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Sat. March 25, 2006
An ally encouter with a great blue heron
I was a good boy/domestic husband type today since I spent the mid part of it cleaning the house and tidying up the back lawn. Apparently I deserved a reward, too. It came in the form of a huge bird swooping down and landing on a nearby chimney. I saw it land out of the corner of my eye while working at my computer. The neighborhood view out our office window afforded me the sight and I immediately grabbed my camera and telephoto lens. The huge bird was immediately hounded by a couple crows that apparently claim domain over that particular chimney. The rascals even dive bombed the visitor a couple times although were unsuccessful at driving it off.
My line of sight, although better than nothing, wasn't the best from the house so I took a chance the bird would stick around a while longer and journeyed down the ally for a better vantage point. I stopped at a few spots and snapped some far better photos of what I later confirmed was a great blue heron. I've seen these guys before around my parents' house and elsewhere but always had trouble telling blue from gray herons. Nevertheless, at the time, I knew from it's size and silhouette it was a heron of some sort. It calmly enjoyed a little sunshine balancing atop the brick chimney with one leg. Although at one point I had to pass a rather mangy dog that resides on a rather mangy property, after I wandered further down the ally his barking was replaced with the gentle ping of a well-tuned set of wind chimes. I patiently awaited the herons departure and had my camera set for taking such action shots. It finally did seem to get slightly startled and leaped from his post and flew towards Point Defiance until I could barely make it out.
It was definitely a treat to see and, although I'm pretty sure I saw a heron not too long ago from here (now that I think of it) hopefully it'll be back for some more photo shoots. What a beautiful and serene way to spend a half hour this afternoon.
Comments (4) | To Top
3/26/2006 @ 10:58am
Great shots!
by Momquote
3/26/2006 @ 10:58am
What a great sighting and pix. Mr. Heron got a wee bit ruffled when the crow swooped, didn't he?
by Kathy Freitas
3/26/2006 @ 11:14am
Sure did! Pretty amazing how it can change its appearance so drastically, too. Seeing this beauty in our neighborhood sure makes me want to go out and take photos at a wildlife park -- Northwest Trek or Nisqually river delta or something. I might have to head out with Gavin next weekend and do so. Either that or snap some shots of the daffodil farms now in full bloom.
by KevinFreitas
6/12/2006 @ 10:22am
so weird to see around here like that. They usually tend to stay away from bustling areas and people. They're beautiful birds though..
by Joel