Green Heron

It has been a busy week getting some of those fall projects around the house done while the weather was so nice.  I cleaned out the gutters, patched and resealed the top of the chimney and completed a raised bed to plant some Jerusalem Artichokes, aka Sunchokes.  I still have one flower bed to do over before cold weather hits.

Friday morning I took a bit of a break and met my friend at the park.  I was quite surprised when I saw a Green Heron fly in.

Ferns were bathing in a bit of sunlight filtering through the trees now that some leaves are beginning to fall.  It really made their green pop.

We did not stay too long as both of us had our photo entries to take to the fair.  I also took mine and my nephews gourds and his mobile.  Keeping my fingers crossed for him.  He wants a ribbon so badly.  Late yesterday afternoon I made my zucchini bread and will take that in today.  I had debated waiting until this morning but decided if I goofed yesterday, it would give me time this morning.

Green Heron

They can look a bit comical when their feathers on top of the head are tufted out.  They are  my favorite wading type bird.

Generally fairly elusive, this one sat in a tree yesterday and preened for some time before jumping down to wade in the water.

Green Heron and other Winged Things

I went with a friend this morning to a nearby boating access area that is run by the NC Wildlife Commission.  We were after the Green Heron.  The area was fairly busy but before long the heron put in an appearance.  We had hoped that the cloud cover was going to clear early however by the time we left, there was still a light drizzle from time to time and low clouds.







There were lots of small birds in the area.  Several patches of blackberries had birds coming in for a bite.  This Eastern Kingbird would duck in and grab a berry from time to time.

Several areas were planted with what looks to be millet were attracting lots of Goldfinches and some Indigo Buntings.  I thought it was a really good thing that thought was given to planting these areas.

Of course almost as soon as I arrived home, the sun finally started peeking out from the cloud cover.  Definitely an area to revisit another time.  We have been in this cycle of rain and storms on almost a daily basis.  It REALLY is getting old.  For sure the mosquitoes are having a big time with plenty of breeding areas from standing water.

Green Heron

Arrival of the Green Herons is a sure sign good birding is about to begin.  The photos are deceptive as to its size.  This had to be one of the smallest Green Herons that I have ever seen.  There was a breeding pair at the pond last year and I wonder if this is an offspring of that pair.  It is definitely much smaller than either in that pair.

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The Green Heron

Elusive, shy, and solitary except during mating season. Almost comical in appearance during short flights with head feathers standing high. When I spotted this one I tried to ease up trying for a perfect shot of it standing in a shallow creek. No luck. I stepped up something that snapped and off it flew into the shadows of a tree. So here is the shot, I guess better than nothing at all. The quest continues.

Green Heron