Beautiful Heron in the Waterfalls Redux
Herons facing the same direction at the waterfall – babsjeheron
To love is not to look at one another: it is to look, together, in the same direction.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Wind, Sand, and Stars
Great Blue Herons at waterfalls have been a recurring theme in my blog. For example, this Heron dwarfed by towering, rushing, rippling tendrils of water flowing over a dam:
Great Blue Heron fishing in water falling over a dam in the Charles River Watershed – babsjeheron.
The photos in today’s post show the same waterfall and the same Great Blue Heron and the same waterfall at the dam in the Charles River Watershed, but on different days.
Great Blue Heron at Waterfall Nbr 2 – babsjeheron
What a difference a year can make in the same waterfall. Normal years, above, and in drought, below.
Waterfall in Drought with Log from Fallen Tree – babsjeheron
I’ve written here in the past about my dangerous waterfall experience. Every couple of years, we read news stories of people falling off cliffs or going into waterfalls while taking photos. I know how easily that can happen.
While photographng a Heron at a waterfall, I had become too absorbed by the scene within the viewfinder: I was so engrossed with following the Great Blue through my lens that I nearly stepped over the edge into clear air. One more step, and I would have been in the water below the falls.
All of the photos today were much more ordinary days fishing with my camera for Great Blue Herons that were, themselves, fishing at a local waterfall. Of course, my sense of the ordinary may be different than yours.
It’s not just water that cascades over the lip of this dam – the tug of gravity pulls with it hapless fish destined to become dinner for an eagle-eyed Great Blue Heron.
Most of the time, the Heron could be seen actively fishing at the base of the falls, retrieving those fish unlucky enough to have been swept over.
Sometimes, the Heron could be seen perched in a stand of trees just downstream, preening and even sleeping.
And sometimes, some very special times, the Heron would stand atop the dam, with the water rushing over his feet and stare off into the distance at the colors of the setting sun.
Those were magical sunset moments to share, Heron and human.
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About today’s post: Today’s post is prompted by Debbie’s Six on Saturday, Cee’s Black & White challenge, Leanne Cole’s Monochrome Madness, Jez’s Water Water Everywhere, and Denzil’s Nature.
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Because of my near-blindness, I’m not able to link in my posts to the various host sites for WP challenges/tags in the way I have always done in the past, but please know that I value the sense of community here, especially among the Lens Artists, Cee Neuner, Debbie Smyth, Leanne Cole, BeckyB, Denzil, I.J., Restless Jo, Tofino Photography, Dan Antion, Bush Boy, Jez, and so many more, who all encourage the entire international network of photographers and writers. Sorry that I cannot link directly at this time – this is the best I can do for now.
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Great Blue Herons at TCAN Lobby January & February 2022 – babsjeheron
TCAN One-Woman Show Lobby Wall Two
Once again, the Great Blue Heron diving beneath the water’s surface graced gallery walls.
TCAN One-Woman Show January through February 2022 Lobby Wall With TCAN Sign Reflected; TCAN Stained glass art by Carol Krentzman, framed by Jay Ball
My Great Blue Heron photographs were once again on display on the walls of the lobby and theater in a free one-woman show at the Summer Street Gallery, of The Center for Arts in Natick. It was great to see so many of you there. The Summer Street Gallery provides an opportunity for accomplished visual artists in the region to have their work prominently displayed for TCAN’s diverse and loyal audience.
If you’re in the Boston or Metro West area, please stop by TCAN to see the wonderful gallery displays of artworks by many talented visual artists, as well as excellent live music performances and stage plays. The gallery is open whenever the box office is open, so please check hours here.
As always, many of my own photos were taken on the waterways of the Charles River watershed.
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Art in the Park 2023 is coming in June! Watch this space.
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Natick Center Cultural District logo
Folks, now that some areas have opened back up in a new normal, please consider supporting your local Arts communities – whether music, theater, crafts, visual arts venues, and others. All have been impacted over the past THREE years and they still need your love more than ever.
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The Natick Center Cultural District is situated in a friendly, classic New England town hosting a vibrant, contemporary fusion of art, culture and business. Click here and here to learn more!
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My brick & mortar presence in Massachusetts dates back to 2009 in several local venues/galleries.
