Everywhere we went at Save Our Seabirds Sanctuary, we saw this inquisitive Great Blue Heron. Not one of the "patients", apparently he just flew in to visit friends ...
... Or perhaps to see what the facility was all about. Or maybe he wanted to be let in because he was hungry or tired of the rainy day (it had poured off and on all that day).
Everytime we turned a corner, there he'd be, a few steps ahead of us. We stopped each time to let him visit for a while before we walked on. I wonder what they were saying to each other.
I didn't get very good pictures of the Sandhill Cranes, so I included portions of a couple of signs to show why most of them are there:
And to explain better than I could why so many of them need help:
SHARED with Stewart's WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY and Lesley's SIGNS SIGNS. Thank you to the hosts.
maybe it's searching for some loved ones? hehehe...
Posted by: Prem | April 25, 2013 at 10:38 AM
Your heron commentary is marvellous. Thanks for making me smile. I love how birds/ animals/ wildlife just get on with things with so little concern about us. They do let us know that we're not really very important uh.
Posted by: Sleepshort | April 14, 2013 at 11:23 PM
Poor bird friend and what a funny shot ! Thanks, Sallie.
Posted by: Annie | April 14, 2013 at 08:29 AM
Maybe the Great Blue was there visiting sick friends. It is wonderful that Florida has these bird sancturies and re-hab places. Great post, Sallie!
Posted by: Eileen | April 14, 2013 at 07:01 AM
One of my favorite birds, Sallie. We've seen a few here, now, as they begin their great migration. I love hearing them high in the sky with their cooing sounds. How fun to have one so close to you.
Posted by: Penny | April 14, 2013 at 06:18 AM
Your photo's are so beautiful and alive, Great job.
Thank you for your good wishes
Posted by: Riet | April 13, 2013 at 01:37 PM
The Sandhill's live here from October through late March.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
Posted by: Linda | April 13, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Well done Sallie
Posted by: Joe Todd | April 13, 2013 at 05:21 AM
How nice that he was checking on his pals! ;-)
Posted by: Lindy | April 12, 2013 at 11:03 PM
Dearest Sallie,
Oh, lovely title and the photos of heron and crane♡♡♡
Maybe they can comunicate each other better than we think p;)
Cranes are the birds represent our country and often used for the new years cards.
Sending you lots of love and hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: Yamda Miyako (orchid) | April 12, 2013 at 05:39 AM
interesting (but quite sad) notice about the sandhill cranes.
How funny to have the heron wandering round, visiting the other birds
Posted by: craftygreenpoet | April 12, 2013 at 01:54 AM
Maybe he's checking out the facilities for when he may need nursing. Or maybe he's looking for a lost sweetheart. This organisation are doing a wonderful job.
Posted by: diane | April 11, 2013 at 11:34 PM
Thank you for the interesting post. I saw cranes in Israel last year. They are very elegant birds indeed!
Thanks for your visit. My guide was Dina, who se blog is:" J erusalem Hills Daily photo".
Have a great weekend.
Wil, ABCW Team
Posted by: Reader Wil | April 11, 2013 at 11:22 PM
The Great Blue Heron is simply a consultant looking for his patient. He has a big "bill" for him! :)
Looks like a really interesting place to visit and it appears they're doing some really good work.
Posted by: Wally | April 11, 2013 at 07:49 PM
I loved the heron and really enjoyed sharing your visit to the bird sanctuary.
Posted by: Charlie@Seattle Trekker | April 11, 2013 at 07:34 PM
That's just funny and awesome!
Posted by: bettyl | April 11, 2013 at 06:53 PM
I have never been that close to a great blue...they are a little shy around here!
I love your sunset colors, too!
Posted by: Dimple | April 11, 2013 at 03:27 PM
"no admittance in any cages" - I bet the birds wish it was true for them also.
Posted by: Lesley | April 11, 2013 at 10:23 AM
I've never seen such a friendly great blue heron. What fun!
Posted by: EG CameraGirl , Canada | April 11, 2013 at 08:07 AM
Awwww ... on the outside, looking in. Cute photo
Posted by: Crafty Gardener | April 11, 2013 at 07:54 AM
he really looks like he wants in
especially in the first photo
he's sweet
Posted by: dianne7777 | April 11, 2013 at 04:27 AM
I have been to Florida bird sanctuaries before and I they all seem to have resident bird that will follow you around. It makes the tour interesting.
Posted by: Andy | April 11, 2013 at 02:14 AM
Perhaps that heron had a close call and is checking out what might have happened to him.
It is hard to imagine a prosthetic for a bird!
Posted by: VioletSky | April 11, 2013 at 01:40 AM
am keeping up, but hsrd to type..hugs..michelle
Posted by: ramblingwoods | April 10, 2013 at 07:23 PM
To be that close to the blue heron. WOW!!! Know that was a fabulous visit. genie
Posted by: genie | April 10, 2013 at 06:02 PM
What awesome birds, not something we'll see here!
Posted by: Al | April 10, 2013 at 05:51 PM
Maybe he was looking for ways to get his friends out of those cages.
Posted by: JoAnnn Bayne | April 10, 2013 at 04:40 PM
Nice post.
Posted by: Neil | April 10, 2013 at 04:08 PM
The wandering blue heron is quite a character! Perhaps he enjoyed your company and thought he would act as a guide for you! Far more "tame" than any blue herons I have seen!
Posted by: Gemma Wiseman | April 10, 2013 at 03:45 PM
Very nice pictures, I love that heron!
