I have been seeing Great Blue Heron's & Egrets along the Cazenovia Cr
eek , Buffalo River and the waterfront for the past five years, the watershed is clean enough to support their return . Getting a decent photo of one has eluded me, as they are very likely to take flight once they become aware of your presence, at least that has been my experience. After many (to numerous to mention) bad attempts, I enjoyed a "Day of the Heron". This example is one of dozens ... the bird allowed me to get within ten yards before finally having had enough .
The air was brisk but the light was very good. I could have spent hours walking the grounds at a local nature preserve, a favorite place to take photos. At first glance the place looks barren and bleak....a place washed away of life, dull browns, filled with a dingy gray decay. But that thin light creates nice contrast, the tangle of branches alive like a fine etching. There were deer, geese, wood ducks, swans, wood peckers, cardinals and some very anxious chickadees looking for some morsels following me along my way.
The first shot , a seed pod burst, insurance for the next season. The second shot, deception....dried flowers standing after the tough north eastern winter but looking very much alive. Finally a cardinal..... singing out to a a lady bird not far away ....
