The great egret stopped to smell a flower. Just kidding. It was searching for a fish in the grass, which might seem even stranger— except it had dropped the fish there.Peggy and I found the great egret, and a great blue heron, fishing in Abbotts Lagoon at Pt. Reyes National Seashore.It was an easy and pleasant walk out to the lagoon from the trailhead. Flowers, birds and cows kept us amused along the way. Peggy fell in love with the poppies.She took lots of photos.A two-for-one shot.And two with layered petals.Large bunches of poppies added splashes of yellow to the scenery.A pond proved to be a perfect location for nesting redwing blackbirds.This one chose a post to sing his cheerful song from.And this one, a convenient plant.Several cows grazed over a hill above the pond like a 40-plus leg mowing machine. A number of dairy ranches are still functioning within the park.This cow, backlit by the sun, had a bad case of cowlick. At first, we thought it might be a bull. Nope. I checked.I spotted this plant and went searching in my memory for its name. The leaves gave it away.It was yarrow. One of the names for this flower is Devil’s Plaything. An ancient superstition said the Devil would walk the streets at night and shake the flower at houses he wanted to curse. One can only wonder how the superstition got its start.Neither Peggy nor I had any problems identifying this iris. Its name? Iris douglasiana ‘Pt Reyes’.A colorful thistle caught my attention. You can look, but you best not touch! BTW, nettles were common along the trail as well. They are definitely ‘do not touch.’Lupine has well over 200 species worldwide. Estimates range as high as 500! The beginning of the trail at Abbotts Lagoon is loaded with yellow lupine bushes (Lupinus aborius). It was a week or two early for most of them to bloom but one plant favored me with these.Peggy found a striking red dragonfly along the trail that flew ahead of us and conveniently landed in front of her.This white crowned sparrow wasn’t nearly as cooperative. The bushes alongside the trail were alive with them. One would think they would be easy to photograph. And they would be, if they were ever still longer than a second or two. Finally, we got lucky.We were even luckier when crossing the bridge that separates the upper and lower lagoons. A white crowned sparrow was below the bridge getting a drink. it’s easy to see how the bird got its name.The bridge and the lower lagoon. The ocean can be seen in the distance.A pair of swallows landed on the bridge railing.A close up of the colorful male.Another view of the lower lagoon.The main action was taking place on the upper lagoon just above the bridge where the great egret and the great blue heron were at work. The egret had spotted a fish and was heading out to get it.It plunged its head into the water…And caught a whopper! It’s the fish he dropped in the grass and had to retrieve.The great blue heron was 50 feet below the egret.A closer view.Searching for fish, it looked to the right…Straight ahead…And glanced quickly to the left…Before burying its head lightning fast in the water.All the way up its neck. We’ll leave the heron trying to catch its fish. (We never saw the fish, but we did see the heron swallow it.) Next post: On to the historic Pierce Point Ranch.
34 thoughts on “A Great Egret Stops to Smell the Flowers: Abbotts Lagoon, Point Reyes NS… Pacific Coast Series 6”
That forty-leg mowing machine was a hoot. It was interesting to see so much sand, too. I tend to think of California’s coast as only rocks, even though I know better. The photo was a nice reminder.
There are plenty of rocks, which I love, and long beaches for Peggy. Swimming in the water can be a bit chilly for most peoples’ tastes, however, given that the California current brings the water down from Alaska.
The National Seashore has always been one of my favorite places, Ingrid. In fact it was my go-to place on the ocean when I used to live in Sacramento. What’s not to love about shorebirds and flowers!
What a nice way to think of it! I am sure that my life would not be as good without walks like that, and now I will think of it as being longer because of them. 🙂
The photos in this post are all splendid. I especially love the Redwing Blackbird, who posed so nicely in both. I recently heard the song on a trail and am reminded that it is a stereotypically perfect bird’s song. ❤ Please tell Peggy thanks for all those marvelous poppies. The layered ones are unusual to me and a fun find.
Redwings nested in the cattails of a small pond I played at (and in) as a child, Crystal. Their beautiful song was forever etched into my mind. I could easily have made a blog out of the poppy photos Peggy took. Grin.
Pt Reyes is so lovely! I had a contact with them when I was a book manager at The Evergreen State College Bookstore years ago. We ordered material from them for one of our classes and I had always wanted to visit them! I especially love the vivid colors of the sky, water and flowers! Happy trails!
The small, independent bookstore in Point Reyes Station is one of the best small bookstores that I have ever visited Wendy. Peggy and I never walk out of there without spending at least $100 and often more!
Evergreen is a very impressive college. I’ve know about it for a long time but just looked at its curriculum again. Wow.
Your post is filled with amazing images of things I love – birds, flowers, beautiful landscapes. The first image of the egret seeming to smell a flower is my favorite.
We have some red ones in my native place, but they are a darker shade of red. Your dragonfly is super bright, quite a diva! And thank you for the flowers. Oh, to be born a wildflower in my next life would be a wish come true.
Thanks for the education on birds and flowers although many I know.. poppies for sure coming from here.. ha! but I never knew birds smelled flowers… lol. Sienna (my grand ) tries to eat them and I am slowly teaching her how to smell.. Maybe she’s gonna grow winds.. lol .
