Let's Talk Birds: The Great Blue Heron

I was trying to think of a way to share some of my favorite bird photographs, maybe some of the unique stories behind getting the picture and raise some awareness about the birds in our area and the habitat they chose to live in.

So the plan is over the next few days, I will chose a bird to share.  Since most of our wading birds here along the Georgia Coast are large and easier to see, I think this is a good starting point..  Today it will be the Great Blue Heron.  The Great Blue Heron is probably the largest wading bird in our area.  They stand about 47" tall and have a wing span of about 6'.  This is an elegant and stately bird with gimlet eyes that are ever watchful.   The Great Blue Heron is a sight hunter, wading quietly through the marshes looking for a fish to spear.  The photo below was taken in Jesup along the Altamaha River near the Doctor Town Bridge.  This bird was following a school of fish flying just a few feet at a time instead of walking along with them.  Maybe his feet were tired.  In this picture you can easily see the blue body, long graceful neck, strong legs and the large wings.

 

The Great Blue Heron is a solitary wading bird.  Rarely will you see more than one in the same area, unless it is during breeding season in a colony.  However, they can often be seen wading with Great Egrets, Wood Storks, Ibis and Snowy Egrets.  Although the Great Egret and the Great Blue Heron are both large wading birds, the Great Blue Heron weighs almost twice as much as the Great Egret.  Both of the photos above show the adult Great Blue Heron with all their colors and markings easy to identify.  The pictures on the left show a juvenile Great Blue with a small catfish he speared while fishing and the one below is a close up shot before he ran into the marsh with his prized lunch.  I can't help but wonder how he swallowed that fish without the fins getting caught in his throat.  As you can see in the photos the juveniles are much more muted in color.  These photos are actually some of my newest shots from this weekend at the Okefenokee Swamp Wildlife Refuge in Folkston.

Good Girl...Gone Redneck

  I was raised in Pennsylvania and I had a great childhood, good schools, formal dinners, fast paced lifestyle, traffic everywhere, people everywhere, not many wide open spaces.  My Dad and I use to go out for rides on the weekends and we always managed to find the quieter side of life, along the creek, fishing,  Linvilla Orchard, Ridley Creek State Park, small game hunting in Chester county and big game hunting in the mountains of Pennsylvania.  Our family use to vacation at a different State Park every year,  The peace, quiet, wildlife, trails, I always loved our vacations.  I always liked the more rural side of life.

 I have lived in Georgia for almost 24 years now.  This is my home.  I love it here especially, living  along the coast.  I love the slower pace of life, less traffic, warm weather,  marshes, beaches, dirt roads and the  abundant wildlife.  Now don't get me wrong it gets hotter than hades down here sometimes and the sand gnats could disappear and it would not hurt my feelings, but, overall I love it.  Since I have moved here I must admit, my English is not so proper anymore, I can't remember the last time I wore something other than my jeans, let alone a dress.  Things are much more laid back and less formal.

My Mom often says I have gone redneck...My Dad even bought me a ball cap that says "Good Girl Gone Redneck".  I take this as a compliment.  Rednecks are friendly hard working people, do what you have to, to get by, they are very mannerly and polite, always willing to help and lend a hand.  And if having a good time is a weekend camping on the river, running the dirt roads, cooking out, having Thanksgiving Dinner under a circus tent on paper plates;  then I guess I fit the bill!  Holidays are meant to be spent with family, enjoying each others company, relaxing and kicking back.  WHY ON EARTH would I want to have to cook all day, set a fancy table with dishes and glassware that cannot be put in the dishwasher, clean dishes and pots for the next two hours and have to wear a dress on top of all that???  It's just not me.

Now I don't mind dressing up for a special occasion, I'll do my hair, wear a nice pair of jeans,,ok maybe slacks, shoes... other than my boots, put on the jewelry, (I do like my bling), and if I'm in a good mood...maybe even a little make up.

But redneck, take me as I am, suits me just fine.  I'm a jeans and t-shirt kinds girl who doesn't mind getting her hands dirty.   I don't try to be anything I'm not.


