Saturday, October 24, 2009

Some Things Never Change

Life was much different this spring and summer, unlike the others with time for leisure. When everything seems hurried, lost, and off balance, isn’t that when we yearn for the familiar?



DSCF0372

Under the scorching sun, find some shade under the willows and cool yourself. I was there, with them.

I went to my most loved, familiar place, but not often enough - that
pond at Beaver Creek Road near the shopping plaza. I wonder how many of my blog posts center around this pond? Quite a few, I know.

In June I learned the resident beavers were relocated and replaced with several large snapping turtles. The “association” wanted it to be that way…

I worried about my spark bird.

DSCF9013

Since I hadn’t been to the pond in many weeks, I was anxious to know if Great Blue Heron was still getting its belly filled in that well-stocked pond.

Relief. I saw heron from afar...

DSCF9795

As expected, heron was not amused to see me

and once again, I slowly and quietly followed,

forgetting about how hot it was that day.

Some things never change.



DSCF8996

Once again, we played Peek-a-Boo.

Returning to Beaver Creek Road was a gift


inexpensive


just lower the shoulders

breathe,

soak up the bird song

and giggle quietly at the heron


DSCF9015


having lunch.


DSCF8841

Red-winged Blackbirds sang to the heavens and raised families.


DSCF8992

I was missing the Great White Egret when my nemesis bird landed before my eyes,



DSCF9205

yelled loudly, flipped me the bird, and flew away in a second or two.

When I wanted to relax, he caused my blood pressure to spike, but that’s to be expected. He's a Belted Kingfisher. Ha. Ha.

Some things never change.



DSCF9939

Have you seen a Green Heron dance?


DSCF9937

I waited.


And waited.


And waited for the Green Heron neck extension.



DSCF0707

I didn’t get the long red neck but I got this. Thanks, Green Heron.

All was well in my world

one day in July

when nature remained.

27 comments:

Carol Michel said...

I agree, we should all be so lucky as to have a place in this world where we can relax and forget about anything that isn't right there in front of us, be it birds or plants or fish or whatever. It is a gift to have such a place!

Anonymous said...

Pretty, pretty, pretty! I worry about the birds and snapping turtles, too. All those moving feet under the water. . . !

You've got to give Mr. Kingfisher credit for style. That topnotch looks like a rock star.

So neat that these treasures are holding on in such a highly developed area!

Murr Brewster said...

Oooo! Green heron demi-plie!

Kerri Farley said...

Oh Mary...you have some of my favorite birds in this post! Fabulous pics!!

Shelly Cox said...

What a beautiful place you have for a sanctuary. Those heron photos are wonderful. We all need a place like that to help us forget the stresses of everyday life. Thank you for sharing yours, I felt like I was there.

Rose said...

These inexpensive ventures are usually the best! Love all the photos of the heron. Hope the sun is still shining where you are, Mary!

Regarding your last post, just wanted to say that this summer I spent a lot of time with my grandkids outside on "safaris" checking out the orb spiders, praying mantises, and swallowtail caterpillars, not to mention, of course, the butterflies and hummingbirds. Beats computer video games and watching "Princess Barbie" for the third time:)

Susan Ellis said...

I love herons too, and anytime I'm out birding, whatever the weather I slip into an almost meditative state..it is my version of going to church and definitely my main relaxant.

jason said...

I'm sorry they relocated the beavers. And added snapping turtles to replace them? Well, at least I hope they used alligator snappers since they're endangered--but I bet they used common snappers instead. Ugh.

The great blue heron is beautiful, Mary, and I love the male kingfisher who came to pose--even if momentarily. And you know I have a weakness for green herons. They're a singular beauty indeed...

BTW, did you know red-winged blackbirds are my favorite bird in all the world? That love affair goes back to kindergarten for me. You've given me a gift with those two!

It's such a special thing to have these havens in the middle of a busy life, places where we can escape and unwind and let nature rejuvenate us. What a fine July day indeed!

KGMom said...

Excuse me? The "association" wanted the beavers removed from the pond on Beaver Creek Road?
If the animals ever get together, we humans are in deeeeep trouble.
Sheesh!

My word verification word--myopicr

jeanmac said...

Mary, I just enjoy your pictures soo much.

Karen said...

Mary, I hate to tell you this, but your association had those beavers destroyed. The state of North Carolina doesn't allow relocation as the beavers aren't considered endangered. We are having this same discussion here in Greensboro over beavers damming part of Buffalo Creek near downtown.

Here's a link to the article in the News and Record:

http://www.news-record.com/content/2009/10/23/article/how_much_wood_could_a_beaver_eat_in_latham_park

I'm in an HOA so I'm not going to get started about my disdain for them and so forth.

Let's hope your ducks, egrets, herons, etc. don't suffer the same fate because they don't fit into the HOA's worldview.

