Hiking is my meditation too, Neil. I never get tired of the practice.
For me, there’s a quiet wisdom in the Heron. It’s hard to describe, but it feels like a gift to see one in the wild—a moment to pause and reflect with reverence.
I saw a Grey Heron earlier this week, it took me a while to notice it as it was in a tree. Of course, herons nest in trees, but still, I'm always somehow surprised to see them in the branches.
A nice find, Juliet. Seeing a heron in a tree always surprises me to see at first glance as well as I am so used to seeing them wading in water or perched on a rock.
Thank you Katharine and I was fortunate on that hike to see that Great Blue Heron. I think what made it feel special was knowing that Summer is ending and Autumn around the corner. Soon, that heron will be further south to warmer weather and onto new adventures.
Great shots, Neil. There is a lonely stoicism to herons, a sense that while they spend much time on their own it gives them freedom to focus just on what they want to focus on. I for a while took them for granted, not anymore.
Thanks James and much appreciated. I like your point about their freedom to focus on what they want to focus on. Such an interesting contrast we get to see in birds between herons and birds that tend to flock together.
Oh, man... such a joy! There is a little creek that runs along the edge of our yard, and a little ravine. A heron cruises along it. A good spirit animal when peaceful meditation is elusive.
Beautiful photos, Neil. I imagine it was a real gift to your walking meditation when you encountered this heron. Just today I read this article from Maria Popova’s newsletter, The Marginalian about her interactions with Great Blue Herons. I think you might enjoy it.
Thank you Glyn and also appreciate the link to Maria's post at The Marginalian. I like this line Maria writes re: meaning: "Whenever we think in absolutes, we ossify." Well-said.
Gorgeous! Beautiful light and Shadow. Herons are a study in stillness... until they suddenly lift off and become poetry in motion. Thank you for sharing this one.
Wonderful article, Neil. Another amazing encounter with a Great Blue Heron and so well expressed through the poetry, prose and photography. Thank you for taking us on this meditative nature journey.:)
Neil the heron in the water lily pads is like Audubon and Monet got together and created these photographs! I totally relate to the heron's solitary nature. Lovely Sijo poem and photos!
I love Seeing Herons in my area. So stately! I wait sometimes hoping they will take off, and I can’t catch it on my phone camera, but seems they never do until I put my phone away.
Thank you Neil for your thoughts and wonderful images. Solitary hiking is good for more than muscle exercise. I also revel in the solitude and fresh air. A National Wildlife Refuge near me in north Florida is one such place. Wild black bears avoid humans to the best of their ability. A mother alligator with a dozen offspring is very different. They can outrun me on my mountain bike, so avoiding all proximity is the best strategy. Thanks for the nudge to focus and remember.
A favorite sighting is the massing of Wood Storks in trees in the refuge. They eat all that complies with their diet - frogs, minnows, crayfish, mice, and even small alligators - building up their energy reserves to fly to winter locations. It seems global warming is reducing the distance of winter migration while allowing states further north of Florida to provide summer nesting locations. I just read that these storks have the fastest reaction time of any animal. 25 ms. I should read more about local bird species in up to date publications.
Thanks ant and much appreciated.
Hiking is my meditation too, Neil. I never get tired of the practice.
For me, there’s a quiet wisdom in the Heron. It’s hard to describe, but it feels like a gift to see one in the wild—a moment to pause and reflect with reverence.
Thanks Ann. I like how you describe seeing a heron as a gift. Those definitely make the hikes in Nature a special experience to remember.
I saw a Grey Heron earlier this week, it took me a while to notice it as it was in a tree. Of course, herons nest in trees, but still, I'm always somehow surprised to see them in the branches.
A nice find, Juliet. Seeing a heron in a tree always surprises me to see at first glance as well as I am so used to seeing them wading in water or perched on a rock.
Neil, what a rare gift you have.
