Great Blue Heron at Veteran's Park October 2008

Thursday I went looking for the Great Blue Heron

at Veterans Park in Spring City, Tennessee.

I didn't see my buddy anywhere.

So I decided to show some photos taken of him during October 2008.

Hopefully he will return soon, the park seems empty without him.

Sorry for another rushed post, just SO much going on right now.

Great Blue Heron at St Pete Beach

We are leaving this morning on vacation for 3 weeks. The first part of the vacation we will be going on a 10 day cruise to the Panama Canal. The post each day will tell where we should be that day. Hopefully I will come home with some awesome stories and photographs to go with them. I do have some photos picked out and set up to post everyday, so I hope you will continue to visit while I am gone. I will catch up with all of you when I return. I do not think I will have a reliable internet service any of the 3 weeks. If I visit at all that means I was able to get some internet service, but it may not last.

2 Great Blue Herons at Veterans Park

I have not been to Spring City since before Christmas,

these photographs were taken late September 2008. When he flew I must have been looking in the direction of the sun, because all of the photos while he was flying are a little hazy.

Notice the 2nd Great Blue Heron in the background.

Great Blue Heron earlier this week at Veteran's Park

I am still visiting my hubby in Spring City a day or two each week. We don't have the new home away from home livable yet. Well, it has rained all week, and it rained while I was there. But I did venture out of the motel long enough to mail a photography order and since it was just drizzling at the time I thought I should go check on Veterans Park at the edge of Watts Bar Lake.I was shocked to say the least. This was the first time I had seen this beautiful lake during the winter. Granted Veterans Park is at the edge and can't even see the lake real good from this point, except the edge you are standing at. This spot is where I have been photographing the Great Blue Heron since Jimmy was transferred to Spring City.
Well, there he is, but with the lack of other humans he was more skittish than usual, and flew as soon as I got this first photo. I wasn't ready, and did not capture a clear photo at all while he was in flight. There he is on the other side.
So I decided to walk on around the walking trail, and come to another one.
This time I was just slightly more ready.

But as I tried to keep up with him as he was passing me by I clipped his wing off. These birds are very large and that wing span is huge. According to Sibley Guide to Birds the wing span is 72 inches, and I believe it. Think about that, I am 65 inches tall.

He continued on to the other side.

These photographs were all I got for my efford out in the drizzling rain.
That is why I have been staying in the house.

Except Richard At The Water is trying his best to get me interested in what is beyond my window, so I bought new types of bird seed (even the expensive stuff) and added some food to new areas around the yard. But I did not do it in my PJ's Richard, I got dressed to do it.

Great Blue Heron at Veteran's Park in October

My favorite subject in Spring City, the Great Blue Heron.

He is around most times when I visit the Veterans Park in Spring City, Tennessee.

These photographs were taken October 2, 2008.

Great Blue Heron in trees at Watts Bar Lake

I was out looking for fall colors on October 9. Was a little disappointed no Heron in sight. This is a favorite spot for me to find Great Blue Heron. Was scanning the area for better fall colors and in the trees I spotted the Heron. Wish the trees had been red all around him, but oh well. I don't think I have ever seen one in a tree.

It does seem the fall color peak is getting later. The peak this year was not is September, or even October, but November. We used to think of September as fall colors, I had gotten used to October. But November?

Great Blue Heron at Veteran's Park

These photographs of the Great Blue Heron were taken October 2 at Veterans Park in Spring City, Tennessee.

I rarely go to Veterans Park without seeing at least one Great Blue Heron, usually there are 2.

I was disappointed when he flew. Something I have noticed about the Great Blue Heron in East Tennessee. When they take off they are as noisy as the Canadian Geese when they fly. Not the same sound, but just as loud. In Florida the ones I have seen take off are not vocal about it.

Great Blue Heron at St Pete's Beach

These photographs of the Great Blue Heron were taken in the same general location of the Snowy Egret photos.

Heron at John's Pass in Maderia Beach

We should be on our way to St Pete Beach now. Both of these photographs were taken at John's Pass Boardwalk in Maderia Beach. We stay in St Pete, but we go to John's Pass couple of times a week (love The Friendly Fisherman Restaurant). The top photo is a Great Blue Heron.

Not sure about the little fellow. Look at the dark spot on his lower jaw. Is this the way the immature Blue Heron look? I don't think so. Could it be a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron? His legs look different too.

Pray for our safe trip, and please remember Wendy while I am gone. Not sure I will have any internet service the whole week. If I do I will visit. I already have plenty of post for your viewing while I am gone. I will be looking forward to seeing the comments left when I return.

Great Blue Heron at Marina

Great Blue Heron at one the marinas in Spring City, Tennessee.This is also part of Watts Bar Lake.

Great Blue Heron at Veterans Park

Great Blue Heron at Veterans Park in Spring City, Tennessee.This park is beside a small cove at Watts Bar Lake.