Wednesday, September 23, 2020

A Week at Home: Harry and Ellie

Visits to the lake will soon be coming to an end and I fear that when I'm home, visits to Harry the Heron and Ellie the Egret will come to an end soon as well. But they are worth celebrating while we can.


So, first I grab a mask. I love my little mask station in the kitchen. It's easy to pull a clean one in a hurry. (I also have them hanging on the door knob, rear view mirror, in my purse.... no excuses.) Today, I pick this one. It says "I wear a mask to make sure I'm alive to vote on November 3." (Although hopefully I'll be voting more like mid-October.)


 Ellie was in her element, gracefully looking for fish in the pond. She's very deliberate but when she has luck, she's quick!


Then, she's just as likely to fly to another spot... and try her luck there!


Harry, too, is a cautious stalker. He's as likely to hunt frogs as fish and I've seen him dig out both from the ponds. Today, his luck seems a little less fruitful. Is that sadness in those sharp eyes?


And off he goes.


I love watching him fly.

I'll miss these two as off they go. Seasons. They go so fast these days.

51 comments:

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

Love your mask station. I keep all my in my car and just one in the house.

ashok said...

Wow..lovely bird clicks!

R's Rue said...

Love the mask.

Martha said...

Such gorgeous photos and I love that you've named them. I tend to do that too. I love your mask, I need to look for one like that for myself!

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

I don't have a mask station but since there's just me, I have them hanging on the back of my bedroom door and I have a box of disaposables on the dresser. Love your photos of Harry and Ellie - I wish I lived close enough to water to have long legged feather friends I look for. Hope you have a great Wednesday!

DUTA said...

Gracious two birds!
I have a cousin that puts two masks (of the paper kind)on her face.

Valerie-Jael said...

Lovely photos of the big birds, I love watching them. Good that you have a large collection of masks - a mask every day keeps Corona at bay! Have a good week, hugs, Valerie

anno said...

Great mask! And I love your ideas about places for stowing them, so that there's no chance of ever being without one when it's needed.

And great pictures of Ellie & Harry, too. Any ideas about when they'll be heading south? Our starlings are gathering and the geese are making trial runs... so far, though, none of them have actually left

Keep enjoying these lovely walks... suspect there will be plenty of time for hot cocoa and fireside chats in the months to come.

eileeninmd said...

Hello jeanie,

You are lucky to see Ellie and Harry so close to your lake home. They are all beautiful birds and photos. You look pretty in your mask, I love your mask and the saying. Take care, enjoy your day!

bobbie said...

All the pix are great, but OH!!! That first one of Harry flying is magnificent! It quite took my breath away!

Karen said...

I've never seen them catch a frog ~ wow! ~ You have quite the collection of masks and I love your one regarding voting :) Enjoy the days

William Kendall said...

Both birds are beautiful.

Susie said...

Jeanie, I love your mask ideas. Having them handy. We keep putting them in the cars. I carry one in my purse for emergencies. Ted will put one in his shirt pocket too. Those big birds taking off into flight ...it's amazing. Enjoy everyday at the Lake my dear friend. I sure am hoping I get some major work around here done before winter comes along. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I hope that the vote on 3 November is convincingly and overwhelmingly a rejection of Trump. It made my blood run cold a few minutes ago to hear the President of the United Sates refuse to commit to a peaceful transfer of power, the very foundation of your system. I fear your vaunted democracy may already be dead.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie, I would love watching the coming and goings of those regal birds. I love your mask station and the one you are wearing is the perfect one! I haven't been able to answer you the last few times because after I commented and then published, "they" told me I had to sign in with Google, when I did they said that my password was not right, so I set up a new account and used the same password and they said it was already taken! What a mess all this is. Anyway I will see if this one works now, so if you don't hear from me that is why..Stay well..xxoJudy

Divers and Sundry said...

I love your inspirational mask choice. Yes, vote!

These are striking birds, and I enjoyed my virtual visit :)

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Ellie and Harry are just beautiful, Jeanie. I know you will miss them when time at the lake ends and they fly elsewhere. We keep our masks by the door, also. There are some in the glove box of the car, too. Love the one about the election mask. We voted yesterday. So important!

My name is Erika. said...

Love this mask. And your mask spot. Mine are all over the place-my car, my purse...I like what you did, And fabulous photos from the ditch too. you are right, the days are numbered at this point. Hugs-Erika

Linda Sue said...

WOW those are some really great shots of the herons! I will certainly miss your summer at the lake, it has been lovely! LOVE your mask, and yes, we all need to stay alive for the next go around.

Sandra Cox said...

I love that mask! We need every vote we can get.

Iris Flavia said...

Great mask!!!
Harry really looks disappointed there! Or even angry! He made me laugh, sad you have to leave and yes, the year just runs by...

Rustic Pumpkin said...

Great photos of Ellie. I know you will miss her. I have a mask station {who would have thought it?} by my front door. I need to make more soon.

Stay safe, stay well
Deb in Wales

Anca said...

Aww, your mask is so funny! I love it!

Victoria Zigler said...

I'm torn between loving that you have a mask station, and hating the fact you need one. Does that make sense?

