
Doesn’t appreciate the prickly bird guard.

But herons,

are not deterred,

by thorns.

They dance on them!

Other critters,

will shy away,

but herons are here to stay!
Cheers to you from the thorn dancing egrets~
Note: Snowy Egrets are members of the Heron family.
So playful
Yes! They are daily dancers დ
A colony of egrets come for a visit from time to time in the abandoned orchard across the street from us. We love to watch them.
Oh, I would so love to see them! დ
Truly awesome photos Cindy.
Thank you for making me smile Michael & take good care my friend დ
Most welcome. I am glad and thank you for your support.
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They are so beautiful.
Yes, and thankfully no longer sacrificed for women’s hats დ
They are lovely Cindy. I painted one and it was my husband’s favourite painting.
Leslie
Awww…. Love to you Leslie and take good care დდ
Superb captures, Cindy! Those wonderful, fluffy feathers.
Aren’t they gorgeous creatures. Thank you so much Jo & take good care my friend დ
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Wow! These could be some of the best Snowy Egret photos, ever. Great captures, Cindy! ❦❦
Awww….. Thank you Resa. They are wearing their feathered finest! დ
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Thank you for the excellent photographs! Amazing.
You are most welcome Joy. I am happy you enjoyed them & cheers to you დ
Marvelous!
Merci beaucoup mon Ami Jim დ
Hi Cindy, Now how did you know I was looking for photo references of Heron’s & Egrets for an oil painting I want to do of marshes? I was just going to do the marsh, then an idea came to me to “try” to put in a suggestion of at least one of these birds. I do not copy photo for my paintings, for landscapes, just use my imagination (however birds, animals, people, are different. Would you mind if I used your photos to get a suggestion of the heron for my painting? your photography as always is just stunning!
I would be so honored Mitchell. Thank you very much for asking & have a wonderful weekend დ
Thank you so much Cindy 🙂
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Fabulous photographs:). Enjoy the weekend. X
Grazie mille Janet დ
I love the swirly feathers. Great photos, Cindy.
Thanks very much & cheers my friend დ
These snowy Egrets are pretty, especially when they spread their white feathers. :0
Happy you like them. They are beautiful and graceful birds დ
Super shots Cindy. I’ve just posted on how the great egret is increasing in numbers. Is it the same with the snowy egret too, do you know?
Yes. Snow Egret populations are thriving. You might find this interesting: https://instituteforcommunitysolutions.org/how-the-snowy-egret-was-saved/
What a lovely story, thanks!
You are so welcome Denzil & cheers to you დ
I am so in love with the curves of the heron! 🤍❤️
Aren’t they delicately beautiful creatures! I love them too დ
Wunderschöne Fotos. Vielen Dank dafür.
Vielen danke mein leiber Freund Marie დ
There is a life lesson here, Cindy. May we learn to dance in difficult situations with the grace and elegance of the Heron. Wonderful captures that made me day beautiful. Hugs!
Beautifully thought and expressed Rebecca, as is usual with you my friend. Thank you & be well დ
They are a beautiful bird Cindy, those fluffy silky white feathers stand out like they are the angels for the bird world. Great pictures dear lady 😀❤️🙏🏽
Awww….. “Angels of the bird world.” I love that Mark. Thank you დ
What a beauty!!
He is dressed for success! 😉
That he is. A little Liberace in him!
Smiling….
Wow! Wonderful shots of a beautiful bird.
So thoughtful and so appreciated! Cheers to you and thank you დ
As always, real good photos.
Grazie mille დ
Very beautiful photos, Cindy! I have never seen that bird’s feathers like that, the bird almost looks angry. ❤️
I really think he was quite miffed! დ
I love the ‘they dance on them’ photo. Awesome pics. Gorgeous bird!
So appreciated. Thank you Julie & take good care დ
He’s so white! Almost looks like somebody doused him in bleach. What a beautiful birdie. I’m surprised thorns don’t bother his feeties though.