Saludos
Posted by: Leovi | April 10, 2013 at 03:03 PM
Our son has a lovely big meadow that floods in the sprig time and grows grass in the summer. It is a haven for migrating Sandhills and he is generous with wonderful pictures of them.
Since I got ancient I don't hear them flying over, and have to rely on one of the children to draw my attention to them, high above, flying north.
Posted by: Hildred | April 10, 2013 at 02:59 PM
That is great! It is Crane social hour.
Posted by: Suzanne | April 10, 2013 at 02:22 PM
He was like a tour guide for you! Such wonderful work they are doing there!
Posted by: RedPat | April 10, 2013 at 01:44 PM
I'd like to visit one of the bird sanctuaries one day. I don't even know if we have one close by.
Posted by: Ewok | April 10, 2013 at 01:26 PM
That's a bird with character. I can relate. I don't like being told "no" either.
Posted by: Leslie | April 10, 2013 at 10:48 AM
HA! What a great capture. Timing is everything...
Posted by: Tami | April 10, 2013 at 08:37 AM
I wonder if he had some friends there... :)
Great photos!
Posted by: Dana | April 10, 2013 at 08:35 AM
Did you have a fish in your pocket? He was not one of the "patients" Ha!
Posted by: Sharon Wagner | April 10, 2013 at 07:14 AM
Beautiful bird, interesting presentation:) I am greeting
Posted by: ZielonaMila | April 10, 2013 at 05:24 AM
The old saying goes "Grass is always greener on the other side of the fence". It is just as you say...:::let me in:::
Great images.
BAD 'Hair' DAY
Posted by: Hootin' Anni | April 10, 2013 at 04:14 AM
H does look like he wants to be let in!
I wonder how many tales of sea monsters are due to the seals fin waving?
Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: [email protected] | April 10, 2013 at 03:53 AM
FREI wie ein Vogel..also los
LG vom katerchen der so einen Reiher hier am Teich hatte..
das wollte wohl Fische mopsen
Posted by: Name katerchen | April 10, 2013 at 03:15 AM
Wonderful shots of the nice place.
Posted by: Rajesh | April 10, 2013 at 12:47 AM
What lovely shots! That heron seems so tame. And how nice to have a sanctuary that looks after the injured sandhill cranes.
Posted by: ladyfi | April 09, 2013 at 08:32 PM
Do you feel that the GBH was use to being around people? The ones I encounter here are quite shy.
Posted by: Jean | April 09, 2013 at 08:23 PM
How funny - perhaps checking to see if the accommodations were suitable. Rain there - snow here.
Posted by: Barb | April 09, 2013 at 07:54 PM
My experience of these guys is that they like their space and will glide off if you come within, oh, a quarter mile. How cool that is that this one is social!
Thanks for your comment on my blog. It means a lot to me.
Posted by: SandyCarlson | April 09, 2013 at 06:21 PM
That comment that the heron can't read made me chuckle! Sometimes it would be nice to understand the language of the animals, isn't it? What they think of humans, for example:):)
Thanks for commenting on what you do with your comments. And that reminded me on a question I may have to deal with when next month we're going to take a one month trip. I wanted to ask you how to post via email, because I have no idea how to do that! Thanks for writing me back:)
Posted by: Emille | April 09, 2013 at 04:14 PM
That first shot made me smile Sallie! He does look as if he's visiting. He certainly looks like he belongs there.
Again, I think they are doing a wonderful job.
So sad so many wildlife have to be rescued but it's nice to know places like this exist.
Posted by: Carletta | April 09, 2013 at 04:09 PM
I love your photos! I need to start taking part in Wild Bird Wednesdays! I take a LOT of bird pics here in Florida! hehee! Enjoy your week! It got HOT, didn't it?
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | April 09, 2013 at 02:42 PM
Great shots, well done!
Posted by: HansHB | April 09, 2013 at 02:29 PM
just visiting his friends!
Posted by: Amanda | April 09, 2013 at 02:22 PM
Hi Sallie!
Now I understand your comment about "my" cranes! :)
What funny heron you met here! I also think he is looking for somebody, maybe his "wife"?
Nice there is such places, but I feel sorry for the birds that maybe got hit by golf balls!
Greetings Pia
Posted by: Pia, Sweden | April 09, 2013 at 01:29 PM
That bird sanctuary looks like a great place. I like the idea of that Heron wandering around to look at everything. You certainly go to a lot of very interesting places.
Posted by: Mick | April 09, 2013 at 01:26 PM
I love great blue herons. Fun the way he was visiting while you were. Great post.
Posted by: Carver | April 09, 2013 at 10:44 AM
love the gbh loiterer! :)
Posted by: TexWisGirl | April 09, 2013 at 10:04 AM
I think he's looking for somebirdy!
Posted by: Karen | April 09, 2013 at 09:37 AM
What a nice visitor !
Posted by: Gattina | April 09, 2013 at 09:27 AM
He must've had some friends in the sanctuary! lol Poor GBH. He sure is cute!
Posted by: Gail | April 09, 2013 at 09:17 AM
Bird prosthetics!!! What will they think of next!!!
I love the idea though, that people are learning to help the wildlife that has lost its fight with humanity!!!
And I love that visiting heron!! So funny!!!
Posted by: Judy | April 09, 2013 at 08:54 AM
fascinating birds-and super photos!
Posted by: HAZEL | April 09, 2013 at 08:42 AM
The blue Heron cannot read!
Posted by: Rainfield (雨田 Malaysia） | April 09, 2013 at 07:46 AM