Anyway, glad you've been able to catch some of your feathered friends at the lake. Hope you get to see them a few more times before they fly off for the Winter.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Great pictures! I know you will miss them this winter.

Joanne Huffman said...

I keep masks by my door, too, as well as in the car (and one in a snack baggie in my purse). I just bought some fabrics to make some more (fall wardrobe). I think we'll be wearing masks for a long time. The pictures of the ditch are lovely.

The French Hutch said...

Harry and Ellie are very entertaining! I always enjoy photos of them. I have a mask station too, in the hall leading to the garage. Stocked with masks, hand sanitizer and wipes, plus in my car and purse. Not going to get caught without! I like your mask and it's message. Have a great weekend......

La Table De Nana said...

That MASK!!!!Perfect.I love all water birds ♥

The French Hutch said...

Harry and Ellie are very entertaining! I always enjoy photos of them. I have a mask station too, in the hall leading to the garage. Stocked with masks, hand sanitizer and wipes, plus in my car and purse. Not going to get caught without! I like your mask and it's message. Have a great weekend......

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, love your mask. Harry and Ellie are special creatures, I know you will miss them. Wouldn't you love to know where they visit in the winter?
These days are passing quickly. So glad we have things to enjoy while our world remains upside down.
Have a great weekend.

shoreacres said...

Your freshwater ponds certainly do suit the herons and egrets. I'd love to see more frogs, but I finally figured out that I'm going to have to stop hanging around saltwater marshes if that's going to happen!

Karen said...

Love your birds. I haven't seen a single heron this year.
I have my favorite mask but several others tucked in my purse and glove box just in case. I keep a package of disposables in the car too, but we aren't keen on them.

//><\ said...

Bleubeard and Elizabeth here using my friend's account. I have NO phone or internet, but want you to know I appreciate you stopping by and leaving such kind comments.

Prims By The Water said...

Very beautiful birds! We had a group of about 20 turkey vultures circling really low the other day over our yard. I brought Tundra puppy inside as I thought they might swoop down and get him. Janice

Thelma said...

We never have too many masks these days. It's a new way of life.
I love your stories of wildlife. And the names are suitable.
Happy Fall.

Pam Richardson said...

Jeanie, Harry and Ellie are quite photogenic. We enjoy watching our resident turkeys. I know you will miss the lake and the ditch as cooler weather moves in. I have a basket of masks and keep them in my car and purse!

Arti said...

It's exciting, isn't it, to be able to get so close to Harry and Ellie. Some lively shots. And... love that message on your mask. Take care! :)

Gayla said...

You have spme really awesome photos of nature's gift to our appreciative eyes! I know you will miss these, but winter will bring other beauties I hope! A mask station... who would have "thunk" it before this all began? I say... whatever it takes! Stay well...

R's Rue said...

Happy Friday my dear friend.

thepaintedapron.com said...

Watching wildlife is fascinating, and I always have fun watching the blue herons at the beach, they do some wacky things! I was just watching a squirrel running up and down a tree while I was waiting for my coffee to brew, and I got to thinking, do squirrels sleep? 😂 Lovely captures Jeanie, I know you're sad to see your lake time coming to an end...
Jenna

Jenny Woolf said...

Love the mask! But love the bird photos still more. You'll miss them, but it's a wonderful chronicle of their lives this summer. It's getting chilly here now too.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

Wonderful photos of Harry and Ellie, they are both beautiful.
Your mask and message has me smiling, you look so cute too. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Enjoy your day, wishing you a great weekend. PS, thank you for the comment!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I know you've loved being at the lake...so peaceful and soothing. Love the photos of the birds in flight...that's hard to do! Happy weekend!

Louca por porcelana said...

Stunning pics of herons!

Anu said...

Hello. Wonderful photos of egrets.
Take care.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I love the voting mask! We need to add to our mask collection. I’ve been on some beautiful walks lately as the leaves have started to change here. I am trying to soak it up as I know it’s a short season. I’m appreciating that life is quieter for us these days as it gives me a chance to go for walks and enjoy the changing seasons. There were times of my life where I was flying all over the place for work and fun. And while I loved the fun trips, the work trips exhausted me. So I am appreciating that life is quieter and allows me to take in the day to day beauty!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Like you, Jeanie, we also have a supply of washable masks and we keep a couple on a coat hook by the front door for easy access. it was nice to see Harry and Ellie and we have one of Harry's relatives here as well. He usually flies across the Nashua River while we are having breakfast or dinner at our window seats.

Marilyn Miller said...

Your visit to the ditch is always a delight. Love your mask. I keep thinking I need a mask with a message, so far mine are rather bland.

Red Rose Alley said...

Your sweet companions are visiting you at the lake, Jeanie. The white Egret is so pretty, and I love how you named her Ellie. You are going to miss the serenity of the lake for sure, but with it comes new happenings. It's so special you have a place like this to go to every year, Jeanie.

~Sheri

Sketchbook Wandering said...

What miracles of nature they are!!! All the more precious because of your witness them, knowing their names, *smile*, loving them...

Lowcarb team member said...

I like the look of your mask station.
Beautiful photographs of Harry and Ellie :)

All the best Jan

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