Walking Down The Street

I try to walk every morning just before sunrise ...

before it gets too hot and humid.

I was on the home stretch ...

just a few houses from mine ...

when I stopped ...

I wasn't the only one out walking.
I was on the sidewalk

and he was walking down the middle of the street.

Yellow Crowned Night Herons roost in oak trees 
on the Rice University campus and surrounding neighborhoods.
This was the first time for me to see one of these beauties
in my area.

I zipped home quickly, grabbed the camera 
and walked back down the street.
Would he still be around?

 Yep!




I told him he shouldn't be in the street ...
Folks would be leaving for work soon ...






I'm hoping he'll come by and visit again one morning.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!


Thank you to the hosts of:

Mosaic Monday.

Important Mission

I had never been to the Japanese Garden when the crepe myrtles were blooming.

(Probably because it's always too blooming hot.)

This year I was determined to visit and I made it.

Camera, water bottle and fan in hand.

It was worth the visit.

I almost always see a whistling duck or two and a yellow-crowned night heron.

Not this time.

This time it was the elegant great white heron.

All of a sudden -- there he was.

I walked around the water fall and tried not to disturb him.

He was there on an important mission.

Dinner!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.

I'm joining:

and

Eileen at Saturday Critters.

Camera Critters: Around The Neighborhood

It's Saturday and time for Camera Critters!

I celebrated my birthday with one of my young baseball buddies by

having brunch at Canopy.

She knows I not only love baseball (especially college baseball)

but I also love birds.

She took me to a neighborhood near both of our homes and look what we found!

I did not go prepared.

I only had my Lumix point and shoot with me.

While I saw the hawk in the tree, I figured there was no way I'd capture him.

But look ... there he is -- not far from his nest.

He looks a bit put out! 

Perhaps he was peeved that I was making over all the baby herons.

The hawk and his family seem to live in harmony with their other bird friends.

This is an area, in the middle of town, that is known for the nesting of Night Crowned 

and Yellow Crowned Herons.

Cute little babes, aren't they!!!!

I took lots of shots, but between my excitement at finally seeing the little ones 

and their constant movement,

this was the best capture of the babes.

What a treat! 

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a lovely weekend!

Camera Critters

Each Saturday Misty hosts Camera Critters. Be sure you visit! It's a wonderful place for critter lovers.

Back to the Japanese Garden in Hermann Park.

We rounded a corner to view the Tea House and found this little guy.

We kept looking and found his friend.

By the time we walked all the way around the lake near the Tea House we had found seven Black-crowned Night Herons ... all little statues ... standing very still, quiet, beautiful.

Last week there was an article in our little neighborhood newspaper about Black-crowned Night Herons and Yellow-crowned Night Herons nesting in a neighborhood near Hermann Park where the Japanese Garden is located. I think Mr. Dragon and I will go heron hunting this weekend!

More critters in the Japanese Garden next week!

Camera Critters

Visit Camera Critters to enjoy more critters this weekend!

Mr. Dragon and I are at a special camera day at the zoo.
I prepared today's Camera Critters from some old photos (film not digital)
I came across recently. I knew I wouldn't have time for a *new* critter post.

I took these pictures about 10 years ago when we went to Florida to see a shuttle launch.
I love the turtle with the *plant* growing on his back and the green stuff he was living in.
I didn't see him until he moved. Really blended in the algae.

A white Egret.

My favorite shots were of the Night Heron.

I made 8x10's of both shots intending to frame them and never did.
I have the frames.
Maybe it's possible they'll hang around to be enjoyed!

Enjoy your weekend.