Heron Invasion

It is a heron invasion. For the past several days as I visit the marsh in my home town, I have been spotting herons of many kinds. These two small heron caught my eye. I had never seen these guys before.

There were at least five in all competing for food. I first thought they were baby egrets, since there were several egrets within feet of these guy. Along with the egrets were a couple of great blue heron as well. I had also spotted a green heron the day before.

It was the size of these guys that had me wondering what kind of heron they were. I ended up looking through the many birds book I have laying around my room to discover that they must be baby little blue herons. Well, this was a first for me.

I spotted them yesterday on my way to work and was almost late because I did not want to leave. As I past there again today, they were still there along with at least seven egrets, the great blue heron and of course my family of swans. Just as I was ready to take off, I scared up the green heron as well.

The heron invasion was complete. I hope they stick around for a while longer. Here are some other pictures to view for your pleasure.

Turtle Game

We took our grandson to a new nature center in Baltimore county. I think I have found a new favorite place to check out God's creatures. It is Marshy Point Nature Center.

In one of the tank inside the building, is this turtle that followed you as you walked around it. Arthur took pleasure playing with the turtle. The turtle seemed to take pleasure in my grandson. It was a turtle game.

There were many displays and opportunities to learn about the many creatures in the park. This is a good place to take your children for a fun adventure. They have many rooms to check out and the people there are willing to answers all your questions.

Marshy Point Nature Center is the place to go to play with the turtles and learn all about the many animals, plants and birds that live in Maryland. I know I will make it there as many times as I can.

Dragonfly Season

It seems to be dragonfly season. Every where I go, these flying wonders are there. Some are so tiny, that I only see them when they move from one plant to another. They also seem to come in every color imaginable.

These past few hot days, it has been easier to spot the dragonflies and damselfly. They love to land on a tree limb and stick there hind end up in the air. This is called, abelisking. It is a way for them to cool off by reducing the exposure to the sun. If I thought it would work for me, I would stick my butt that way also,

Since I know that sticking my backside up in the air would look kind of rediculous, I will stick to going into an air-conditon building to cool off.

Just like a butterfly, they do not live long. So, I will try my best to catch them while they are still in dragonfly season. It will be interesting to see how many different kinds I can find.

Sly Kit

When I make my rounds looking for a picture worth taking, I sometime need to stand very still and wait. I find that works well when a curious kit wants to act sly and sneak up to see me.

There were just two kits in the litter. I had to be sly myself to sneak around the fence and bushes to get into a good spot to watch them as they played. The mother heard me and made a quick retreat into the bushes along with the two kits.

So, I waited. Before too long one of the kit peeked his head out to see where I was. He became brave enough to leave the safety of the bush. He kept his head low to the ground staring through the tall grass. So. I continue to wait.

Finally, this sly little fox came into full view and I got my shot. Of course, with the movement of my camera, he darted right back into the bush.

I kept going back for many weeks. But, I never saw the fox family again, That is just fine with me. I got my picture of this sly kit and I could not be happier.  

A Moving Turd

Okay, what is it? At first, I thought it was a piece of bird turd. As I looked away, my eye caught it move.

Now, wait a minute, turd does not move. I kept my eyes on it for several more minutes and it did not move. So, I took a twig and poked it. Sure enough it moved. A moving turd. How bizard.

You would think that I have seen it all at the Mariner. But God always finds a way for me to discover something new. A turd that has legs has become top on my list of unusual sightings. I will never doubt that there is more to learn about God's creatures.

While I love looking for birds and mammels, I guess looking for bugs needs to stay at the top of my list. Who knows, I might just have discover a new species.

Catch A Pokeman Or A Heron

As I walked around the Mariner, I came across a lady painting. She was part of a artist group who were meeting there to spend the afternoon trying to capture nature in action. I asked her what she was trying to capture on her canvas. She told me to turn around. There on a branch was a great blue heron.

I took my camera and had to capture this great bird myself. I bid her a good day and went in search of something else to take a picture of.

I came a cross a young man staring into his phone as he was walking towards me. I had to ask, "Are you playing that Pokemon game?"

He answered, "Yes he was." He than proceeded to show me the one he had just captured.

In so many ways I am just like all the artists and Pokemon players out there. I want to capture them all, not by a paint brush or phone, but by my camera.

Fawn Sighting

Today I got to go to one of my favorite places without my grandson. While I love spending time with him, he can be very noisy when I am trying to catch a shot of nature. I love to take my time walking around, or standing very still and listening for any sounds of life.

