Heron on Ice

[yourlibrarian]

We were surprised to see the heron out on the ice last week, since we had thought it migrated each year. But apparently it's not unusual for them to stay put. It was not having the easiest time on the ice though, as up top it had nearly fallen over while trying to walk.





The next photo was my favorite. There was just something about it that made it look like the heron was having an existential crisis. Or maybe just thinking about the kind of year 2025 was.



In the next photo, lost in its own thoughts and ignoring the ducks.





I liked the knock kneed look.

Comments

[pauraque]

Love it! Herons do tend to have an existential crisis stare sometimes. Perhaps in this case wondering, "Why didn't I migrate when I had the chance?"

[yourlibrarian]

It would make sense alright!

[autobotscoutriella]

Oh, what a pretty heron!

I feel exactly like that first picture when there's ice in the parking lot, haha.

[yourlibrarian]

So say we all!

[full_metal_ox]

The square-cube law is not operating in the poor bird’s favor in this weather!

[shirebound]

I like the knock kneed look as well. Thank you for sharing this unusual winter sight!

[scintilla10]

Oh, how cool! Great shots. I love that you can see how startlingly wide the wingspan is in that first one.

[yourlibrarian]

It makes the heron look like a Dr. Seuss character.

[yourlibrarian]

It's one of the things that makes it look particularly comical when it flails around, because while it is graceful in the air, it is gangly when sliding on the ice 😉

[zenigotchas]

Fucking love herons. I need to tickle it....

[adafrog]

Cool.

[yourlibrarian]

That might cheer it up!

[yourlibrarian]

:}

[weofodthignen]

Oh poor thing. All the times I've fallen over on ice; I hope he's ok.

[yourlibrarian]

It never fell that we saw, just had some awkward flapping as it skidded.

[sixbeforelunch]

Great photos! I see what you mean about that one picture. I feel you, friend. I too sometimes lose myself to the existential dread.

[yourlibrarian]

There's certainly been lots of it to go around!

[adevyish]

The poor thing! It deserves to pterodactyl screech about it.

[vriddy]

I particularly love the third picture :D It's so neat with all the snow behind.

[cmcmck]

Great to see them about!

[kazzy_cee]

Cute!

[ribirdnerd]

Lol that's what I thought too!

[silveradept]

Oh, that heron looks a lot confused about what is going on there.

[turlough]

Wonderful photos but now I'm worried for the poor heron. I hope it will still manage to find food so it can survive the winter.

[scytale]

Omg those are so gorgeous! I love the in motion shot and also wow, the rest are so lovely and atmospheric.

[yourlibrarian]

Those do seem like possible ancestors.

[yourlibrarian]

Adds to that look of isolation!

[yourlibrarian]

Thanks!

[yourlibrarian]

Indeed!

[yourlibrarian]

Certainly a surprise. We haven't seen it since, so maybe it just stopped here on the way to somewhere less icy.

[yourlibrarian]

I think it may have moved on to somewhere that's easier to fish in.

[yourlibrarian]

This winter seems a particularly unusual one for a heron to stick around in, as we had early freezing and snow, and the lake has had at least an ice film for much of the past two months. I think it may have just been passing through.

[iddewes]

Great pics! I do hope the heron will be ok.

[egret]

Absolutely wonderful photos!

[semielliptical]

Great photos! And fun captions, too. :)