Thank you for the way you help us to remember the ancient ways of the beautiful Blue.💙
Thank you Katharine and I was fortunate on that hike to see that Great Blue Heron. I think what made it feel special was knowing that Summer is ending and Autumn around the corner. Soon, that heron will be further south to warmer weather and onto new adventures.
Do you know if all Great Blue Herons migrate?
I do not think so - likely just from the colder areas when food becomes scarce and too cold.
Great shots, Neil. There is a lonely stoicism to herons, a sense that while they spend much time on their own it gives them freedom to focus just on what they want to focus on. I for a while took them for granted, not anymore.
Thanks James and much appreciated. I like your point about their freedom to focus on what they want to focus on. Such an interesting contrast we get to see in birds between herons and birds that tend to flock together.
Oh, man... such a joy! There is a little creek that runs along the edge of our yard, and a little ravine. A heron cruises along it. A good spirit animal when peaceful meditation is elusive.
Thanks Peter and they are a joy to encounter and observe!
Beautiful photos, Neil. I imagine it was a real gift to your walking meditation when you encountered this heron. Just today I read this article from Maria Popova’s newsletter, The Marginalian about her interactions with Great Blue Herons. I think you might enjoy it.
https://www.themarginalian.org/2024/09/11/great-blue-heron/?mc_cid=456d75dad9&mc_eid=58321c68a0
Thank you Glyn and also appreciate the link to Maria's post at The Marginalian. I like this line Maria writes re: meaning: "Whenever we think in absolutes, we ossify." Well-said.
Nice shot, Neil; nice article Glyn. I like the quotes from the article “the power of quiet contemplation and self-determination”.
Thanks Nancy and much appreciated.
Gorgeous! Beautiful light and Shadow. Herons are a study in stillness... until they suddenly lift off and become poetry in motion. Thank you for sharing this one.
Thank you, Joni. That's a great description about herons being a study in stillness, yet they do have that quickness just below the surface.
Such immaculate lighting!
Thanks Sarah - luck and timing that morning!
Wonderful article, Neil. Another amazing encounter with a Great Blue Heron and so well expressed through the poetry, prose and photography. Thank you for taking us on this meditative nature journey.:)
Thank you Heidi and much appreciated. The more I see Great Blue Herons, the more I learn from them.
Neil the heron in the water lily pads is like Audubon and Monet got together and created these photographs! I totally relate to the heron's solitary nature. Lovely Sijo poem and photos!
Thank you Pamela and I like that idea of Audubon and Monet! A happy coincidence of luck and timing on that morning.
Neil, it really is is the perfect blend of both.
The first image is gorgeous. I love that.
Thank you Mark. I was lucky with that image. This heron was quite patient that morning.
I love Seeing Herons in my area. So stately! I wait sometimes hoping they will take off, and I can’t catch it on my phone camera, but seems they never do until I put my phone away.
Thanks Valerie. I like that description of herons as stately. They do have that manner about them.
It seeks. It’s the daily scrimmage for food.
Thank you, Lola.
Thank you Neil for your thoughts and wonderful images. Solitary hiking is good for more than muscle exercise. I also revel in the solitude and fresh air. A National Wildlife Refuge near me in north Florida is one such place. Wild black bears avoid humans to the best of their ability. A mother alligator with a dozen offspring is very different. They can outrun me on my mountain bike, so avoiding all proximity is the best strategy. Thanks for the nudge to focus and remember.
Thank you, Gary. That wildlife refuge in north Florida sounds like an amazing place for encountering Nature.
A favorite sighting is the massing of Wood Storks in trees in the refuge. They eat all that complies with their diet - frogs, minnows, crayfish, mice, and even small alligators - building up their energy reserves to fly to winter locations. It seems global warming is reducing the distance of winter migration while allowing states further north of Florida to provide summer nesting locations. I just read that these storks have the fastest reaction time of any animal. 25 ms. I should read more about local bird species in up to date publications.
That first picture is beautiful!
Thanks Brian - luck and timing and a patient heron!