He is a most skillful thorn dancer! დ
This is simply delightful!
Awww…..So is your lovely comment! Thank you დ
Amazing to see a heron amongst thorns, wow! I really am intrigued on how so many birds can be on thorned branches or cacti, even building nests on them so easily. Unique captures, Cindy! 💞
Yes, it is an amazing adaptation. These egrets also do their mating dances and nest on the thorns. It keeps other predators away დ
They are beautiful! Especially the ones where its’ fine delicate feathers are all ruffled.
Thanks much Sheryl. Happy you enjoyed them დ
What a beautiful creature! On some pictures it looks as if it would wear a wedding dress. 😉
Have a fine weekend and stay safe, dear Cindy!
You are more than accurate Martha. These were mating birds doing mating dances! You are clever my friend დ
Gorgeous pictures of beautiful birds,
And gorgeous thoughts with beautiful words.
Aww… Your beautiful words made me smile. Thank you both very much & cheers დ
Herons/egrets know how to dance! And don’t they do a mating dance? Gorgeous portraits of these magnificent birds. Cheers back to the holler from the coast!
They certainly do dance for mates, and quite beautifully too. Thanks much my friend & stay safe and well დ
What magnificent Plumage he has… Beautiful images Cindy <3
So appreciated Sue. Take good care my friend დ
Love the scowl and the feathery plumage. Great shots.
Isn’t that scowl perfection! I related to the irritated birdie 😉
Such beauties… great photos, Cindy! 💕 👏🏼
Merci beaucoup mon Ami Eliza დ
Snow egrets have such beautiful feathery plummage–and it appears to stay snowy white!
Yes. Always dressed to impress! 😉
Stunning photographs, once again, Cindy!
Aww… So appreciated. Thank you Debra & cheers to you დ
Very pretty
Grazie Donna დ
Fab shots, as always. I didn’t know Egrets were related to Herons – though I can see the resemblance now you mention it.
Thanks much. I call herons dinosaur birds because once a Great Blue Heron shocked me unexpectedly when I opened our front door. My stunned brain couldn’t immediately process what was standing there, and informed me there was a ‘dino at my door’. It was so large up close and shockingly unexpected. It took a second or two for my stunned brain to figure out it was a very tall great blue heron! 😉
So elegant! I love the combination of black legs and yellow feet.
Aren’t they wonderful! I love the combo too დ
These Egrets was such great posers . They are so photogenic. Anita
Yes, they are ethereal creatures დ
The tone changed from intimidating to angelic. Beautiful post!
Thank you very much Michele & be well დ
Impressive and regal looking. Do the egrets live near you? Lovely post, Cindy. Thank you. oxox
Yes, they do, all herons do too. Sometimes they show up close and personal which is always surprising, but has happened all my life, in different places. Herons fly where they want to, lucky birds. Kiss your new grandbaby for me დ
Cool, Cindy. I think there is a resident blue heron down by our lake park. Only see him in the summer if we’re lucky. Standing on one leg. Posing for photos. Kisses await the visit of our granddaughter! Enjoy the weekend. oxox დ
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I’m continuously impressed by your ‘inheron’ talent, my friend! Have a wonderful weekend! 𓅣♡ ~(‘▽^人)
Visa versa 2UX2! დდ
ʕ♡˙ᴥ˙♡ʔ
They definitely know how to tiptoe around the prickles! Gorgeous photos, Cindy. 🙂
Yes. Such an important life skill! Be well Lynette & thank you დ
Beautiful photos and exposition on herons!!!
So appreciated. Thanks much & cheers! დ
Exquisite Cindy. This is truly a picture poem. And I am happy to see so many others who are enjoying your offerings.
Thanks much Neil. I am enjoying your wonderfully creative poetry my friend დ
Splendid portraits – as always
Thank you sincerely Derrick & cheers my friend დ
Totally fabulous photos
So appreciated Sheree. Thanks my frien & take good care დ
Très beaux clichés.
