22/08/2024
I saw these four egrets on the edge of Beaver Pond. Unfortunately, my phone camera is not that great, but I was happy to see them. Usually there is only one, so, seeing four at once is a treat.
I walk to the pond with my friend, Vera, almost every single day. We sit on a bench and watch the world go by. People walking or jogging, alone, with friends, family, or their dog. We watch Canada goose families and their young waddling by, picking in the grass or just sitting on the shore, grooming themselves. It's fascinating to watch the dynamics within each goose family and how they react to others. We have seen cormorants gliding by before diving and disappearing under the surface of the water, only to reappear somewhere else. We have seen a blue heron, ducks, sparrows, finches, mourning doves and cardinals. We love listening to the birds singing in the treetops and try to recognize what kind of birds those are, because we don't always see them.
I mentioned this to my friend Jane, an avid bird watcher. She suggested that I downloaded an app called MERLIN. It helps us recognize the different sounds birds make. It is pretty amazing. You hold up your phone and the app shows you what kind of a bird you just heard. It even includes a photo of the bird. Being in nature soothes our souls. It inspires gratitude.
Goodnight 😴
