I left the office a little early today and headed to Neck Point Park in Nanaimo to take some pictures. As soon as I got out of the car I was lucky enough to see a heron along the beach. The light was beautiful as it stood still near the water’s edge. I didn’t know how close I could get but I had to try, so I moved slowly and quietly so as not to scare them away. There is a mindfulness that I try and follow when out shooting birds. I am quiet, respectful, and observant. I often offer thanks to birds as we part ways. But today this task was harder than I anticipated, as I was wearing sandals, trying to walk quietly along a rocky beach. What was I thinking? I guess I thought I’d look younger in sandals and wool socks or at least I’d look as if maybe I know a little bit of contemporary fashion, never connecting that thought to my desire to go out and shoot. So there I was on a rocky beach, in socks and sandals, clumsily making my way along the beach, trying not to scare the heron away. In the end, I managed about 10 minutes with the heron, before it flew away, followed by my thanks for our time spent together, in its space.
Great Blue Heron, Neck Point Park - April 16, 2024 (Nikon D850 200-500 f5.6 1/1000 at f/9 iso 400)
Great Blue Heron, Neck Point Park - April 16, 2024 (Nikon D850 200-500 f5.6 1/640 at f/13 iso 400)