Around the corner

After clearing away the cob webs, I noticed that the kayak had drifted toward the Leacock Villages.
I was not alone.

This is rather close and I suspected that the heron might be a juvenile. I do not know of any nearby, say within 10km, heronry. Maybe somebody would comment?

It was not bothered by my presence as I drifted closer. It was busy preening its feathers.

One leg, even - odd!

I talked to it in the hope that maybe in another year I would be permitted to photograph it again.

I think it heard me!

I paddled on to other adventures, leaving the heron watchful.

W O B

PS The heron has stayed now for 3 days feeding itself. I have not approached it again.

The Snowbirds returned last night ...

I look forward to every season - change brings adventure. And surprises, although last night was not really a surprise even if I did not know what to expect, i.e., what the surprise might be. The Orillia Naturalists headed down Woodlawn which is always a great place. Then there were cries of "otter" but I think it otter to have been "beaver", for there were at least 2 visible at the same time.

Donald, I know, took several photos much better than mine. Then there was a shout as a Great Blue Heron flew into view for a moment. I scrambled for what I thought would be a one-timer. Surprise, there were at least 6 in 1 group plus a solitary.

Here are just 2. Then several took off.

With this much snow falling, it is no wonder we did not see the other "snowbirds" - like Snowy owls, or Snow geese.

Still, a wandering hiker gathers no snow - old adage - seems still to be true:

I did have to clean the snow off the car.which still had its Winter tires on.

W O B

 PS The world looks like this, this morning:

 wob