The Dark Side of the Heron

The female blue heron hears the love screech of the male. She picks her heart's desire and settles on a branch nearby. The male immediately begins to court her. The moment she indicates interest and approaches him, though, he changes his mind, becomes unpleasant, shoos her away, or even attacks her. As soon as the discouraged female flies off, he screeches after her. If she gives him another chance and flies back, he may very well attack her again. Gradually, though, should the female's patience last that long, the fickle male's grumpiness subsides and he may actually be ready to mate. He is conflicted and ambivalent. Sex and aggression are mixed up in his mind, and the confusion is so profound that, if not for the patience of the female, this species might fail to reproduce itself. If ever there was an avian candidate for psychotherapy, the male blue heron is our nominee. ~Carl Sagan

These photos are from last summer. A heron was becoming increasingly troublesome and lazy about its proper fishing habits, turning instead to the furry rodent buffet which presented itself to him at the base of the bird feeders. Multiple feeding stations were kept full year-round to attract hoards of birds, which it did. But it also drew red squirrels, grey squirrels and chipmunks - and flying squirrels and raccoons at night. The heron in turn, continuously stalked these cute little daytime beasties, and all too often could be seen making off with one of them in its bill. It would seem that overstocking leads to over-stalking.

This is the darker side of the heron (quote-wise).

I think the very word stalking implies that you're not supposed to like it. Otherwise, it would be called 'fluffy harmless observation time'.

~ Molly Harper

This is more or less where the heron is supposed to be - checking out the lake for fishing prospect. This was right after one of the many times it was chased away from trying to capture Chip or Dale.

It is a negligence of the mind not to notice how at dusk, heron comes to the pond and stands there in his death robes.

~ Mary Oliver

Contemplating its next move.

I think anybody with an insecurity, which is everyone, appreciates the fact that it's much easier to be a predator than it is to be prey.

~ James Van Der Beek

It turned and left the dock in search of a place to fish, presumably.

Lazy and indifferent, shaking space easily from his wings, knowing his way, the heron passes over the church beneath the sky. White and distant, absorbed in itself, endlessly the sky covers and uncovers, moves and remains.

~ Virginia Woolf

It seemed to have a place in mind.

A stilted heron labored up into the air and pounded down the river. ~ John Steinbeck

Wings raised in a hopeful V for victory.

Freedom is only the distance between the hunter and his prey. ~ Zhenkai

Unsuccessful, or unwilling to put the work into it, it turned back to see if it could make its way back to the chipmunk diner.

The man flaps about with a bunch of feathers: the woman goes to work softly with a cloth.

~ Oliver Wendell Holmes

I think it was just having a bad heron day. ;)

If you wanna find out what's behind these cold eyes You'll just have to claw your way through this disguise. ~ Pink Floyd

Yep, back on land in search of furry critters in a day-long feeding frenzy for all.


More photos will be on the wing soon

Within Walking Distance

Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time. ~ Steven Wright

A couple of weeks back, I ventured out along the shores of Peterborough's Little Lake.

From the ages of 8-18, me and my family moved around a lot. Mostly we would just stretch, but occasionally one of us would actually get up to go to the fridge. ~ Jarod Kintz

It was typical March weather - warm in the sunshine but a cool wind. The water's edge was still icy in most spots. I'd say that this Mallard was doing yoga poses but that would be a... stretch.

I floated like driftwood in the ocean. I wasn't worried about sharks, because my bathtub is much too shallow. ~ Jarod Kintz

A somewhat weathered branch waiting for further melt to release it.

You don't drown by falling in the water; you drown by staying there. ~ Edwin Louis Cole

A different view of the icy shoreline.

Duck love is recognizable in any language. ~ Edmond Manning

Just a few feet away, at the edge of the dock, these ducks will have a much softer landing.

I'm good at exploring roofs. You never know when that kind of thing comes in useful. ~ Enid Blyton

As we approach Del Crary Park, we see the familiar red roof of The Light House Lounge and Grill - not quite ready for the upcoming summer season.

Distance lends enchantment to the view. ~ Mark Twain

Here it is again from a different perspective.

One scoop of ice cream can go a long way. Not to mending friendships, but it can get up to 40 yards in the air if you lob it just right.

