Heron Today, Heron Tomorrow?

(6/12/14)

For four years now, I've begun each summer in much the same way: finding the new heron that has set up residency at Riley Lake in Cobbs Hill Park. The park is in my neighborhood, and has been a part of my life for going on thirty years now (it is where my high school cross-country team trained and ran meets). This summer has begun no differently. While turning onto the expressway on ramp which runs by that section of the park yesterday, I caught a glimpse of the smallish bird yesterday afternoon. This morning before work, on a lark, I stopped by as I passed through. And there he was.

(6/12/14)

It took me more than a few minutes to pickup the rough outline of his figure to the far left of the "lake." It was just before 6 a.m., and cloudy to boot, so it took a few moments for my eyes to adjust. A very light drizzle had just begun as I exited the car in an attempt to snap a few pictures. I didn't want to use the auto-flash on my camera, for fear I'd startle him, and as result the photos were grainier than I would have liked.

(6/12/14)

Shortly after moving in for some closer shots, the heron took flight. Rather than making his way deeper into the park, the heron headed over the expressway and north-east further into the city. I waited briefly to see if it would emerged from the darkening clouds, perhaps in an arcing loop back into Cobbs Hill, but he did not. Fortunately, I've got a few months now during which to check on his progress (and growth). In year's past, a heron (I like to think it is the same one that only grows larger and "fluffier" as the summer progresses) has stayed in the area around Lake Riley through September.