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Sunday, 5 May 2024

In the early morning light

It had been a miserable week of weather on the island and most of our walking was relegated to the treadmill last week. By the weekend the wind and rain had cleared so we dressed for the cold and headed out.


One Saturday my husband and I walked our usual boardwalk route and the next day we headed to Malpeque. It was finally setting day as the miserable weather had prevented the start of the lobster fishery on the north shore. 





As usual, we weren’t early enough to see the boats leave port Sunday morning but we enjoyed observing the Great Blue Heron siege nearby. 


We were surprised the birds were up and about at 6 a.m. Maybe the activity in the area had roused them or this could have been their regular time to have breakfast. We watched them catch fish, 





some tiny like the one in the photo. 


Several flew off into the trees as we watched from the road, but the morning light provided a golden hue over part of the marsh.





Smaller birds, Yellowlegs, walked among the Herons too. They were unconcerned with the bigger birds and fed along the water’s edge.





As the light changed, it appeared to highlight the Herons.





Then, somehow, I took this photo. I changed settings and unknowingly took this picture as the morning light caught the Heron near the far shore.





Meanwhile, the lobster boats had set their traps, and near the lighthouse at Yankee Hill, we watched them return. 




Maybe we’ll be able to have our first picnic this week.









43 comments:

DJan said...

Those heron pictures are stunning, especially that last one! I too hope your weather improves so you can get your first picnic of the year!

Liz Hinds said...

Wow! That golden hue is amazing. I count myself lucky if I see one heron who's flown into the woods. So lovely.

Granny Sue said...

These are something special, Marie. Good on you for getting out early enough to catch that light.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Oh, that beautiful morning light bathing the herons!

Boud said...

Marshes are marvelous places to observe wading and fishing birds. We get plenty of heron and cormorant sightings, but not the other species you see. Maybe too far inland. Thanks for braving the cold and bringing us these great pictures.

aurora said...

These morning views made up for the less than ideal weather. You captured such awesome reflections photos!! Morning light is the best.

photowannabe said...

Oh wow...these are definitely Prize Winning photos.
The golden hues and early morning light are gorgeous.
Love the changed settings creating the framed heron.
Can you tell I love these photos?
Sue

Celia said...

Wonderful photos especially the stunning illuminated heron. Thanks so much for sharing these with us.

MARY G said...

Like all of your commenters, I am enthralled by the heron photos, especially for my taste, the first and the last. Just perfect. It does look as if it had been cold out on those fishing boats, too, and I love that photo too. You have a treasure of a place to see and record so many birds. At present I have a siege of grackles who, while photogenic, are keeping the little guys hungry.
I do love your water photos, too.
thanks so much for sharing.

Maebeme said...

Such incredible light in the photos and the one that you changed the settings on is simply stunning.
Fingers crossed for a great lobster season and for a picnic in the near future.

margi said...

Stunning pictures! Congratulations!

Hena Tayeb said...

You got some great photos.

At Home In New Zealand said...

Love all your photos. It must have been a real thrill to discover that you had the one of the highlighted heron. Hope you get to enjoy that picnic soon :) xx

Elephant's Child said...

What a glorious outing - and beautiful photos. I hope you do have that picnic. Soon.

Anvilcloud said...

Such a variety in the heron pics. I think I like the final one best.

Joanne Noragon said...

I love herons.

Red said...

Birds are tough. They can be out in very nasty weather.

Rose said...

Oh my goodness...your photos are all just absolutely wonderful! I enjoyed them so much.

Chris said...

Amazing photos of the herons, you do live in a beautiful place.

Pam said...

Love Heron....Sorry you had a miserable week.....

baili said...

these are spectacular shots dear Marie !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

each is breathtaking
the morning light created a tranquil beauty on views and water looks divine specially
the golden light captured by you camera is ENCHANTING wow

loved the reflections ,excellent indeed

glad you made out after tough weather my friend :)

hope weather behaves and you both enjoy more outdoor adventures with nature
best wishes !

Debbie said...

ooooh marie, these images are really exceptional, you must be thrilled with them!! the changing light and the beautiful reflections make all of these images winners.

in the last picture, the boats are headed straight for the sureline, that seemed odd to me?!?!

Marie Smith said...

Hi Debbie,

The boats in the last photo are mere metres from shore. The sand regularly shifts in the channel and the boats stay between a series of buoys to safely maneuver there. It can look like they will come ashore on the beach.

Marie

Brenda Kay Ledford said...

What amazing photos of the Great Blue Heron.

Great posting!

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

Truly stunning captures of the great herons fishing, and what a great glimpse in the darkened photo of the highlighted heron! The bad weather this spring has been all over, it seems. Hopefully brighter days are on the horizon!!!

Eggs In My Pocket said...

Although you write about the miserable weather, your photos show such a lovely day! Love all of the birds!

Barwitzki said...

Nice photos of the herons and also the boats... thank you.
It's getting cold and wet again here at the moment... from tomorrow it should be better, over 20 degrees with sunshine. Yes, we need that.
A hug to you.

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Despite the not so nice weather, marie, you and Rick did managev to get out and you captured some nice shots of the great blue heron. Thanks for the weather update. We will be sure to pack accordingly for our trip and look forward to seeing many of the places you describe in these posts.

Pam said...

Love the heron pic at night. Beautiful. They are such cool creatures.

Helen said...

I do hope the weather has improved, but I fear not.
It is difficult for me to imagine just how cold it was, when you took these glorious images of the reflected Blue Heron in the morning light. A delight to view.

Breathtaking said...

Hello Marie :=)
Your Great Blue Heron captures are all fabulous. All so different with the changing light and the one where you changed your camera setting is spectacular.I hope you can remember what you did to achieve such good results.:=)
All the best
Sonjia.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Beautiful photos, and #1 and 6 are award winners!!

peppylady (Dora) said...

I sure hope you manage to get the picnic in.

Lea said...

Beautiful photos!

John's Island said...

Marie, The Great Blue Heron images are just wonderful. Gotta love those reflections! Thanks, as always, for sharing your photography. John

eileeninmd said...

Hello Marie,

I was sure I left a comment on this post, maybe in the spam folder?
I enjoyed your photos of the heron, beautiful lighting and reflections.
I hope the weather improved for a picnic, sounds nice.
Take care, have a great day and happy weekend!

Pattie @ Olla-Podrida said...

I love herons. You certainly got some amazing photos!

DUTA said...

It seems the tougher the weather, the more fabulous pictures you get!
Anyway, I hope the weather gets better and you have your lovely picnic dearest Marie.

Stewart M said...

What a wonderful range of light on the herons!

So nice.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Debbie Nolan said...

Oh the Herons are beautiful. We have one that visits our neighbor's pond. Have always thought they can be so still they almost look like a statue. Sounds like your past week's weather was a bit like ours...wet and cold. Hoping next week we turn the corner. Have a lovely week.

Anonymous said...

Such beautiful pictures. Our weather hasn't been the best 2 great days followed by 4 chilly rainy days.
Cathy

contempladoraocidental.blogspot.com said...

Love this post. The pictures are fabulous. I will look at them again.

Barbara said...

Just lovely.