Farewell George
It is an October dawn on the Broward. Change is in the air. Temperatures have dipped below 60 finally. Bird air traffic has resumed. The sky is crisp and blue, there is early morning cold wet dew from the condensation on the grass and other surfaces. The smoke from the powerplant chimney rises upward, little wind effects at all. Small wisps of thin smoke like fog swirl over the top few inches of the river. The Yellow Crowned Night Herons (George & company) have not been seen since the shutdown began. They probably moved south as other migratory fowl begin their southern sojourns (or it could still be a funding issue). I will miss George’s antics and crab feasts. But new faces are starting to be seen. And some old familiar ones too!
Old Man River, the venerable Great Blue Heron and Patriarch of the Broward has returned to some familiar patterns. Early in the mornings I see him on the dock next door and on the old pier a few houses down on a more routine basis now. Like before, he expresses his angst at my appearance and slowly raises his huge broad wings to take flight just a bit up river. Out of sight, out of mind it seems his routine. Time to get the old duck blind out and surprise the Old Man at his own game. Or perhaps I can sneak up on him in the Kayak for a photo op.
A V-shaped wedge of about 24 Cormorants fly over the river. Though still scarce, the Bald Eagles have returned to the area to fish along the river. When I get back in the Kayak later this month I hope to get some better photos of them. Yellow-rumped Warblers and Red Winged Blackbirds flit in the marsh grass. A few Roseate Spoonbills and Wood Storks rest on the dock at low tide. They are soon joined by Old Man River, a Tri Colored and a Little Blue Heron. A White Pelican later drifts by in the main channel. I expect to see the Brown Pelicans arrive soon also. The Belted Kingfisher males are constantly challenging each other for territory.
Like the seasonal change in nature, I also sense a growing awareness that I too am entering in the Autumn season of my life. My time of planting, growing and harvesting is over for the most part. Temperatures are dropping, I am getting slower and my days are getting shorter in relation to my birth. But I am ok with that. The more I see of this world in the news the more I long for the coming one. But in the meantime I am going to enjoy each of my Autumn days as they are given. Going to make some “Grandpa’s chili”, some cornbread, and get a nice piece of pumpkin pie with whipped cream and of course, a good cup of coffee to enjoy with my Editor. I really like the fall autumn season. It has always been my favorite. Be Blessed today. Harry
George the Yellow Crowned Night Heron and most of the Black Crowned Night Herons have left the Broward. Hope to see them back next year.
The Night Herons will be back in the spring!
Old Man River, the Great Blue Heron is very camera shy still. As soon as I arrive he raises those wings and leaves.
A V-shaped wedge of cormorants fly over the Broward.
Old Man River prefers to keep a low profile in the marsh.
The Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills gather on the dock at low tide.
The Wood Stork uses its wing to help see and scare fish into its waiting beak.
The Belted Kingfisher claims is territory and challenges the other males.
This is about as close as we get to Autumn colors on the Broward. The Marsh grass is beginning to turn brown too.
A female Red Winged Blackbird feeds on the marsh grass. Fall has arrived on the Broward.
Roseate Spoonbill fly by. Soon they will leave the area also.
Juvenile Little Blue Heron (born all white).
White Pelican fishing in the channel.
A solitary Old Man River silhouetted in the sunset reflects on bygone days.