Très appréciée. Merci დ
Gorgeous, glamorous egret!
He is all dressed up and ready to date! 😉
wow talk about staying white….interesting bit about them walking on thorns… coming back up this way? have you ever been to Omega Park in Quebec..?
This is so amazing you mentioned this! We are in the midst of planning a trip back to Quebec in September. I abosolutely want to visit this park. We are planning to stay in Montreal and then rent a cabin in the wilderness. How long is the drive to the park from Montreal? დ
Beautiful Images I love the one where the bird is preening those beautiful fronds such a handsome boy…
He is dressed to impress the ladies! 😉
And very smart he looks too 🙂
He does indeed!
I didn’t know that snowy egrets perched in thorn trees! That seems like a good way to keep away from other creatures.
Exactly right. They dance where others fear to go! დ
Cindy, thank you for these wonderful photographs!
So appreciated Charles. Thank you my friend & take good care დ
Quite the ballet dancers! How delightful 🥰
So Happy you enjoyed Val & Happy Weekend! დ
Great photos and story Cindy. He does look rather fierce and pissed off in the first image!
I look that in the morning if I don’t get enough sleep! 😉
Come sempre riesci a stupirmi con i tuoi preziosi e ineguagliabili primi piani sulla natura.
Buon fine settimana e un sorriso,silvia
Sei così premurosa e gentile Silvia. Grazie mille amico mio e abbi cura di te! დ
Grazie dei bei pensieri, un caro saluto
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Prego, cari saluti
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Phenomenal images of the dancing egrets…gorgeous birds…thank you so much.
So happy you enjoyed them Sheila & take good care my friend დ
Beautiful picture.
Muchas gracias Gwennie დ
Beautiful!
Merci beaucoup John დ
The egrets are so beautiful. Your photography is excellent!
Aww… So thoughtful and so appreciated Lavinia დ
Beautiful!
Grazie mille Chris დ
The Georgian alphabet!? Very cool Cindy! A new path to explore 🙂
You are the first to know. Congratulations!!! ბრავო
As always, Cindy, incredible photos, and I might add, of an incredibly beautiful bird. –Curt
So appreciated Curt! Cheers to you & take good care დ
The feather details are marvelous.
So happy you enjoyed & thank you! დ
Great pics Cuz, especially the one with the mating plumage!!! Hugs !
Hugs back to you cuz & thanks much! დ
Ooh… so beautiful, Cindy! Love these close up captures! 🙂
Thank you Amy & cheers my friend დ
Oh my goodness, their feathers are magnificent! It’s like that head turn you do when you have a great hair day and the shiny mane blows in the wind. lol
Yes!!! They are all dressed up and ready to DANCE! 😉
So ready! Their feathers are silky and glossy.
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Wonderful as usual Cindy, especially the shot under “by thorns”. Brilliant!
Alison
Thanks so much Alison & Hope all is well with you my friend დ
Yes, all is well. Took a bit of a break from the blog while in Oz for 2.5 months. Hope all is well with you. xo
Oh to be in Oz! I would so love to be back…..
Such a beautiful and entertaining bird. Great shots, Cindy!
So happy you enjoyed Eugenia & thanks for stopping by! დ
Word press playing funny games says I might like Cindy Knoke. How long have I been following you but must have got cut off at some point. Love the herons and now refollowing!
Sigh….. So sorry. WP likes to cut off my followers and hope they don’t notice. I think they like to control traffic. So happy to have you back my friend & cheers to you დ
Snowy plumage is so lovely and finely textured. Much better on the bird than millinery.
Couldn’t possibly agree with you more about the millinery. Feathers are meant for birds! დ
My goodness, thorn dancing beauties, with lace wings.
They are natural born beauties! დ
Yes!
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This photo is absolutely beautiful!
Aww…. So very appreciated. Thank you very much my friend & be well დ
Oh Cindy, I’ve not seen one so gloriously captured! Thanks. Pat, pat, boing, bounce.
