Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Postcards from the Lake: Art Camp - The Nature

In my last Art Camp post I mentioned that we had an unexpected guest during our time north. Life is good when you look out the porch window and see this.


Harry the Heron appears to have an up-north cousin, aka Harry North. And he was pretty stunning.


Much of the time I saw him in the evening, after it was far to dark to photograph. With only the slightest bit of light left in the sky, he would pace along the shore, slowly, deliberately, seeking an evening snack.


But we saw him during the day as well. Again, from afar. 


If you want to see a heron fly, just open the door and walk out with your camera, even if the door is far from the subject itself.


Other times he would fly just a bit, from a dock to a new spot.


And on occasion he'd land with a startling splash! (I'm not sure he processed that there is a pretty quick drop off in the water at that spot!)


Oh, those angel wings!


Every feature of these beautiful birds appeals to me -- their dogged determination and patience in checking out the water, waiting for their treat...


...the elegance of their tall stature, long beak and beautiful neck. 

...and their long look as they streak across the sky.

 I will remember a lot of things about art camp -- the conversations, the wonderful dinners, the perfect weather, fabulous sunsets, and all the hours of playing in paint, being creative.


But I will never forget this. 

 

 I hope he'll make a return visit before summer ends.

Sharing with:     Share Your Style      /    Saturday's Critters     /    Pink Saturday   

56 comments:

Sandi said...

A heron! 😊
His cousin lives by our pond. They look majestic when they spread their wings to fly.

bobbie said...

Hip-hip-Hooray for Harry North!!

Rita said...

They are such striking birds! I remember the first time I saw one burst into flight that I couldn't believe those huge wings and how graceful it looked soaring low. I hope it comes back, too. :)

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Your heron photos and descriptions are beautiful. I hope they return as well. Good photos to paint from

gigi-hawaii said...

That is just amazing! I love that bird, too. We don't see such creatures here in Hawaii, so thank you for this post.

Red Rose Alley said...

It's always a joy to see nature around your neck of the woods, Jeanie. It's so nice that you have a cousin Heron to watch and enjoy. To see him in flight must be a spectacular sight. I saw a dozen BIG birds at the creek yesterday, and not sure what they were, but it was a wonderful sight. You're right, the Heron is an elegant bird.

Happy September Jeanie!

~Sheri

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Love your Heron images, Harry North did make a splash.
I always enjoy seeing the GB Herons. I hope he sticks around for awhile.
Take care, have a great day!

DUTA said...

The heron definitely 'steals the show' from the Lake and the sunset.

Karen said...

Beautiful Heron shots ~ I love them too! I had an enormous one on the dock the other day, and just like Harry he wouldn't wait for the camera :)

Ricki Treleaven said...

I absolutely love herons, and you were able to get several wonderful photos! :D We have one who lives in our neighborhood (we have two small lakes) and the neighborhood beside ours where a friend of mine lives has a lake and a pair of swans live there! The male's name is Sam, but I can't remember the female's name.

Mae Travels said...

We kayaked on the Huron River yesterday, and saw several herons along the banks. As you say, they are spectacular birds. We were also happy to hear and see some kingfishers above us, and quite a few other birds. It's really exciting to be so close to them.

Great photos!

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Misadventures of Widowhood said...

I love herons! I just ordered a throw pillow cover with a heron on it. The have such a wondrous grace about everything they do.

Valerie-Jael said...

Harry the Heron is beautiful. Our neighbour is on the war path because one of the herons here has eaten all the fish in his pond! Have a good week! Hugs, Valerie

Victoria Zigler said...

Hope you get to see Harry North again before the season ends and you have to lock up.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

You have captured lovely photos of Harry! Your days were full of beauty. I adore the first photo, Jeanie--a stunner.

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Jeanie, he is a true beauty of nature. I am a true bird lover from afar only but not a true lover of any bird up close. The heron is a different creature though and I could stare at one all day. They are hallmarks of grace and beauty. I hope he returns before your summer days are over..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

My name is Erika. said...

That is fantastic luck Jeanie. There must be good food there for Harry, and good views for you.Nice photos of Harry. And I did want to say you must have forgotten to his publish on the comment on my blog yesterday because all I received was you second quickie comment.Happy September! Hugs-Erika

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I've only seen herons on your blog, never in person. They are beautiful, and you certainly show your love affair for this one, Jeanie!

Sandra Cox said...

Those birds are magnificent. Thanks for sharing;)

William Kendall said...

They are marvelous birds to watch.

Pam Richardson said...

Herons are beautiful birds and what fun to see Harry’s cousin up north, or was it his brother? Your photos are beautiful and art camp sounds fabulous!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

What glorious photos of the heron. Watching birds is so peaceful. Thanks for sharing more of art camp.

Linda said...

