Behind Park Ridge Hospital is a row of nursing home buildings called the Cottages. Behind them is a walkway, and beyond that is a nice little swamp, probably created by a bit of a drainage problem when the Cottages were built.
Just makes you want to wade right in, doesn't it?
But don't just stare at the lovely muck. Look up into the treetops.
One day when I was walking into one of the cottages to see my Dad, I noticed some movement way off in the distant treetops. Instead of turning and heading into the building, I went straight to the edge of the swamp. I watched as two Great Blue Herons made design decisions on building their nest. I continued to watch until they noticed me and flew off. But they were not deterred, and they returned without my supervision to construct a fine nest. All that spring, I kept diverting to the edge of the swamp when I went to visit Dad and was treated to an occasional glimpse of the chicks.
Me and my friend admiring construction techniques.
That was two years ago. Things have changed, but Mom continues to live about a quarter of a mile away. After a visit, it dawned on me that it made sense to walk over to see if the herons were using the same bungalow. As I approached the swamp, the Red-winged Blackbirds sent up a racket. I swear they are in cahoots with the herons. They provide a very effective alarm system.
Waiting in the reeds.
I've been spotted.
Oh, shut up! I'm not going to hurt anything.
Peering through the woods, I detected motion.
Mama is home.
They were back! And not only a single pair. There were at least 5 nests, and I could see activity in three of them.
Sentry duty.
Not only the herons like this neighborhood.
"You looking' at me, kid?"
But it wasn't just the adults I had the pleasure of observing.
Dad surveys the brood.
I moved around to a better viewpoint, and Dad decided he should move on.
Mom with the chicks.
It's important to be well groomed.
"Enough, Mom!"
Watch them do their thing!
This video is worth playing if only to listen to the swamp music.
Did you just wake up?
Someone is having a bad hair day.
But it won't be long until those grooming lessons yield this!
