Continuing our afternoon at the wetlands, we crossed the bridge to see what was on the other side – to see if the grass was greener there, of course.
The Great Egret, reflecting his regal stance. Isn’t he a beauty? Or she. Isn’t it nice that each is equally beautiful? Here he stands, alone in his domain, in the quiet where the only sounds are the bird noises. I think duck and pelican noises cannot be called chirping.
Wait! What is that I hear? Can it be – no, no – an interloper?
It is! The White-Faced Ibis seems to think it’s perfectly fine for him to share these waters. The egret is not so certain.
Closer inspection is definitely required. The white-faced part of this Ibis’ name seems a bit odd to me, since the only white on them is a ring around the eye and that is not there when they are in their winter plumage. I love what I can learn when I search endlessly and find apps that tell me everything (almost) I might ever want to know. Except I must admit that I could not find this bird in the Peterson app, or at least I could not identify it from that app, and was only able to learn what it was when we went to the fair the next day and talked with a woman at a birding booth. After which I downloaded the iBirds Plus app, and found it in there.
Sorry, for the interruption there. I know, my wandering a bit broke the suspense of the confrontation. Please accept my apologies.
The Egret advances, the Ibis backs off, it appears this may end in a stalemate. They both win. The waters can be shared. Life will continue without undue chaos.
From below, this is the bridge over peaceful waters. No troubles here. Serenity. The water flows, life follows its pattern for humankind and feathered friends. I could sit here staring into these waters for hours.
But in the end, after the Artistic One has taken a photo of me taking photos, it is time now to go home to follow our evening patterns of life. To plan for another day.
Thank you for joining us again. It was a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours, don’cha think?
Carol – in the picture of you taking photographs, just LOOK at the Monet type clouds painted in the river – exquisite!
Laurie, I am often guilty of having tunnel vision and had not noticed that – thank you for pointing it out. They are quite lovely, aren’t they?
A very pleasant place. Thanks for sharing with us
Knowing what you mean about quiet reflective waters and being able to stare into them for hours. I feel the same meditative pull towards clouds and expanses of sky. Agreeing with Laurie, exquisite.
Beautiful
It was indeed a very pleasant time in the wetlands, Carol. I love the second photo, of the Great Egret, reflecting in the water, and under the bridge would be a lovely place to while away the hours.
These are beautiful pictures. We have seen a crane in the lake the last few times we have been out walking, but my little camera is inadequate to capture the shot. My shutter is delayed a little, not a powerful enough zoom, and the pictures are just okay. I am considering getting a real camera. What do you use? Are you happy with it?
How nice! Love the egret and you and the clouds too!
Really nice – I’d love the opportunity to see birds like this in the wild.
The Great Egret’s reflection is just as beautiful as himself. Herself? It was a pleasant way to enjoy ourselves, thank the Artistic One for going with us, will you?
These are truly beautiful photos. I thought the first one, with your shadows on the water was very fun.