The Great Blue Heron
Why do the
Great blue heron
Fly away when
I get close by?
They must think
That my camera
Will shoot them
And make them die!






Why do the
Great blue heron
Fly away when
I get close by?
They must think
That my camera
Will shoot them
And make them die!






Dear Readers: Below is a blog post from the founder of For the Bayou, a non-profit organization based in California. Elizabeth is native of south Louisiana, and has deep roots here. At a time when I am almost at a loss for words and fatigued from worry, I would like to let her speak. It is lengthy, but please take time to read the whole thing to better understand what we face here. BW
One could say I’m documenting this vacation as much for myself as for you, the reader. There are just so many times I can repeat how marvelous this trip was among my circle of family and friends before they start dodging me. By the end of this final account, you may have grown tired of hearing…
In the previous stories, you learned how they are heaved into the boat, and hopefully covered up with some kind of tarp or blanket for the ride to the landing. From there, either by truck or by boat, it’s time to go to the buying dock.
With the turmoil of Hurricane Isaac behind us and the “Ghost of Isaac” threatening to re-enter the Gulf, let’s ignore all that and once again reap the benefits of a local French-Cajun gentleman’s green thumb. Since we can’t actually stroll through his yard and garden today, let me bring the memory of his spring garden to you.
We recently saw how nicely the bathroom turned out. However, some folks have been wondering what is the point of featuring a window that must be “covered” in order to keep shower water from spraying on it and the surrounding wood trim and also “hidden” behind a shower curtain. Well, I had ideas to help…
There were about 10 of them–curious about the wetlands here in my neck of the bayou. They split into two groups, and about five hours later, they knew a whole lot more about what makes up healthy and unhealthy wetlands than they did before embarking on this journey. They were from Florida to Canada, and…
I don’t have my copy of “The Yearling”—did Jody witness the dance of the herons or sand cranes? These are beautiful pics BW!
Love the last photo!
Just figured out why my replies haven’t been getting through. I typed out a response to your question this a.m. (which didn’t appear) about the Herons flying off. So here goes…Ya got to use the trolling motor. You should know that from fishing. That bird was looking at her next meal and you ran in there and scattered it. She flew off in disgust and “cussin” you. LOL! Actually, I KNOW BW wouldn’t do something so rude and unsporting. Doesn’t matter if it’s birding or fishing.
You’ve been posting comments here a long time . . . what was the glitch? LOL!
Flop a kayak on the ‘tooner then sneak up on them. Those water level shots of gator eyes ought to be cool too. Egrets and herons grouping up here.
Here’s a thing I been observing. White egrets can snatch fish in hover mode. Herons not so lucky.
Come on, where’s those other wading birds?
Been pondering getting some ‘cement’ pelicans for Big Pink.
BW wants some cement pelicans. What’s Big Pink got that I haven’t got? LOL! I do not care to ever get close to a gator in my kayak, thank you very much. What? I focus on one bird for a specific reason, because they are abundant right now, and you clamor for something else. Dang it. I can never make everybody happy.
Ok I am going over to the home of the ‘cement’ goose next weekend. They got everything. Well maybe not Choup’s fave dolphin but a lot. I got an intarsia heron. That will be your word for tonight.
I don’t have to look it up. My father did intarsia, and even made his own patterns. I’m wondering if you have a true intarsia or just a wood inlay. And where did you get it? I’d like to see it. Photo, perhaps?
They are real, not flat puzzle things. Guy lives in Webster, Fl. Was from my home town area a long time ago. I’ll see about a pix soon.
Fantastic shots! I love the 2nd and the last one. In the 2nd photo, are those wild elephant ears growing around the tree trunk?
Thanks for the compliments, but these are pretty much done “on the fly” and not as good as they could be! And yes, those are wild elephant ears. The further fresh you go, the more there are.
Gorgeous photography! These photos bring a bayou scene of complete peace and calm.
Welcome to Bayou Woman, Martha, and thanks for the kind words. Come back any time and meet the great people who visit here! We have lots of fun when BW posts something interesting!!
Where IS that Bayou Woman?
Just remember, BW. A picture is worth a thousand words!
To snap a great blue heron,
you’ve got to be quite daring!
And sneak up quietly, like a mouse
(or “petite souris” here in the south).
Kill that motor! “Paddle, Termite”!
Grab the camera, focus just right…
Alas, she flies! She glides on by.
Maybe next time, shutterfly.
*wink*
Oh my! Outdone by my progeny! Isn’t my Dotter just an improved chip off the old block? LOL!
When I re-read my little impromptu poem, I have to laugh at how cheesy it is! I don’t think Dr. Middleton would classify it as some of my better work! *lol*
Impromptu? Honey, most of us can’t write a poem that good even if we sit all day and work on it! I LOVE it!
Playing catch-up with your site. Wow! Your pictures are BEAUTIFUL, W.!
Thanks so much, Jenny!