I appreciated the gorgeous fall colors this year more than I have in previous years. Pursuing the hobby of birding has improved my mindfulness and attention to the beauty of the natural world that surrounds us. Birds are beautiful and photogenic in their element and inspire many of my photos. For this reason, I started dabbling with composition to see if I could enhance my perspective of our feathered friends while bringing attention to our exquisite natural environment.
Little did I know my discovery last year about a Great Blue Heron who missed the early flight would spark my journey into combining birds, natural creations of the environment, and mood. This year I returned to the same area where I photographed this heron to learn the tall, feathered friend is back! I spoke to a couple of birders on the trail who shared they heard a similar rumor I heard last year – this wading bird returns to a certain lagoon every year like it has established a seasonal home! Feeling compelled to photograph this heron again, I recently visited the lagoon at dawn with my camera and binoculars in hand and a few layers of clothing to protect against the early morning chill. Upon arriving, I felt like I stepped through a portal into a magical land with a gentle fog rolling onto the water and an unearthly golden glow shimmering on the surrounding trees.
The Great Blue Heron was not home so my spouse, and I explored the lagoon as I started experimenting with novel approaches to capture the dreamy fleeting scenery that surrounded us.
It was time to warm up with some hot coffee so we started to make our way back to the car. In a brief turn of events, we saw a large light grey bird flying towards the lagoon in the distance with an S-shaped neck and trailing long legs – it was the Great Blue Heron! It silently glided above the lagoon and angled its trajectory towards a tall deciduous tree with its branches bathing in the bright morning sun. The Great Blue bird was a magnificent sight among a backdrop of bright yellow leaves! I did not get the picture I envisioned before I entered the lagoon, instead I was gifted with an unforgettable experience that sparked a passion to chase and capture those magical natural moments.
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