Less than one minute…
Recently I went to Edge Hill in Ashfield for my early morning outing. Yet another gorgeous morning - high 40’s, no wind and not a cloud in the sky when I started out before sunrise. I did my usual loop up and around the property and was not really having much luck seeing or hearing birds - but it was all still beautiful. I decided to end by going down towards the lower field and just wander around and watch the sun come up over that field. . The sun was just getting ready to pop out above the tree line to my left when I decided to just set up right there and scan the field below. The colors in the field were just stunning. No sooner had I started to scan to my right when I saw movement down below me in the field to my left - a gorgeous Great Blue Heron was flying in!
And instantly another Blue Heron flew in from the opposite direction. The colors of the Herons and the field felt like I was looking at a painting…
This setting in this light with these gorgeous birds was just otherworldly - And instantly the dancing began…
Just as the sun was really starting to light up parts of the field they both looked to their left - what were they looking at?
And now they were even more intent…. one started to make its way over towards where they were looking. I had no idea what they were seeing…
This one stayed behind.
Now they were quite a distance from one another and looking towards each other.
And then the sun came up over the tree-line and the lighting changed dramatically - also beautiful in a different way.
And in an instant the Heron (which was to my right) snatched a vole (or something) out of the grasses and the other Heron came flying in right over the Heron with the vole!
The Heron gulped down breakfast very quickly and crouched down low -
I missed the shot of this Heron flying back from my right to left. He was clearly on a mission - taking huge strides and moving right along.
And the mission was to fly away!
And that was that - all less than one minute.. After this one flew off I looked to my right and never spotted the other Heron again. It was like none of this had happened. I am always thinking during quiet mornings - what is happening all around me that I am not seeing - the answer is more than I can imagine. This was such a gift to be in the right place at the right time for this very quick, and very beautiful, encounter. Beautiful birds, beautiful grasses, beautiful weeds and wild flowers - and of course - stunning lighting. Incredible.
As I was walking back through the field to the path I saw this gorgeous plant and decided to set up for a few minutes. In no time this handsome Lincoln’s Sparrow landed just perfectly for me.
And last but not least, just as I was almost at the car I saw a big shadow from something overhead - I looked up to see this stunning Northern Harrier - a great way to end my morning.