GREAT BLUE HERON

 While I didn’t see a great blue heron all summer, a couple of weeks ago I spotted one in a farmland pond.  I watched it slink around, looking for prey.  I wondered if it was migrating someplace for winter.

 

 

COLOR PROGRESSES

 While the vistas and hills have yet to reach their peak, lots of individual trees are brilliant in fall color.  The coming weekend, forecast to be sunny, should bring peak colors.

 

 

ANOTHER SEASONAL SIGN

 

 

TO LEAF PEEPERS

 While peak is likely a week or more away, color season is underway.  Even the white pines, with their seasonal needle drop, are brightening the landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DANCING CRANES

 I hadn’t seen my crane family with its two juveniles since early July.  I’ve wondered where they went and whether they were okay.  On my way home from a recent photoshoot near sunset, I saw them emerge from a wheat field.  They’d been in the area all along, but hidden in the tall grasses.  The juveniles had matured to the size of their parents, except for their red forehead patch, which was just beginning to show.  To my delight, one parent began to dance while the other bugled loudly.  Soon, they all began jumping around with their beautiful dance moves.  What a joy-filled scene!