Fall has finally arrived here in Florida too. Breezy days with moderate chop on the ocean and on the bay. Many days have been bright and gorgeous, others grey and gloomy. Like today when I took my only “proper” walk this week to check on the residents at the salt marsh.
At the first glance the marsh looked empty. Most birds had already taken shelter in anticipation of storms in the afternoon. But Mama Sandy was perching at the nest. She was turned towards the bay looking intently at something I couldn’t see from the ground.
She greeted me, of course, and I spent some time with her. Then I walked around the marsh to see if anybody else would be at home.
First I spotted the Reddish Egret. He was hunching on one of the little islets, and looked very serious. Like waiting for the rain to arrive. And not in the mood for any entertainment.
Looking carefully into the bushes and trees I saw the Yellow-crowned Night Heron hiding in a tree next to the deep water.
In nearby tree I found a juvenile, maybe his offspring. Another juvenile, a Black-crowned Night Heron, was hunkered down in the shallow water not too far away. After all, there was lots of life at the marsh, but everybody seemed prepared for the rains to come.
The young Muscovy Duck was there too. He had now fully recovered after losing a bunch of feathers a couple of weeks back.
I spotted some egrets and the Moorhen family too, but decided to go search for Papa Stanley. Wanted to make sure he was somewhere nearby and had not taken another vacation. So I walked towards his resort to accompaniment provided by a Northern Mockingbird.
The resort was empty. I crossed the street and walked towards the Sailing Center on the bay side. From afar I could see an Osprey perched on the mast of a sailing boat.
It proved to be Stanley. He was looking towards the salt marsh, and I realized he could see Sandy.
And I understood that Sandy had been looking at him. After what happened last week, he might be under strict instructions not to disappear from sight. Mama Sandy knows what she wants. Her hubby nearby.
Even on a somber day, like today, Mother Nature has the ability to elevate my mood and refresh my spirit. I wish you all a wonderful weekend and hope you too will have the opportunity to spend some time in nature. Peace.
TINY LESSONS BLOG 
Love that cute young duck!
He says thanks David!
He better stick close to home if he knows what’s good for him. haha! 🙂 Have a great weekend my friend. ❤
Haha. You’re right, Jackie. He seems to have learned his lesson. I still wonder what Sandy said to him 🙂 Have a good weekend too, my friend ❤
Great photos Tiny! The reddish egret is such a beautiful bird! I hope to see one some day:)
Thanks Stephanie! The Reddish Egret is usually very entertaining when hunting. It’s a dramatic performance. But today he was very serious 🙂 I’m sure you’ll see one soon!
I’m glad to hear the duck got its feathers back. I wonder why it had lost them in the first place.
I’m not sure how he lost them. A couple of weeks ago I found him in a pile of feathers. Either he was in a fight with another big bird, or he didn’t like the color of those feathers and plucked them out. He didn’t tell.
Haha! I love the idea that it was just a quick change of wardrobe on his part. Anyway, I’m glad the little fellow is now back to being a picture of sartorial elegance. 🙂
He’ll be happy to learn about his sartorial elegance 😀
I love visiting your world Helen. The colors and the energy are great! Happy Friday. 🙂
Happy to have you visit, Karen. The skies were cloudy today (and it rained the whole afternoon), but the colors were still beautiful. And this place never fails to invigorate my sprit 🙂 Happy weekend!
Gorgeous captures – love how Sandy and Stanley look out for one another! 🙂
Thank you Joanne. Sandy’s and Stanley’s saga is so great to follow. They are love birds, but have their struggles ~ much like us 🙂
Wow! Great photos, Tiny! Hugs, N 🙂 ❤
Happy you enjoyed my “gloomy day” photos, Natalie 🙂 ❤
Great shots Tiny! Enjoying your friends at the Salt Marsh just like I do with mine! 🙂
Yes! We both have a regular cast to enjoy 🙂 Thank you, my friend.
So glad to see that Ducky is recovering well 🙂 Thanks much for this latest update! ❤
Thank you for your kind comment, Takami ❤ We are always happy to see you here 🙂
Beautiful post – uplifting!
I’m happy to hear that Julie!
Your photographs were particularly good this week I thought, well done you.
Thank you Susan! Happy you enjoyed them.
The Egret does indeed look grumpy Helen, yet rather beautiful all at once – quite a trick.
Yes, it’s quite a trick. This particular Egret is usually the entertainer of the marsh. His fishing techniques are so dramatic. But yesterday he was in a beautiful-somber mood. We all wish you a great weekend.
