Heron Hotel

After several failed attempts, due to weather, I was finally able to hold the Bird Photography Workshop today. The weather could not have been more perfect. The temperature was in the low 80's and there was a nice breeze that seemed to pick up as the day went on. It goes without saying photo after photo after photo was taken in and around Old Hickory Lake. We photographed Great Blue Herons, Great White Egrets, Black Crowned Night Herons, Canadian Geese, Goslings, Mallards, Osprey, and well, you get the picture.

At our last stop at Lock 4 Park in Gallatin, just north of Hendersonville on Old Hickory Lake, I captured this image of the Heron Rookery. This rookery totally escaped my mind until Martha, a charming lady in the workshop, pointed it out to me. At the Heron Rookery in Hendersonville, watching the ladies in the workshop snapping photos was a lot of fun. They had a great time capturing images of an immature Great Blue Heron standing her the shoreline while its Mom and Dad were on guard not too far away. Great company and a great time was had by all. I wanted to share this particular image as every time I see it it reminds me of a hotel what with the various levels of heron nests, hence, the name the Heron Hotel. Hope you are having a great weekend and the weather is cooperative wherever you are. ENJOY!

Pair of Great White Egrets

All along Old Hickory Lake which is part of the Cumberland River that runs through downtown Nashville and northeast to Hendersonville and Gallatin, there are many small tributaries where you can view the many species of waterfowl that make this lake their home. There are also many species who migrate through on their way North or South during Spring and Fall.

It was mid May and as I was on my way home for the day, I spotted quite a few Great White Egrets gathered in one of the backwater tributaries of Old Hickory Lake situated next to the main road. It was late day and harsh light, but I got out of my car and stood and counted 26 Great White Egrets in that one area. It was an amazing sight. My 300 mm just couldn't get close enough to get the images I had hoped for, but I wanted to share one of the images with you. I have been way under the weather since New Year's Day, but wanted to share this first image of the New Year with you. ENJOY!