Spectacular photos, Curt. Hey I sat for 2 1/2 hours to capture a damn dragon fly and after just shooting I found a tiny image in the pic i took but when I blow it up, it’s too blurry,. Can I use yours for my next published piece and credit you of course. Sooo jel jel of your pics but I’m not buying a proper camera.. one more thing to deal with so I’ll live longingly through you. Great post! 💓
You two have covered some of my favorite places in the world in this Pacific Coast series, Curt, and you know my deep passion for Pt. Reyes. Clearly you and Peggy enjoyed Abbotts Lagoon as these photos were so lovingly snapped and artfully demonstrated this truly lovely place in the world. That pond where you marveled at the red-winged blackbirds is ordinarily a narrow waterway, but this year it has expanded nicely from the winter rains. Wonderful post with accurate research, picturesque photos and uplifting narrative.
Thanks so much Jet. Your comments mean a lot coming from you, given your love and knowledge of the area! Glad we are able to capture some of what you feel.
Wandering through Time and Place 
That forty-leg mowing machine was a hoot. It was interesting to see so much sand, too. I tend to think of California’s coast as only rocks, even though I know better. The photo was a nice reminder.
The way the cows had lined up was fun, Linda.
There are plenty of rocks, which I love, and long beaches for Peggy. Swimming in the water can be a bit chilly for most peoples’ tastes, however, given that the California current brings the water down from Alaska.
Always fun watching shore bird’s fish. Looks like a wonderful place to visit and stroll. And of course, those CA poppies add to the overall beauty.
The National Seashore has always been one of my favorite places, Ingrid. In fact it was my go-to place on the ocean when I used to live in Sacramento. What’s not to love about shorebirds and flowers!
I believe a walk like that adds years to one’s life. The weather looks great, and it didn’t appear crowded.
What a nice way to think of it! I am sure that my life would not be as good without walks like that, and now I will think of it as being longer because of them. 🙂
Always been my belief as well, Ray. And if not longer, at least richer. We may have seen a dozen people on our walk.
The photos in this post are all splendid. I especially love the Redwing Blackbird, who posed so nicely in both. I recently heard the song on a trail and am reminded that it is a stereotypically perfect bird’s song. ❤ Please tell Peggy thanks for all those marvelous poppies. The layered ones are unusual to me and a fun find.
Redwings nested in the cattails of a small pond I played at (and in) as a child, Crystal. Their beautiful song was forever etched into my mind. I could easily have made a blog out of the poppy photos Peggy took. Grin.
Pt Reyes is so lovely! I had a contact with them when I was a book manager at The Evergreen State College Bookstore years ago. We ordered material from them for one of our classes and I had always wanted to visit them! I especially love the vivid colors of the sky, water and flowers! Happy trails!
The small, independent bookstore in Point Reyes Station is one of the best small bookstores that I have ever visited Wendy. Peggy and I never walk out of there without spending at least $100 and often more!
Evergreen is a very impressive college. I’ve know about it for a long time but just looked at its curriculum again. Wow.
Your post is filled with amazing images of things I love – birds, flowers, beautiful landscapes. The first image of the egret seeming to smell a flower is my favorite.
The egret ‘smelling the flower’ was my favorite as well, Beth. And thanks. There was much beauty along the trail.
I’ve gradually learned a new-found respect for watching birds, so this seems right up my alley.
I never knew a red dragonfly even existed!
I think Peggy and I had only seen one, before, G. I’ll keep sending you birds. Grin.
I guess I have gone to the birds, Curt. 🤪
Wow, that red dragonfly is impressive. The water is so blue.
It was a beauty, Peggy.
Wow! Wonderful, one and all. The swallows are so artfully photographed.
Thanks, Cindy.
The photographs are wonderful! I especially loved the flowers. The red dragonfly is gorgeous too!
Not surprised about the flowers. Grin. Glad you liked the red dragonfly as well. We rarely see them. Thanks!
We have some red ones in my native place, but they are a darker shade of red. Your dragonfly is super bright, quite a diva! And thank you for the flowers. Oh, to be born a wildflower in my next life would be a wish come true.
A brief, but beautiful existence.
very evicative!
keep up the good work.
thom
Thanks, Thom.
Thanks Thom.
Thanks for the education on birds and flowers although many I know.. poppies for sure coming from here.. ha! but I never knew birds smelled flowers… lol. Sienna (my grand ) tries to eat them and I am slowly teaching her how to smell.. Maybe she’s gonna grow winds.. lol .
Spectacular photos, Curt. Hey I sat for 2 1/2 hours to capture a damn dragon fly and after just shooting I found a tiny image in the pic i took but when I blow it up, it’s too blurry,. Can I use yours for my next published piece and credit you of course. Sooo jel jel of your pics but I’m not buying a proper camera.. one more thing to deal with so I’ll live longingly through you. Great post! 💓
You two have covered some of my favorite places in the world in this Pacific Coast series, Curt, and you know my deep passion for Pt. Reyes. Clearly you and Peggy enjoyed Abbotts Lagoon as these photos were so lovingly snapped and artfully demonstrated this truly lovely place in the world. That pond where you marveled at the red-winged blackbirds is ordinarily a narrow waterway, but this year it has expanded nicely from the winter rains. Wonderful post with accurate research, picturesque photos and uplifting narrative.
Thanks so much Jet. Your comments mean a lot coming from you, given your love and knowledge of the area! Glad we are able to capture some of what you feel.
This all looks so idyllic, and like you two are having a lovely time on your meander around the US.
Alison
Meandering is a good description of what we do, Alison. 🙂
Beautiful walk, beautiful photos.
Walks don’t get much better! And thanks on the photos.