Bride of the Broward
The Dog Days of August are behind us as September rolls in. The air conditioner is still working overtime though. Undaunted I still enjoy my morning and evening time on the dock each day. During this time of the summer one of the iconic birds found year round is the Great Egret. These graceful birds slowly glide by with huge outstretched wings. It still takes my breath away to see them soar overhead with those broad wings covered in bright white feathers.
The Editor calls them the Bride of the Broward. I think it is an appropriate description. All dressed in white and full of grace and beauty, these birds give a sense of peace and calm and hope as they come into view. You can see them coming a mile away, wings slowly rising and falling as they sweep over the marsh. The suns reflection on the egrets white feathers make them a real challenge to capture in photos. The Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology has this to say “The elegant Great Egret is a dazzling sight in many a North American wetland. Slightly smaller and more svelte than a Great Blue Heron, these are still large birds with impressive wingspans. They hunt in classic heron fashion, standing immobile or wading through wetlands to capture fish with a deadly jab of their yellow bill.”
As I sit and watch a huge graceful white bird go upriver, it slowly turns towards me and starts to fly up the channel. I have my finger on the doohickey and capture a quick touchdown in the channel. As fast as it lands though, it raises its wings and lifts off again. The white wings reflect on the water as it slowly rounds the corner, banks to the left, and slowly heads towards me. The wings are so broad and wide I can barely keep the whole bird in the viewfinder.
I hope you enjoyed these photos of the Bride of the Broward. Elegant, graceful and beautiful to behold, just like my Bride and Editor the day I saw her walk down the aisle. We are told of another coming bride also. To Christian believers, the Bride is the body of believers in Him. Soon I hope to attend that wedding too! How bout you? You coming? Be Blessed. Harry
The Great Egret, the Bride of the Broward soars overhead.
The Great Egret slowly and gracefully wings up the Broward. You can see them a mile away!
The graceful wings flare for a touchdown on the Broward. Gotta adjust for the "white out".
And takeoff again!
Graceful wings reflect in the water!
A sweeping turn, its wing nearly kisses the water.
Broad white wings arch towards me!
Here comes the Bride!
All dressed in white!
Can't wait to meet the groom.
A beautiful Bride. Photo by and with permission of my friend and photographer Donna Yost-Williams.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Rev 22:17.