begrudging bird like

Category: dribblings

 It has been mentioned before, on this blog, that I don’t like birds. I don’t. I think they are filthy creatures. And don’t tell me that they bathe, because I know this. They’re still dirty and gross and shit all over whatall.

It has also been mentioned before, on this blog, that birds of prey get a free pass because they are badass. I think we all agree on that point, yes?

The more I go out with the camera and spend time in nature-y places and see birds and bugs and slimey things the more I’m warming up to nature in general. (note: all my friends who are reading this are probably laughing at the “warming up” part. “Warming up? You’re one bad idea away from quitting life and joining the National Forestry Service.” to which I would probably respond, “There’s a National Forestry Service?”) I’ve turned into a different person. If you go on a walk with me, chances are we will see a bug or a bird and before I know what’s happening I’m probably boring you with a fact or personal story about said bug or bird.

“Hey check it out, dragonfly! It’s a female Whitetail.”

“…”

“See, on the wings? The males have different- I’m sorry, we were probably having a conversation weren’t we?”

“I don’t even see what you’re looking at.”

It happens a lot. I’m not trying to be Nature Nerd or anything, but I do get excited about certan things, mostly dragonflies and snakes.

Anyway, back to birds. I’m still meh about most birds. But there is one bird that has sort of wormed it’s filthy way into my stone-cold ice heart: the Great Blue Heron.

This bird won me over in three different ways.

1. It looks hilarious. 

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The stork neck alone is nearly funny enough (note: nearly.) but you add the long skinny legs and you’ve got comedy gold. You add a long neck and shorty legs you get a Canada goose, and that shit ain’t funny.

#2. The wings.

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Have you ever seen one of these huge things take off? It’s a miracle they know they can fly at all.

 greatblueheron29
These jokers are strong. It must take some power to get them off the ground.

#3. They catch fish (and other animals: rats, baby ducks, frogs whatevs they don’t care.) with their pointy bill. They stand in the water and get their hilarious necks down low and wait and BAM. They jam their face down in the water and come up with fish the size you wouldn’t think they could swallow. Then they swallow their food whole while it’s still alive.

greatblueheron18 
Okay this was a smallish fish. But I’ve seen them choke down much bigger fish. youtube it, I’m sure there’s all kinds of video.

I guess I like these birds because they look like fools but secretly they are badass.

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