As our second lockdown here in Auckland continues (at Level 3 for at least another five days, and very probably longer), we are very grateful to be here where things are much less uncertain than in so many other places in the world. As I’ve mentioned before, we traditionally spend the three or four Northern Hemisphere summer months at our cabin in northern Minnesota, and this is the first time in nearly 40 years that we are unable to do that. But we think about it a lot, and there are numerous aspects of being there that we are missing, among them swimming, fishing, and canoeing. One of the traditions that we try to uphold at least once each year is canoeing across the lake to the river that flows out from it and then on down the river to the second bridge. Along the way it passes through some wonderful stands of cattails and wild rice, and there are always birds aplenty. Red-winged blackbirds are the most common ones, but also various kinds of ducks and the occasional bald eagle and our favorite, the great blue heron. While revisiting our memories
there with the help of my photo archives, I came across my record of this brief encounter that we enjoyed a little more than 13 years ago. The heron stood like a statue as we came
around a bend and stayed there quite a bit longer than we had expected, as we drifted silently along with the gentle current, and then took graceful flight further on downstream. This is one of my fondest memories and is, I think, very appropriate for my 800th post.
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It’s not hard to see why you’d miss your annual northern Minnesota summer stay at your cabin!
Thanks, Liz, it’s so easy to take traditional things like that for granted–until they go poof!
Happy heron to you, and happy 800. Your focus is on the bird, which is worthy and which we also have in Austin, but I couldn’t help noticing a curiosity about the number: 800 = (2 to the power 5) times (5 to the power 2).
Much obliged, Steve. And what a long, strange trip it’s been (and what a wonderful one)–and it’s not over yet!
Wow! Such wonderful images of the heron taking off.
I well understand how much you must miss those halcyon days at the cabin. I can imagine how much you miss your annual retreat to the wild.
I do hope that one day, the international borders reopen for you (and CD) and you’re able to recapture that time in nature that was such a regular part of your lives.
We’re confident that things will settle down eventually and regain some semblance of normalcy, but it’s anyone’s guess how long that may take. In the meantime, we’re happy to be right where we are.
When undisturbed blue herons can stand still for such a long time that one is tempted to think it is a piece of driftwood. Great photos from your archive, Gary!
That’s a good comparison. Their patience can be really inspirational.
Love the Heron images… pre-historic life in the 21st century. As for lockdown, here in the UK I get the feeling that our Government just hasn’t got a strategy, just kneejerk reactions and always looking for a way to be able to pass responsibility to others or should that be “pass the buck to others” when it goes wrong. I think I would rather be in NZ
We are in complete agreement. Passing the buck, rather than taking the bull by the horns, seems to be a far-too-frequent political ploy, and it’s frightening how often it has come into play. Happily, that’s not the case here. And thanks for the photo feedback–that was a great day, and I’m delighted to be able to share it.
I’m also a Brit, and agree with everything you’ve said here, about herons, about the attractiveness of living in NZ right now, and about our own wretched government Regarding the latter, you couldn’t make it, up could you? (but if you did, they’d put you on medication!).
If you watch a sitcom on TV ..you would have to say it was too unbelievable to be true. But why worry as Boris says repeatedly…everything we do is “World Class” !… if that was true, then there is no hope for the World.
:-\
Brilliant images. My late mother loved herons; whenever Christmas or a birthday came around, any gift that featured a heron would make her purr with pleasure. She would have adored your photos!
Very kind of you to say so. I love the concept of purring with pleasure!
Fine series. How nice to revisit through you photos!
It’s pretty much the next-best thing to being there again!
Beautiful stuff, Gary >>> and congrats on the 800th post! Always a pleasure looking at your pictures. :)
Thanks, man, the preparation is (almost) half the fun.
Happy 800th post, Gary! And lets hope for another 800+ more! Beautiful photos of this wonderful bird.
Thank you Pete, they really are magnificent, and what a rare treat to get so close!
What a special way to mark your 800th post. Beautifully captured. I saw a heron here – came into the garden and sat on the wall right in front of me – the only time I’ve ever seen one and I considered that special, also!
Now, that is really special, and I’d love to have been able to see it too!
I knew you were used to your summer place in Minnesota – but 40 years! That is some tradition! The sequence of photos is beautiful. I can imagine what lovely moment it was, being on a canoe and quietly coming upon this scene.
Canoeing with the current is such a delightful meditation, and with a sinuous river like this one, there are often surprises waiting around the next bend. We didn’t get around to this river run last summer, and we’re really regretting that now. Hopefully next year again!
Glorious bird beautifully photographed
Thanks, Helen
I’ve never canoed although I have canoodled some. What a fine memory record of this GBH. There can be confounding. Some take off the second they see you or sense your motion while others imitate a statue as yours did for a few moments. Congrats on hitting your first 800! Looking forward to the next. Sorry I’ve missed the vast majority until recently.
No need for sorry at all. I consider it a luxury when I’m able to keep up with posts and replies for more than just a few days, and I really don’t see how some folks who get a hundred (or more) comments on each post manage to respond to them all. And NOthing beats a good canoodle.