Great Blue Heron

A beautiful Great Blue Heron watches Pensacola Pass from the western tip of Santa Rosa Island.

The herons in this area seem much less intimidated by people due to the fisherman around Ft. Pickens who either ignore them or give them handouts.

The sentry

A Great Blue Heron stands as a sentry to the old fort atop dunes on the west end of Santa Rosa Island.

Another blue heron

I hope you don't get tired of these photos. Great blue herons are such graceful birds and I enjoy photographing them on my sea turtle patrols. This was taken at Ft. Pickens. The other stretch of beach you see in the background is Perdido Key, just across Pensacola Pass.

Courtship

On the second half of my sea turtle patrol this morning, I witnessed an amazing performance by these two Great Blue Herons. My only conclusion is that it must have been a mating ritual, though it seems a bit late in the season.


Rounding the tip of the island at Pensacola Pass, I saw two Great Blue Herons about 100 feet in front of me. I stopped the Mule just long enough to pull out my camera, but realized I was still too far away for a good shot. I pulled forward another 25 feet or so, fearful that I would startle them into flying away.

Suddenly, in unison, both herons looked skyward, extending their necks. I moved the camera away from my face and looked up to see what had grabbed their attention. There was nothing in the vicinity which I could see.


The heron in the first position seemed to go into slow motion, walking alway from the shoreline and toward the dunes in a march. The second heron continued looking up and fell in behind the first.

Again, I moved the camera away from my face and looked up to see what had their rapt attention. No planes, no osprey, no gulls, no other people in sight - just two herons in a trance.

Continuing their march in slow motion...

What the heck is up there, guys?

Never wavering, he just looks toward the sky in a hypnotic state.

Oops, something happened, but I don't know what.

Then immediately went back to his strange, slow march across the sand.

I would love to hear from some of my blog followers who are birders. This was a fascinating event to witness.

The Blue Heron

What a lovely fellow this is and he doesn't even seem to mind me following him.


Ah ha! He's spotted some activity!

Slowly....

Bam! Sushi breakfast!

And on we go...

Overlooking Range Point

Portofino towers overlook the estuary at Range Point and the views can be incredibly beautiful and peaceful on a day like this. I took a walk considerably past Range Point this morning and looking back toward Portofino I saw a Blue Heron fishing for breakfast.

Ft. Pickens walks

I had not walked into Ft. Pickens national park area since right after Hurricane Gustav blew past us on his way to Louisiana. The first thing I noticed was that Hurricane Ike, on his way to Galveston, had taken out our new Park sign.


The white sand and blue sky was incredibly beautiful.


A stately heron sits atop a large section of asphalt buried in the sand.


Remnants of the old road are all along the shoreline. I don't think this is new damage.


It appears Hurricane Ike unearthed the road destroyed several years ago during Hurricane Ivan.


Hundreds of sea birds were everywhere.


Water so clear that you could easily see fish riding the waves.


The sky on occasion would fill with all types of birds, but this time with pelicans was an extraordinary sight.


What a wonderful day to be on Pensacola Beach.

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