I was dreaming just before I woke up that I was in a hotel room where my friends Pat and Dawn were staying while they were in town. They had a patio outside their room, which overlooked the river. It was nighttime and moonless, but the snow on the ground cast a glow from lights of the city so it wasn’t totally pitch black. I was out there smoking a cigarette, wishing I had this kind of view all the time.
I heard a noise that at first sounded like water splashing. And then I realized it was the sound of wings flapping. Five Great Blue Herons were landing on the edge of the riverbank. I held absolutely still and one came within just a few feet of me. It was spectacular.
I was treated to so much wildlife observation last summer. We had a mallard explosion on campus and lots of Canada geese as well. It was so cool to watch the babies grow up over the warmer months. No matter the time of day, you could walk near the river and see a mother with ducklings. We noticed that so many of the males were sunning themselves on the sandbar, while the mothers tirelessly watched over the ducklings. The Canada geese seemed to have a more equitable arrangement regarding gosling-care responsibilities.
But the best part for me was Blue. Frequently, but not always and only in the early morning, I would see this Great Blue Heron. He was always quietly standing in the middle of the river, watching carefully for prey. On rare occasions, I would get to see his head dive into the water going after something.
When I was really lucky, I’d get to see him fly. His takeoff was always a little awkward (he is a rather gangly bird), but once he got going it was pure grace.
He was kind of a good luck charm. No matter what my mood as I was walking into work, when I saw Blue I knew it was going to be a good day. And it was.
With it being winter, the Canada geese have long gone and the last time I saw Blue or his mate (when they were together, I’d call them Frasier and Lilith) was in late October or early November.
Only the mallards remain, but they only venture out in the early, early morning before sunrise. They went into this hiding the day fall semester started. It was as though they knew it was going to get a little crazy. I rarely see them, since it’s dark when I arrive. But I usually hear one of them. It always sounds as though he – or she – is laughing at a really bad joke.
I’m not sure why I dreamed about the cranes this morning. Maybe Blue is trying to tell me that today is going to be a good day. I hope so.