Saturday, April 2, 2011

A heron flies overhead

I was out walking the dog yesterday when I saw a large bird fly overhead. It was a heron! There's a creek alongside one border of the complex where my mom lives and I've seen a lot of birds. I expected him to go down to the water, but he landed softly on the naked branches way up high.
This heron was so graceful for such a big, long-legged bird. I waited for almost 15 minutes, but he just sat there. He lifted one leg a few times. He picked bugs off himself. His back feathers draped behind him like a shaggy morning coat.
Since I was walking the dog, I only had my phone for a camera. I had a much better view than this. I could see his tummy, his eyes and the ruffle of his feathers in the wind. That golden setting sun shone upon him and made his feathers golden. At first I thought it was the color of his upper breast, but he began cleaning his feathers and the golden color moved.
Soaking up the final rays of sunshine, I left him to it. I walked all the way back to the house and he was still sitting there.

4 comments:

Rambling Woods said...

What a treat...I think the photos are really good for a cell phone Caron...

Naquillity said...

i thought that might be a blue heron. they are beautiful birds. and, i'm always amazed at how well these cell phones take pictures. have a great day.

Carver said...

Great shots of the heron and I also love the lighting through the trees. Gorgeous.

Rose said...

I always find it amazing that they are even capable of landing in a tree...with those long legs and that long neck. I think the shots are great...specially for a cell phone.