You have a lovely weekend too Helen. I shall be off walking on the local Nature Reserve here in Somerset, England, yet shall nothing see like the variety of birds on your own doorstep. We have incredible murmurations of starlings here currently though, which are a miraculous sight.
Enjoy the murmurations, Hariod! And you might encounter other small miracles as well.
Wow – your portrait of the yellow-crowned night heron is stunning! The reddish egret does look very somber. It’s true, nature is a healer, even on the gloomiest of days. May peace be with you, too, Tiny.
That night heron was hidden so far in the tree that taking a portrait was the only option for me. They are actually very beautiful. We’re in a gloomy mood today too…and probably also over the weekend, but I’m hoping to get out there anyway. Have a wonderful weekend, Barbara.
Another grand collection . . . even of Grumpy Gus!
Thanks Nancy! We don’t often see the Grumpy Gus quite like that grumpy! Have a great weekend.
Feeling elevated and refreshed here, too. A walk in the salt marsh will do that for you…even vicariously. Ahhh… Happy weekend!
I’m happy to hear that Cyndi! Every time I open the TV now, I feel an urge to get out to the avian world at the salt marsh…probably will get out there again over the weekend, rain or shine. Have a good one!
Gorgeous photos again, Helen. I’m glad Mama Sandy has got her hubby close by again. The reddish Egret is so handsome, and the Night Heron is really cute. 🙂 Yes, we can all wish for a peaceful weekend. I’m almost afraid to switch on the TV news these days.
You said it Sylvia. Switching the TV on makes me want to run to my feathery friends for a moment to elevate my perspective. These guys are always peaceful. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend 🙂
Fantastic photos! Have a great weekend as well!
Thank you Kathy! Happy you liked my “gloomy day” photos 🙂
I always love your photos!
Wonderful pictures for a dull day. I think that the reddish egret may be my new favourite bird.
…Or for any sort of day, come to that.
Happy you liked my “gloomy” shots. The Reddish Egret is a fascinating bird. I hope to catch him fishing again one of these days. That is a spectacle.
I look forward to that.
Me too!
Such a refreshing post dear Tiny!Even on a gloomy day nature brings peace into our hearts!Our feathered friends are always there waiting for you.They can sense your caring love and your admiration for their beauty!Each one unique and posing with grace for you my friend!I so much liked all of them and especially Sandy and Stanley on their observation posts!Have a wonderful weekend!Peace to you too 🙂 xxx
Thank you dear Doda! It is true that nature is the best elevator of mood, so peaceful but active at the same time. I think these birds have gotten used to me and sense I care about them as not one of them moved away when I came walking by 🙂 I am happy too that Sandy and Stanley stay close together…they will start their “remodeling” project of the nest in just 6 weeks! Wishing you a peaceful weekend. XX
Stanley and Sandy set a very good example for us!Couples seem to separate so easily nowadays,and instead of remodelling homes,they tear them down.I wish you also have a peaceful weekend 🙂 xxx
Thank you! I fully agree, and often think about how this couple can teach us so many things 🙂 XX
🙂 xxx
What beautiful photos. I like the head shot of the heron most, maybe because its eye looks so sharp.
Thank you Zambian Lady. I’m happy you liked them. This night heron posed calmly while sitting close to the trunk of the tree.
Your fall is still suspiciously like my Sumner. At any rate I expect some of hour guests – human and otherwise will soon be arriving from my home.
Nice to see you Maurice! Yes, I’m sure it will be much like your summer for a while more before it gets really windy and cooler. I’ve seen many human guests arrive already and few birds too, but it seems the latter are coming a bit later this year.
Peace to you and all your salt-marshy friends.
Thank you, and the same to you, Susan.
What a wonderful post! Thank you Tiny.
Happy you enjoyed it, Rebecca!
Great selection of your friends out there Tiny! We actually gave up on the gloom here today when it started raining….;-(
Love the Night Herons – we’ve even had a juvenile Reddish Egret here lately, too – a first for me except for the ones I saw last year at Ding Darling.
I gave up on the gloom yesterday as well. It was pouring down the whole afternoon, but today looks more promising…time for some exploration. I’d love to see a juvenile Reddish Egret here too!
So much beauty and insight on the great days! Lovely post 💛
Should read grey days! Hope your weekend is going well Helen 💛
Thank you Val! I’m gathering my winter clothes and shoes…will head to Europe later this week and expect to see some snow 🙂
Bbbbrrr .. that damp wind from the north gets into your bones. Layer up Helen!!
I will…leggings under jeans to be able to take walks in the nature, gloves, etc. 😀
Great! 🙂
Fabulous captures! Excellent photography!
Thank you! Happy you liked them.
🙂