Welcome to Colleen’s Corner. This is a column meant for fun and some information About myself: I am a Freelance Photographer you often see me on the side of the road or in various places taking photos of different things animals, birds, places, people etc. l have lived in Lumby for over 8 years, you have seen my photos in the newspaper (Lumby Valley Times) and once in awhile in the Vernon Morning Star, and the Lumby Art Gallery. Photography is my passion. Disclaimer: The information on some of my photos that I write about a lot of times come from the Internet or books I research them, hopefully the facts are as close to the truth as I can come.
By Colleen Fielding
While I was in my yard this morning I looked across the road, and there in the field was a very young Great Blue Heron. We see them there a lot, most often when they are older. This one still had brown on his chest, and his chest had that caved in look. Regardless, he was still beautiful to look at. I stood at my fence taking his picture. In some shots he stretched out his very long neck that can make them about 3.3 feet tall. When looking for food these birds can have their necks extended at a 45 degree angle or even longer to get to their prey in the water.
They always make me think that they definitely very close to prehistoric birds.
It was strange that he noticed me and started to walk towards me. I was a little nervous. I didn’t want such a big beautiful bird to get hit by a car. Luckily just as he came closer to the edge of the road, a car came whizzing by going a little fast as they usually do. The fast car must have scared him. For once I was glad about the cars going too fast on the road I live on. He lifted his extremely long wings that can range from 5.2 – 6.6 feet. I thought for sure he was going to fly right out of the field. My camera was ready. But nope, he just flew closer to the uncut hay. He hung around for a little bit longer then wandered off into the field where he was no longer visible.
It always amazes me when you can see such glorious creatures so close that they are near or in your backyard. We have a couple of trail cameras but for some reason we never have set them up yet. Maybe it is time to do so.