: )
Now the only challenge would be climbing the thorn tree to pet them! Murph could do it though! 😉 😉
Why are you always discouraging me!?! Also, why is it amusing to both of us? You always find a way… Booger, you keep seeing the holes in my plots 😀 Well, Murph is more of a room service individual. He does not need to work hard & is fully aware of this. He barely climbs his Valentine’s day pillow I bought for him!! Murph could do what he does best, charm them with his zen and handsomeness… so that I may then pat & make boing these beautiful creatures upon their adorable little legs. Tee hee
Cracking up….. Murph is truly the ultimate Lizard King! (I am not going to tell Penelope my bearded grand-dragon this. It would spoil her day and provoke familial arguments). Clearly, all others are mere wanna-be-Murph-imitators, poor little lizzies! 😉 😉 დ
Dearest Cindy, I’m about to link to your site and share your awesome Lizard King comment…. cool?
Of course. I am honored and so appreciate your asking. Have a wonderful week!
They really are beautiful creatures. So impressive that some can walk around the thorns.
Birds have so many hidden talents, like people in this way დ
Another splendid set of pictures, Cindy.
Honored. Thanks very much & cheers to you დ
So beautiful and tenacious too. Not to be deterred! 😊
They nest on thorns and keep predators away. Smart birdies! დ
Wonderful photos! I love the photo-poetry you have created here
Thank you sincerely & I am happy you enjoyed. I was just over admiring and now following your fascinating blog დ
Thank you for checking mine out too 😊😊
You are most welcome.
Beautiful!
Grazie mille Esther დ
Cindy, glad to hear the snowy egrets are doing well, and this one certainly seems to enjoy the spotlight here. Great pictures!
Much appreciated Bruce & happy you enjoyed the harried herons! 😉
Wonderful shots, Cindy, and love the yellow feet!
Those feet are good for dancing! 😉 😉
LOL!
Wow those thorns look lethal! What surprisingly yellow feet!
Birdies are always full of surprises, and hidden talents! დ
Magnificent bird, magnificent photos.
Aww… Honored you think so Carol & thank you sincerely დ
Wonderful.
“Un héron au long bec emmanché d’un long coup…” The start of a La Fontaine fable. Not too sure how to translate it but it would go like this:
A heron of the long beak at the (very) end of a long neck… Doesn’t sound that good in English… LOL
Great pictures nonetheless.
I know this and love it! It captures the haughty heron’s murderous grace perfectly:
“A long-legged Heron, with long neck and beak,
Set out for a stroll by the bank of a creek.
So clear was the water that if you looked sharp
You could see the pike caper around with the carp.
The Heron might quickly have speared enough fish
To make for his dinner a capital dish.
But he was a very particular bird:
His food fixed “just so,” at the hours he preferred.
And hence he decided ’twas better to wait,
Since his appetite grew when he supped rather late.
Pretty soon he was hungry, and stalked to the bank.
Where some pondfish were leaping–a fish of low rank.
“Bah, Bah!” said the Bird. “Sup on these? No–not I.
I’m known as a Heron: as such I live high.”
Then some gudgeon swam past that were tempting to see,
But the Heron said hautily: “No–not for me.
For those I’d not bother to open my beak,
If I had to hang ’round come next Friday a week.”
Thus bragged the big Bird. But he’s bound to confess
That he opened his elegant beak for much less.
Not another fish came. When he found all else fail,
He was happy to happen upon a fat snail.”
The authorized translation I imagine. Quite “a strange” and interesting to read it in English…
Thank you Cindy…
I read it when I was young. Has a Kipling flair to it.
Interesting that La Fontaine should be studied in your neck of the woods. To me, it is so Franco-French… And I had not though of Kipling. You have a point there… I wonder whether Kipling spoke French? Many English did then…
He did speak French. He took an ‘interlude’ in the midst of his school years and spent time in France, learned the language and attended The World’s Fair in Paris of 1878 which lasted for many months. Wouldn’t you like to beam back and visit him in Paris!
