Saturday, December 30, 2017

The Great Blue Heron

We saw the most beautiful Great Blue Heron on one of our hikes.

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You would think he had mating plumage with the colors around his face and feathers out the back of his head.

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But it doesn’t seem likely in December. What do you think?

A little perspective…

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he was in the marshy area between the trail and the Rainbow River.

We also saw an Eagle as we stood on the bridge at Blue Run Park in Dunnellon.

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Not the best photos but I was excited!

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I know it’s bitterly cold in most of the nation today. (I don’t mean to rub it in but it’s close to 70 here this weekend and we hope to make one more hike this year which would be #53 and match what we did last year)

Stay safe and warm!

Happy weekend!

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE.

36 comments:

Sandy said...

The heron is beautiful. Enjoy the next hike. I am guessing it is Cen going to be cold on the Panhandle this next week.

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the Heron is beautiful. Lovely captures. It is always exciting to see the eagles. Great shots. It is cold here, could you send up some of your warm air to Maryland. Thanks so much for linking up and sharing your post. I appreciate all your visits and comments on my blog in 2017. I wish you and Zoe all the best in 2018, Happy New Year. Have a happy weekend!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

You found a couple of Mother's magnificent creatures today.

Lea said...

Magnificent photos of the Heron!
I am always excited to see an Eagle whether I get a photo or not
Happy New Year!

Linda said...

How exciting! I saw a hawk last fall and stumbled all over myself to get a photo of him. He was huge and not very far away where I his behind a tree.
It’s cold in Texas! And you know we don’t DO cold. Louis Dean and are going to put fresh flannel sheets on the bed today and hunt down our dual control electric blanket. We never remember where we store it from year to year!
Happy New Year to you and yours!

Terri D said...

Great photos!!

Anonymous said...

he certainly is a handsome fella !

Connie said...

You get the best photos . . . I hope that you are not trapping through alligator territory to get them.
Happy New Year!
Connie :)

carol l mckenna said...

Lovely photography especially of the beautiful Blue Heron ~

Wishing you and your family the best New Year ever!
C & Z

Susie said...

Diane, You do see the most amazing birds. I love that you saw the eagle. I the heron is awesome too. Oh I would be happy with even 40 degrees . It's been so cold here for some time. Enjoy your good hiking days. Wishing you a blessed new year of good health and much happiness. xoxo, Susie

Jeanie said...

Magnificent. I have such kinship with the heron -- this one is a prize!

Lowcarb team member said...

The heron looks fantastic, what a great photograph.
Have a Happy New Year.

All the best Jan

Arlene G said...

We did nor see our blue heron this visit to GA. We did see two ducks swimming in our pond and I noted it in my wildlife book.

Rose said...

I think that is a great capture of the Great Blue Heron...sometimes when we seen an eagle, I get so excited I shake and couldn't hold the camera steady if I tried.

happyone said...

Fantastic pictures of the Heron. Wow.

Angie said...

Diane - thanks for the 'warm Southern hug' - we need them in this 10-degree weather we're having! How delightful to spot the eagle, and your shots of the heron are terrific. It doesn't seem he was too bothered by the boat traffic .... Have a Happy New Year!

BeachGypsy said...

oh he's a great looking one and you got some real nice pictures! LORDHAVEMERCY it's so so so cold here, we are just NOT USED TO THIS! ha ha LOL So ready for it to warm back up. And what we are having here, is really nothing compared to the ice and below zero and all the snow they are getting up north and other places. Goodness gracious it looks awful cold and dangerous for so many. Today we got to wear winter coats and hats AND EVEN GLOVES...... hahaha ha LOL for our walk but we went anyway and enjoyed the chilly day because we dressed for it. What are y'all doing for New years eve?

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I wonder if our herons fly down to you in the fall - they are regulars at our little summer cottage -

Vee said...

Great photos... Hope you get that last hike in. Your temps sound heavenly to me, but a bit chilly for you. Happy New Year!

It's me said...

Happy new year!!!....Thanks for last blogyear ...love Ria x ❤️

handmade by amalia said...

Beautiful. Happy New Year, dear Diane.
Amalia
xo

Cherdecor said...

I would get so excited if I saw a Great Blue Heron! My son says that there are Eagles around St. Mary's Lake which is just a little north of us. Happy New Year, dear friend.

A Colorful World said...

Like you...I get so excited when I see a bald eagle, and try to photograph when I can but they are always too far up! :-(

Carla from The River said...

Happy New Year!!
And congratulations to 53 hikes! That is amazing!

magnoliasntea said...

Beautiful photos! Love the heron.
Happy New Year!
Toni

Anonymous said...

It is quite cold here, Diane but sitting by the fire makes it worth while! Love your blue Heron. What a handsome fellow.

NanaDiana said...

What a great photo of that blue heron. They are amazing, aren't they? We have lots of eagles in our area. The place next to us is called The Eagle's Nest and down the road a bit my son has them in his trees. They are fascinating to watch in flight and action.

I hope you and your hubby have a wonderful, blessed 2018. xo Diana

Red Rose Alley said...

That Great Blue Heron really is great, isn't he? It looks so close up, what a nice picture. I'm starting to like this unusual bird because of all your pictures of it hehehe. And it's always a joy to see the grand Eagle.

The happiest new year to you, Diane. Thank you for your kind words tonight. I will still come by and visit, and you can come by any time too when the girls put up a post.

love, ~Sheri

Lauren @ My Wonderfully Made said...

Wow he is stunning! I've seen a few eagles when we visited friends who have a home on the Mississippi River on the Iowa/Illinois border and it IS an amazing site! Yes, we are freezing here -- longing for anything about 30 haha!

Prunella Pepperpot said...

I LOVE your Heron!!!
Happy New Year to you and your family :)

JG said...

What a great photo of a Heron, Diane! Oh, it's frigid here in MA- below 0° at night. Soup weather! Brrr! :) Happy New Year!
~Judy

Debbie said...

seeing bald eagles is the thrill of a lifetime!! gorgeous captures of the heron, you can even see it's tongue!!

Janey and Co. said...

I think sighting an Eagle excites us all and the pictures of the Heron are beautiful. I am amazed by the number of hikes. I had better get out of this chair if I am to keep up with you in 2018! JAney

Ricki Treleaven said...

What great pics of the blue heron! I love them!

I'm so cold here in Central Alabama...I can't get warm! I read that northern Florida might have some wintry precipitation this week. I hope it stays north of you!

Happy New Year!
Ricki Jill

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Outstanding pictures of the Great Blue Heron and to capture an eagles in flight is always a special moment.

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Such beautiful captures of the heron! He actually seemed quite happy to get his picture taken! And those eagles fly so high, it is hard to get a good picture of them unless you can catch them close to their nest or in a tree. Yeah for you and your husband on finishing 53 hikes this year, that is amazing!!!