elsewhere.
Egrets don’t seem to be as shy as our Great Blue Herons. I sat outside on the deck on Saturday and watched as this beautiful, graceful creature landed near the cattails at the back of the pond. I stayed for about an hour as he made his way around the pond. A Great Blue Heron probably wouldn’t have landed in the first place, and certainly would have left if he’d seen me walking around on the deck. The egret didn’t mind me at all.
… I keep looking for one more teacher, only to find that fish learn from the water and birds learn from the sky.
~ Mark Nepo
Here’s are some interesting tidbits about the Great Egret from Cornell’s All About Birds website:
- The oldest known egret was 22 years, 10 months old. It was banded in Ohio.
- The Great Egret is the symbol for the National Audubon Society. They were once hunted for their plumes, called aigrettes, which were used to decorate ladies’ hats. Audubon was formed to protect birds from being hunted and killed for their feathers.
- The Great Egret is a slow flyer whose cruising speed is about 25 mph, and has a wing beat of 2 per second.
The Great Egret is not the only bird fishing the pond. There is a Great Blue Heron who stops by every day now. He’s gorgeous. Great Blue Herons live in this area year round although we don’t usually see them at our pond during the winter months.
There was a Red-Tailed Hawk in the vicinity on Sunday when our Great Blue Heron stopped by. There were also a couple of ducks and geese floating around. I’ve noticed in the past that when a hawk is around, the herons will make themselves look bigger. I can’t imagine that the herons are in any danger from the hawks (herons are not listed as prey for hawks), but I suppose it doesn’t hurt to put on a little display just to show who’s bigger and who’s boss.
I pray to the birds because they remind me of what I love rather than what I fear. And at the end of my prayers, they teach me how to listen.
~ Terry Tempest Williams, Refuge: An Unnatural History of Family and Place
It continues to be cold here in the Bogs. It’s been snowing all afternoon and there is more snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow. I suspect it’s lake-effect snow, but I haven’t been paying enough attention to be sure. Does it really matter where and how the snow is generated? Snow is snow.
If we learn to read the birds — and their behaviors and vocalizations — through them, we can read the world at large… if we replace collision with connection, learn to read these details, feel at home, relax, and are respectful — ultimately the birds will yield to us the first rite of passage: a close encounter with an animal otherwise wary of our presence.
~ Jon Young, What the Robin Knows: How Birds Reveal the Secrets of the Natural World
Thank you for visiting today and watching the birds of the pond with me. They are so beautiful and regal, don’t you think?
Have a delightful day, evening, night… wherever and whenever you are on the spectrum of time. 🙂
This was a lovely visit. I so love seeing the heron and egret, such powerful, majestic birds. You have made such a calming place at your blog, always a pleasure… thank you, Robin.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Bo. And thank you. I am so glad you enjoyed your visit. 🙂
LikeLike
I “liked” this before I even scrolled past the banner. Wonderful shot!
LikeLike
Thank you, CM. 🙂 I got lucky. Herons are such shy creatures.
LikeLike
Beautiful photos today, Robin! I loved seeing the birds that are paying visits to the Bogs. I saw my very first, live and in person, male cardinal the other day and immediately thought of you. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Dana. 🙂 How wonderful that you got to see a cardinal in person! I was reading something the other day about animal totems and the cardinal. It is said that those who attract the cardinal are naturally energetic (full of fire, I reckon) and love life. Sounds like you.
LikeLike
So interesting! I’ve been feeling full of zest and energy lately. 🙂
LikeLike
Those are beautiful pictures of egrets and herons. I particularly like picture of the “fairy” egret, but all the pictures are lovely – as is the post. You have really started wonderfully with this new blog of yours. By the way your name still links to the old blog.
LikeLike
Thank you, Otto. That’s my favorite of this series too. And thank you for letting me know about my name linking to my old blog. I’ve gone in and checked all the settings again, and hopefully have it fixed now. I tried clicking on my name from a comment I left at your blog and it seems to be working. *fingers crossed* 🙂
LikeLike
They are so regal…just beautiful. I like those reflections (the birds…but the quotes too!) in many of the photos!
LikeLike
Thank you so much, Kathy. 🙂
LikeLike
Magical photos of the egret and heron, Robin. How lucky you are to live in such a beautiful place and with a pond to attract such beautiful creatures. Thank you for sharing these photos; I love the last one of the heron especially.
LikeLike
You’re welcome, Lynn. And thank you. 🙂 I am very lucky indeed, and happy that I’ve come to appreciate it.
LikeLike
Such magnificent birds, Robin, many thanks for letting me see them through your eyes… I envy you so much… (envy unlike jealousy hasn’t the green eyed sting methinks.) .. 🙂 … I took a deep breath and refreshed my lungs… then off I go, flying back to reality…The snow is slowly melting, but we’ve been told the temperatures may not improve thro’ to the middle of April… Yikes.!! xPenx
(Can you pass the Brandy Bottle back? 😉 )
LikeLike
I owe you an apology, Pen. I’ve been hogging the Brandy Bottle. *passes it back* I do hope the weather over on your side of the pond has improved by now, and that you didn’t need the brandy too much.
LikeLike
’tis ok Robin, I’ve got another bottle … (not that I’m a heavy drinker, of course, just always prepared 😉 ) ’tis still cold temperature wise, but the sun keeps showing it’s lovely face… happy trails… xx
LikeLike
At least through your words and images, I maintain hope that spring is on the way.
LikeLike
Thank you, Frank. 🙂
LikeLike
These birds are so beautiful through your lens! Love the reflections, too. Great shots!
LikeLike
Thank you, Amy. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m always amazed at how you can capture birds with your camera, Robin. We have many egrets here, too, because we are surrounded by water. I love watching the pelicans fly low in their formations over the ocean and then dive for fish. They aren’t still long enough for me to get a good picture, though.
LikeLike
Thank you, Susan. 🙂 I’ve been practicing. A lot. Most of my shots of birds used to be nothing but blur. I’m slowly getting the hang of it.
LikeLike
I had no Wildlife Wednesday photos this week…I think all my birds went to your house!
I’ve seen the egret walk through the yard in the summer – even with the dog out there. Bold bird, eh?
LikeLike
Very bold bird, Marie, especially compared to our herons. 🙂
LikeLike
Cottonwool clouds … wonderful. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, Sallyann. 🙂
LikeLike
Wonderful! How great to have that opportunity with the egret. I’ve only seen them from afar. I hope your snow is over. It has all melted here finally and I hope we’ve seen the last of it until next winter.
LikeLike
Thank you, Karma. 🙂 Usually I only see them from afar or in a flash (because they sometimes come and go so quickly). I was lucky to be outside when this fellow showed up.
LikeLike