I must have spent at least two hours at Harford Glen without much to show for my time. I walked my usual paths and visited all my favorite spots. All seemed quiet. So I left to grab something to eat.

I got my meal and headed back. Sitting in the car, I decided to try a new path. So, off I went. There were birds everywhere. I tried my best to get off some good shots. But, they were just too fast. As I turned to head back to the water edge, I was startled by a movement in the bush.

There stood the cutest fawn I had ever seen. I startled him just as much as he scared me. For several minutes we just stared at each other. Of course, I was snapping away on my camera the whole time. He finally figured I must not be a threat and headed back into the bush.

Now if I had my grandson with me, he would have made too much noise and I would not have got this fawn sighting. But, I also wish he was with me so he could have seen this precious little guy. Maybe next time.

The Eye Of A Frog

The eyes makes the picture. At least that what we learn at the photo group's meeting Sunday. I have been waiting all week for this meeting. The guest speaker explained that taking a good picture of any animal in nature, that it is important to focus on the eyes.

This is true when dealing with people. It is through the eyes that you can read what is going on in the mind. When a person is angry, happy or sad, you can tell just by looking at the eyes.

Of course this is hard to do with this frog. Is he happy, sad, or mad? I guess we will never know. But, he does had a great eye.

A Dozen Ducks

Count them. There are a dozen ducks. But, I wonder how many babies will make it through their first year. The chances are that over half will not. The odds are stack against them.

Many times in life, I feel like the odds are stacked against me. For every steps that I make, I get knocked back twice as much. As I lay on the ground, it becomes clear that I need help to get beyond the first step.

When I cry out to God, He reaches down and pulls me up. He does more than that. He open the path for me to go forward without drowning. God leads me from rough waters to calm streams.

I did go the next day to check on the ducks. As I feared, one was gone. I watched them on a log for a while. One baby jumped into the water and got a good distant away from the other. The mother finally got into the water and got the adventurous one back on the log.

For another day, this baby was safe. I pray that they all make it. I pray that we all make it in life. Even with all that are stacked against us, we have a God who cares. He does lead us to still waters.

Tell The Truth Day

Look at me. Can you tell if I am telling the truth or telling a lie?

Did you know that today is "Tell the truth day?" At least the board at work said it is. So, my question is, why do we need a "Tell the truth day" anyway? It seems that this should be something we do naturally.

The problem is, that I can not be honest if I said, that I tell the truth all the time. We should have  "Tell a lie day." Oh, wait a minute we do. It is called April Fool's Day. LOL.

Truth telling does not come naturally. Even a child will lie to get out of trouble. "I don't know," is the words you hear often when a child is not telling the truth.

Another sign of someone who may be fibbing. They can not look at you. Most will not make eye contact, because of  the fear of being discovered.

To tell the truth. I think it is a silly day. Everyday, I do my best to always tell the truth. But those white lies do get in the way. And that is the truth.

Duck Island

This poor little wood duck seemed to be left all alone on a small deserted island. Was he worried? Not at all. Within minutes his mother and siblings soon surrounded him. He was just tired and soon fell asleep, while his family proceeded to go about the business of searching for food.

How many times in my life have I found myself alone. The island of worries, doubts and trials seems to keep me from my source of strength. It is when I call out to God, that within minutes my family, friends and church groups surround me.

Just like this duck on this little island, I can find rest in the assurance that God cares. I am not alone.

Red, White And Blue Birds

It is a first for me. My quest to catch a red, white and blue bird for the Fourth of July weekend.

I expected the cardinal to be my example of a red bird. It is the only red bird that I have seen around here in the Harford Glen park. So, when a red bird flew into a tree off in the distant, I assumed it was a cardinal. Upon viewing my shot in the camera, I notice there was something different about this red bird. It had black wings.

It was not a cardinal. It was in fact, a scarlet tanager. I have never seen one, must less get one on camera. This was a first for me.


My white bird of choice is the mute swans at the marsh in Edgewood. This family of eight is now down to a family of four. There is not a day that does not goes by that I do not make my way past this homestead of the pair. I hope to be there when the babies take their first flight.

The last bird I was seeking was a blue bird. I would have been happy to see a blue jay cross my path. But, getting the eastern bluebird was another treat for me. Again the Harford Glen park came through for me. I love this place just as much as I love visiting the Mariner and the Marsh.

All in all it has been a good weekend to catch the colors of the Fourth of July celebration. Happy Fourth of July.