And on the 9th Day, the Heron Returned

Whatever pearl you seek,

look for the pearl within the pearl.

~Rumi

These parks are like a string of pearls. While they have history - like so many other places in the south, it's not heartwarming - these three gems along Nolan Creek now connect communities and people. Parts are developed and polished just enough for safe community use. Much remains wild-ish along the banks of the creek.

How could you not love this park?

 We usually from one to another along the hike and bike trail (I have only recently realized that was the correct name for the wide concrete sidewalk) greeting the dog walkers/runners and the saunterers - like us.  Then we walk back. I hear rumors that more pearls will be added, but that is not our concern today.

Today we gathered  - three women and two dogs. We talked about plans for the day and the rest of the week. We watched for the hawks and herons (the last heron - a Great Blue has been missing the last couple of days). I was determined to take some photos as I was so woefully unprepared yesterday (equipment failure because of operator error)...if only the birds would cooperate.

My companions

My friends and I were dazzled by the Red-shouldered Hawks. I see movement and shapes. VM sees color. She picked out both hawks - one on the park side and one across the creek. She is amazing. SC certainly has an eye for photography. Each day she captures in one shot the whole story of the walk.

Red-shouldered Hawk No. 1

Red-shouldered Hawk No. 2

No. 2 was in this tree across the creek. If you don't see it, don't fret. I didn't see it either. The camera did after VM told it where to focus.

The Osprey we saw yesterday had stayed along the creek allowing us the opportunity to watch it fly track the creek - fishing we decided. At one point we were within 20 or so feet as it flew past the elevated part of the trail...stunning.

The Osprey hovered a couple of times and seemed to miss one perch.

It flew past us and we were afraid it was done.

You can just see it flying off here. But it had not gone far. VM spied it at the edge of the creek.

It may be time to make a list of what we have observed here.

At the far end of our walk a Belted Kingfisher showed its stuff.

It flew to a utility wire facing upstream. I was trying to take a photo when it "took a dive." We thought it was gone, but it just changed position on the wire.

Now it was looking downstream. It glanced to the right.

And then to the left.  It continued to call and fish as we headed back to our vehicles.

My companions left before me. They had schedules and I wanted to see if I could find some of the smaller birds. The Cedar Waxwings and Goldfinches must be late sleepers. They showed up en masse.

One of the four bridges we see here. This is the oldest - graceful in it's ratty-old-self.

 

Oh, and the Great Blue Heron, missing for a few days, showed up under the Penelope Street Bridge.

Watching for fish.

I think this is the one that had injured it's wing - there is a similar mark.

Yes, we found pearls within the pearls. But then we always do. Here are some:

There were loads of crows today.

We saw "the boyfriend" with the other ferals (where the cats are fed by the bird lady - I think she'd feed me if she thought I was hungry).

We haven't seen all of the cats in a while.

Zelda and I walked to the footbridge and, surprise, saw yet another hawk. See - it's a little wild along the creek.

Hawk No. 3  was hard to see, but I had watched it fly up from the floor of the woods.

I know, I know. I hate squirrels too. But look at this cutie eating breakfast.

Some of the domestic fowl that hang out here. I took this photo for SC. She likes these crazy geese.

We are not sure why this camera crew was in the park. Student film, maybe?

Most of the time these guys are no cooperative.

Cedar Waxwings are such alien-looking birds.

They were very skittish...flying in and out. I just took the shots I could and hoped for the best.

They filled multiple treetops. I guess I should have estimated how many there were in the flock. Let's say 150 to 200 birds.

This is what they look like flying - not like their alien-selves.

 

There's always something to see. Always. So come on and find your park!