It is Saturday afternoon, I am under a little pressure to get my Photo of the Week article completed and sent in. My challenge is WHAT will my article be about!? It was a busy week for me, and during my travels no “opportunities” presented themselves, giving me some Photo Moments or Instant Stories!!! OK Plan B. I have to admit, Plan B can be quite enjoyable, offering me an opportunity to review photo files, bringing back memories, of many enjoyable past adventures. Can you believe it, the first file I picked, I came across some photos that CAUGHT MY EYE!! I begin my visit down memory lane in a file dated September 2014. Looking through the photos, I came across a visit to Allamuchy Pond and one of the first photos there was of a Great Blue Heron. Now at this point, I was not thinking about this being my Photo of the Week, I was just enjoying the photo. There was just something about the photo that kept me referring back and looking at it. It almost reminds me of a water-color painting, the coloring is very subdued throughout the picture. Now I am wondering why I hadn’t used this photo in my other albums concerning Great Blue Herons. I created a folder and placed a copy of this photo in it. I am continuing my photo adventure and come across another photo, same day and time, BUT, the photo is directly opposite of the previous photo!! This photo only covers a very small area with a small grasshopper as the subject. The photo is also much sharper and clearer as an image compared with the more opaque presentation of the Great Blue Heron. I note the difference and continue on my photo adventure. The next series of photos is also from the same date and time frame, AND NOW, I do remember this visit, manly because of this Green Heron and the photos I took of his different actions! OK, let me think about this, I am beginning to like this as an article, informing about an interesting site – Allamuchy Pond, showcasing wildlife at that site, I believe I have my Photo of the Week article.

MODUS OPERANDI
I believe my comments about the first two photos will serve as an introduction and I will elaborate a little more about the Green Heron’s actions as a follow up and closing segment to this short visit to Allamuchy Pond. FYI these photos were taken near the present day boat launch in back of Rutherfurd Hall.


GREEN HERON
This smaller bird is in the same family as the Great Blue Heron and as you can see size is a major difference. However, the hunting methods of both birds are very similar. Walk slowly through the water and wetlands, all the while listening for movement either on land or in/under water and when prey is found, position itself for a lightning fast strike using its long neck and bill to capture and kill its prey. Looking at the first photo of the Green Heron, you do not get a sense of any neck, but you look at the second photo and that little bird has a long neck!! The last photo of the Green Heron, look at the top of its head, the feathers are standing up, the bird does this when agitated or to look impressive.

Please go to my Flickr site for more info and photos of the Green Heron – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157647149202027
Please go to my Flickr site for more info and photos of the Great Blue Heron – https://www.flickr.com/photos/charliefineran/albums/72157633060663579


Enjoy Your Open Space


Charlie Fineran


Director Open Space
Allamuchy Township Environmental Commission – Chairman
Allamuchy Historical Society – President