February 15 – My Nature Journal
2026-02-15 Nature Journal
Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
This Great Blue Heron stood motionless and balanced on one leg in the middle of my nearby beaver pond.
While I have more Great Blue Heron photographs than any woman has a right to, I had to take this one, even though the bird was quite far away.
I just loved how deep the colors of the heron’s blue and slate gray feathers looked and its reflection in the water.
Hooded Merganser
Lophodytes cucullatus
Hooded Mergansers only winter in North Carolina.
Since spring is on its way, my time with them is limited. I was pleased to see this pair still on the lake today and wonder how long they’ll hang around before taking flight to parts unknown.
My guess is that they’ll be gone for the season by the time I make to this lake again.
Green-winged Teal
Anas carolinensis
The Green-winged Teal is another bird species that only winters in North Carolina.
This male and female pair will probably start their northward migration very soon and leave the lake empty of Green-winged Teals once again until fall.
Red-shouldered Hawk
Buteo lineatus
After the twinge of sadness I felt watching the Hooded Mergansers and Green-winged Teals on the lake for what may be the last time this season, this Red-shouldered Hawk lifted my mood when I glanced to the side and spotted it.
Red-shouldered Hawks live in North Carolina year-round and I see them frequently because they hunt in the same forests in which I walk.
While fairly small, these birds are powerful hunters and I love to watch them swoop through the trees from one perch to another. I also appreciate them because they don’t spook very easily. Often, they perch motionless while I snap their photographs.
In my experience, Red-shouldered Hawks accept pretty calmly a large, dark camera lens being pointed in their direction.
Today’s Nature Journal Snapshot
|
Time of Day |
Early afternoon |
|
Setting |
Large lake |
|
Temperature |
47° F / 8° C |
|
Weather |
Light rain |
|
Humidity |
80% |
