Another Great Blue Heron

 

 

Great Blue Heron Perched on a Fence Near the Fish Hatchery at Connetquot River State Park

 

 

 

Today I had the great fortune of stumbling upon a Great Blue Heron  that was sitting on a fence near the fish hatchery in Connetquot River State Park. I have never had much luck photographing Great Blue Herons because they usually take off before I can even get my camera ready.  This one, however, seemed less timid than most. Unfortunately, I didn't have my bigger zoom lens on my camera, but I'm hoping I'll get another opportunity. Although most of these birds migrate south in the winter,  some will stay as long as there are open waters and fish.  Maybe if I get lucky, this one will stick around and we'll meet again.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Early yesterday morning, as I stood at the northern edge of Westbrook Pond to admire the fall colors, a great blue heron flew in for a landing. It was a perfect start to the day.

 

Hunter's Moon

Heckscher State Park at Dusk

 

The Hunter's Moon Rising over Heckscher State Park

 

My favorite way to unwind at the end of the work week is to walk in Heckscher State Park and gaze at the sea and sky. 

Westbrook

    "The trees are in their autumn beauty,

The woodland paths are dry,

Under the October twilight the water

mirrors a still sky;" 

William Butler Yeats

     

Yesterday was Columbus Day and I was off from work with some free time to walk, but the Connetquot River State Park was closed.  I went instead to Westbrook Pond which is one of the loveliest spots in our area, but unfortunately it has a litter problem. Whenever I walk the Greenbelt Trail that runs along Westbrook Pond and Sunrise Highway, I see lots of garbage that people have thrown out their car windows as they drive by this beautiful spot. It is sad that some people do this. My son and I have cleaned up the area a couple of times, but it doesn't take long for more trash to appear. I admit it is a losing battle.

Connetquot River State Park in the Fall

Above is a photo I took last week while I was walking in the Connetquot River State Park. The ferns and shrubs were all decked out in rich and vibrant fall colors. 

Sky Over Oakdale

Above is a photo taken of the yellow and purple sky seen from my son's bedroom window at dusk today.  

Fall Foliage in Connetquot

Deep Water Pond

Bunces Bridge

Above are photos taken at two of my favorite spots for viewing fall foliage in Connetquot River State Park.

Goldenrod

It was such a pleasant autumn day that I couldn't resist going to Hechscher Park after work. As I walked along a path edged with cattails and goldenrod, I spotted a clouded sulphur butterfly sipping nectar from a goldenrod. The bright and cheerful scene was a nice ending to such a beautiful day.