Heron Comes Home to Roost

Evening falls like an autumn leaf on Cove Lake.

Shimmering last light 

guides a Great blue heron 

home to roost.

Its lonely flight mirrored

against darkening water,

the heron slowly soars 

through fading evening light.

 I see grace, beauty and strength

in every stroke of

those blue-gray wings.

 No warrior's drone

could be display more stealth.

As it pinpoints its target,

banks left,

then readies itself for a landing.

Static energy pulls it forward.

With shoulders bent then straight,

motion brings movement

across the still lake,

 until only a few strokes remain.

Until rest and darkness

envelope the heron

who, like me seeks the quiet of sanctuary.

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Bath time at Cove Lake State Park is serious business. 

Despite a soft morning fog that threatens to obscure the water's surface, this goose has decided to "take the plunge."

Sometimes it is that first dunk under the water that is the coldest.

After that bathing is . . . well as easy as water off a duck's back.

There is a lot of area to cover

Hmmmmm. This might be easier for a swan.

Wouldn't hands be nice  Even one would be a help.

Actually, though, this goose seems to be doing just fine.

I think that is about everything.

"How do I look?" 

Finished just in time!  It seems a Canada goose is next in line to use the "tub."

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Cove Creek State Park is next to Caryville, Tennessee and very close to Lafollette, Tennessee.  The park is in a valley separating the Appalachian Mountains to the east from the Cumberland Mountains to the west.  It is very close to the Cumberland Gap which I wrote about a few weeks ago. As we set up our campsite, we wondered why there were so many feathers at the waters edge in just one spot.  The next morning we learned why.  That is the story above.