"Stand tall, stand proud. Know that you are unique and magnificent. You do not need the approval oof others."
—Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Cecile and I were walking along Rinconada Hills Lake while strolling our granddaughter Emmy, and suddenly we hear the loud voice
of a friend from across the lake, calling our attention to a Grey Heron standing as still as a statue on a rock patiently waiting for its’ next meal. I slowly walked towards it, taking serial photos as I advanced. The heron is an easily recognized, grey-backed bird, with long black legs, bright yellow bill, and a black eyestripe that continues as long, drooping feathers down its’ long white neck. They make quite a fashion statement. Herons nest in colonies called 'Heronries,’ often seen in the top of trees, where they make their large, ungainly nests out of twigs and lay 3-4 eggs. The young will fledge from the nest after about one and half months. If you spot one enjoy it while you can as it’s average lifespan is only 5 years.
These birds have always been the center of fashion. Sadly, in the early 1900’s, they were killed by the thousands so their flashy breeding plumes could adorn women’s hats. These plumes were quite the fashion statement of the day. Thanks to the Migratory Bird Treaty of 1916, that put a halt of the senseless slaughter of these and other migratory birds.
Heron Symbolism: Autonomy, persistence, peace, self-reliant, solitary, stability and resourceful. Whatever heron wants, heron gets.
