Technically, we aren't supposed to have birdfeeders on the decks were I live because the dropped seeds attract rats and that's been a problem here. But I have put out pie tins with peanuts and other bird seed out occasionally, which rewards me with Stellar's jays, finches, chickadees, juncos, robins, and once a red tailed hawk. Great blue heron and kingfishers browse for fish in the creek 10 feet from the deck.
You must live relatively close to me. The wildlife here sounds like what you mention. I'm on the eastern shore of Maryland. A few years ago I did an overnighter in my rowboat down the Marshyhope Creek in Caroline County. I was woken in the morning with the Great Blues calling to each other in the half-light morning mist. A white ibis perched on my boat but flew off when he saw me in my sleeping bag. I wish I could express it in more high-sounding terms but I felt like I was dreaming.
That sounds like an amazing experience, @Dwight Ward. Those herons startle me every time they come in -- so huge, it feels like a pterodactyl. I couldn't be much father from Maryland, Dwight, here in Washington state. But I did spend about 3 months at Indian Head MD back in the dark ages of this lifetime. LOL
I'm embarrassed. We have Great Gray Herons here, not blue. I guess I was in such a rush to sync with someone that I didn't 'hear' the blue. But all else was the same about my recollection. Btw, I lived in several places in Oregon and got up to Washington a few times.
In Summer Twilight - Joshua Henry Jones, Jr. Just a dash of lambent carmine Shading into sky of gold; Just a twitter of a song-bird Ere the wings its head enfold; Just a rustling sigh of parting From the moon-kissed hill to breeze; And a cheerful gentle, nodding Adieu waving from the trees; Just a friendly sunbeam’s flutter Wishing all a night’s repose, Ere the stars swing back the curtain Bringing twilight’s dewy close.
Something was nagging at me and I did some research on the herons at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Dorchester County, MD. where I grew up. If I was embarrassed before, now I feel like an idiot. It is Great Blue Herons we have there.
MY FIRST HUMMINGBIRD! I only got a brief look at it because I started backing very slowly out of the kitchen to get my camera. When I got to the hall I ran. Then I peeked around the corner into the kitchen but it was gone. I believe it was a female Ruby-Throated. I'm so pleased.
Don't remind me ,not many now a days. But we do still have Jays,Cardinals,Doves and a whole family of crows who demand breakfast every morning. One we named Prettybird and he likes a saltine and parades around showing the hens he has one and they don't.