TCAN – The Center for Arts Natick – One-woman photography show through February 2022
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Natick Town Hall – Current group exhibit thru January 3 2023
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Five Crows Gallery in Natick – Represented since 2013
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Audubon Sanctuary
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Be a fly on the wall! Please CLICK HERE to see the Great Blue Herons gracing the gallery walls.
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Remember: Walk softly and carry a long lens.™
May the Muse be with you.™
The Tao of Feathers™
A Patience of Herons™
© 2003-2023 Babsje. (https://babsjeheron.wordpress.com)
Share the love, but please respect the copyright. No reposting of any photos without permission.
Great Blue Heron, Kayaking, TCAN, Five Crows, Natick Center Cultural District
Posted on May 13, 2023, in # Lens-Artists, ardea herodias, Mindfulness, Nature, Photography, Wildlife Photography and tagged # Lens-Artists, #6WS, #LAPC, bird of the week, CBWC, monochrome madness, monochromia, naturephotochallenge, WWE. Bookmark the permalink. 63 Comments.
Babsje Heron 
The first image blew me away.
Hi Damien. Many thanks for your generous compliment. I’m happy to hear that!
Amazing photos – as always. The first one is breathtaking 🙏👍☀️
I’m glad your found that photo breathtaking, thank you very much for your wonderful compliment!
💙💙
Occasionally I’ll see Great Blue Herons fishing in the surf down on Galveston Island. Looking at your photos, it occurred to me that the active water in both locations may be part of the appeal for the birds; both help to bring fish to the surface for easier snagging.
Good thinking! I’m sure you’re right about that. Watching Herons fish in the surf there must be interesting, especially if the Heron has a mind to mooch from a human fishing!
They’re the consummate moochers!
Yep, they are definitely opportunistic and what better opportunity than a free handout from a friendly fisherperson?!
No words!!! 😳
Many thanks, Drexel. I guess you are a person of few words sometimes. I know you’re into camera gear, and you might be interested to know those waterfall images were all taken with a 35mm camera using honest-to-goodness film. Remember film?
Ok now that’s even a bigger wow! Oh I remember 35mm 😊. That first image with the two herons tell such a story. I wonder what they were saying 😊
Thanks, Drexel, I thought you would remember film. 😊 As far as the conversation between the Herons? They so have something of a vocabulary that I’ve been able to identify so far: https://babsjeheron.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/six-minutes-of-wonderful-weekly-photo-challenge-inside/ Hearing their “greeting” word brings goosebumps!
I nearly fell off a cliff while taking a picture in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, USA. My boyfriend at the time grabbed my arm and pulled e back just as my foot slipped.
I can’t imagine what it would have be like to fall over like that. I praise God I was not alone.
I’m also glad you didn’t step out on midair.
Oh my goodness, Phyllis! You are so lucky to have avoided becoming a statistic. I’m so glad he helped save the day and you!
Yea, he was upset with me for getting too close. I was thankful he was there.
Never thought that I could have been a statistic. So glad I’m not. 😉
Agreed. So glad you didn’t become a statistic, Phyllis!
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Beautiful photos — and the Saint-Exupery quotation is perfect.
I think I posted twice…
No biggie! ❤
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Enjoyed all the photos. And especially liked the quote about love.
I’m pleased that you like the quote about love from The Little Prince. Thanks for your lovely comment. I have been enjoying your own posts, too.
Beautiful shots Babsje! The sound must be overwhelming.
Almost a “one step too far” scenario!
Hi Wayne. Many thanks and you’re right about the sounds at the waterfall! A person can hear the rushing waters from blocks away. The first time I visited those falls I was on foot and wasn’t even aware there was a dam nearby. I heard the falls and saw mist rising in that neighborhood well in advance. Finding that the spice of both was a scenic dam WITH a Great Blue Heron was an unexpected joy.
Blimey Babsje, glad you didn’t topple over! Interesting series of shots.
Thanks so much, Denzil. I’m glad, too, that I didn’t accidentally go for a swim that day.
Yes, unlike the heron you may have had difficulty just flying up and away from the river!
Good point, Denzil, thanks! I need to perfect my flying skills for next time. 😊
Beautiful photos. I love the Saint-Exupery quotation — perfect.
Hi Martha – I’m happy to hear that you like that quote, too. It is one of my favorites. Many thanks for your kind comment.
Challenging photos! Full of action too. Bravo!
Hi Jonell – I’m pleased that you appreciate the action shot nature of this series! Thanks for the thoughtful observation!
