Heron's Late Lunch

The heron was wading in the pond in the midst of fir twigs that had accumulated on the surface after strong winds some days ago. In the late afternoon sun, his patience was impressive.

The Dream

Comes True

A ways away, a common merganser was floating around with no apparent worries.

Fish Feeders Unite

The kingfisher was joined today by a great blue heron and a common merganser.

Modern Dinosaur Studies

Sitting partway up a Douglas-Fir, baby dino alternately preened and surveyed the pond. After an apparent small sight or sound of motion, all energy was concentrated on getting back down. But contrary to the expression of agitated vectoring, this was no quick dive, just a relaxed glide.

On the ground, attention was focused on several areas at pond's edge that instinct suggested might harbor a meal. Extreme patience was evident on the stalk, as motion slowed while approaching the target. The last two steps took about 10 seconds each, extreme slo-mo. Then rigid attention for up to half an hour, not a sign of movement.

After the score, dino took a few moments to swallow, then enjoyed a relaxed stroll around the pond.

June Pond

The pond transforms in summer. Most species left by April. Mallards and Canada geese are finishing with their broods and the summer patchiness of pond scum gives a new look, an acquired taste.

Fish, species unknown, have been spotted, about 8" long I'd guess. As we watched, one of a group of four suddenly shot up and bit the foot of a mallard sitting on the surface. The duck squawked and flew a foot or two before resuming its nap.

We have a bullfrog that serenades day after day. Fortunately, it is not too loud inside, so sleep is not disturbed.

A group of four or more swifts came a couple of weeks ago and were here for several days, constantly flitting from seemingly nowhere to our blue spruce, then back out in an endless looping. Never did get a good look at one before they left.

Today a great blue heron swooped in and dipped its feet in the pond, then at the sight of the big meanie coming its way, swooped off again down the pond.

 For anyone needing some additional interest in their lives, we recommend they adopt a pond somewhere.