A-Z 2021 = Photo Shoot - H: Heron

 It's not often that that you get a bird that seems to pose just for you. More often you get one by chance like this one at Lake Orion, Michigan.

It was so well hidden that we nearly didn't see it at all.

However Harry, the heron is the poser and stands for hours at this small lake on my daughter's property.

Waiting for the frogs

In a reflective mood

Harry can wait all day.

Daily Walks in Michigan

Going for a walk in Michigan is certainly different when you are 3.2 miles away from a paved road. Not that there are any sidewalks (pavements even there)

At least I get the chance to walk the dogs.

Finn and Oscar in Stoneycreek Metro Park

Although it's more usual for me to walk them one at time, in turn, on separate days including Gabby, a Labrador.

On rare occasions in England I may see a deer, more often that not just as road kill. Here I can seen  them daily along Oakwood.

One of many viewed through the trees.

I still have to see one along the aptly named Deer Trail where I walk the dogs.

At home I record the types of bird I see each day and occasionally I'll see a heron circling the village. Here I just have to look outside to see whether - 

Harry's home 

Other birds are more difficult to see in the dense banks of trees. All I have managed to see reasonably clearly is this unknown in a tree in the back compound.

When it comes to insects the dogs were nosing this on the garage floor.

Fortunately there have been no flies this size on me.

Yesterday along the side of the Detroit river I was glad that I don't see buildings this size on my walks at home.

GM Renaissance Centre

Another thing that that is different here is that I can watch a Premier League match on TV - no subscription required - Burnley v Liverpool shortly.

Favourites for Thematic Photographic's 400th Outing

Congratulations to Carmi for having the dedication to run Thematic Photographic for over 8 years and for this, his 400th theme.

You always have to think about how to take photos which you interpret will match his theme.

This week choice of your favourite shots enables me to show four of what are/will be among the all time best for me.

In the days before digital cameras my photographs of people were never very good and frequently out of focus as well. However one I'll always cherish is a particular close up - 

Summer portrait at the Yorkshire village of Hutton-le-Hole

Last year I took pictures of hundreds of wild flowers and one beside the River Tees turned out better than I expected.

Another with a water theme was taken on Labour Day at Lake Orion, Michigan. What we thought was a metal statue hidden away in a stream turned out to be -

A rather splendid heron

Dogs have figured in many of my 261 thematic photography posts. This, from September 2016, will always be a favourite with me.

Scout - telling me to put my camera away.

He did not like to hear a camera click and usually turned away.

Unfortunately he crossed the Rainbow Bridge last Christmas and we all miss him so much.

Check out all the favourites for Carmi's 400th anniversary at Thematic-Photographic-400.

Bird of the Week

Lake Orion saw us on Labor Day, where we thought we saw a statue - until it moved.

But we will never find out whether it was Harry or Henrietta fishing at the bottom of the water cascade.