~ Jarod Kintz

Same spot, up close. People will be lined up to buy their yummy Kawartha Dairy ice cream here, in just a few months.

I'm part wood nymph. I require mountains and warm, dense patches of moss to thrive. ~ Vera Farmiga

With the bits of greenery here and there, and the absence of ice, you could almost believe that this was taken during spring or summer but it was the same day - just a little further along the lakeshore.


There's a small walking bridge over the water where Jackson Creek rushes in to meet Little Lake. The waters were running rapidly at this point, on this day and I was about to take a photo of it when I heard voices coming from deeper within the tunnel-like setting.

When I must leave the great river

O bury me close to its wave

And let my canoe and my paddle

Be the only mark over my grave

~ Frank Oliver

Just as I focused my camera, these two came swooshing out of the shadows into full view. The water was still very cold as you can tell by earlier photos of the icy shores, and I was surprised that neither of the paddlers were wearing PFDs.

I run a tight ship. It's so tight, you could call it a canoe. ~ Jarod Kintz

I quickly turned to look over the other side of the bridge. Her hands looked very cold but her smile was warm.

A true Canadian is one who can make love in a canoe without tipping. ~ Pierre Berton

There was no doubt that they were having a great time. It was most likely their first canoe trip of the season. They headed under the railway bridge and disembarked around the next bend.

Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him. ~ Dwight D Eisenhower

And here's what that bridge looks like from up close.

That's it for this walk along Little Lake. I hope you'll join me again whenever my feet make their way back.

The Sun, the Moon and the Truth

Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth.

~ Buddha

THE SUN

I don't see the point of photographing trees or rocks because they're there and anyone can photograph them if they're prepared to hang around and wait for the light. ~ David Bailey

This is the view from my living room window back in October. I'm looking toward the east and the sun is setting behind me, casting this lovely light on the still foliage-laden trees.






THE MOON

Go slowly, my lovely moon, go slowly. ~ Khaled Hosseini

The same window, but the view changes pretty dramatically at night.






THE TRUTH

The cardinal is at his wit's end - it is true that he had not far to go. ~ Lord Byron

This image was taken back in March when I was visiting my previous Mississauga neighbours and good friends, Caroline and Lloyd. The cardinal had been making a daily appearance at their back door to fight the identical male cardinal reflected in the window.






THE SUN

The sun does not shine for a few trees and flowers, but for the wide world's joy. ~ Henry Ward Beecher

Two days before the sunset in the first image, I glanced out and saw this vibrant view.






THE MOON

The moon rode in the sky - a hunted thing dodging behind wisps of tattered cloud, and the air was heavy and wet and redolent of dying leaves. ~ Jane Dixon Rice

I can't complain about the show the sky puts on some days – and nights.






THE TRUTH

The past is a window to look through; not a room to stay in. ~ Kevin Keenoo

I believe this fan belonged to my maternal grandmother. It had been sitting amongt a number of items which I inherited after my mother passed away. Most of the rest of those treasures are being displayed in a china cabinet but this one sits on my window ledge, collecting sun rays (and probably dust).






THE SUN

I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything. The sun came up like gold through the trees, and I felt like I was in heaven. ~ Harriet Tubman

The sky had been stormy through much of the day. Heavy clouds were still threatening to disguise the sunset. But at the last moment, they reconsidered and allowed this brilliant lighting of the treetops. You can also see my desk lamp reflecting in the window from across the room.






THE MOON

The moon is friend for the lonesome to talk to. ~ Carl Sandburg

The trees appeared to be passing the moon back and forth between them like a tentative game of toss and catch. Or I might have just been wavering back and forth, instead of holding still for the night shot.

THE TRUTH 

I hear like you see - like that hummingbird outside that window for instance. ~ Ray Charles

This was taken through the kitchen window at my past home on the lake. I was getting such a kick out of watching this little guy delight in the refreshing June shower. There's a short video of it below.

There is no easy way to bathe a hummingbird. ~ Kehlog Albran

Oh, I beg to differ. Just give him a rainy day.






