Sovereign of the Swamp

Great Blue Heron announcing his arrival to his territory.

 

I first spotted this Great Blue Heron, a few days ago, hiding in the far reaches of the marshland. This marsh is completely his kingdom (though he occasionally lets a few pelicans share the lease). 

This morning, I waited... and waited... for "His Highness" to make an appearance. But when he finally returned to his wetlands, he didn't just slide in quietly. He announced his arrival with a thunderous, unmistakable cry, and I was lucky enough to capture that very moment.

Generally, life is good.

On the Country Roads. Night Passage

On the Country Roads. And Yet, It Stands

Eden, Sunnyfield barn. It was built 1927.

Notes to Self. Huntsville

Our lives are a series of chapters, each with the power to redefine the whole story. My new chapter is about a simple pursuit: birds, wildflowers, trees, and the solace of open water.

Today, twenty minutes from home,  I came across a quiet rural town, hiding a secret: a glass-calm lake. And there, floating like a beautiful impossibility, was a flock of White American pelicans.

Sometimes, the miracle is just around the corner...

Generally, life is good.