On my outings to Black Bayou NWR, I’m always in search of the brave birds to photograph. I came into my interest in photography late in life. So, I don’t have years of experience, high-powered equipment, or skill - just luck. Most of the time I see many birds (and other animals) that I’d like to photograph, but I’m just too slow to the moment. And once I have my camera in hand, I often can’t find the bird in my viewer … a skill that develops over time, I expect. My hands are a bit shaky, so I take a hundred pictures, hoping one of them will come out well.
So that’s why I especially enjoy the brave birds. The ones that don’t mind having their picture taken. They wait patiently while I try to get them in focus, hold my hands still for a second, and snap ten or twenty pictures. When they perceive they’ve done all they can for me at this point, they fly away. I’m grateful. When I come home I begin to view, and delete, 90% of the pictures. But then there’s one that comes out clear and beautiful.
These were the brave birds I saw on a recent walkabout at Black Bayou. I wasn’t going to get out and walk. I’d been sick and didn’t feel super well, but something about the cool afternoon air and a trail ahead I hadn’t walked called out to me. It was so quiet, a rare experience in our world.
This fellow stole the show, though. As I walked along the wildlife pier I saw him land. I figured the closer I got, the more likely the blue heron would take flight. But no. Not even when I was pretty close! I took a lot of pictures of this guy. He never did fly away while I was there. These are only a few.
I took other pictures that day and will share them soon. But in this post, I’m just reflecting on gratitude for the brave birds who give me time to capture their beauty. I wonder if Abba Father whispers in their ear, “just give him a second, he won’t hurt you. He’s my son and you will make us both happy if you can spare the time.”
“Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?” - Jesus, Matthew 6:26
Excellent post. The pictures are wonderful and that heron is beautiful! Thanks so much for sharing.