THE SUN

People are like stained glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within. ~ Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

My windows get pretty frosty on those colder days and rather misty on the less-than-icy days. On this November day, there was a bit of both which made for an eye-catching presentation of the sunrise.






THE MOON

The moon in her chariot of pearl. ~ Oscar Wilde

This haze was more of a product of the night atmosphere than the condition of my window.






THE TRUTH

A cat's eyes are windows enabling us to see into another world. ~ Irish Legend

This was my beautiful Skitty boy playing on the window ledge. It was his voice you might have noticed at the very beginning of the hummingbird video. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of him and miss him. Zephyr still looks and calls for him every day. He was the sweetest little love, with a personality as big as the sun, the moon and the truth.

Who You Are

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." ~Dr. Seuss

A couple weekends ago, my neighbour, her young son and I headed into town to watch the Peterborough Pride Parade. I expected it to be colourful, upbeat and fun and I wasn't disappointed.

Openness may not completely disarm prejudice, but it's a good place to start. ~ Jason Collins

This was the start of the parade which probably lasted about a half hour. Gotta love the play on words with the GayPole.

If you removed all of the homosexuals and homosexual influence from what is generally regarded as American culture, you would pretty much be left with "Let's Make a Deal." ~ Fran Lebowitz

This local businessman was feeling the love.

Gay teenagers are four times as likely to attempt suicide as straight ones. I wish they knew that there's nothing wrong with them; that they are just a different shade of normal. ~ Jodi Picoult

It was well attended by community kids..

There is nothing wrong with going to bed with someone of your own sex. People should be very free with sex, but they should draw the line at goats. ~ Elton John

... even kids of the four-legged variety.

It always seemed to me a bit pointless to disapprove of homosexuality. It's like disapproving of rain. 

~ Francis Maude

I was quite impressed and pleased with the huge show of support from local churches.

At some point in our lifetime, gay marriage won't be an issue, and everyone who stood against this civil right will look as outdated as George Wallace standing on the school steps keeping James Hood from entering the University of Alabama because he was black.

~ George Clooney

Each carrying their messages of love and acceptance.

It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength. ~ Maya Angelou

There was also the school board staff and students sporting t-shirts which said "Respect Accept Include."

Ethnic diversity adds richness to a society. ~ Gary Locke

Also supportive were various government branches.

If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door. ~ Harvey Milk

Our much-respected first responders such as the Peterborough Police...

I believe gender is a spectrum, and I fall somewhere between Channing Tatum and Winnie the Pooh. ~ Stephen Colbert

... prideful Paramedics..

When I was in the military, they gave me a medal for killing two men and a discharge for loving one. ~ Leonard Matlovich

... and our always-ready Infantry Reserves.

Don't quit. Never give up trying to build the world you can see, even if others can't see it. Listen to your drum and your drum only. It's the one that makes the sweetest sound. ~ Simon Sinek

Amnesty International followed close behind.

Let's make a law that gay people can have birthdays, but straight people get more cake--you know, to send the right message to kids.

~ Bill Maher

Everywhere I looked I saw youthful faces...

I was raised around heterosexuals, as all heterosexuals are, that's where us gay people come from... you heterosexuals. ~ Ellen DeGeneres

.. and youthful hearts.

I had a hell of a time convincing people I was gay - which was so annoying! ~ Portia de Rossi

There were high-flying butterflies...

Mothers, tell your children: be quick, you must be strong. Life is full of wonder, love is never wrong. Remember how they taught you, how much of it was fear. Refuse to hand it down - the legacy stops here. ~ Melissa Etheridge

.. and those who stayed closer to earth.

I once had a large gay following, but I ducked into an alleyway and lost him. ~ Emo Philips

I'm not so sure this little guy was aware of his flamboyant appearance..

We had gay burglars the other night. They broke in and rearranged the furniture. ~ Robin Williams

... but this guy surely was.

Why is it that, as a culture, we are more comfortable seeing two men holding guns than holding hands? ~ Ernest Gaines

Lots of fun and smiles all around.

The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself. ~ Gore Vidal

The parade ended at a nearby park where folks mingled and muddled through the crowds.

Here is a little tip for all of you. Don't come out to your father in a moving vehicle. ~ Kate Clinton

Thanks for coming along!