Yesterday was a magnificent day. Wednesday’s rain event of the year was over. The sky was blue again, and everyone in the nature was happily active. And I mean just about everyone.
I went for a long walk on the flooded beach, where the gulls and the terns where taking a collective bath in the brand new rainwater lake. It was like a crowded salon spa. A place for everyone to be.
The pelicans were back on the beach too, practicing tandem flying and synchronized diving.
But I also witnessed them trying to catch the same fish. Not a recommended practice. Like in any competition, only one can win. Or perhaps the fish wins.
That’s exactly what happened. The fish was spared this time around. One of the pelicans was back up on his wings immediately, but the other one appeared a bit dazed for a while.
I was curious to see what the torrential rains had done in the nature reserve and found a path to the park that didn’t require a kayak.
I immediately saw that the water level in the salt marsh was up by several inches.
Some of the small “islands” were completely or partially underwater, and fish were happily swimming in areas that were very shallow or dry earlier this week. Including my low-lying photo spots 🙂
It was lovely to see how the birds enjoyed the revitalized environment. They were out and about in big numbers!
Mister Green Heron, whom I hadn’t spotted for quite a while was enjoying the great views. He was in such a good mood that he even posed for a portrait.
He shared the tree with a juvenile Yellow Crowned Night Heron, who was perfectly camouflaged between the branches.
A little later I spotted her cousin, a juvenile Black Crowned Night Heron, at the other end of the marsh.
Papa Osprey was there too, at his nest like I’ve seen him every single day from my terrace, keeping an eye on the skies.
And the ground, where Tiny was waving to him, and where a Muscovy Duck and a Tricolored Heron were looking for food in the new shallows.
After spending more than an hour with the birds, I decided to go home through the beach, taking a shortcut at the tree line. There was a small strip of sand free of water and I managed to walk dry-footed to the side of our garden, which is elevated several feet higher.
But there I was trapped by a new four-foot wide “river” and my shortcut became a longish detour instead.
It was great to see such joy and activity among the birds. I truly enjoyed my long walk. I hope you did too. Have a wonderful weekend ❤ Tiny
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
How absolutely glorious – what a wonderful beginning to the week-end – enjoy! 🙂
The synchronized dive shot – beautiful timing and capture. And as always, great photos of Papa Osprey.
Thanks Eric. It seems that PO is guarding the nest, staying there for a few hours every day…although the nesting season here starts in December-January. He’s an “early bird” …
Ah the rejuvenation of some good rain! Everyone wins! Great shots too tiny. You are really getting so good at this! 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend my friend ❤
Happy you enjoyed the walk, Jackie! It was a good soaking, still got little more yesterday 🙂 Have a wonderful weekend my friend ❤
Such magnificent photos!
Thanks! The birds were quite cooperative 🙂
A beautiful collection of photos, Helen. Hard to pick a favorite. 🙂
Thanks Bob! I’ve not seen the birds so active for several weeks. I guess the summer heat made them want to hide…and now we’re going towards more pleasant temperatures.
I did enjoy my walk. Seems the birds adapt more quickly to a changed environment than we do. Of course they have the advantage of an aerial view of the lay of the land so know where to go. The green heron is gorgeous. Please tell him so when next you see him. 🙂
Thanks for coming along Gallivanta! The birds seemed to really enjoy the higher water levels and the fresh air. The Green Heron is my favorite too. I’ll tell him when I see him again 🙂 He’s probably there all the time, but extremely good in hiding.
Wonderful journey!
Happy you came along David! Have a great weekend.
A most wonderful and exciting set of photographs,
so very happy we met
Thank you very much for following. Eddie
Thank you kindly Eddie. Happy we’ve met too.
These photos are so gorgeous. I particularly like the herons.
Thanks Bruce. The herons are such gracious birds…and we seem to have almost all members of that extended family in this salt marsh.
Fabulous pictures sweet Tiny. I love the splash pictures and close-ups. Hugs
Happy you liked the birds. The diving shots were more luck than anything 🙂 Hugs to you too!
Lucky you! Living where the birds frolic so freely…
Yes, I’m truly lucky, and appreciate it every day, lots of nature close by and still close to “everything” we need.
Thanks for this amazing walk! Lots of celebrating going on here, how wonderful to see!
The birds were clearly happy for the rains…and we’re still getting more. That marsh has a lot of fish so it’s nice to see the water levels properly up now after the summer.
And your images are spectacular!
Beautiful pictures, as always. With the air turning decidedly colder up my way I was somewhat jealous of the birds who could still swim about in the still comfortably warm water.
The birds are so happy now that the water levels in the salt marsh are much higher, thanks to recent overnight downpours. I’m feeling just a little bit of cool down in the air, but look fwd to little more fall like temps. In any case, I’m going to experience the fall on my upcoming trip to Northern Europe at the end of the month. I hope your winter decides to wait a little bit…
You pix are incredible! A feast for the eyes!
Thanks!
Stunning shots! Have you noticed the follow icon is missing on everyone’s posts?
Thanks Cindy. I tested a few sites I do not follow and saw that the “follow” icon that used to be at the top of the page after “my sites” and “reader” is no longer there. Instead it pops up at the lower right corner after a little while on the site.