If you've read my last 2 blogs, you'll know that I've been photographing, observing, and learning about Green Herons, and birds in general, through my regular trips to an unheralded, 11-acre park in Chesapeake, VA: Lakeside Park. I've referred to that park—but this is true of so many city parks—as a "bird world in miniature." … Continue reading The Green Heron: Final Thoughts
Category: Bird watching
An Ode to the Green Heron
My last blog, "An Ode to a City Park," was an ode not just to a single 11-acre city park in Chesapeake, VA, but really to all city parks (and by extension, all natural places that have been built/preserved/restored). These parks are critically important for wildlife and also for people—especially neighborhood people (see below!). Research … Continue reading An Ode to the Green Heron
An Ode to a City Park
In an earlier blog, "Trash Destroys," I mentioned an area in Chesapeake, VA known by locals as "the curve," where I'd come across a diverse pile of junk that included golf shoes, Gatorade bottles, foam boot liners, and a lawn chair. I remarked, “This jumbled mess of a trash pile was just feet from an … Continue reading An Ode to a City Park
More Midyear Bird Photos and Photo Tips
This is my second blog dedicated to bird photography. As I did in the first, I'll include a sprinkling of people and "other wildlife" photos to help drive points home about how I take pictures of birds. People and some other animals are more accessible than birds and more accommodating, too. Please refer to my … Continue reading More Midyear Bird Photos and Photo Tips
The Killdeer Saga, Part 3
Let me set the stage here, which might be helpful, especially for those of you who haven't read parts 1 and 2. I've followed a Money Point, Chesapeake, VA Killdeer family since early March 2019. They built their first nest and had their first 4-egg clutch on abandoned railroad tracks there. Typical Killdeer. Those eggs … Continue reading The Killdeer Saga, Part 3
Osprey Country, Part 2
Let me begin in the same way in which I ended "Osprey Country." What a joy it is to blog and to share my thoughts and my photos with readers in this way. And let me continue by offering up a sincere and heartfelt "thank you" to those of you who have taken the time … Continue reading Osprey Country, Part 2
Osprey Country
I attended a Jimmy Webb concert over the weekend in Harrisburg, PA. If a seasoned guy like me can still have an idol, well, Jimmy Webb is mine. Being in his presence and listening to him play piano and sing, I imagined myself being in the presence of Cole Porter or Irving Berlin—especially while listening … Continue reading Osprey Country
The Killdeer and the Goose
Every year about this time, I begin each day with a special measure of excitement and anticipation. The switch has been thrown, migration is underway, and who-knows-what avian delight will show up who-knows-where. You might wonder where I came up with the words: "avian delight." (You might also wonder where I came with the idea … Continue reading The Killdeer and the Goose
A Patchwork Quilt
I thought about titling this: "A Mishmash." But then I thought better. Who'd read something called "A Mishmash," anyway—sort of like: Who'd consider shopping at a place called "The Dump"? (As it turns out, many do.) So I decided on what I hope will be the more alluring title above. Which means that this blog … Continue reading A Patchwork Quilt
Be Still and Know
I think it's fair to say that most faith traditions share an important tenet, that being still and knowing go hand in hand—that being still and contemplative lead to understanding and insight. I recently posted a dual tribute to nature poet, Mary Oliver. In Jean Mackay's tribute, you'll find these words from Oliver's poem "Messenger," … Continue reading Be Still and Know
Elizabeth River Bird Blog 