My grandfather told me that the best technique for observing nature is to go to one spot and wait. It worked well this morning as I visited the pond at Marie Curtis Park.

Shortly after my arrival, a Great Blue Heron arrived. These magnificent birds average about four feet in height. There are often more Great Blues later in the summer as those who were born farther south start to wander.

MYSTERY BIRD

American Crows are about 17 – 21 inches in length.

A bird of about 8 inches in length suddenly appeared and chased after one of the crows for quite some time. What is it?

The bird shows a white belly and, if you look closely, you can see a white band across the tail tip. The feisty personality gives it the scientific name of Tyrannus tyrannus – an Eastern Kingbird.

Some botany:

NATURE POETRY

I see the great blue heron
Rising among the reeds
And floating down the wind,
Like a gliding sail
With the set of the stream. – Bliss Carman (1861 – 1921)

Miles Hearn