Great photos. Don’t fall in the waterfall, here on or there on, or heron.
Many thanks John for your compliment and the great wordplay!
Wonderful photos. In one of them the herons seem transparent.
Thanks, Judy! Good eye, yes the effect is transparent, ethereal. BTW, I have been reading through your chapters of Innocents in Mexico. I’m almost caught up to Chapter 4. You and Bob and Bearcat had quite the adventures!
I’m so glad you “came to” in time to avoid serious injury while taking photos at the waterfall. These are beautiful pictures of herons and the falls!
Hi Katherine. Many thanks for your lovely comment about the Herons and yes, so glad I “came to” in time at the edge of the falls! Not a great spot for a swim.
Their graceful curves contrast so beautifully with the straight lines of falling water.
Hi Susan. Thanks, that’s a great observation! I hadn’t considered that sort of contrast until you mentioned it, and I think you’re right.
I want to photograph some herons, love your shots.
Many thanks, Leanne, glad you enjoy the images. I wish you good luck in your own challenges of photographing them. Australia has a number or gorgeous members of the Heron family – not just the Grey Heron that is similar to but smaller than our own Blue. You have the Greys, plus Purple, and White Faced, and then the Night Herons and Bitterns and Egrets and even more. I’m not sure about the geographical distribution, but I bet you can find some lovely specimens!
Funny you should say that, I managed to get a grey heron this morning. I couldn’t get a great image, but it was still there. We do have some nice birds here. I’m in Melbourne so we get lots here.
Hi Leanne. I’m happy that you saw a Grey, even if you weren’t too thrilled with your capture. They can be elusive subjects and a challenge for proper focus but I’m sure you’ll sort that all out. May it be the first of many Herons to come for you!
Hi Babsje – I just came back from a blog break so am looking forward to catching up on your posts. The words of Sara Teasdale came to mind when I read your words and viewed your photography: “look for a lovely thing and you will find it, it is not far, it never will be far…”. Always a joy to visit your place.
Many thanks for the lovely comment and quote, Rebecca. Welcome back from your blogging break. Speaking candidly, I am of the opinion that more people can benefit from an occasional break from the keyboards.
I agree wholeheartedly, Babsje. That idea has been with me over the course of these past weeks. You continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. Sending hugs.
Thanks Rebecca. I have often taken long breaks over the years, myself.
This is so interesting, Babsje, I’ve never seen a heron fishing at a waterfall. They are smart birds! It reminds me of a heron I watched in Florida that stood very close to a fisherman on the beach. Every now and then, the fisherman might toss something this way. It had learned to take advantage of what the situation offered. The photos are well done – I love the sense of shadowy presence in the first one.
Hi Lynn – you’re right about Herons being opportunists – they know a fisherman is a likely source of a snack – especially in environments where catch & release is the order of the day! Egrets, too. Thanks for your kind compliment about that first waterfall image – this entire series was photographed using my trusty old 35mm with film. So I was especially lucky that anything turned out ok. Have you had your stint monitoring the Great Blues on the webcam feed?
This week it’s Thursday morning and I’ve been too busy to peak so far but we’re having a heat wave and I bet lots of hatching is going on!
I’ve been hearing about that heat wave – seems unprecedented for this time of year. I hope it moderates soon – for the good of humans and wildlife, alike. And I hope the hatchlings will be able to thermoregulate. The adults have many tricks for keeping their cool including panting. They look so odd when they pant in the heat. Have fun Thursday morning!
Last week several adults were shading the nest – standing on the edge with wings partly open, like a cape. I thought I saw one panting but when I went back, it wasn’t. I’m sure I’ll see that at some point. 🙂
They are such good parents! Shading the nest with those huge wings is an endearing act of caring. Glad you told me about that, thank you!
It’s almost like they’re visiting a spa! 😀
Ha ha, what a funny image your comment conjures. Thanks for the smiles!
I love the you are able to showcase your art here as well. I guess we will have to love for your art in the park in June. Keep getting well.
Many thanks, Donna! I appreciate your kind thoughts. The “Art in the Park” concept is not a display of “street art.” It is the actual name of an in-person art show, same concept as the last couple of years. So it’s not a collection of mural graphics in other words. Hope that helps clarify.
Yes. It sounds wonderful
Wat een verrassende reiger foto’s
Hi Marylou. Thanks for your lovely comment. I’m so glad you appreciate the Herons and waterfalls!