In Pursuit of the Great White

On our last trip to the Eastern Everglades, my husband and I spotted a rare bird–rare at least for us. Positioned beside a canal, casually drying enormous white wings cupped to his sides like a satellite dish,  sat a large Great White Heron. By the time we readied our cameras, this shy bird spread his great wings and flew deeper into the cover of sawgrass and assorted brush. All that remained in our cameras was a white blur. We determined to revisit the same spot soon in hopes of capturing an image of this beautiful avian species.

Returning this week, we spotted him just before he once again sought cover while keeping a wary eye on the intruders. I was photographing from just inside the rear of our open SUV hatchback 35-40 feet away, however  I’ll admit that we must have been quite a spectacle for a wild bird.

Curious Great White Heron

The subject of our quest, Ardena Herodias Occidentalis, is a sub-species of the Great Blue Heron. Unique to South Florida and the Florida Keys, the Great White Heron is identical in every way to the Great Blue except that its feathers are pristine white. It is the distinct white form, or  morph, of the Great Blue.  In fact, sometimes it chooses a blue morph as a mate.

Not wanting to intimidate the bird, we waited until Mr. Magnificence felt comfortable enough to show himself. Patience paid us well.

Ardena Herodias Occidentalis

It is difficult to gauge the size of this bird from a photograph.  It stood about 4 1/2 feet tall with a wingspan of over 6 feet.  That said, it moved with all the grace of a ballerina. Of course, if a fish or frog came into view it would strike with lightning speed.  We enjoyed watching the bird for some time while it kept track of us.  Finally it took a few moments to preen, a sign that our presence was no longer so disturbing. Before leaving, I captured his portrait. What a fine bird!

Ever Watchful Ardea Herodias Occidentalis

The Everglades has many natural treasures for us to discover. Now that the winter season has begun and wildlife has returned, I look forward to each visit with eager expectation. This watery, grassy world abounds with effervescent life just awaiting our appreciation and enjoyment.  I hope you’ll return to Morning Joy to see what we discover on our next trip to Florida’s unique Everglades.

Along the Anhinga Trail

Little Blue Heron

Joy! The weather is cooler, the hordes of mosquitoes are dissipating, and the birds are back in the Southern Everglades. Last week’s visit to the Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park brought delightful discoveries all along the 0.8 mile paved trail and boardwalk. I have captured a few of them to share with you.

Great Blue Herons fished along the trail-side canal.

Great Blue Heron

Often they would take to the skies with huge graceful wings pumping air as they flew.

Great Blue Heron in Flight

Anhingas perched along the shore before diving for their next aquatic meal.

Female Anhinga

This Tricolored Heron waded among colorful water plants in search of prey.

Tricolored Heron

Perky Green Herons fished from low-lying branches. This little guy raised his crest, Mohawk style, in response to a territorial intruder.

Green Heron

New treats for the eyes and soul appeared at every turn of the trail. This Everglades vista beckoned me from the boardwalk to pause and breathe deeply of the refreshing breeze, enjoy the warm sunlight, and listen to the gentle rustle of tall grasses.

Scene along the Anhinga Trail Boardwalk

I eagerly await opportunities to explore the never ending beauty of Everglades National Park during the winter and spring seasons. I find this untouched wildness restorative and exciting at the same time. It is a place of beauty that each person enjoys in response to their personal awareness and need–a unique place to connect with God’s creation.

Bees on Spatterdock

Whitewater!

Our recent October trip through Great Smoky Mountain National Park coincided with a cold front that dropped considerable rain on the usually dry autumn mountains. My husband’s and my disappointment over gray skies soon turned to elation as we discovered full waterfalls and raging streams and rivers. Our travels along Little River Road on the Tennessee side of the park revealed the swollen Little River. Naturally, we stopped to take photographs.

Raging Little River, Tennessee--Great Smoky Mountain National Park

We were joined at one stop along the river by men in wetsuits. They studied the river, discussing passages around boulders and through whirling eddies. Above, an old tree stump seemed to look down on the visitors with a foreboding frown.

River Sentinel

Curious, I asked one man about their intentions. Before jumping in his car, he explained that they planned to run the rapids in their kayaks.  I looked at the river and wondered how they could navigate such whitewater. Farther down the road, we noticed a collection of parked cars so we pulled over and hastened to the river to investigate.  Several whitewater kayakers gathered in the boiling water above a treacherous S-curve leading around a dangerous looking promontory. Later, I wondered if this was the legendary Mary’s Rock that hid a hole where a careless kayaker could be trapped. While I watched, the kayakers entered the downstream current one at a time for what must have been a thrilling ride.

Running the Rapids

This gentleman appeared to be the group’s leader. He was the first one through the rapids and he waited in an area of calm water until each person safely navigated the S-curve.

Safely Through

While searching for information on whitewater kayaking in Great Smoky Mountain National Park, I found an Extreme Kayaking You Tube video that you might enjoy watching. I believe it was taken at the same place on Little River.

I’m hoping to return to the park in the spring for a photography workshop when once again mountain fed rivers run full. I wonder what serendipitous experiences spring will bring to this mountainous masterpiece of creation.

Waterfall Watching

Looking Glass Falls, Pisgah National Forest, North Carolina

While wonder-walking in forested reverence

Only a wren’s call fell through sunbeams,

Punctuating wind rustled leaves.

Then, I heard your distant roar.




My heart leapt as I turned to pursue you,

With upturned ear and feet ascending

Over rocky crag and laurel hugged path,

Drawn by your pulsating frenzy.




Breathless, I found you

Wildly dashing to your precipice.

Then, abandoned you grasped the air

Where in glorious freedom you fell.




Sunlight danced upon your face

While rainbows played within your mist

Just as you caught your breath,

Before plunging into aqua deep.




There you swirled by speckled trout

Before resuming your steady race

Over riverbed your artistry carved

Suspended, I watched— lost in your beauty.

Meigs Falls, Great Smoky Mountain National Park