We have had typical coastal weather here on the marsh. Most days the weather forecasts give a certain percent chance of scattered thunderstorms, which is always a plus in my book. Some would call rainy skies dreary weather, but I call it dreamy weather. Gaia's moody side is always so relaxing, and it sparks my creative juices. Since my time at the mine is of the 'full time' variety the last year or so, I don't spend enough time being creative. I'm always quite knackered when I get home, and the sloth in me comes out. I do pop out for some quick photos here and there to at least witness the seasonal shifts, so that helps...a little...
I finally was able to laugh in the face of fatigue, and I made it outside one afternoon for a stroll. There are times when I miss the more in-your-face world of Los Angeles, but they aren't frequent. Walking out the front door to the various sounds of wildlife, peppered with the dull noise of my neighbors going about their business, is something I truly enjoy. It's very Zen here on the marsh. The presence of the natural world out-weighs the presence of man-made 'progress'...which should be how it is everywhere...in my opinion...
I do re-visit some of my favorite places. One of those places is the small pond at the far end of the condos. I've encountered ducks every now and again, and although I've never really seen any of them, in the evenings the loud rhythmic croaking of what I assume to be hundreds of pond frogs. (On some nights they are so loud I can here them from my front porch.) O'possums and raccoons are regulars around here, as are a multitude of feral cats. I've heard but have never actually seen an owl that hangs out in the trees (there could be more than one, but I can't really be sure). Also, on the big bird front, I've seen black vultures, hawks, and crows.
On the aforementioned afternoon stroll, I was to encounter several feathered beauties that also fall under the 'big bird' heading. This particular afternoon I took the route of crossing the condo 'driveway' (don't know what else to call it) and parking spaces. I walked between two of the buildings that back up against the pond, and when I looked over to the marsh (the pond sits right next to it) I froze...a rather large white Egret was standing in the branches of the one tree on the pond's edge.
Most of the times that I see the Egrets/Herons around here it is at a distance. Either they are perched on the dock ruins, or when the tide is out they are piercing the muddy floor of the marsh with their beaks foraging for food. Other times I see them flapping their large wings as they fly overhead, or across the marsh. This was really the first time I was close enough to study their features.
Once I caught sight of the bird in the tree, I noticed the ones on the pond bank. I was thrilled to be so close, but afraid that once they noticed I was there they would fly away. Growing around the tree are several large bushes. I decided to slowly approach using the bushes as a kind of blind. It would pay off.
Several shots of the Egret perched in the tree were taken. At such a close range I was able to see its deep yellow bill, and black legs. It was kind of interesting to see how clean its white feathers appeared to be since it spent time wading and probing in the mud. It was really beautiful.
When I returned to the condo I asked Glenn about the birds. He grew up here, so he would be a good person to ask. I figured them to be Herons or Egrets, and that's pretty much the response I got from him. Neither one of us could really tell the difference. Inquiring minds wanted to know, so I did what I usually do in those cases...I took my question to the internet...
The first question I posed to Google was ' 'what is the difference between an Egret and a Heron?' As I perused several posts that popped up, I would find that there are many similarities between the two. I didn't really find any info to tell me about any distinctive differences. They are tail-less birds. They typically hold their neck in an S-shape when on land, and also in flight (unlike cranes and storks who fly with a straight neck). Egrets/Herons are carnivorous which would explain their presence at the pond...they dig frogs and as I said before the pond is full of them.The name 'Egret' comes from the French word 'aigrette', and refers to plume feathers that are the special breeding plumage of six species of White Egrets. These feathers were once very popular in fashion, plume hunting causing many Heron deaths. Early conservationists stopped the slaughter, and put the birds under protection. Since that time, the Heron/Egret has been the symbol of the National Audobon Society for many years now.
Since I see the long legged birds searching for food in the marsh mud when the tide is low, I found it surprising how clean their feathers are. It turns out they carry their own 'cleaner' with them. There are several patches of "powder-down" feathers on their breast. They break these feathers into a fine powder and apply it to messes with their beak. They then use a serrated claw on their middle toe to scrape off the powder and any muck.
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| ('Egret Against Night Sky', by: Ohara Koson, 1877-1945) |
- China ~ have a common charm, "May your path be ever harmonious", the Lotus flower and Heron being represented; signifies patience, strength, purity, and long life
- Ancient Greece ~ the Heron is messenger for the goddess of wisdom, Athena
- Ancient Egypt ~ associated with the Egyptian calendar, and the idea of cyclical renewal; the Heron was/is known as the sacred Benu-bird, which announced the beginning of time in the ancient myth of creation
- New Zealand ~ the Maori hold the Heron in high regard; known as the "Kotuku", it symbolizes everything rare and beautiful; thought to be spirit messengers who dwell in the spirit land of "Reinga"; they are quite rare in NZ, so actually seeing one is thought to be a once in a lifetime event
- Native Americans ~ when a wise man dies he is thought to be reborn as a Heron; the Blue Heron is seen as a good omen for Iroquois hunters
The Heron is an animal totem. Although it flies through the sky, it is seen as a water creature as it lives by water. When coupled with the influence of Mother Nature (Mother Earth = strength), it has a strong connection to the Earth element.
An individual who has the Heron totem likes to follow their own path. They are self-reliant, and un-traditional. While walking their own path, others may see their way as being unstructured. In truth they are able to handle a multitude of tasks, and if one way doesn't work they know what will. They are very secure in who they are and what they can accomplish. It is a grounding agent for the Earth and spiritual beliefs. If a Heron wades across one's path it is telling them to take a deeper look at life and aspects that will bring inherent wisdom and self-reliance.
If the Heron is seen in dreams, it represents stability, tactfulness, and belief in ones self. With careful consideration of ones immediate or long reaching future, success can be reached. It bestows greater ease in connecting and exploring with the subconscious.
Interesting stuff. Since moving to Savannah and the more nature based, bucolic world here, I have felt more connected to the more important things in life. The Earth and the accompanying elemental energies. I see Egrets/Herons on a daily basis here on the peaceful marsh. Things with the daily rat race of work, etc. can be rather daunting, and pull focus from what's really important. It can pull you free from important grounding influences.
I think I need to try and absorb some of the vibes from my neighbors...the Herons...
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