I’ve continued to visit Hespeler Mill Pond, enjoying encounters with the various bird species that call the pond (temporarily) home. I am never disappointed.
A few days ago I spotted this adult black-crowned night heron fishing. It was a challenge to get a sharp image from where I sat as the tall grass and tree branches continued to move in the wind. But occasionally I captured an unobstructed view.
But it’s the great egrets – also members of the heron family – that I focus on mainly. And while I might count as many as eight of them spread out across the pond fishing for small fish, frogs and various other delicacies, I have noticed that dozens of them will fly in at sundown and gather on the water’s edge.
On Saturday before going to see some local musician friends perform I spent a couple of hours on the pond. But I changed locations to see whether I might capture some different compositions. As I made my way along the shore I watched the egrets fly in by the two’s and three’s and settle in the shallow water. Within minutes I had counted thirty-one of them – at a distance. Still more flew in.
Some of the early arrivals.
Others continued to fly in and join the congregation.
I expected that they would remain on the other side of the pond and was preparing to put away my camera gear and make my way home to change for the concert when I saw a couple flying about. When one came relatively close I kneeled down in the mud to get at eye level.
It landed in the water and began to fish.
There was movement elsewhere on the pond and I captured another egret arriving noisily. The first one retreated wisely avoiding confrontation. This one also found some small fish. The light was pretty low and I stopped shooting – though I remained for a little while to watch for other activity.
It won’t be long before these birds migrate to warmer climes. The ponds of southern Ontario, though, will continue to be wonderful places to observe avian species. Indeed, from a distance, I spotted a peregrine falcon go after a duck recently. An adult bald eagle flew overhead while I was watching the egrets Saturday. And while many of us take gulls for granted – probably because they are so abundant – they too are interesting to watch.
At the risk of being repetitive let me say, once again, if you take a walk along a river, stream, pond or lake you might well enjoy a memorable encounter of your own.
-30-
I thoroughly enjoyed presenting ‘The Hidden Lives of the Nith River Eagles’ last Wednesday night in Ayr, Ontario. Old friends, new friends – all nature lovers – made for a full room. I hope to return to the Ayr library in the near future.
This coming Friday September 26th I will be speaking on local wildlife at the Idea Exchange (Old Post Office) 12 Water St. Cambridge from 10am – 12 noon. The folks at Cambridge Third Age Learning are hosting this event. It’s a larger room and when I last checked there were still 25 seats available. Registration is required. If you can get away then please join us!
https://events.cambridgepl.ca/event/14392727
They are incredibly beautiful!!! Thank you Paul!
Thank you Vasuluna! Another gorgeous species living around us.