Year after year I get to go back and visit your lake and your cabin vicariously through you. I've gotten to know your critters and friends. I look forward to doing it again and again.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

I don't take nature pictures, but I had a great grey heron sighting in the fields one morning last week. Magical. Can't help feeling it's some kind of mystical message from the universe when you see one.

Iris Flavia said...

Henry greets Harry´s cousin :-)
He looks amazing in flight. And yes, those are angel wings. Beautiful.
He looks like a poet staring onto the lake. I once read a "scientific" book - the author stated animals cannot think. I "think" this is prove they can (and why should it be otherwise). Beautiful series. Thank you for sharing and giving me a huge morning-smile.

Pamela said...

Great photos! I love when I have the opportunity to watch these birds.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

I hereby nominate you for membership in the Ornithological Lyric Writers Hall of Fame! Well done, Jeanie.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

Wow, you got some awesome photos of the heron. I agree, such elegant birds!

La Table De Nana said...

I love watching them too��

Joanne Huffman said...

I love photos of birds in flight - well captured!

Deb Nance at Readerbuzz said...

We have a great variety of herons here along the Texas Gulf Coast, and I never tired of watching them.

Lovely photos!

crackercrumblife said...

I think herons are so beautiful. So patient, long and lanky. Awesome photos!

Arti said...

Beautiful pics! Good that you can get so close to the H’s. What’s your camera?

Jenn Jilks said...

My favourite bird! Have you painted one?!

ashok said...

Lovely bird clicks! So beautiful!

Karen said...

they are so prehistoric looking aren't they? We had one hanging out at our cottage at Emerald Lake a few years ago. The solar panels were on posts in the shallow water. It would hang out behind them, maybe thinking we couldn't see it because it couldn't see us?

Marilyn Miller said...

Your Harry and the sunset both are stunning.
I think I had a visit from one of his relatives recently when I was out and about. They are so beautiful!

R's Rue said...

Beautiful 😍

Carol @Comfort Spring Station said...

it just seems appropriate that you have a Harry wherever you are

Sandra at Maison De Jardin said...

Jeanie, I love them too, and Harry is something to admire. Oh, that last photo truly captures my heart. I hope you will do something special with the photo.

Enjoy these last days of summer - it is turning cooler her.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

They are quite the graceful shorebird, I agree, Jeanie. When we lived on the VA eastern shore and went to a nearby wildlife preserve, herons and egrets were plentiful and I have so many photos. Oddly enough, we actually have a great blue heron that can often be seen on the Nashua River below our apt. We have also named it, Harry, and he makes early morning and evening flights but my camera lens doesn't have a zoom to capture any photos, so lucky you!

Prims By The Water said...

We use to have a heron come to our dock every evening, but no longer. I sure do miss him. So glad you are able to enjoy one in your neck of the woods. Janice

Rita C at Panoply said...

I love your captures of Henry, Jeanie. We have a resident heron here on our city's river, and we've caught it both on the side we now live on as well as across the river on the side of our former neighborhood. They are gorgeous in flight.

Pam said...

Oh I love heron's. I love to watch them take off and flying. They have such grace when they fly.

shoreacres said...

How wonderful that Harry has a friend -- and how wonderful for you that you were able to capture such a fine series of photos. They are marvelous birds, both in flight and while 'posing' at the water's edge. I hope it returns, too.

Miss Val's Creations said...

Harry North is so handsome. These are amazing shots Jeanie! Watching birds is so soothing for our souls.

Lowcarb team member said...

This is a fabulous post.
I love all of your heron photographs, I do so hope he returns for you.

All the best Jan

Anca said...

You've shared a lot of gorgeous pictures with the heron. I loved all of them.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

You got some wonderful shots of the heron. We have a great blue heron at our lake in Florida and a little blue heron as well.

eileeninmd said...

Hello Jeanie,

I love the herons, what a wonderful series of photos. It is nice to see a cousin of Harry visiting you. I hope he sticks around for awhile.
Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a happy weekend! PS, thank you for the comment on my blog.

Yvonne said...

What a beautiful post!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

How graceful! Getting photos of this beautiful bird in flight is very special! Enjoy your weekend!

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

I don't see many herons around here in north Jersey, oh, but when I do, it's spectacular! They are magnificent birds!

Azka Kamil said...

I love your captures of Henry, Jeanie.

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

Beautiful!! We saw a heron at the creek on our walk yesterday morning. We haven’t seen them all summer since the creek levels were so dry! But we got a bunch of rain last week and the levels are up so we are seeing more wildlife again. They are such a beautiful bird! We saw one up at my parents, too. He or she was on the swim raft and we got to see it eat a fish which is so cool!! Made me think of you!!

Polly said...

That is a beautiful view Jeanie. Great images of the herons.

Popular Posts