Striking a Pose, Great Blue Heron

As I ventured out to do some birding today, I spotted this Great Blue Heron striking a pose and definitely on the prowl for a quick meal. He was perched atop a dead tree which had extensive branches and was washed up against the bank at Old Hickory Lake near Old Hickory Dam in Hendersonville. I must have been several hundreds yards from him and while I wanted to get closer, I chose not to. I could tell he wouldn't have stayed put had I moved toward him, so I let my 300 mm do the work. Just off to the right of me was a guy standing on a short dock throwing out a line. The Heron didn't seem to mind him, but he saw me and I wasn't getting any closer.

The long awaited Christmas holiday has come and gone. It was a great Christmas this year. I spent the holiday with my sister and her husband and family. I have spent holidays with my sister and her family for many years now. She is a fantastic cook and we all exchange gifts and enjoy some dessert afterwards. It was great to see my family. Next stop, New Year's Eve. Are you ready to ring in the New Year. I will probably do what I always do on that evening, spend it at home watching the ball drop. Back soon. ENJOY!