It was cold outside (46 degrees) by Northern California standards an I was debating weather to take a late afternoon bike
ride. I had just lost my best childhood friend and wanted to be in nature. Even the wine colored Patagonia Fleece Jacket my son
bought me for Christmas didn’t cut the feeling of what seemed like cold Arctic air. Then I felt a drizzle. At this point I wasn’t totally committed to continuing the ride and I was prepared to cut it short. The drizzle ceased and I made my way to the Los Gatos Creek trails just past the spillway of Vasona Lake Reservoir.
Everything was green and the creek beds were flowing like a rapid river. I stopped to check out the flow and as I turned around I spotted a stunning Great blue heron wadding in the water amongst the reed and rocks. I took a few photos from a distance and decided to make my way down the ravine to get closer. I was being careful not to scare it off because they cans be skittish. But, with the sound of the rushing water it didn’t hear me.
Or, maybe it did hear me since it began to move on its’ long stilted legs. I decided to take a short video to record its’ movement and the sound of the roaring water rushing into the creek from the spillway. It was so calm and elegant. When it got to a small boulder, I saw it quickly move its head and yellow beak down beneath the water and pierce a silvery gray small fish. If I blinked I woulld have missed it. It had been stalking its’ prey. Persistence paid off for heron and me. Instead of riding 5 miles, I did ten. I didn’t feel cold any more. For the heron it was his evening meal. It felt like a moment of grace and observing the natural order of things.
What I learned from the Great Blue Heron:
Wade into life
Keep a keen lookout
Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet
Be mindfully patient
Look below the surface
Enjoy a good reed
Go fish
