We spotted this Great Blue Heron along the Reelfoot Lake spillway. Its mind was singly focused on one thing — catching lunch — which it promptly did, and swallowed whole.
“Stay focused, go after your dreams and keep moving toward your goals.” ~LL Cool J
We finally had a couple of days of sunshine before Easter and were able to get out on some of the back roads to view nature. The theme of our drive seemed to be “animals hightailing it out of sight”, as many of the animals were skittish and in a hurry to make a quick retreat.
“Timing has a clear and loud voice. At the right time, step out and the sound will be heard by all.” ~Daniel Evans
When I first arrived at the boardwalk, I could see this heron at a distance out past the trees. I thought that my presence might spook him and cause him to fly away. Instead, to my amazement, I saw him take flight, settling in a spot closer to where I was standing. As I watched, he casually snatched a couple of tiny fish out of the water. Then he remained in his chosen spot, watching me as I walked up and down the board walk.
“Happiness is the settling of the soul into its most appropriate spot.” ~Aristotle
A Great Blue Heron wading through swampy water near Reelfoot Lake.
“Have you noticed how children never bypass a puddle of water, but jump, splash, and slosh right through it? That’s because they know an important truth: Life was meant to be lived; puddles were meant to be experienced.” ~Richelle E. Goodrich
“Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
A few shots from a recent trip to Reelfoot Lake State Park.
“Five frogs are sitting on a log. Four decide to jump off. How many are left? Five, because deciding is different than doing.” ~Unknown
A Great Blue Heron poised on a fallen tree limb at Reelfoot Lake State Park.
“Poise: the ability to be ill at ease inconspicuously.” ~Earl Wilson
As I was taking photos of some turtles sunning on a log, a Great Blue Heron boldly landed on one end of the log and very assertively began marching herself right down the middle of it, scattering the turtles as she went.
“Givers have to set limits because takers rarely do.” ~Irma Kurtz
These heron were doing some serious fishing out on flooded farm land near the Mississippi River. They crept along slowly … watching … listening … and then striking with lightening speed. Each strike was generally rewarded with a tiny silver fish.
“The charm of fishing is that it is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope.” ~John Buchan
walking on a country road 