Photos by Donna

I had a wonderful opportunity watching and photographing a Great Blue Heron recently at Prime Hook NWR.

With exquisite grace, he slowly moved in the canal, looking for and snagging a darting meal in the water.

He also kept an eye on the few visitors walking by.

I worked on trying to capture a couple close-ups…..

……and received some piercing GBH eyes back at me.

Whoa, what a staredown!  I dropped down my camera, turned my head away, and remained motionless.

Feeling no threat, he comfortably forged on, again ever so slowly and with grace.

As he moved on and away, I left him to his task.  I ventured off, but came back past this area 10-15 minutes later.  I searched the canal and saw that he had disappeared.  I glanced at a couple sitting on a bench who smiled at me and pointed up to the Osprey nest platform off to the right.

And there he was.  For everyone to see.  What a beauty!

I know I will never tire photographing the gorgeous Great Blue Heron.  Not only were they my Mom’s favorite bird, but for me they are also a teacher of patience.  Something that we all need these days in life’s hustle-bustle.

(These are for you, Mom.  We just passed three years without you at Thanksgiving, and I still miss you daily.  Happy Birthday today.)