Stanley Park is a good place to spot Great Blue Herons, due to having a nesting area adjacent and such a large body of water (Lost Lagoon). These birds are majestic and entertaining to watch. We really did not expect to see one in early February, but boy were we wrong.
Not much to tell. After working for 3 companies over 43+ years (38 years 7 months with my last company), I finally got that promotion I had waited my entire career for……retirement.
I have been exploring this new career for the past 7+ years and while it is not always exciting, the chance to do what I want for myself and my family instead of what my company wants has been very fulfilling. Early on, there was a long list of projects in my “to-do” hopper and I attacked these projects with a vengeance for the first 9 months of retirement. Eventually, my brain told me that this was not what retirement was about, so it took me another 5 months before my industriousness again took over and I attacked another line of projects, this time somewhat shorter and less complicated, as well as many new projects related to the family weddings in 2016. After going hard for 6 weeks and 3 weddings, my body was telling me to relax, then the flu bug hit and as soon as that was done with me, my sciatic acted up. No rest for the wicked. In 2020 and 2021, the Covid 19 pandemic changed the whole retirement gig. I was lucky to not be still working, for sure.
I enjoy photography, gardening, working with my hands, walking, cycling, skiing, travelling, reading and creating special photo and video productions obtained in my first pastime. I may never become wealthy in any of these pursuits, but I already feel I am rich in life experiences far beyond any expectation.
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18 thoughts on “Auspicious”
Those are amazing photos. I’ve seen herons two or three times in Edmonton but by the time I see them they are in flight. Like a ghost bird I only get a quick glimpse.
Thanks Glen. We were amazed to see 3 of them here and that they stayed around that long. We saw one in a storm pond in Beaumont last year, but I only got one click before he was gone. They are amazingly beautiful birds. Thanks for reading. Allan
Thanks very much. These birds live in perfect harmony with the city. They breed there, they nest there, they fish there. We were lucky to have these sightings in February. Thanks for reading. Allan
When I photograph wildlife, I start shooting far back and keep moving closer to see if I can get better shots. Sometimes, the wildlife scoots and other times, it humours me and stays put. Thanks for reading. Allan
Great shots! I’m not usually fast enough to capture herons. We used to have an elusive one at my cottage. Also your caption “hubba hubba those legs” made me laugh!
Thanks Lyssy. These birds are a magnificent assemblage of avian engineering. The long legs to wade in water, the long neck that can shoot forward at lightning speed to catch a fish and the huge wings for long distance flying. I like to take close up shots, because you can miss so much detail when just looking at the bird. The texture on the legs and feet was interesting. Thanks for reading. Allan
They are a rare sighting in our part of the world, but always seem to be around in Vancouver. We were happy to see them while we were there. Thanks for reading Marion. Allan
Such fantastic photos, Allan. I was amazed by the vast variety of birds on display at Staley Park, especially Canada Geese. We have plenty of herons in Sligo too, and it is always fun to watch them in action. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva
We can see Canada Geese anywhere in Canada, but herons, teals and wigeons are rarer sights The wood ducks never even make it too the prairies. Birds are a pleasure to watch. Thanks for reading Aiva. Allan
I have seen one several times in a small slough north of our property. It’s right beside the gravel road and it never seems phased by the vehicle traffic but if I slow down to take a photo it flies off! Good captures with your sightings — quite the auspicious start for sure. Bernie
I think they are pretty skittish in Alberta and Sask. I have seen them in Beaumont a couple of times, but the moment I pull my camera out, they are gone. Thanks for reading Bernie. Allan
In 2014, we saw one in January near the same place. He was looking quite dejected as otters dove and dined on fish he had hoped to catch and eat. Thanks for reading Ann. Allan
Picture This 
Those are amazing photos. I’ve seen herons two or three times in Edmonton but by the time I see them they are in flight. Like a ghost bird I only get a quick glimpse.
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Thanks Glen. We were amazed to see 3 of them here and that they stayed around that long. We saw one in a storm pond in Beaumont last year, but I only got one click before he was gone. They are amazingly beautiful birds. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Beautiful photos. I especially love how you showed them in juxtaposition with the city skyline!
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Thanks very much. These birds live in perfect harmony with the city. They breed there, they nest there, they fish there. We were lucky to have these sightings in February. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Love the close-ups you got there! I know what it’s like to go nuts with a camera when you have such good shots and I’m glad to see you did!
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When I photograph wildlife, I start shooting far back and keep moving closer to see if I can get better shots. Sometimes, the wildlife scoots and other times, it humours me and stays put. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Great shots! I’m not usually fast enough to capture herons. We used to have an elusive one at my cottage. Also your caption “hubba hubba those legs” made me laugh!
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Thanks Lyssy. These birds are a magnificent assemblage of avian engineering. The long legs to wade in water, the long neck that can shoot forward at lightning speed to catch a fish and the huge wings for long distance flying. I like to take close up shots, because you can miss so much detail when just looking at the bird. The texture on the legs and feet was interesting. Thanks for reading. Allan
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Blue herons are beautiful! nice snaps!
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Thanks Pam. Happy to be in the right place at the right time. Thanks for reading. Allan
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I love viewing herons and by chance we spotted them several times last week both in the U.K. and overseas.
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They are a rare sighting in our part of the world, but always seem to be around in Vancouver. We were happy to see them while we were there. Thanks for reading Marion. Allan
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Such fantastic photos, Allan. I was amazed by the vast variety of birds on display at Staley Park, especially Canada Geese. We have plenty of herons in Sligo too, and it is always fun to watch them in action. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva
LikeLiked by 1 person
We can see Canada Geese anywhere in Canada, but herons, teals and wigeons are rarer sights The wood ducks never even make it too the prairies. Birds are a pleasure to watch. Thanks for reading Aiva. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have seen one several times in a small slough north of our property. It’s right beside the gravel road and it never seems phased by the vehicle traffic but if I slow down to take a photo it flies off! Good captures with your sightings — quite the auspicious start for sure. Bernie
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think they are pretty skittish in Alberta and Sask. I have seen them in Beaumont a couple of times, but the moment I pull my camera out, they are gone. Thanks for reading Bernie. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m surprised you saw one in February too! How wonderful….thanks for sharing your photos!
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In 2014, we saw one in January near the same place. He was looking quite dejected as otters dove and dined on fish he had hoped to catch and eat. Thanks for reading Ann. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person