I thought he might. And Urdu too… 😉
I didn’t know about that “interlude”. I will look up his biography. Thanks for the info Cindy. have a great week.
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Stunning photos, Cindy! The sheer white of the feathers is astonishing and amazing how you’ve been able to capture their fine feathery adornment in detail! I love their dance on thorns – they have much to teach us in life! Xx
So happy you enjoyed them Annika. Birdies are illuminating in so many ways. Thank you my friend & take good care დ
In Wedding Dress forever!
Exactly! Forever courting lucky birdies 😉 😉
🙂
Will you be getting any rain or snow into The Holler? The heron at the top of the post seems all poofed out.
We experienced disappearing followers a couple of weeks ago. We knew who, so we fixed it ourselves. WP seems they’re incapable of fixing the issue that may be behind it, or they’re deliberately doing it themselves.
Yes, we are getting slammed with storms which is great. We are skiing now and I haven’t seen storms like this in California. It is wonderful for the state but also quite intense. Your Dad says somw of your family are in SoCal about now, so I am sure you are familiar with the ongoing storms. WP deletes followers period. It is still happening to me and to others. It is similar to less than transparent vendors selling things who make consistent accounting “mistakes” in their own favor. You note, over time, the errors are always to their financial benefit, not visa versa. When you point this out, they say, “Ooops, I charged you too much again, SORRY!” WP deleting followers frees up space. Blogs are WP apartment renters. Some blogs are apartments that keep getting larger, deleting followers is the WP solution to curtail the trend. They should just be up front about it. Offer a fee for blogs that grow past their preferences. I don’t appreciate the lack of transparency. So sorry this is happening to you too. Take good care & stay dry and warm დ
How much snow in the Holler???
I just took some photos. More than I have ever seen on our nearby mountains and so low in elevation. And more storms are coming. We were skiing. The blizzards are still coming. The Sierras will be open for skiing probably until July. დ
Great photos, these are such gorgeous snow-white beauties.
Awww….. So happy you enjoyed them & thanks very much! დ
Nice shots! Love the toddler feather/ bad hair day one!
Smiling…. I love that expression, “Toddler feathers!” დ
Dancing on thorns. I like it! We come across many thorns in life. We should all learn to dance on them!
Exactly! Or at least dance amongst them 😉 😉
Cindy, you captured such brilliant detail in the feathers. How gorgeous! You arranged them into a lovely story. Hugs on the wing.
So appreciated! Hugs flying back to you dear Teagan & thank you! დ
I love the expressions on the egrets. They look so mischevious. I see a lot of egrets down here in Florida.
I love your Florida birds. Such beautiful variety დ
Dear Cindy
GREAT pictures of the heron 👍 👍
Funny that we posted heron pictures at the same time.
Keep well and happy
The Fab Four of Cley
🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Jung is watching from above, noting the synchronicity….. 😉
Indeed!
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Oh, Goodness! That 4th or 5th picture is glorious! As he dances among the thorns with those wind blown, whisky, gossamer feathers! 😍 my kinda bird!
He dressed to impress and suceeds! 😉
De bien jolies photos, elles font rêver, remettre les pieds sur terre.
Merci pour tous ces travaux de qualité.
Wow – so many Likes and comments. Excellent clicks of these savage beauties. What camera and lens you using? Also welcome to visit my travel & lifestyle blog :). Thanks. Bliss.
Lovely to meet you & thank you. I use the Sony HX400 which has a variable lens up to 1200mm equivalent დ
Rather them than me with those thorns!
Yes. They are rather lethal looking aren’t they! დ
A touch so! 😂
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I love all the details you’ve captured and the grumpy look in those first two photos is quite comical.
Herons are hilarious birdies. Happy you enjoyed them & cheers to you Bridgette დ
That was some wild rock star dancing! Great capture.
Smiling…. Thanks much Rebecca & be well my friend დ
😀 you too, Cindy!