I needed an airing. My cameras needed exercise. So, finally, I got my act together and we went out to take some pictures. Where to go?
Sometimes, the path of least resistance works out best. We went into town, parked and walked to the Mumford River and the dam. With trepidation. I didn’t know how bad it would be. As it turned out, better than I had hoped, at least for photography.
Because there, right in front of the dam where it used to be deep with a powerful current, stood a blue heron. So still he might have been a statue. Garry spotted him and we dove for our cameras.
We had nothing to fear. He stood there, unmoving, for so long I thought maybe there was something wrong with him. Then, he started to move. Walked over to the spill way … and grabbed a fish. And swallowed it. Then, in his new position along the side by the spillway, he again went still. I guess he was waiting for another fish. He was still standing there when we packed our gear and headed home.
Mr. Heron catches a fish.
The Mumford is very low. It’s no more than a few inches deep, but at least it’s wet. I guess, from the heron’s viewpoint, it’s better this way. Because when the river was “normal,” a wading bird couldn’t fish there.
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Categories: Animals, Autumn, Blackstone Valley, Nature, Photography, river, Water
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
HEY…LET GO OUR BLUE HERON!!!!! (EXCELLENT SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS—MINE NEVER MOVE OR EAT!)
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He stood there, still as a statue, for so long I almost gave up. I was patient … and that’s how I got some movement. Apparently while they are fishing, they are motionless. I thought maybe he was sick or something! Thanks for the reblog!!
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What an experience. Great photos. 😀
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Thank you. It’s bothering me that the heron stood there so long waiting for a little tiny fish. This doesn’t bode well for food supply. He was hungry and there aren’t many fish or fishing grounds. Our wildlife is taking a terrible hit this year.
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I would love to send you some of our rain. It is not looking good for us all week. I will do a sun dance so that the rain moves north. 😀
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I remember many years when we were flooding here but there were droughts elsewhere. It seemed so unfair that we couldn’t send our extra water where it was needed. Still seems unfair.
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I love the one with the heron walking! You see a lot of pictures of tall birds standing in the water like this, but rarely any of them actually walking. It looks kinda weird with those skinny legs!
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I waited for him to do something. I was sure if I was patient, eventually he would move. That was him, on the way to grab a tiny fish. He waited at least an hour for that little fish. How hungry did he have to be to do that?
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Beautifully captured. I adore blue herons.
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I bet they’d adore you if you gave them the chance 🙂
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I love how the bird gave you a reason to see one small positive in the awful drought situation. I keep thinking of you guys as the rain comes this way then evaporates, or heads to sea.
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The roaring river has become a shallow fishery suitable for a big wading bird. Just as well because the usual nesting and hunting areas are dry mud. I’m glad that to see a wading bird …This was the only heron I’ve seen all season. I’m hoping they have collectively flown to deeper water … the Blackstone itself, Webster lake, Aldrich Creek … where levels are low, but there is still water … and some fish.
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They are a most majestic bird, in their own stick-legged way, aren’t they? Picture number one… heck, I’d hang that on my wall if the damned herons didn’t make me see red. Decimated the most gorgeous fish from my koi pond a couple of years back. Cannot forgive or forget yet. Vogue… strike a pose.
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They were hungry? Hard to resist a toothsome koi. I’m sure they thanked you for the gourmet pickings!
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Beautiful photos and what an amazing bird. So lucky to have been able to watch him and get such great shots!
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Not only one great shot … LOTS of shots (129, but some were blurry). I was so glad I brought at least one super-zoom camera with me! I wish I’d brought the even bigger super zoomer, but this one did the job pretty well and that was one cooperative blue heron.
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Beautiful ❤
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A turn to the left… A turn to the right… We’re happy with my …blue heron..
Sent from my iPhone
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Everybody join in for the chorus!
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The pictures are beautiful… 🙂
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Thank you. I got a lot of help from the heron. He stood there and waited patiently while I took his picture. 129 times 🙂
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Just Garry and you and your, blue, heron. 🙂 BEAUTIFUL photos. I especially like the first one!
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Thank you. That was one patient heron. He just stood there. Like a statue. Apparently that’s how he fishes. He waits. I took his picture 129 times. He just stayed put for me 🙂
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