In spite of the weather app’s optimism, intermittent rain has continued today. As we headed out for our daily walk with me wearing my comfy puffer jacket, I grabbed my raincoat–just in case. I love to walk on the beach, but this weekend the tides are not feeling like cooperating and in these parts if the tide is not low enough, there is not enough beach to walk on. So for today, after a bit of negotiating, we decided to walk at the local lagoon.
On our drive over the windshield was spritzed a couple of times, making me think I would be exchanging my puffer for the rain jacket. The clouds were gathering gray as we parked so I decided to play it safe and slipped into the raincoat, strapped my camera around my neck, set my watch for workout mode, and headed off.
It was the cormorants who caught my attention first. While they are residents of our coast, we don’t often see them congregate. I stood for a minute watching one with wings spread wide, drying (or maybe trying to dry) before the raindrops fell. Just then a head popped out of the water–a cormorant had been feeding and popped up just in time for me to watch!
Mist turned to raindrops. I tucked my camera into my jacket and pulled up my hood. Water droplets speckled my sunglasses, but the birds seemed unbothered. In the distance we watched terns gather and then lift off, almost as one, loudly announcing their travel. Buffleheads floated, egrets stood elegantly in the shallows, but it was the great gray heron that caught my attention.
Geoff noticed it in the distance first, noticing its size and wondering if it was a pelican before we were close enough to determine. It seemed unlikely since pelicans seldom hang out solo in the lagoon. A closer look revealed the distinctive characteristics of the heron.
From some angles they remind me of little old men…and then they stretch their long graceful necks and their classic profile is revealed. We got to watch this one take flight and admire the large wingspan as it crossed the river mouth. What a treat! It was definitely worth braving the raindrops to enjoy the birds today!
Thinking Through My Lens 
You hit an ornithological jackpot today. The heron is one of my favorite birds and I can’t wait for them to return here to Massachusetts. If you are lucky to get close enough, you can see their resemblance to their prehistoric ancestors!
Love your heron photo. I saw a whole bunch of them in Florida this past December. They do look like old men. I like how the rain didn’t deter you, but instead you found yourself with a treat. Lovely post.
I love when a rainy/drizzly walk reaps great rewards. I never tire of seeing great blue herons. They are just fabulous! Lucky you to see all the bird action!