Richard said...

Great pictures Mary. I think you forgot to mention the turtle on the log in the second GB Heron picture. Great capture.

Q said...

I am enjoying your summer catch up photographs. Some years it does seem as if relax time flies by!
The Herons are beautiful birds.
Hope your last week of October is full of autumn delights.
Sherry

Julie Zickefoose said...

Oh my flippin' gosh I love love love that photo of the dancing green heron! I love this post, too, and the nod to Nina. Mmmm, delicious. En fuego.

If I lived in a place presided over by a homeowner's association I would probably have to blow up HQ. They would throw me out on my ear within a week. What? I can't burn poopy cage papers on my front lawn? What? I can't throw my compost out back in a pit? No bird towers? Whaa? You're trapping the beavers? Here, stick your foot in THIS.

Robin's Nesting Place said...

What amazing pictures! I could lose myself at that pond too!

Caroline said...

That green heron dance is a hoot! Any of us humans trying to make our legs go that way would end up in the emergency room or at the chiropractor's office.

Jayne said...

What great photos of the herons, Mary! I think they are starting to adopt you! :c)

RuthieJ said...

Beautiful pictures and text Mary. I hope you're planning to periodically post summer pics throughout the winter -- especially for those of us who are silly enough to want to live in the frozen northland and have to go 6 months without seeing herons--green, blue or otherwise!

Dog_geek said...

Love the pics of the good ol' pond - especially the green heron and your nemesis Kingfisher!

Iris said...

Great shots, as always! And the beavers? They'll be back, mark my words. Not those specific beavers, but beavers will return. They always do.

My friend says beavers are like teenage boys on their first day with a new chainsaw. She's been dealing with the little guys for years. Tried everything—trapping, shooting, relocating—now she just enjoys them. Also, she's since learned from watching that the trees come back bigger and better every year from the stumps the beavers make. Just gotta be patient.

Wendy said...

I love those pics! Especially the green heron dancing on the tree branch. Ahhhh - those golden days of summer. Thanks for sharing your afternoon. I miss summer already!

Marvin said...

Beautiful photos, Mary. This summer seem to really whiz past for us.

Kathie Brown said...

Mary, wonderful photos of the heron. So glad you went back to visit. I don't think we could ever get tired of posts from this place! I hope your blood pressure has settled back down!

Elaine Cougler Author said...

Hi Mary
Just checking in after many weeks of absence and saw your relaxing post. You are my hero for getting from nature enough nurture for your soul.

dugfresh said...

another great post.

i have a lot of beaver creek road ponds...basically anywhere my humble little car or my feet will take me.

nature is busy going on everywhere, all around us, all the time, but we (as a race) are too busy and caught up in the "me" to take any notice.

as for me, i know it's there; i need it. it's like water and food to me; sustenance.

i love that you're able to stalk the great blue heron. they usually just fly away when they see me...

and how nice(?) you got a visit from your dear old friend, mr. fisher. he's a little rascal, for sure.

Crayons said...

The green herons! I'd never really seen one. I agree with MObugs that these photos leave me feeling so relaxed. One day I'd love to see a video of YOU stalking the birds. Your photographs show how you really tune in to them. They are not mere objects for your lens. They have souls.

fmm said...

So have something that's comfortable.. Of those, only three have officially tested positive for COVID 19 through the nasal swab test, which is less than 1%.But despite the low percentages, Fairhope officials were worried that police could expose themselves to COVID 19 by pulling over vehicles during the curfew hours."(Police officers) have to talk to and be around everyone and anyone they have to stop," said Councilman Kevin Boone.

In his first four seasons as an Cheap Yeezy Shoes Sale NFL head coach, Knox had guided Coach Outlet Clearance the Rams to a 44 11 1 record, and Los Angeles was coming off its third consecutive appearance in the NFC Championship Game all losses."We maintained a relationship through the years, and it was important," Namath said.

As of MK Outlet Monday, the country had1,746 cases and 73 deaths. And the point of a relationship is that it Cheap Nike Air Force 1 has to work for both."The quarterback said Bndchen wrote him a New Air Jordan Shoes letter expressing her feelings about their relationship, which he Air Force 1 In Store has kept and still reads from time to time."I think most men want to focus on their Jordan Shoes For Sale career, and it's very easy for men to focus on their career," he added.Brady also revealed during his conversation with Stern that Yeezy Shoes For Sale he shed tears when he told Patriots owner Robert Kraft and coach Bill Belichick that he would be leaving his longtime team."I was crying.

Don use the parking brake when storing the vehicle. La Ville de Saguenay avait toutefois d faire marche arri apr que le gouvernement provincial eut refus de financer une partie des travaux.. Economists have generally found that ethnic fragmentation usually a legacy of colonialism tends to make countries less willing to provide public goods..