When I was younger, maybe about 7
th or 8
th grade, I was down at the neighborhood pond when I saw a large white bird land in the reeds at the far side. This bird was huge and different from the small birds that I was used to seeing around like robins,crows, and cardinals. When I went home later that day I found myself grounded as usual, I was not allowed to go to the pond, woods, park or pretty much any where, which gave me a lot of time to go
searching through my families outdated set of encyclopedias, my family never owned any books on birds let alone a field guide, to find that I had just spotted my first great egret.
This was one of those moments in my life that I will always remember, and one that I believe helped to shape me into the naturalist that I am today. Over the years my path may have
veered, from time to time, away from nature but the awe that I had as a teenager when I saw that large white bird flying overhead has always been inside of me. The local pond by my parents house is still around but it is now surrounded by houses,
apartments and townhouses. The egrets are not there any more but fortunately I know many places close by where I can be at peace in the natural world, like Purgatory Creek where I took these pics.
When I was younger, maybe about 7th or 8th grade, I was down at the neighborhood pond when I saw a large white bird land in the reeds at the far side. This bird was huge and different from the small birds that I was used to seeing around like robins,crows, and cardinals. When I went home later that day I found myself grounded as usual, I was not allowed to go to the pond, woods, park or pretty much any where, which gave me a lot of time to go searching through my families outdated set of encyclopedias, my family never owned any books on birds let alone a field guide, to find that I had just spotted my first great egret.
This was one of those moments in my life that I will always remember, and one that I believe helped to shape me into the naturalist that I am today. Over the years my path may have veered, from time to time, away from nature but the awe that I had as a teenager when I saw that large white bird flying overhead has always been inside of me. The local pond by my parents house is still around but it is now surrounded by houses, apartments and townhouses. The egrets are not there any more but fortunately I know many places close by where I can be at peace in the natural world, like Purgatory Creek where I took these pics.
12 comments:
This is a great story on what inspired you to be a naturalist. It made me smile. Great captures too. :)
Cool photos! And a great story, as well...
Great captures, love this photogrape,
Egrets are beauties...love how you caught their feathers blowing in the wind...awesome captures!
A really great story of how your love of nature developed. I use that phrase often as I am also totally 'at peace' when I am surrounded by nature. It's truly how I feel. Your photos are great, such beautiful birds.
There has been sightings of egrets here in southern Ontario in the last few years. They are a long way from home.
I saw an egret today when we took the boat out on the Connecticut River. I have an attached zoom that's pretty good but without a tripod and in the boat, the camera shook too much to get a good photo.
I'm living vicariously through your photo, then!
yes, it is sad that more natural places are being developed each year. hope they will spare some places for our children to see the beauty of nature.
great shot!
I have a nice photo..if i do say so myself...of a gaggle of egrets for my WW this week.
or whatever a bunch of egrets are called...
They are such elegant and beautiful birds. Love the photographs and the story.
Such a poignant. To this day, when I see one, it gives me great pause. Luckily during the winter when I'm in S. TX visiting and they regularly dot the farmers' fields along the highway, I am not the driver! ~karen
Love the photos Jeff! Great as always! Jen
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