To Much of a Good Thing?

Now most people would be happy to have three Great Gray Herons and several different types of ducks hanging out within photo range but believe it or not I started to find myself quite bored with the whole situation. I guess having them around so often has me spoiled.

My first trip this week went pretty much like the last several. The young Great Gray Heron seems to have decided that it is comfortable at the pond and likes to spend a good deal of its morning here. Unlike the older birds it doesn’t seem to hunt here a lot though. Just lots of time grooming, resting and stretching its wings, ho-hum.

I was ready to give it up when as if on cue something new showed up to save the day.

I have never seen a hawk at the pond before this one. The herons definitely kept an eye on him while he was around but they were not nearly as anxious as they are when an eagle is in the area. His visit was brief but it was like that one good golf shot you make on the last hole of a terrible round. It’s just the kind of thing it takes to keep me coming back.

I had decided on my way to the pond for my second visit of the week that it was time to try to find a new spot to shoot from. I got there late and after two hours with absolutely no wildlife at the pond I thought it would be the perfect time to explore.

I did manage to find one location that, with a little work, might be okay. Of course now that I was about as far away from my regular blind as possible the ponds birds all started to show up.

The young heron and one of its parents were the first. They appeared as shadows in the trees above me as they circled their way down towards the water. The older bird took up a perch in the comunity pine tree while the younger bird found a spot near the pond’s inlet stream.

I slowly started making my way back to my blind and managed to make it without scaring off either parent or offspring. Luckily for me the young herons survival instinct seems to be to sit very still rather than to immediately take flight. Since the adults are not yet inclined to leave the youngster this behavior makes it much easier to photograph these normally very temperamental birds.

The young one now seems to have a much greater understanding of the dangers that come from above. It remembers to look up frequently and when large birds soar over it knows to keep an eye on them. The only time it seems to vocalize though is when an eagle is in the area. It appears the lessons learned as a result of the young eagles recent attempts to have him for lunch have sunk in.

Just as it was beginning to look like today wouldn’t be any more interesting than last few the herons suddenly became quite alert. The adult Bald Eagle came over the tops of the trees and gave the pond and the herons a quick once over. Deciding that he wasn’t up to making an attempt at the herons he landed on his favorite perch.

He was only there for about fifteen seconds though before he rolled backwards and flew off in chase of the young eagle who must have been right behind him when he came into the pond. Apparently the young bird hasn’t gotten the message yet that it is time to stretch its wings and strike out on its own.

One thing I did notice was that the mature eagle had several white feathers stuck to its breast. My original thought was that there might be a reason there were only two herons today. It also brought to mind the fact that I haven’t seen a seagull at the pond in a couple of weeks, hmmm.

It turned out that my visits to the pond this week were as interesting and educational as always. I guess I just need to keep being patient and paying attention to the world around me.

Have a great one! Get outside and enjoy!

Kevin