Just Me

Peace and Quiet along the Satilla River

Playtime on the River

Sharing some of my birds

Well, now that we have gotten past what I hope is the bumpiest part of the Recovery road, I would like to share with you some of the birds that visited my yard while I was home caring for Don in the Spring of 2012.  I was able to identify 48 species of birds from my front porch that Spring.  Just shows what you can find or what you have been missing by not taking time to notice the natural beauty around you.  I have a hedge of Bottle Brush Bushes that I have propagated myself from one plant.  If you are not aware of this plant, birds, lots of birds, butterflies, bees and did I mention lots of birds love the sweet nectar of this plant.  Shown below is an up close photo of the plant.

Now I must tell you I also kept all of my bird feeders filled, which included hummingbird nectar, black sun flower seed, corn, peanuts and a regular seed mix.  I also have a Flowering Plum Tree and a citrus tree.  I must admit I was in Bird Nerd Heaven!  Here are just a few of some of my favorites: 


       

Male Cardinal and Female Cardinal

       



 

 

Baltimore and Orchard Orioles

 

The Coveted Painting Bunting,the most colorul bird in North America

  

Carolina Chicakdee and Summer Tanger

 

  

 

Female Ruby Throated Hummingbird and a Male House Finch

 

 

Cape May Warbler

Northern Parula in the Flowering Plum Tree

 

  

Catbird and Tufted Titmouse

Some of the other species I found were:  Indigo Bunting, Yellow Rump Warbler, Mockingbird, Blue Jay, Eastern Bluebird, Red Winged Blackbirds, Cowbirds, Mourning Dove, Eurasian Collared Dove, Rosebreasted Grosbeak, Red Belkied Woodpecker, Pileated Woodpecker and Evening Grosbeak just to name a few...  Are you starting to understand what a wonderful time I had in my own front yard!  I have always noticed many migrant species in the spring but I had never really taken a whole lot of time to watch my birds.  I've always been in a rush to do a show or go take photographs on the island or elsewhere, when all along I had to go no further than my own home.  The Wonderful little surprises you get when you take the time to notice the Beauty that Surrounds Us

 

Trying to get back in the swing of things

     I know it has been a long time since I have posted on this blog; but I am trying to get back in the swing of things.  My life has been turned upside down for the past couple years, in Oct. 2012 my Mom was diagnosed with uterine cancer, she had surgery and luckily they got all of it.  In that Dec. she was on her way to lunch with the girls and wasn't feeling so good, she pulled into the hospital parking lot tried to walk to the ER and literally fell flat on her face.  They said she had a heart attack, her heart actually stopped beating, she was dead and thanks to God and the medical professionals at Southeast Georgia Hospital in Camden County they saved her life and transported her to Shands in Jacksonville.
     So this sounds like a bit of a shake up; but you haven't heard anything yet!  In Feb 2013, my husband, Don had a severe toe infection leading to a partial amputation of one of his toes, my Dad tore his rotator cuff and required surgery,  Don had just gotten back to work in the end of May and we were looking forward to a quiet Memorial Day weekend when Don was involved in a life altering accident which he is still recovering from.  Later that June of 2013 I found out my Mom had Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which I am proud to say she is kicking Cancer's @ss.
     Many of my friends are also fighting their Battles against that B*tch they call cancer and I am sad to say we have lost loved ones along the way, including my brother in law.  Don spent 5 months in 4 different hospitals in Jacksonville, Florida.  Once he came home, he required many months of in home therapy and was confined to a wheel chair for quite a while.  We also had numerous trips back to doctor appointments and follow up procedures such as the placement of 4 stents in his heart and trying to determine how he can get rid of his trach.  That one has been unsuccessful as of yet.  Then, my Mom had a second heart attack and my Dad was diagnosed with an aortic aneurism.  Ah, my life, not mundane to say the least.  But I happy to say Mom is doing well, Dad never slows down and is always ready to help me with anything I need.
     So you say, Debbie what does all this have to do with the Beauty that Surrounds Us?  These last couple of years I have learned that Nothing is guaranteed, not today and certainly not tomorrow. 
     The Beauty is how you realize how Blessed you are to have so many caring people in your life.
     The Beauty is in the Power of Prayer. 
     The Beauty is in the Miracle of Healing.
     I have been Blessed with the best coworkers and most understanding supervisors, who stood behind me, supported me, donated time and money to help us with bills and the expense of gasoline driving to and from Georgia to Florida.  I missed five months of work while Don was in the hospital and I have missed much more time during his recuperation for the many bumps we have hit in the road to recovery.
     Blessed with parents who are always there for me, even during their own personal struggles.  They never turned their back on me, never turned me down, never stopped coming to the hospital to support me.
     Blessed with friends who stepped up and took care of things at my house, hosted fundraisers, took time to visit with Don.  Friends who took on the task of setting up and selling my photos for shows I couldn't attend.  Friends who have helped during Don's recovery:  taking him to therapy appointments, cutting the lawn, fixing my vehicles and building a ramp for Don.
     The friends who listened to me cry on the phone every night, sometimes in the middle of the night.  Friends I haven't heard from in ages getting in contact to help me through the difficult times and to offer prayers.
     I have been Blessed with renewed friendship and the Love and support of the Best people on earth!
     We have been Blessed with the finest, kindest and most understanding medical professionals during this time.  They have reassured me, educated me, followed us through this bumpy road and have never lost faith in Don.  I can't ever Thank them enough!
     Everyone says I'm so strong, they can't believe what I have gone through, they don't know how I do it; let me tell you it's not about personal strength, physical or mental.  It's about doing what you have to do!  And you can do anything you set your mind to, especially if you have the love and support from family and friends!
     Now that life is starting to regain some normalcy, I am once again exploring the natural beauty of our surroundings and I fully intend on sharing my adventures with you!
    So I will leave you with some photos of the important events of the last few years:

 

  This is what remains of a 1988 Dodge after having a blow out on the front right tire, taking down a highway sign, traveling down a ditch and being stopped by a large pine tree and after extracting Don from the truck.

Don and Susie seeing each other for the first time since the accident, It had been almost 3 months.  Susie and Gracie had been in the truck with Don during the accident.  Susie did suffer a back injury, but our Vet at Southeast Georgia Vet Clinic was awesome and helped her with her recovery.  Gracie had some bumps and bruises and pierced her tongue, but some rest at home with Grandmom and Grandpop healed her quickly.  But they sure did miss their Daddy.

Mom and Dad on Christmas of 2013

 Mom Ringing the Chime and Mom and Dad celebrating her last sessions of Proton radiation therapy.

 Don doing some exercises in bed at Brooks Rehab

 Don and his therapist Shaji helping him stand for the first time since the accident,

Don and our friend Randy working on the motorcycle when Don came home and Don and his outpatient therapist Steve working on exercises and balance over a year later.
The road to recovery is a bumpy but with family, friends, faith, Love and God all is possible!  It is not possible to name all the people who helped my family, but I'm going to try!  Thank you and you mean more to me than words can ever express:  Monica Gibbs, Eric Hodge, Chuck Hiott, Lisa King, Mike Baker, Dave McEwan, John Parker, Mark and Linda Grooms, Chris and Shelly Williams, JD Noyes, Randy and Brenda Jeffcoat, Ricky, Linda, Rebecca and Jerica Davis, Cort Harold, Don Lockhart, Judith Marshall, Lynda Gallagher, Dennis and Donna Reynolds, Sandi Sentell, Sherrie Jo Hendricks, all of my art show family, Al Bradley, Rick Lavoie, Donna Lavoie, My Mom and My Dad.  The wonderful health care professionals at Shands, Memorial, and Brooks Rehab the Doctors and Nurses that went above and beyond to help me and my husband such as Dr. Varun Rimmalapudi, you will never know how you touched my life, Dr. Kevin Hayes, Dr. Van Crisco, Dr. Basil Ramadan, Dr. Christopher Wixon and Dr. Richard Beck.  Thank you to all of you!